One of the most eloquent, honest, soul-baring words in the English language is, in my opinion, the word “authentic:”
True to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.
Not false or imitation.
To live in authenticity, then, is why I share with you my dilemma of the powerful panties. When we are able to share our fears, our misguided moments, our hilarious capers in trying to fit into yoga clothes after having babies, we realize that our kula, our community, goes both deep and wide. As I listened to other moms around me talk about fearing their return to yoga asana practice because they had to bend over in their ill-fitting clothes and wonder aloud about how long it will take to return to shape, I couldn’t help but lament with and confess to them that I had worn Spanx (see previous post) to teach a class recently. It is just so hard to embrace and love our bodies in this state at times.
But listen carefully. We each know, down to our core, our power and beauty in giving our bodies to our babies. We each know how precious each little stretch mark or resistant belly pooch is. We each know the absolute miracle this thing that is called “giving life.” Many times, our partners travel that path of “a few extra baby pounds” with us (and bless you for that).
For us to be authentic, truly authentic, we embrace both the beauty of swollen breasts and wider hips AS WELL AS mourning the body that was while looking forward to the body that will be. For me, the powerful panties were a reminder of that. They were also a call back to the beginner’s mind so frequently called upon in my yoga practice.
So this week, in my beginner’s mind, here is my focus:
- Enjoying of the softness of my belly as my baby curls up against me to nurse
- Being tender in my practice as I regain strength in my core, specifically in mula bandha practice and in poses such as navasana, bakasana, and adho mukha vrksasana
- Finding humor in the fact that I actually have cleavage once every three hours
- Being ok with actually talking about all of this with my friends AND on this blog (this is huge and scary for me)
And with a deep breath, I click on the “publish” button, hoping to hear from you and about your “me too” moment.
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Right on! I long for the day that our baby-torn women’s bodies are honored and revered for what they have done to bring life and nurture little ones rather than disparaged for not looking perfect anymore. So if we, the moms who KNOW the power and magic and beauty of our own mama bodies, do not love and honor them ourselves, then who will? Some really cool guy once said something about how the change begins with us…
Excellent post. I do miss my 6X daily cleavage! And even more, my stretch-mark-free stomach! And no, I wouldn’t trade them or worse for the beautiful little girl that made them. But for my pregnant, and post-partum bod, I did love my drawstring Be Present pants for not showing the bumpy parts. I have them in nearly every size, (for my not-so- and bumpier days!)