Benefits Of Yoga: A Healing Force for Negative Body Image

There are many amazing things we can do to start the healing process if our body image and relationship with food is not as positive as it could be.  And let’s face it.  That’s a great many people.  I was delighted to recently learn that what looks like an amazing new Yoga class about the benefits of Yoga for people with negative body image and/or disordered eating is beginning in Melbourne.  I invited the teacher Joy Robbins to share more with us, including her personal story about the benefits of Yoga and of why Yoga is so important to her.  

Joy is a Counsellor and Yoga Teacher who specialises in the treatment of  disordered eating, and negative body image.The name ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj,’ which means ‘to join, yoke, or unify.’  Drawing upon her research and clinical experience in the field of expressive therapies, she utilises bodywork, creativity, and mindfulness to help people develop the inner strength and courage needed to let go of the inner critic and reclaim a sense of self-worth.

Although yoga is not a religion in and of itself, it is linked to religion and has roots in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. During meditation, both Buddhists and Hindus sing the sacred mantra ‘Om.’

With all the hype about benefits of Yoga these days – flashy magazines with bendy, lycra-wearing models, celebrity press, Yoga bootcamps, and even a recent debate about whether or not Yoga can wreck your body, it’s all too easy to assume Yoga is just another trend to feed our obsession with constructing rock-hard bodies.  With Yoga being taught at gyms alongside kickboxing aerobics, it’s no wonder many people assume it’s nothing more than a physical practice to shed kilos and attain the perfect butt.

Benefits Of Yoga

While it’s true that Yoga can help develop strength and flexibility, it’s a shame to limit the ancient practice to such a narrow field, when historically, Yoga (much more about training the mind than touching the toes) was developed to help people understand the causes of suffering, and offered various tools and techniques to free oneself from physical, mental, and emotional dis-ease.

In most modern Western societies, health is depicted as skin deep – a slim physique, youthfully radiant skin, toned muscles, pearly white teeth, manicured features, and adherence to the latest fashion trends.  Unfortunately, this narrow view completely neglects mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, which arguably leads many people to neglect these aspects of self-development.  

As a counsellor who has sat with women from all walks of life, I can attest to the fact that body dissatisfaction is an epidemic which does not discriminate based on age, size, or ethnic background.  Women who fit the classic beauty standard are often just as insecure and dissatisfied with their appearance as anyone else.

I, too, was seduced by the desire for physical perfection, and waged war against my body for many years.  Through fluctuating periods of extreme dieting and overexercise, to binge eating and neglect, I existed in a state of constant dissatisfaction.  During one of my gym-junkie phases, I tried a Yoga class, hopeful for the endorphin rush of a good workout.

Although a bit disappointed by the lack of the sweat-induced pain I was used to, I kept going back, and slowly, over a period of many years in which I dipped my toes in various styles, I started to see the value of slowing down and letting go.  As a long-time practitioner, and now as a Yoga teacher, I have always told people that one of the most beautiful gifts Yoga offered me was freedom from the relentless pursuit of physical perfection.

Yoga, classically, offers us tools to begin to accept ourselves as we are.  It teaches us that we’re all born completely whole and all have unconditional value.  As these principles begin to sink in, we can let go of incessant body dissatisfaction because we come to see ourselves as much more than the shape of our thighs.  Yoga teaches us to connect with our bodies rather than punish ourselves or numb our emotions through vigorous exercise or neglect.  We learn to become aware our breath and use it in coordination with gentle movement, which develops our capacity for concentration, playfulness and creativity.

 As we begin to observe ourselves with compassion, we can’t help but develop gratitude for our bodies.  Slowly, we let go of the tendency to evaluate ourselves solely on our appearance, and begin to appreciate the magnificence of the complex processes which keep us alive (our beating heart, our digestive system, our lungs, etc).

Benefits of Yoga will vary from each. While Yoga isn’t a quick-fix cure for poor body image, self-esteem, or food issues, it’s certainly a tool to aid in the healing process.

Thank you Joy for sharing your story with us and indeed being such a bright light for people struggling with negative body image and eating disorders.  If you’re interested in exploring Yoga and the benefits of Yoga in an non-intimidating environment that isn’t focused on how flexible, thin, or toned you are, but which celebrates and welcomes diverse body types, inviting you to get to know your body, mind, emotions, and spirit from a place of compassion and playfulness, then you might be interested in Joys upcoming course:

Yoga From the Inside Out

 Open to anyone over 18 who struggles with disordered eating or a negative body image

Classes focus on gentle, mindful movements coordinated with the breath, relaxation, and guided visualization to facilitate the process of letting go of the inner critic and appreciating your body regardless of weight/shape. Appropriate and welcoming to any body type. No previous yoga experience necessary. Mats provided.

Dates: Thur. 2nd August – Thur. 27th September (2 weeks into the new school term) – 9 weeks

Time: Thursdays 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Cost:
Early Bird Term Pass: $162 (9 weeks – $18/class) – until Thur. 19th July

Normal Term Pass:$180 (9 weeks – $20/class)

…if you miss the 1st week…

Flex-Pass: $160 (8 weeks – $20/class)

Sorry, no drop-ins, as this class will expand upon established themes each week.

Location:
Sol Green Community Centre
Coventry and Montague Streets, South Melbourne
Limited Spaces Available – Book Early! 

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