March 12th, 2018
“I am comfortable in my own skin and do not compare myself to others. I am PROUD of my body. Always. I live fully in my body and in the moment.”
I am 5’8 and 170 lbs and was just introduced to the Body Positive Movement fall 2017. It started after networking with the national sales manager of Beyond Yoga. Shortly after our conversation, I started following the brand through social media. I thought it was inspiring that they have a body positive “manifesto”, not to mention their winter line was really speaking to me. There were matching bra and high wasted yoga pants that I just had to have. But, where would I even wear these? Like I said, I’m 5’8 and 170 lbs and having my belly semi-out during my yoga practice made me feel vulnerable. I was worried what my yoga family might think about my not so thin body. Am I the only thick/thin girl/guy that feels this way? I was really struggling with the whole body positive idea. So I came back to Beyond Yoga’s website and their “manifesto”, and I wanted to share it with you:
I AM BEAUTIFUL
I am beautiful INSIDE and out.
Beauty is not defined by my shape or measurements; it’s defined by my heart, my soul, my INTENTIONS and my actions.
I AM PERFECT
Perfection is not the goal.
The goal is to love everything about myself, including my imperfections. They make me who I am. And I am #AlreadyPerfect.
I BELONG
I don’t waste time trying to fit in.
Belonging is greater than fitting in because I define belonging, not anyone else. When I am my most authentic self, I attract people who reflect that back to me.
I AM KIND
I promise to be KIND to others and myself.
Physically, emotionally and verbally. I speak to myself the way I would speak to a good friend.
I AM ME
I am comfortable in my own skin and do not compare myself to others.
I am PROUD of my body. Always. I live fully in my body and in the moment.
I live my life BEYOND.
This manifesto from Beyond Yoga is really inspiring to me, but believe it or not the Body Positive Movement started in the 90s. It was described as, “ a movement that encourages people to adopt more forgiving and affirming attitudes towards their bodies, with the goal of improving overall health and well-being.” So here we are heading into Spring of 2018, and I have only practiced in just my bra and yoga pants twice since discovering the movement and decided it was time to celebrate my body. It may not be a lot, but it’s a start.
I wanted to share this movement with our community. Our yoga mat and studio is our safe space and it’s important to not only accept and celebrate your own body, but to accept and celebrate without judgement your fellow yogis.
Written by Meraki teacher Chelsey Peacock
Join Chelsey Mon 5.45pm for Vinyasa Flow 1 & 8.15pm Vinyasa Flow 2 Hip Hop, Wed 5.45pm Power Vinyasa Flow