As a child one of my favorite Disney movies was "Beauty and the Beast". I loved Belle's name but more than that I loved her character. She was fearless, intelligent, caring, selfless, compassionate, and able to see the beauty in everything. I used to tell the kids on the playground that my middle name, Elise, meant Beauty. Looking back now I see tuat I was wanting more than the kids to think I was physically attractive, I wanted them to see me as intelligent and as a kind and gentle soul as well. Which I wasn't...kind and gentle I mean. I had my moments of course, but I leaned more towards the abrasive, loud, wild child side of the teeter-totter, regardless of my numerous ballet classes. Somewhere inside me though I could feel my true beautiful nature, that same nature that is inside everyone.
In a yoga class we can begin to access this inner beauty or shri through asana (yoga postures). We learn to be comfortable and in control of our bodies and when we link asana with pranayama (breath work) we find comfort and control of the breath, allowing us to become comfortable and in control of our mind. Heavy I know. Finding this comfort and control allows our inner light or knowledge to shine through, or you could say our inner beauty. By allowing our inner beauty to shine out it transforms into physical beauty. And I don't just mean that your smile will seem prettier, but the world and the people around you will begin to sparkle a little more.
Of course yoga is more than postures and breath work. So here are some ideas to take the practice of seeing beatuy of the mat and into the world.
1. "Hello Beauty, my name is Beauty" - When going about your day take time to notice the beauty in the world around you and silently repeat to yourself, "Beauty sees Beauty" when you greet someone, "Beauty greets Beauty" and so forth. By using this practice you will awaken yourself to being mindful of the beauty in and around you.
2. "My, aren't I beautiful" - Take some time in the morning to acknowledge and honor your inner and physical beauty. Take a moment with your eyes closed, after a few deep breaths, ask yourself what your favorite internal feature is; funny, graceful, outgoing, creative, and then picture yourself and choose a favorite feature; hair, legs, eyes, whatever it is, then say out loud with conviction, "My, aren't I beautiful!" Repeat this mantra a few times till you really feel it sink it.
3. "Pampering Beauty" - Once a week, or as often as you like, take some extra time in the morning to pamper yourself a little. One of the best ways to do this is with a full body self oil massage. Before you shower or bathe, rub oil onto your skin starting at your head and gently working your way down. Use your finger tips to lightly massage some oil into your face with small circles, continuing down your neck and shoulders and each arm and every fingertip. You can use your whole hand to massge your chest, back, belly, and legs. Giving a slight tug on each toe when you reach your feet. Allow the oil to sink in for 5-15 minutes while you enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee, or allow yourself to relax lying on a towel. Thin rinse off and continue about your day. To take this a step further you can use a special body wash or perfume, or allow yourself to wear that fancy pair of earrings. Whatever helps you to feel uniquely beautiful. Not sure which oil to use? Almond Oil is the good inbetween oil, not to light not to thick. Cocunut oil is lighter and is cooling. Sesamie oil is heavier and warming.
By taking the time to notice the world of beauty around us we can see the beauty in ourseleves. Each person has inner beauty, an internal light of truth. By accessing and honoring our internal beauty, we grow stronger in sharing our inner truth and knowledge with the world. Have you shown your beauty lately?
In a yoga class we can begin to access this inner beauty or shri through asana (yoga postures). We learn to be comfortable and in control of our bodies and when we link asana with pranayama (breath work) we find comfort and control of the breath, allowing us to become comfortable and in control of our mind. Heavy I know. Finding this comfort and control allows our inner light or knowledge to shine through, or you could say our inner beauty. By allowing our inner beauty to shine out it transforms into physical beauty. And I don't just mean that your smile will seem prettier, but the world and the people around you will begin to sparkle a little more.
Of course yoga is more than postures and breath work. So here are some ideas to take the practice of seeing beatuy of the mat and into the world.
1. "Hello Beauty, my name is Beauty" - When going about your day take time to notice the beauty in the world around you and silently repeat to yourself, "Beauty sees Beauty" when you greet someone, "Beauty greets Beauty" and so forth. By using this practice you will awaken yourself to being mindful of the beauty in and around you.
2. "My, aren't I beautiful" - Take some time in the morning to acknowledge and honor your inner and physical beauty. Take a moment with your eyes closed, after a few deep breaths, ask yourself what your favorite internal feature is; funny, graceful, outgoing, creative, and then picture yourself and choose a favorite feature; hair, legs, eyes, whatever it is, then say out loud with conviction, "My, aren't I beautiful!" Repeat this mantra a few times till you really feel it sink it.
3. "Pampering Beauty" - Once a week, or as often as you like, take some extra time in the morning to pamper yourself a little. One of the best ways to do this is with a full body self oil massage. Before you shower or bathe, rub oil onto your skin starting at your head and gently working your way down. Use your finger tips to lightly massage some oil into your face with small circles, continuing down your neck and shoulders and each arm and every fingertip. You can use your whole hand to massge your chest, back, belly, and legs. Giving a slight tug on each toe when you reach your feet. Allow the oil to sink in for 5-15 minutes while you enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee, or allow yourself to relax lying on a towel. Thin rinse off and continue about your day. To take this a step further you can use a special body wash or perfume, or allow yourself to wear that fancy pair of earrings. Whatever helps you to feel uniquely beautiful. Not sure which oil to use? Almond Oil is the good inbetween oil, not to light not to thick. Cocunut oil is lighter and is cooling. Sesamie oil is heavier and warming.
By taking the time to notice the world of beauty around us we can see the beauty in ourseleves. Each person has inner beauty, an internal light of truth. By accessing and honoring our internal beauty, we grow stronger in sharing our inner truth and knowledge with the world. Have you shown your beauty lately?