Yoga can be incredibly confronting for those of us that struggle with body image. From the tight spandex clad classmates to the mirrors so readily displaying what we might not want to see. Yoga and yoga studios can be difficult for those who feel self-conscious about their body.
Build Confidence in your Safe Space
Sometimes we need to prioritise ourselves and go at our own pace. For some that may mean starting a home practice. By practicing in our own safe space we can tune out any judgement about the body that may arise from being surrounded by our peers. If you are especially prone to comparing yourself with others this may be a fab option to build confidence in your practice and your body before introducing the additional element of people in a public class. There are many ways to enjoy a personal home yoga practice safely. Employing a private local teacher who can come to you is fantastic, or enjoying instruction from a qualified teacher online. If these options are a little too luxurious there are plenty of classes online to join, or youtube videos to follow. Just ensure you're taking class from a qualified teacher.
The clothes you wear are important
I don't know about you, but I find my body confidence increases exponentially when I don clothes that make me feel good. I'm not a huge fan of tight spandex when practicing yoga, I much prefer loose flowy clothes that provide space and help me feel relaxed. If you find the idea of yoga off putting because of tight clothes or feel uncomfortable in your current work out clothes - have a play around with what you're wearing. For more info on options to wear to a yoga class click here.
Get rid of the mirrors - yoga is about feeling
Yoga is all about the connection between mind and body. Sometimes this can get lost when we get preoccupied with how we look rather than how we feel. A particularly cruel trap from our brain that can be impossible to get out of sometimes. But yoga teaches all the skills we need to be able to quieten these disruptive thoughts and tune into the present moment through feeling. The fancy word for this is phenomenology, lived experience. Tapping into the present moment, employing the mindfulness skills that yoga teaches can help reframe movement in the mind to how it feels, rather than how it looks. Reducing any judgement that may arise from the former. By getting rid of mirrors when practicing this further encourages you to make kinetic connections from the mind to the body. How does this pose feel? Where am I sending my breathing? Is my core engaged and how does it feel? When we disconnect the visual we can enjoy the kinaesthetic.
For more info or to book a guided meditation click below or don't hesitate to contact me.
Find specialist teachers
You may be reading this thinking - yeah this isn't gonna work for me, or I've tried that and it doesn't work. This may be an opportunity to find trauma informed teachers, those who work specifically with those struggling with EDs/body image issues/etc... Everyone deserves help and to be able to practice yoga or any movement practice with peace. So if you think a specialist yoga teacher would be best, don't hesitate to contact one.
Find a teacher you trust
Find a yoga teacher you trust who has the same outlook as you. Understanding teachers who care about you and your wellbeing are out there. Too often we can show up to a class and feel we can't talk about things that may be negatively effecting our experience. Perhaps going to a yoga teacher who enjoys the exercise aspect of yoga and places focus on this aspect may not be the best teacher for someone looking to find respite from thinking about their body. There are a huge range of yoga teachers out there all with ranging approaches and philosophies. It's okay to chat to a prospective teacher and see if they match your values. It's also okay to advocate for yourself. Perhaps having a chat with a teacher you trust can help them understand how better to teach you. I'm not encouraging a fully fledged therapy session with your yoga teacher, that wouldn't be the best idea for either of you, but a heads up and an honest chat could go a long way with the right teacher.
By Laura Carey
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