tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820442653366529983.post902333542561085745..comments2023-11-28T14:12:34.789+11:00Comments on The Itinerant Yogini: The Gift of Embodiment: Part IYogini Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00787351711548823249noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820442653366529983.post-24905662492044163102010-03-27T03:02:07.016+11:002010-03-27T03:02:07.016+11:00fantastic post.
I tend to lean more towards societ...fantastic post.<br />I tend to lean more towards societal reasons for body image disorders.... mostly due to the rise in eating disorders concurrent with the "birth" of advertising. Perhaps it's more of a: humans are naturally vulnerable to societal pressures, and advertising reflects the pressures of that specific society. As in, the social pressures of one culture regarding ideal weight- body type etc, will be different than that of another (tan vs whiter...etc).<br />similarly, I would also feel that being bombarded with hundreds of ads per day (11% which speak to how women "should" look) compounds this vulnerability.<br /><br />but then, that's my theoretical background :)Eco Yoginihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693080137196812405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820442653366529983.post-23815376795731681902010-03-26T20:04:04.037+11:002010-03-26T20:04:04.037+11:00I find that it's a catch-22. Yoga makes me eve...I find that it's a catch-22. Yoga makes me even more aware of my body than I already am, which for me (at times) heightens my dissatisfaction. At the same time, my practice also inspires and encourages me to take better care of myself. I'm immersed in my first teacher training right now and I've been getting much better about vitamins, eating whole + fresh foods, and being religious about my water and Omega 3 intake.<br /><br />I love what you said to Misanthropic above -- "(yoga is) training to live in your body". Excellent, thought-provoking post. <br /><br />I'm happy to have found your blog! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820442653366529983.post-77373473976052682242010-03-26T18:46:19.239+11:002010-03-26T18:46:19.239+11:00@Misanthropic - Thanks for sharing your story. I ...@Misanthropic - Thanks for sharing your story. I think so many of us struggle with these issues, but you hit the nail on the head about what I like about yoga - it's training to live in your body, not live for your body.<br /><br />@Brenda - I think advertising and the media play a huge role in why body image illness is so much more prominent in wealthier societies. But even in some of the rural and remote areas I've traveled to, people still want to be taller/thinner/lighter etc. So there must be more to it - something more deeply human within us that creates these misconceptions.<br /><br />@Subhash - Thanks for your comment! It's amazing to me how when I have a dilemma, I suddenly seem to find a sutra that speaks to me.Yogini Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787351711548823249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820442653366529983.post-34384291683951173322010-03-26T06:23:22.994+11:002010-03-26T06:23:22.994+11:00Excellent post! thanks for sharing. It is nice to ...Excellent post! thanks for sharing. It is nice to see yoga sutra being applied to daily life situations. I have been studying the yoga sutras for many years and am always happy to see how these can help me with my day-to-day life.Subhashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335795342287911212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820442653366529983.post-51389218408006111412010-03-26T05:52:50.222+11:002010-03-26T05:52:50.222+11:00I think being able to obsess about the "imper...I think being able to obsess about the "imperfection" of one's body is completely linked to material wealth. It's all advertising--you can't sell anything if you can't convince people they are unsatisfied. It is sort of a luxury, as you point out.<br /><br />I like the sutras you included; they are a nice reminder, especially 1.8, and that one could apply to a whole lot more than just body image.<br /><br />I look forward to the next installment!Brenda P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15706976926804565629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7820442653366529983.post-17658435621804528322010-03-25T21:17:05.079+11:002010-03-25T21:17:05.079+11:00Excellent post! Looking forward to part II.
I c...Excellent post! Looking forward to part II. <br /><br />I came to yoga with a conflicted body image from years of counting calories and on again-off again exercise, growing up in a very weight-conscious family. I was looking for an escape in yoga, and through regular practice have come to love and appreciate my body for its amazing capabilities, while learning to respect its limitations. <br /><br />The body-awareness I've gained through yoga has changed my life: I know when something is wrong and, usually, I know what my body needs. My practice motivates me to eat nourishing foods and get sufficient rest. The increased fitness and changes to the shape of my body have been a welcome bonus that I didn't expect, but the practice has never been about toning or trimming down. It's about training the mind and making the body a fit vehicle for the self.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094174577863519854noreply@blogger.com