Give yourself grace, kindness, and compassion. This act, though it may feel selfish, is a powerful gift that not only benefits you but also naturally extends grace to others.
Shift your exercise goal from purely aesthetic changes to finding enjoyment and feeling better. This approach leads to a bigger well-being boost and sustained engagement, rather than an ordeal of self-loathing.
Use physical practices, like yoga, to accept your body and reality as they are, rather than striving for an idealized ‘perfect’ state. This self-compassionate approach boosts health and happiness.
View self-acceptance as an ongoing, never-ending journey with evolving forms. This mindset fosters continuous growth and reduces the pressure to ‘figure it all out’ at once.
Understand that your personal struggles, whether with body image or emotional life, are universal and shared by many. This changes your worldview, fosters empathy, and reduces feelings of isolation.
When faced with a challenge, try it even if you might fall, and accept potential embarrassment. Self-criticism prevents progress and can be done anywhere, so use the opportunity to try and grow.
Develop an internal ‘stoic voice’ to reframe challenges as invited opportunities for growth. This mindset helps you work through and allow difficult experiences rather than resisting them.
Apply physical principles from challenging yoga poses (e.g., pulling into your core, staying upright while falling backward) to navigate emotional and life challenges. This practice strengthens you from the inside, making it easier to deal with hard parts of life.
Consciously practice allowing yourself to be present with negative experiences and embrace difficult situations. This is a crucial aspect of mindfulness and internal strengthening, as hardship is necessary for growth.
Fully acknowledge and ’look at’ all aspects of yourself, including your ‘darkness,’ before attempting to change them. True change requires full awareness and acceptance of what is currently present, as darkness is integral to the existence of light.
If you’re self-critical about your body, observe your internal dialogue when looking at yourself (e.g., in photos). This self-observation helps identify and challenge self-hate, leading to self-ownership and awareness.
If you can’t afford classes or prefer privacy, roll out a mat and practice familiar movements at home. Consistent practice, even limited, can serve as ‘medicine’ for well-being.
Shift your attention to what your body can do rather than just how it looks. This changes your perspective from external appearance to functional capability, which is a game-changer for self-perception.
Consciously practice taking up space, both physically and in emotional/spiritual realms. This counters the pervasive idea of making oneself small and allows for greater presence and impact in all areas of life.
Engage in a half hour of cardio a day. Research suggests this can be as effective for reducing symptoms of depression as taking an antidepressant medication.
Avoid walking out of a hot yoga room during practice. The sudden transition from hot to cold can cause intense physical reactions like nausea.