home and grounded
i spent the weekend away from phones, cell phones, laptops, email, blogging, television, and responsibilities. it was a breath of fresh air. literally as we were tucked away in the woods in oregon. i am still a tiny bit under the weather though i think the fresh air and hot springs did help my ailing bits. i am trying to learn this lesson of doing enough. not doing everything. hmmm. it is not easy.
and even though i have been home for 24 hours, i am not quite in the swing of everything. but wanted to just share that my weekend retreat was incredible. my sangha, the group of people who made it through these two years and were able to attend the retreat, is amazing. these people have opened my mind and heart. i am blessed to know them. and my teacher has such a way with words and ritual and invites us to stretch in ways (literally, spiritually, emotionally, personally) we didn't plan on stretching. i spent time thinking about some things that have really pushed me. and recognizing some incredible gifts i have received over the last two years (and over my life).
one of these is this. during this two year yoga teacher training intensive, i have become grounded in my body. even though my self-esteem is still low when it comes to how i look, i no longer think about it all the time, just some of the time. i have confidence in the ways that my body can move. and i move my body whenever i want, however i want. i feel the strength of my hips and thighs, even if i wish that they were smaller. i feel my body. i feel it. i stand in front of people and feel strong and capable. this is new. and this is huge. an unexpected gift in the midst of this training. i move my body and i do not think about how i look as i move. i simply know i am moving the way i was meant to move. and maybe, just maybe, i can begin to see this as beautiful.
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (21)
There's great beauty in a body that works for you. The little bit of yoga I've done taught me to slow down and feel my body, to pay attention to sore muscles and tension. It was a good experience. And now you can help people find that gift for themselves. Congratulations on finishing your training.
I hope you can....
I'm not going to break out into a chorus of "everything is beautiful"
but peopl edo have a way of seeing so much lass of them selves... Let''s hope you're getting past that.
and while you waiting to see, remember to relaxe, breathe, and smile. It's all good.
I'm printing out this post today at work and pasting it into my journal Liz. You ARE beautiful inside and out, and of course, most importlantly, you have found a path that puts you at peace in your own body which is no small feat to say the least. I look so forward to hearing more about your weekend. Welcome home! (& I hope your grandfather is continuing to improve.) xo
"i move my body and i do not think about how i look as i move. i simply know i am moving the way i was meant to move. and maybe, just maybe, i can begin to see this as beautiful." It is beautiful...the idea, these words. So very, very wise.
I loved reading your words. When we don't feel right about ourselves it is awful and shapes so much of our thinking in other areas of our lives. I'm really glad you are feeling a little better and that you had time to centre yourself.
Keep healing
It sounds like it was a lovely weekend. I hope you feel all the way better soon.
It is so inspiring to witness your path toward this self acceptance. You are a powerful woman, and I think you are only beginning to open to that gentle, graceful power. congratulations for spreading those wings and completing your training!
ahhhhhh...
i love this thinking
this idea
this way of looking
at our bodies...
this is a gift
and thank you for thinking
to share it
:)
(and i am happy your retreat
went well too!)
it is HUGE! and it is BEAUTIFUL! i celebrate this with you.
doing enough vs. doing everything...that was good. i think sometimes i think my enough has to be everything...gotta work on that...
Oh Liz - this was such a wonderful post! I felt myself wishing whole-heartedly that I could come do Yoga with you and learn to be IN my own body. What a treasure you have described - I am so happy to hear you talk like that!! I'm also very glad to have you back. I hope you feel better today!! LOVE xoxo
This is so incredible, to be able to recognize the gifts that you've earned in these 2 years of training.
Wow, Liz, that is an amazing gift -- and such a great reason to do yoga. That kind of physical confidence is something I lack, and I know I should pursue a path to growing in the way you have, I just haven't been able to get on that path yet. Maybe some day. SO glad to hear your retreat was a "treat".!
Hi Liz,
You know what - I can totally dig what you are saying and where your mind has been and where it is going...GOOD FOR YOU. I am so happy to hear about your great experience in Oregon too...nice way to end the 2 year yoga teacher training intensive. JW
liz, you always inspire. Congratulations and thank you.
Sounds so empowering.
You are strong....and powerful and inspirational.
So glad you had a good break away from the day to day.
Hugs
Oh, this brings tears to my eyes. Happy tears. I am so happy for you, you sweet and wonderful (and beautiful) woman.
your yoga is your physical poetry. really beautiful, liz.
Thankyou.
I'm glad you had a thoughtful, happy weekend.
Thank you for these words: "i feel my body. i feel it. i stand in front of people and feel strong and capable. this is new. and this is huge. an unexpected gift."
Liz, your writing is a gift! And your willingness to share your intimate thoughts, private experiences. I'm grateful.
I'm so glad your time at the springs did you good and that you had a chance to celebrate completing your training with your group. It's so important to acknowledge these points in time for ourselves, and to acknowledge, as you are doing, the ways in which we grow. You are inspiring in your determination to keep on walking this tight-rope of yours! keep on walking!
ps... I'm finally back and posting on my blog again.
That was a beautiful read. I am so glad you had a wonderful time. I wish I could go to one of your classes. I bet it would leave me changed forever.
a.