I Love My Beautiful Body

I am not a certified nutritionist, doctor or therapist.

Please consult your healthcare professional before participating in any

lifestyle changes you may feel are questionable to your health.

I am not responsible for any action you resume, You are- Make it pleasurable.

Monday, November 11, 2013

You Are a Self Fulfulling Prophesy

©TuesdayMayThomas

Are you unhappy because you talk too much about how unhappy you are? (this is not a trick question) Are you unmotivated because you affirm how lazy and tired you are all the time? Do you feel overweight, unhappy in your body-shape, or unhealthy in general- because you are on autopilot of repeating the story about how you just CAN'T do anything to change?

On the phone with a dear friend and she tells me her story- "Yeah, you know, I'm 20 or so pounds overweight. Don't feel so good in my clothes, but can't find the motivation to exercise.. I mean, I just can't. By the time I brush my teeth and get downstairs in the morning... I just end up eating a bag of chips- and thats what happens every time."

A relative who performs very little physical exercise told me she fixed her bicycle, with the intention to exercise regularly. She bought a cycling helmet, cycling shorts and a water bottle, but at the end of the day could not get on the bike. Her story went like this; "It's too cold to cycle in the morning. It's too hot in the afternoon. Once I've eaten lunch, I am too full to exercise. My foot started hurting, so I don't think I should exercise. Now I don' fit into the cycling shorts I bought, so I'm not as excited to cycle."

I remember taking a Yoga Inversion Workshop in 2003, where the focus was on headstand practice. In the past I would coyly exit class for the restroom to hide whenever my teacher would propose such craziness. But once I became a yoga teacher, I knew I had to conquer my fears and go into the ring of fire- so to speak. The teacher I received my certification with told me it wasn't as important for me to be able to 'do' a headstand, as much as it was for me to guide my students safely through it. This allowed me to feel confident teaching the pose, even if I couldn't perform it quite yet.

After teaching yoga for a year, I wanted to hone in and face my fears. I thought I was afraid to go upside down because I was sure I would fail, or crack my neck, or look stupid, besides the fact I dove into the shallow end of a pool, bumped my head and got a concussion when I was a kid. What I came to realize at the workshop was; I had some deep seated fears to work out in my mind and body. The real fear being- I was really afraid of dredging up feelings of abandonment, and of not feeling supported as a child. How does this connect with headstand you ask? Well, for me, each time I went up into headstand, I wanted someone to be there to catch me if I fell- and would have to relive the feelings of no-one being there for me... like when I was a kid. There was so much hurt inside of me, I didn't want to relive it. I had to come to terms with the fears of my inner child. The fears I felt went deeper than worrying about looking stupid.

During headstand- my most dreaded pose at the time, the workshop teacher came over and guided me through the 'set-up'. Scared, I came out of the pose before getting into it- stating my story (what I repeated often when it came to confronting this pose). I said; "Theres no point, I'm never gonna get up into a headstand.. and if I do, I will loose my balance, fall over and hurt someone, or hurt myself. I need someone there to support me." He became quiet and with a straight face said; "Know you are a self fulfilling prophesy." My eyes widened, my ego felt hurt, and I wanted to walk out. Just then he continued "But that can change, if you change your story." Whoaaa!!! He blew my mind. From that day on, I realized in order to allow a new experience into my yoga practice, I had to change my mind- literally- my words had to create a reality where a new possibility could emerge. It also became apparent that learning to welcome the changes I proposed for my body was important too.

It's deep. I encourage you to go down the rabbit hole of your own resistance, and you may just find a dark corner awaiting a spring cleaning and purging of the past so it may be filled with light, love and a new means of expression.

Over the years, I learned how to perform a headstand with confidence - and that meant I had to get over all my self loathing about it. I also had to get over feeling like no-one was there for me as a child and learn to love myself in the NOW, instead of walking wounded from the PAST. It meant I had to applaud myself at overcoming a long held fear- and applaud others too. It meant I had to be successful and shine. Are you afraid of being successful? Fearful of meeting the childhood you, and all the fear and hurt within that part of you? Are you resistant to feeling what true self confidence feels like? Can you humbly exude power in new ways that make you feel good, happy and strong in your body, mind and life?

Our words limit us, or liberate us. They create the stories we believe about our lives. Our stories create the blueprint we either expand or contract through. What is your current story regarding your body/physical health/exercise routine? Do you hear yourself saying; "My body just does not want to get up and move. I have no motivation to be healthy. You see- here I am on the couch procrastinating again. I hate my body. I don't have enough money to get better/be well." Or, do you say " I'm gonna do my best to meet some new goals, like do some yoga every week, or walk a mile a couple times a week- or just love myself a little more. Yeah, I'm gonna stop buying chips so they are not a distraction from starting my workout routine at home."

What is your current story regarding your work situation? Do you hear yourself saying " I am so grateful for all of the amazing opportunities and possibilities that are here/that await me." Or "I can't stand the people I work with, they annoy me to death. I hate my job, it sucks. I will never get a good job. People my age never get hired anymore."

What is your current story regarding your current relationship? Do you hear yourself saying; "I knew I would end up being betrayed again.. See I told you so- I knew it. I'll never find someone special. I am so insecure." Or, "I am so ready for a new experience in my next relationship. One I feel loved and respected in. Yes- that is what will happen. I expect the best- and deserve it!"

We state our story and have a lot of past experiences to back up the theory's of self too, saying "You see- I told you so".... Why do we limit ourselves? It's not necessarily because we are lazy, procrastinators, or our foot hurts. It's because when we change one thing, it affects everything else- and it is linked to the past, overcoming it- healing it and making peace with it. Can you allow yourself to succeed in new and exciting ways? Why not consider shifting the story of limitation, laziness and illness - into beauty, strength and empowerment? Can you be and feel empowered by your words, by your story?

Maybe we are in a situation in life, by which if changed would mean a lot of other things in our life would have to change, including how much love we allow in and we give out. Bottom line is this is all about self love. It's not about doing the perfect headstand, loosing twenty pounds or wining a cycling marathon. It's about choosing love over fear. What if fear is what kept us anchored to the past, while love catapulted us into an amazing future of possibilities?

Changing your mind, and changing your story- requires letting go of the old story of self, specifically the parts that are afraid, inhibit your growth and personal power. The new you is cool, is patient and will let the old you take them back to the even older you (the child you) so that you can prove why (the now) you are so afraid to allow change to occur. It is here you will understand what is seeking healing and closure. Ultimately, if you let it- the new you can take the old you by the hand and show you some amazing stuff about yourself. Yes they will take you outside your comfort zone and show you how to trust the new words and ways you speak over your life- if you let them.. And your life will forever be changed.

What is your story for today?.. Let me know in the comment section below!

©TuesdayMayThomas

I am not a certified nutritionist, doctor or therapist.

Please consult your healthcare professional before participating in any

lifestyle changes you may feel are questionable to your health.

I am not responsible for any action you resume, You are- Make it pleasurable.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

You are Not Your Body

©TuesdayMayThomas

This can be a hard concept to embrace- especially when so much of what we share at I Love my Beautiful Body blog has to do with all the ways we identify with our bodies.

Just for today, remember you are more than your body. Just for today, slip out of a limited one track body-vision, and into a larger picture of yourself. One that embodies all the light your spirit naturally radiates.

Just for today, remember all the things in life you are grateful for. Start with your home, friends, family, talents and abilities. Perhaps allow the 'physical list' of things you are grateful for- to come after you have found at least ten or twenty other things in life to be grateful for.

Flip the script on "I am grateful for my round hips" for "I am grateful for my strong hip bones and healthy joints". Turn "I am grateful for my flat stomach" into "I am grateful for my body's ability to digest my food, emotions, and life experiences healthily."

One of mine for today is; "I am grateful for my healthy breasts". You can say "I am grateful for my healthy testicles" if you are living in a man's body.

A male pal hid from his friends for years due to testicular cancer. He fought it alone instead of including us because he was afraid we would judge or ridicule him. He had a hard time admitting what was going on to himself and others at the time. Years later- on the other side of his illness, he is grateful for his healthy body- now more than ever!

One day I was down on my body, especially my breasts. I told them how much I hated them for having stretch marks, and shrinking from a C to a B cup after much weight gain and loss over the years. After beating my body up all morning, I went to teach a yoga class. There I met the most lovely woman who was smiling, radiating a beauty from within herself that was so potent it stopped me in my tracks. She only had one breast and had recently gone through surgery for a mastectomy. After spending that first class in her presence, I was humbled by her sweet grace and powerful ability to rock her cute yoga top, her whole body- and her whole spirit with one boob. A different body than other women in class, she did not try to hide her one boob, nor did I feel like she was down on herself. Instead it seemed she had found a place beyond her body.. a place that allows her to love her body even more... and it shows.

After class I used the restroom and in a private moment, held my breasts and told them how grateful I am that they are healthy. I said a prayer to energetically erase all the hurtful emotions and words I blasted them with earlier.

Just for today, remember you are more than your body.
Remember you are you are more than your body.
You are more than your body.

©TuesdayMayThomas

I am not a certified nutritionist, doctor or therapist.

Please consult your healthcare professional before participating in any

lifestyle changes you may feel are questionable to your health.

I am not responsible for any action you resume, You are- Make it pleasurable.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Stronger, on the Inside...

©TuesdayMayThomas

Is there something you know you can do- not necessarily as a pro- but at some level, you know what you are doing?- Like maybe you can sing, rock climb, dance, paint or even practice yoga asana (poses)- but when it comes time to take it to the next level, have you been you dismayed at the next level NOT being everything you thought it might be?

Challenge is a great thing... getting out of your comfort zone can be a blast- but what if while accepting a challenge, or mingling on the outer limits of your 'comfort zone'- you stumble, fall and make a fool of yourself.... Or worse yet, jump into a flaming hoop of fire, only to realize you are giving it your all, but it appears like nothing is happening at all?

Do you know what I mean? Like, you know you love dancing. You have danced for years at night clubs, and in front of your friends etc. Finally for the first time in your life- you gather the courage to dance in the middle of a circle of people on a dance floor, and your moves and grooves just aint flyin'.. or you end up not being able to feel the music.

Or maybe after dancing your whole life, wether professionally or at the clubs, you attend a Zumba class for the very first time, you feel cocky, as if your gonna get these moves down easily- but you can hardly repeat any movements the teacher is demonstrating...

Or maybe you've been a runner for years and decide to run in a marathon- expecting to maybe hit the finish line with some kind of a decent time, but end up finishing last.

This leads to a story I want to tell you. Remember the post entitled Fear is Exactly Where I Need to Be? In it I share about a new yoga teacher coming into my life and how scared I am to be her student because I know she will kick my ass. Well as it turns out, my new teacher is amazing and I feel totally safe and expansive in her presence. Don't get me wrong, she still kicks my ass! Yoga students can tell a difference in the classes I share, and so can I. My personal practice is moving into a new level of 'experience' and wisdom- ahhh. The tricky thing is; after practicing yoga asana for over twenty years, and upon attending a Handstand workshop with my new beloved teacher, I felt miserably humbled.

Okay, lets check the ego at the door.. For sure. That said- I thought I would have fun, learn new ways to approach the 'handstand pose' with my new teacher- and maybe even kick up into some Handstands. I was super excited to be in her presence and do some dynamic yoga stuff... But NO. No Handstand for me. We learned anatomical awareness- which is important. And a bunch of 'drills' to prep us for handstand. What I learned, or had a very hard time learning, took me completely out of my comfort zone. I could not understand what was presented- the information was so new to my brain and body, it was like listening to a foreign language. I had no idea how to process it, never mind understand it. I got frustrated at not being able to do half of the drills. With fifty or so students participating, I glance around and see other yogis (not even yoga teacher yogis) taking off- into ascension, their legs lifting elegantly and silently up to the sky, while my feet remain firmly grounded to the Earth. They did not grunt or breathe heavily, while I remain bent forward , breaking a sweat and making no 'movement' at all! In a frustrated moment- I actually found myself looking at the clock, wanting to leave. I felt embarrassed and hoped no one knew I was a yoga teacher.

Ughhhh.... My ego is blunted due to expectations of body and mind. As a yoga teacher of over twenty years, I assume to be able to do at least some of the stuff being taught, and while I'm at it- show my new teacher how talented I am (ego). But instead my butt is left in the dust, feeling heavy, with no levitation activation!

Driving home I am super aware of all the feelings going on inside. In the past I would have cried my way home on the highway, beating my self up for not doing better. During the final relaxation/savasana portion of the workshop, I even had a vision of just that. But instead, there is a lack of falling tears, accompanied by a lack of self loathing and misery. The disappointing thing for my ego was that I know how to kick up into handstand in at least three ways, but my teacher was not showing us how 'kick up'. She taught us a very different approach to 'lifting off' into a zero gravity zone, one that my booty had never been challenged by before. While I underwent an ego adjustment at the workshop for sure, and I was not the happiest camper afterwards- I definitely felt a different energy consume me. It was not the usual depression or self hate. It was a new sensation I could not identify at first.

After a good nights sleep, I awoke with aching muscles I never knew I had. This was a sign that I had indeed pushed myself into new territory. Though it looked like I was not even 'trying' at the workshop, a new mapping of muscle and mind was taking place. I realized how hard I was on myself and my body. I placed so many expectations upon myself, that when nothing happened the way I presumed it would, my ego came crashing down. It's a good thing. We all need some gravity to keep us in check. besides, if everything was a breeze, and easy 'to get'- there would be no challenge, no growth.

All in all, There is a humbling awareness that has permeated my being, allowing me to rest in the innocence of always being a student, even while being a teacher. The new sensation I could not identify was a new founded inner strength I never felt before. All of the positive affirmations, practices of self love and acceptance have actually taken root as reality- inside of my body and mind- AND emotional responses and reactions! This is huge... Indeed, I am stronger now than ever before. In the past I would have been crushed at not being able to do any of the physical drills of the workshop. I would have cried myself to sleep and beat my body up about it with negative thoughts. Not anymore. I sucked it up, and instead gave myself a pat on the back for trying something new and applauded my body for going WAY out into a very uncomfortable zone, where gravity appears to be even heavier ( to me, for now..) than here on Earth.

So if you dare to jump into the middle ring of dancers at the club and don't exactly perform a Beyonce sequence, or go to Zumba and fumble your way through, or run a marathon and get to finish line last- the most important thing is you are LIVING, ALIVE and challenging yourself in new ways. After all- you have taken the first step to a new world.. One where you will find things out about yourself you never knew.. like just how strong you are..

Yes, emotionally and mentally I am stronger on the inside.. even if my body has yet to catch up with my emotional and mental strength.. I am stronger on the inside now. You are stronger now too. Self acceptance is a gift of the highest order.. use it lovingly and generously...<3

Love,
Tuesday May

©TuesdayMayThomas

I am not a certified nutritionist, doctor or therapist.

Please consult your healthcare professional before participating in any

lifestyle changes you may feel are questionable to your health.

I am not responsible for any action you resume, You are- Make it pleasurable.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Veggie Quinoa Delight- Recipe

©TuesdayMayThomas