Being proud of your body doesn't have to have anything to do with appearances

 

My body image struggle is no secret.  I can't stop the bad thoughts, but I can change them and my own focus.

One of my favorite ideas to ponder...

 

When shit gets real I don't focus on what I look like, I focus on what I do.  

Instead of giving in to the ridiculous voice inside my head that tells me my biceps aren't strong enough one minute and then too strong the next, I focus on what those arms do for me.  The kids they hug, the yoga they teach, the vehicles they clean.  

Instead of worrying about my grey hair or eczema I focus on what's inside my head.  The brilliant ways my brain comes up with to teach children all kinds of things about the world and themselves, the words I write to share with y'all, the ability to change these thoughts, the crazy amount of song lyrics up in there, and all the sciencey knowledge it carries that helps me gain awareness of how incredible the human body really is.  

And finally instead of fretting over what my abs look like on any given day I marvel at how much of a badass my entire core is.  I mean come on, still functioning every single day despite my body trying to make it commit suicide.  All my intestines are still inside of me, still converting food to fuel, still nourishing my entire body, and still kicking autoimmune disease ass! Now that's amazing! That's something to be proud of.  

Focus on improving yourself instead of judging others please and thank you!

 

That performance and all you have to comment on is a tummy?! I feel bad for you closed minded, judgmental people... your lives must be so sad if all you see are false negatives in a bright and shiny world! 

#shameonyou 

#seebeauty #nomorebodyshaming #bodypositivity #improveyourself

I just can't handle the body shaming...

That has the power to literally wreck people and stifle their light.  Why do that? Why?? The world needs all the light it can get right now. 

I'm not afraid to tell my stories.  They are mine to tell, they made me who I am today and I hope they are inspiring people.  

I was anorexic.  Breast cancer was trying to kill my mama and I was developing boobs that didn't even look proportionate on my short little frame.  I wanted to control something at a time when my body was changing, my life was kinda falling apart, and I was growing up way faster than any 13 year old ever should have to.  I could control this I thought to myself, I just won't eat.  I weighed 70 pounds on a good day.  

I decided strong was the new skinny and dug my scrawny ass out of it.  There are days when I have to pick up the shovel again and keep digging because I have body dismorphic disorder and conditions that forces me to think about food all the damn time... bad combination! 

What I see in the mirror is not always reality.  Mirrors are sometimes scary to me, they are more heartbreaking than empowering, even though I know deep down I am my own kind of beautiful and strong as shit.  It's just not what I see all the time.  Even though I know my light comes from within and I am so much more than this little yogi with the abs that she perceives as being hidden by nonexistent fat.  That is fucking frustrating.

When I hear or see shit like this it makes me so angry and sad and disappointed with our society. I've learned lots of ways to love myself so much that this usually doesn't get to me, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't affect me, that I can't relate to others' struggles, and that I can't still hope for a change.

This old post really is from the heart of the "skinny bitch" in the pink bikini.... it is pretty much just me pouring my heart out.  I've come a long way since then, I hope someday society can make progress with me! 

The Power Of Scent...My Favorite Oils For Meditation

I think a sacred space is essential for everyone!  It doesn't have to be elaborate, just a place you can go where you know you can take some deep breathes, quiet your racing mind, and get your shit together.  Just knowing I have that space does wonders for my anxiety.  

My space is all mine and it's full of things I love... A yoga mat, a salt lamp, tons of rocks, card decks, books of all kinds, my stuffed penny su puppy (I'm such a little kid 😂), a cozy blanket, a comfy chair, and a diffuser.  The diffuser really helps me set my intentions when I meditate.  Do you need to be more grounded? energized? Zen?  Creative? Work on a specific Chakra?  The power of scent is crazy effective on the body, especially the nervous system.  If you don't have a diffuser, no worries, just open a bottle of oil and take a big whif, seriously just as effective!  

Here I share a little of my aromatherapy knowledge and tell y'all what my fave oils to use for meditation are... 

 

1. Clary sage: this oil not only cleanses negativity, but it also influences creativity.  It opens your eyes to new possibilities and your imagination.
2. Sandalwood: this is for over thinkers, #soguilty! It is so powerful at calming the mind and thus allowing you to tap into your intuition.  And it simply smells ahhhhmazing!
3. Lavender:  what is this one not good for?! Seriously! This brings serenity, and courage to express yourself and be yourself.
4. Frankincense: this oil smells so amazing and is incredibly calming.  It helps you let go of low vibrations so you can be high vibe.  It also helps shield you from negativity.
5. Ylang ylang: this oil reminds you to be joyful, it helps you remember that it is good to see life through your inner child's eyes.  Children focus on what they want deep down in their hearts and don't give a shit what the stressful world outside will think or expect.  This oil helps you return to that!
6. Lemongrass: this oil is very uplifting to me, it takes me right back to punta Cana because the hotel diffusedit when  we were on our honeymoon.  It cleanses the energy in both your self and your space and gets rid of all the bad vibes and limiting beliefs.  
7. Balance blend:  this oils simply smells fantastic and is very grounding.  
8. Geranium: this one just reminds me of my grandmother.  Scents are so powerful, they can transport you back in time.  I like to connect with my grandma by meditating with this oil.  It is a gentle oil that facilitates all types of emotional healing.
9. Patchouli: I like to blend my yoga and meditation practices together and this is the perfect oil for that.  It gives you an appreciation for your body, which as a gutsy girl and a recovered(ing) anorexic is very helpful.  It always helps me center myself in my body and gives me the body awareness that is so necessary for managing all my physical and mental conditions
10. Bergamot:  this is considered the oil of self acceptance.  (Are you seeing a trend here?!). It is helpful for anyone with self esteem issues.  It is a very hopeful oil that brings about total self acceptance.

Just an FYI... a fabulous resource for some legit aromatherapy info is emotions and essential oils: a modern resource for healing.  You're welcome! 

10 Insanely easy ways to start your day that will make all the difference

It is so unbelievably important to take some time for self love!  I always say you can't get anywhere or do anything for anyone if your own tank is empty.  Don't get me wrong, it's way better than ok to be a giver, I am one, but it doesn't work unless you take care of you first.  It's a simple concept, and contrary to popular belief it's not selfish at all... so don't overthink it.  Here are some great ways to start your day off on the right foot...

 

1. Lemon water first
2. Stretch and breathe! be a cat and a dog... don't forget the breathing part! 🐶🐱😉
3. Shower meditation- visualize all the bad vibes going right down the drain!
4. Put on something that makes you feel fabulous
5. Green smoothie... every damn day
6. Trade your coffee in for some herbal tea
7. Gratitude journal... there's so much to be grateful for!
8. Read something to improve yourself! Note: Social media doesn't count... don't look at that shit until you do all this stuff first! 
9. Set your intentions for the day...good vibes and namaslaying only! 
10. Drink some more water, with or without lemon, just drink some damn water, and continue to throughout your entire day!

Love yourself this February! 30 day love yourself program... yoga and gut health

The phrase namaslay had been popping into my head a lot.  I googled that shit and it led me to this book! 

 

Guys, I feel like I could have written this book... like every word of it.  I relate so strongly both to her struggles and to her rising.  

I just love her!  I want to channel more of her kind of gutsy into my life.   I started following her blog and downloaded her app.

I came across this just in time... thank you universe!

I need help in the self love department,  it's always nice to look at gut health through a fresh set of eyes, and you know how much I love to yoga!  Win, win, win!

Join me this February!