Bodies. There is so much that surrounds them. Whether this be the way we feel about them, the way our society feels about them, and the way they feel themselves. Our bodies are pretty amazing, and they happen to know a great deal about themselves and what they need to remain healthy. However their messages sometimes get lost when they try to tell us what they actually need to keep themselves healthy and allow us to live our everyday lives without pain, fatigue, blockages, etc.

My friend and roommate (I live in a community currently) Tori and I decided to teach our first naked yoga class this past week. I had the idea while on a walk. I thought to myself, “why are there no naked yoga classes offered anywhere?” I for one find clothing more of an obstruction to living freely and try to be without it whenever I get the chance…thank goodness for nude beaches!! To me, I can move my limbs more freely and really connect with mother earth and the energies she gives. Instead of trying to fix my top, or worrying about how I might look in shorts, my mind becomes quieter as I move with the rhythm of my heart and feel the wind on my bare skin, it brings me back to my roots.

But this is not the case for everyone, and I am only one perspective in a sea of many. Society sexualizes our bodies, making them mere objects to sell more material goods. As children we are constantly bombarded with half naked images of those who meet a certain criteria of how a body should look. We see these everywhere: TV, smartphones, the internet, on billboards…there is no end!

Yet, no one actually talks about bodies! This topic is pushed aside, and we are made to believe that we should hide them, overwork them, and undernourish them. This is very confusing for people which is why some experience hyper-sexual tendencies or the opposite hypo-sexuality. We are all constantly criticized and shamed; sometimes by those closest to us such as family, friends, and coworkers. This has got to stop! Criticizing ourselves not only leads to problems for us but those around us. When we put ourselves down, others see the “flaws” we see in ourselves and thus begin to see “flaws” within themselves. It’s a never-ending chain of negative energies that our bodies take in everyday. And our bodies are literally all energy! They can feel the stress we put on them, and they definitely feel the anxiety most of us feel when thinking about how we may look with or without clothes.

Our bodies are our temples! They are the only true home we have on this earth. They may be temporary, but what we do with them and how we treat them can greatly effect the outcome and quality of life we are living.

Both women AND men are constantly body-shamed. No one is left out of this. Unless one looks a certain way or THE ONLY WAY in society standards (which is highly unachievable for most) we are doing something wrong. We’re called lazy, overweight, fat, underweight, malnourished etc. Everyone is labeled “too this or too that”. But never enough as is. We always say to ourselves, “I’ll be happy once i’m a size blank” or “once I lose ten pounds I can finally do blank”. This is an illusion. We can do and be everything we want at anytime. We also don’t need to hide or be ashamed or who we are on the inside and the outside! All bodies are beautiful. Read it again: ALL BODIES ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Now read this: I am beautiful and worthy of love just as I am.

Now read it again! And as many times as you have to.

Practice self love. You are the only one that can truly give you the love you so crave and deserve. The only one. Once you give yourself this love and stop showering yourself with negative thoughts and hurtful words you may begin to see the beauty within and all around was there the whole time.

I encourage you to step into this fear you have of your body, perhaps the shame you may feel around this topic. I encourage you to just study this, without judgment. Notice perhaps where this shame, guilt, and fear might be stemming from. Then forgive yourself. Then remind yourself that the only thing that matters is how you feel about yourself. THE ONLY THING. Don’t let society tell you how to look, don’t let society tell you how to dress, what to wear, what not to wear. Life is to short for all that nonsense. Don’t let society tell you what to eat, how to eat, when to eat, what to eat. LET YOUR BODY TELL YOU. It truly does know exactly what it needs! Just listen to it. Wear clothes, don’t wear clothes, eat that, don’t eat that. Whatever feels right within, your soul always knows what is best for you at all times. Simply listen to your heart and find peace within this beautiful body that you are blessed with.

This is a heavy one. I appreciate you all for being open to me sharing my view on this. I am grateful for my body and this life for giving me the chance to live out my soul’s purpose everyday. Feel free to comment, share, and message me if you want to chat more about this topic.

I also included a picture of us after our class. We were sweaty and happy and free and full of love for all the beautiful souls that opened their hearts to our teachings and their vulnerability. For the more comfortable we become in the uncomfortable the more we grow. One day I hope I won’t have to block my nipple out of photos and people will simply accept my body for what it is, a body. I love and respect it and don’t like to hide any part of what gives me strength.

Mahalo,

Rylee