I am continually inspired by women’s abilities to practice random and consistent acts of loving kindness toward the bodies of others, be it their gal pals, children, or total strangers. So often when it comes down to body (self) love, judgment gets in the way and blocks our ability to shower or even sprinkle love and acceptance on our bodies.
I remember very clearly experiencing my body differently when I became pregnant. My body became a sacred space not completely familiar though natural and special. I discovered myself in a very different relationship with my body as I began a relationship with the child I was carrying. I practiced a gentle loving kindness toward her (my body) like none I had ever experienced. I noticed it in the way I practiced self care in so many of my daily life choices; rest, touch, play, food, pleasure of many sorts, and especially compassion. In a way, my body was my child and my child was my body. This experience gave me a touchstone to return to over and over as I strengthened my ability to love and accept my body even after my pregnancies.
You may be hearing an internal voice saying you did not have this experience during pregnancy. If you have never been pregnant and do not intend to be pregnant you may be feeling this is irrelevant. Not so. You can create your own touchstone experience to foster a sacred loving relationship between yourself and your body.
Let’s do an experiment to create an environment for random acts of loving kindness toward your body. Perhaps it will activate curiosity or enough positive[private_membership circle] feelings and sensations, you will repeat it until a habit emerges. Experiment with exercising loving acts toward your body…as if she is your friend, a child or someone in need of comfort. You want her to feel loved, accepted, cared for and special. Judgment, skepticism, negative or painful feelings, beliefs or memories may emerge. No worries. Just notice. Now bring your attention to the ways in which you have demonstrated love and care toward another in your life and resume the exercise. For today’s practice your body is another. If you do not understand what she is saying, simply give her a hug, a smile, a gentle caress or words of encouragement. This can be the beginning of a communication that will get richer, deeper, more trusting, and yes, more loving over time.
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Robin Okun, LMSW, is a coach, therapist, speaker and Founder of Mindful Movement, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more about Robin at http://www.robinokun.com [/private_membership circle]
