YOU ARE NOT YOUR BODY

Tonight I went to heated vinyasa at The Funky Om. The theme of our class was "You are not your mind. You are not your body. You are the Divine." Throughout the class, I tried my best to really understand this idea. And I got it. But it wasn't until I got in my car to drive home that it really permeated my mind.

As a trainer, I find that the majority of my clients seek professional help from me for one common reason. A reason that is so sad. So unfortunate. So normal. Because they hate their bodies.

Whether it's a specific part of their body or everything in general, it's heartbreaking. I have had clients request to face away from the mirror during our sessions because the mere sight of themselves makes them upset. The sad truth is that nearly everybody can look at themselves in a mirror and point out something they wish they could change. Myself included. But not anymore.

It's time that we start appreciating our bodies for what they really are. We are not our bodies. Our bodies are the amazing temples in which our divine selves and our minds reside. Do you ever stop and think about all of the hard work your body does just for you? How your heart automatically beats to keep you alive? How you unconsciously breathe to let air in and out? How if you fall and scrape your knee, your body naturally heals itself? What about how your body silently produces white blood cells to fight off infections? Or how the muscles around your hair follicles contract when you're cold to create goosebumps in hopes of keeping you warm? It's time that we start noticing what's really important. Did you wake up today? Appreciate that rather than dwell on the pimple that developed overnight (most likely as a response to stress or greasy food, both of which harm the body).

I recently read somewhere that you should treat your body as if it is a baby. Fuel it with nutritious food. Hydrate it often. Ensure it gets enough sleep. Make sure it's happy. Teach it things. Challenge its strength gently and appropriately. Most importantly, love it unconditionally.Your body is your baby. It can't talk. It can only give you clues as to what it wants. What it needs. Notice those clues. Listen to those clues. Your body needs you, but you need it even more.

So next time you find yourself looking in the mirror and pointing out your flaws. Take a step back. Change those negative thoughts to positive ones. Every body, every mind, and every divine self is beautiful and deserves to be recognized as such. Next time you notice yourself breaking out, think about your body trying to communicate to you that it can't handle the amount of stress you're putting on it. Next time you have a stomach ache, think about your body trying to communicate that it doesn't agree with what you fed it (or the amount you fed it). Open your eyes. Open your heart. Love and appreciate your body for what it is and how much it does for you.

NATURAL BEAUTY

Natural beauty is everywhere. 

Natural beauty is often overlooked.

Living in the moment is tough, especially with the mental stresses of everyday life. School, jobs, relationships and responsibilities hinder our abilities to simply just be. Our minds wander instead of observe our surroundings, and it's difficult to appreciate the beauty around us unless we are completely invested in it. 

For seventeen years, I was surrounded with my mom's breathtaking creations. She spent countless hours in her garden, tending to each plant, to each flower, to each pedal. She made sure our yard brought happiness and peace, herbs, tomatoes and pea pods. We were constantly visited by beautiful butterflies, dragonflies, tree frogs, turtles and other little, adorable creatures. Looking back at the pictures of her gardens brings me so much joy. She truly enhanced the natural beauty of my first seventeen years of life.
Two years ago we moved three houses down the street from my mom's dream home. The same pond that was once in my backyard is now in my front yard. The pond brings memories of my previous house. I used to look out my bedroom window and see my parents in the rowboat, my mom's feet dangled in the fresh water as my dad navigated throughout the pond. I see the same pond when I look out the window of my current bedroom, but my mom is not in the rowboat this time, her ashes are in the water. It's beautiful.

This summer, I have began to create my own natural beauty. I'm finally grasping the art of gardening, and it's very rewarding. I love seeing my flowers bloom and displaying them in vases around my house. I love dragging the hose around my property, not only because I get to water my plants and fill my bird baths, but also because dragging that hose around gets my heart rate up faster than burpees do!  I've also created a miniature pond in my yard, complete with lilly pads, a water lilly, 5 goldfish and a koi fish! Sitting next to my pond, looking at my beautiful creations while drinking green juice is certainly one of my favorite ways to start a summer morning. Next stop: growing baby tomatoes!

Remember to see, don't just look at, the beauty that surrounds you everywhere. You can create your own happiness by allowing yourself to observe and appreciate the nature that is so easily overlooked.