Body image is a subject that is very thorny for most of us. It takes so many forms and impacts many areas of our lives.
Menopause has certainly been a challenge for me and, like many women, I have felt a real dislocation and anger at my body for seemingly making life difficult. On top of that I am now having to deal with a body which is ageing and getting less flexible over time.
Our relationship with our bodies as human beings is so complex. We all expect them to behave perfectly, never get ill or creak when we bend down and at the same time look amazing all the time.
The constant comparison we set up with the bodies of other people, leads to so much self hatred, shame and negative body talk.
So that’s the situation but what is the way forward?
I have come to realise that we are in therapy with our bodies every day. Yep its that simple…..we are in a process of acceptance and compassion with ourselves constantly and its a huge challenge.
One thing I have done is start to appreciate what my body actually does for me with so much regularity and dependency; breathing anyone!
My daily meditation has also helped me explore this as I carry out my daily body scan, letting go of tension. As I sit consciously in my body I notice how my body feels and ask myself what is going on for me. Most importantly I listen without judgement, but with curiosity.
It has helped me see how much burden the body carries with no complaint, no wonder it fails occasionally. I also know it holds so much of our emotional pain, often storing it for many years. I have started to work with my therapist to process this, we call this somatic work and its deeply powerful.
I have developed a body positive meditation (available below) 👇 which encourages self compassion and body acceptance, its a daily practice that I am know is not a quick fix but it all helps.
So feed your body nourishing foods, give yourself plenty of rest.
Most importantly; watch how you speak to yourself, use a new gaze in the mirror; less judgement more love. We are often primed to see the negative, but we need to challenge this internally.
Over time I am coming to accept my body more, to thank it for it’s tireless work and uncomplaining regularity and I always finish my daily practice by saying; ‘thank you body and sorry for taking you for granted’.
I have designed this 10 minute meditation to help you connect with your body and foster acceptance.