Love Your Body

Before you can accept that someone loves you (other than your family) , you gotta really love yourself! When you genuinely appreciate who you are, your physical body, what you've done in your life, and where you are now, then you are truly ready to connect with others, because their love adds to the love you already feel. And THAT is when love is sustainable.

This is not to say that we cannot love another person if we are not exactly loving ourselves as much. Yes, other's love may help us feel more lovable, and help us love life again. However, in this case, the love we feel for ourselves is dependent on something outside of ourselves validating our desirability and value, and can disappear as soon as that outside source is taken away.

I guarantee you, when you truly LOVE yourself (not in an egotistical way, but in the most genuine and healthy sense of the term) life WILL love you back! Colours seem more vibrant, you wake up happier, nothing seems annoying anymore, you have better relationships with everyone around you, because your best relationship is the one you have with yourself. It just starts with gratitude for the life you've been given, and every other blessing that is around you. If you are reading this, that means you have a BLESSED life, and it is your responsibility (and gift) to see it as a blessing.

The first step to truly loving yourself, is to really love your physical BODY. Your physical body is a collection of all the decisions that you made throughout your life, decisions your ancestors made before you, and the actual EARTH that you've eaten to create your body. How you are carrying yourself is how you are letting your energy animate your body. Thus, if you can sincerely look at yourself in the mirror, face the "flaws" that you dread, and truly love the body you've been gifted with, then you are accepting and loving and taking responsibility for the decisions that you've made and the decisions that you're going to make going forward.

At that point, you start to take better care of yourself, you start to pay attention to what you put into your body, and you start treating your body like the actual temple that it is. Because your body IS the temple that holds your energy or your spirit, or whatever you want to call it. And we ALL gotta just stop taking our bodies for granted, and revel in the miracle that we even have one to experience all of life's pleasures!

"Loving yourself is the greatest revolution." - Louise Hay

My Journey towards Loving my Body

For the first part of my life, I struggled with my own body image, especially growing up as a visible minority in grade school. Just like every other girl, in every other era, I grew up comparing myself to the women on film and TV, and the women modelling in all the fashion magazines. Even compared to my older sister and cousins, I always felt like the awkward ugly duckling. This affected every aspect in my life - I wasn't as social at school, I wasn't confident, it was hard for me to make friends, and it prevented me from doing a lot of activities that would have enriched my life, all because I was overridden with self-consciousness.

Even when I had a partner of seven years that I loved and who loved me back so much, I was still not happy with my body...at all. For as long as I could remember, I always had trouble areas that I was so embarrassed of. Right now, it looks like I have gained weight from just time, but in truth, it's my stubborn baby fat that I haven't worked off yet!!

People would compliment me from time to time, but I would never really believe them because I just didn't look like what society thought was beautiful. As I said, these body-image issues prevented me from fully living my life.

It was only after years of picking up healthier habits when I started to feel better about who I was and my own body. I felt like I had more energy, I connected with people a lot easier, my communication skills enhanced, and my confidence levels started to increase, though, my insecurities were still an issue.

And then there was a turning point in my life that I remember to this day. It was one long night on the first day of 2011 that me, my partner at the time, and a good friend of ours shared our deepest thoughts, stories, and philosophies with each other. As dawn was about to break, and our hearts were all cracked open, and my friend (with no intention of hurting me) said something to me that triggered all the insecurities that I had about being undesirable, unfit, and just not beautiful. Because the night was so emotionally charged from ALL of us, all of what I felt from the past bubbled up and I just cried for ten minutes.

It wasn't a pity cry; something cathartic happened within that time. I could feel that sad, heavy energy that I felt my whole life, that fear and shame - I felt it transform within my heart, and I could feel my heart fill with this lighter energy. I could feel it actually healing. And for some reason, my intuition made me run to a mirror, and look at my reflection. The room was dimly lit with just candle light and the rays of the sun slowly rising towards morning, and I remember hearing Bjork's Cocoon playing gently in the background.

I looked at my reflection, and I don't know if it was the heart-opening conversations we had all night, the perfect lighting, the dewiness of my blushed face, or the glisten of my tear-soaked, big-owl eyes or just everything combined - but in that moment, I saw the true beauty of who I was, pouring out through my body. And I never felt so beautiful in my life!

I jumped with joy and instead of crying from sadness, I had tears of laughter and happiness, because for the first time in my life, I saw the true beauty of who I was...I saw my spirit animate my body, and I vowed to love myself from that day forward. It was that energy that propelled me into the years that followed.

I know this is going to sound so cliche, but true beauty really does come from within. There is an energy that runs through you, and gives you life. When your thoughts are imbued with pure love and gratitude, you express a light that others recognize and feel at home with. You become the mirror of the love that is stirring within themselves as well.

Are you ready to Love your Body more? Because I am!!

Steps to Loving YOUR Body

1. Mirror Work. Mirror work, a transformative practice, profoundly supports cultivating body love. Through intentional engagement with one's reflection, individuals embark on a journey of self-acceptance and appreciation. By looking into the mirror with kindness and compassion, acknowledging your body's unique beauty and strengths; this can create a shift away from self-criticism toward self-love. Mirror work encourages a positive mindset by reframing negative self-perceptions and promoting affirmations of worthiness and beauty. Regular practice of mirror work fosters a deeper connection with your physical self, enhancing body awareness and mindfulness. This practice empowers individuals to embrace their bodies authentically, fostering a positive relationship built on self-respect and confidence. Ultimately, mirror work nurtures a journey towards profound body love and holistic well-being.

2. Breathwork and Relaxation. Breathwork is a powerful tool that can significantly contribute to cultivating body love. By engaging in intentional breathing practices, individuals can foster a deeper connection with their bodies and promote a sense of acceptance and appreciation. Through focused breathing techniques, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing or rhythmic breath patterns, Breathwork helps to calm the mind and reduce stress, creating a space for self-compassion to flourish. This process not only enhances mindfulness but also encourages a positive mindset towards one's body, shifting away from judgmental thoughts to nurturing self-talk. Regular practice of Breathwork can strengthen the mind-body connection, allowing individuals to better understand and respond to their body's needs. Ultimately, Breathwork empowers individuals to embrace their bodies with kindness and respect, fostering a journey towards greater body love and holistic well-being.

3. Mindful Eating. When you are conscious of what you're putting into your body, when you are eating based on nourishing your body rather than succombing to your cravings, you are telling your body that it deserves to be nourished with proper fuel, the food that will give you the most energy and support. Mindful eating is a transformative practice that promotes body love and overall well-being. By cultivating awareness and presence during meals, individuals can develop a deeper connection with their bodies and their relationship to food. Mindful eating involves paying attention to the sensory experience of eating—tasting, smelling, and savoring each bite without judgment. This practice encourages a positive mindset towards food and self-nourishment, fostering gratitude for the nourishment it provides. By tuning into hunger and fullness cues, mindful eating helps individuals to eat more intuitively, honoring their body's natural signals. Regular practice of mindful eating enhances self-awareness around eating habits and emotional triggers, promoting a balanced and respectful relationship with food and body. Ultimately, mindful eating supports a journey towards greater body love, self-compassion, and holistic health.

4. Self-Massage. Self-massage is a powerful practice that can greatly enhance body love and self-care. Through gentle touch and intentional movements, individuals can foster a deeper connection with their bodies and promote a sense of nurturing and acceptance. By massaging areas of tension or discomfort, people can release physical and emotional stress, creating a space for relaxation and healing. Self-massage encourages a positive relationship with the body by promoting feelings of comfort and appreciation for its capabilities. Regular practice of self-massage increases body awareness and enhances the mind-body connection, allowing individuals to better understand and respond to their body's needs. This practice empowers individuals to take ownership of their well-being, fostering a journey towards greater self-love, acceptance, and holistic health.

5. Stretch & Exercise. Engaging in regular stretching and exercise routines is instrumental in fostering body love and holistic well-being. Through mindful movement, individuals cultivate a deeper connection with their bodies, promoting flexibility, strength, and overall physical health. Stretching helps to release tension and improve posture, enhancing body awareness and encouraging a positive self-image. By embracing exercise as a form of self-care rather than punishment, individuals can experience the joy of movement and appreciate their body's capabilities. Regular physical activity not only boosts mood and energy levels but also supports a sense of empowerment and confidence in one's physical self. Ultimately, stretching and exercise contribute to a journey of self-discovery and body acceptance, nurturing a positive relationship with body and mind.

6. Affirmations.Using affirmations to cultivate body love is highly beneficial as they promote a positive mindset, shifting your perspective from self-criticism to self-appreciation. Regularly practicing affirmations fosters self-compassion, boosting your confidence and helping you feel more comfortable in your own skin. They support mental health by reducing anxiety and depression related to body image, empowering you to break free from societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards. Consistent use of affirmations creates a habit of positive self-talk, enhancing the mind-body connection and encouraging better physical health practices. Overall, affirmations lead to positive behavioral changes and improved self-esteem, fostering a loving and accepting relationship with your body.

7. Spend Time in Nature. Spending time in nature is a transformative practice that fosters body love and spiritual well-being. Immersing oneself in natural surroundings allows individuals to reconnect with the earth and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Nature offers a space for relaxation and reflection, reducing stress and promoting inner peace. By engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, walking, or simply sitting in a peaceful setting, people can rejuvenate their senses and enhance mindfulness. This connection with nature encourages a sense of gratitude and respect for the environment and one's own body. Regular time spent in nature supports mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall health, nurturing a profound sense of harmony between body, mind, and the natural world.

To help with the practice of loving my body, I created a Dance Journey, entitled....you guessed it, Love Your Body. This JEMM incorporates many of the elements above, such as Mirror Work, Mindful Eating and Self-Massage. During the JEMM, participants are guided in each exercise, deepening their appreciation to their body. As I said earlier, the more you show your body love, the more your body will love you back!