Recently a pilot study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that yoga was effective in treating adolescents with anorexia, bulimia and eating …
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Kat
4:48 pm on
November 12th, 2009I’ve been doing yoga for almost a year now, and it has really helped me with my body image. Holding a challenging pose right at the edge of my ability–without trying to push past my body’s capabilities–has taught me to respect and observe my body instead of judging (or despairing when I come up short). Also, as I’ve kept with it, I’ve gotten much more limber. So when I get frustrated about being completely unable to achieve the skinniness our society values so much, I remind myself that I am strong and flexible, and that’s much more important to my health and happiness.
Kat, I love your attitude! Thanks for sharing! When I first started working out, my goal was to lose weight (I had gained extra pounds in grad school). But now the more I work out, the less my appearance becomes a goal. I focus more on endurance, strength and flexibility. It feels so great being strong enough to lift weights and having the flexibility to do yoga poses, which are very challenging. My goal is definitely to improve my flexibility and become more limber.
Sarah
10:31 pm on
November 12th, 2009Yes! I find that the most consistent my yoga practice, the better I feel about my body. Instead of focusing on my problem areas, I focus on what my body can do. I was a gym rat for years, but I never got the results I seeked, physically or mentally, until I became serious about yoga. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to standard gym classes.
Yoga changed my life! It started out just as a way to improve my flexibility, but it gradually became much more than a physical practice. Yoga has taught me how not to struggle with myself or judge myself if I don’t meet my own expectations. I’d recommend yoga to anyone with body image dissatisfaction, anxiety, or control issues in general.
You might enjoy reading my post “Things I’ve learned about food from doing yoga.”
http://makefriendswithfood.blogspot.com/2009/07/things-ive-learned-about-food-by-doing.html
Sarah, that’s a great way of looking at your yoga practice – to focus on what your body can do. It’s great advice really! That’s the wonderful thing about yoga: you enjoy both mental and physical benefits.
Eleanor, thanks for including a link to your post! Wow, first off, I think we’re the same person 
I have a tough time giving up control and there’s always a “should” for everything. I love your lessons!
I’ve pasted a few of them below. They’re excellent!
” Pay attention. Don’t zone out while you’re practicing or while you’re eating — notice what’s going on. Why are some positions easy and others hard? Why do you crave some foods and resist others? What happens when you ignore what your body is saying? Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Don’t worry about the person next to you. So what if she can twist herself into knots? It’s not a competition. Who cares what the person across the table from you is eating? The question is, what do you need right now, at this meal?”
Janet NowellBaynes
10:18 am on
November 18th, 2009Have been practicing for 10 years and love all aspects of yoga especially Pranayama and guided Meditation/Relaxation. Wish everyone would meditate everyday, how much sweeter the world would be! Thank you for this article, this info will be especially helpful in convincing others of the many and varied aspects of Yoga and not just doing asanas. Peace and Blessings to you and yours.
Thanks for good article.
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