Cultivating a new way of looking at ‘body love’
“By speaking of ourselves in a positive and affirmative fashion and finding ways to eradicate self-hate, we can foster a sense of love and compassion powerful enough to restructure our society’s entire perspective of ‘body love’.” —Jessamyn Stanley
Yoga teacher, Jessamyn Stanley first captivated the social media public with her Instagram account, documenting her home yoga practice. Stanley has a ‘yoga body’, which is to say it is authentically what it is in each moment, without apology. True to form, her vinyasa yoga classes provide a “body positive approach to yoga which celebrates students’ bodies and encourages them to ask ‘How do I feel?’ rather than ‘How do I look?’ when practicing yoga.”
You’re not broken
“You are not a mistake. You are not a problem to be solved. But you won’t discover this until you are willing to stop banging your head against the wall of shaming and caging and fearing yourself.” —Geneen Roth
Author Geneen Roth, who has written prolifically about eating disorders, is spot-on in addressing the notion that you’re not broken. Everyone has issues and flaws. Nevertheless, you don’t need fixing. You’re good enough just the way you are.
In need of more inspiration from positive role models? Here are 10 inspirational quotes from the world’s strongest women.
Body positivity should be the rule, not the exception
“You don’t need an excuse to feel good about yourself.” —Olakemi
Self-described body activist Olakemi is a Nigerian model who is a purveyor of words of positive wisdom. She is an Instagram influencer whose followers look to her for inspiration. Among her other pearls of wisdom, she offers the following definition of body positivity. “Body positivity means inclusion but also equality. Acceptance and celebration of diversity. Not tearing down others of different body shapes and sizes. Being audacious enough to love yourself. Pushing past fear and doubt with positivity.”
Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!
Source: RD.com
