Join the Yoga and Body Image Coalition, Asteya Fitness and Adios Barbie as we spread awareness and hope during this year’s National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week by smashing yoga body stereotypes and celebrating the power of yoga in eating disorder recovery.
Living and feeling into the body can be extremely difficult if not impossible for those suffering from an eating disorder. In eating disorder recovery, many struggle to reconnect and heal the subtle yet vital lines of communication between the mind and the body. Yoga is one of the most powerful and effective ways to reconnect to the body while also teaching self-acceptance and mindfulness. Each day throughout NEDA week we will share our favorite yoga poses (asana) along with a healing mantra. We invite you to post and share your version of the day’s asana along with how this particular pose has personally helped you move toward self-acceptance and healing your relationship with your body. Variations of the asana are highly encouraged.
The #edyogawarriors Challenge runs all of Eating Disorders Awareness Week
February 26th – March 4th
Sunday, Feb 26th:
Childs pose – feeling safe in my body – what pose helps you feel safe in your own skin?
Childs pose is my way of giving my body a hug and letting it know that everything is going to be OK. In ED recovery it can be a daunting task to feel safe in our own body. Yoga is a way to heal the wounds of disconnection between the mind and body.
Mantra: I am safe. I am supported. I am loved just as I am
Monday Feb 27th:
Tadasana – Standing in my power – what pose make you feel strong and powerful?
In my ED I felt like I didn’t have to right to take up space, like I needed to prove the right for my existence through my actions. In tadasana I feel grounded, strong and unstoppable.
Mantra: I am capable, I am worthy, I am enough just as I am
Tuesday Feb 28th:
Fish Pose – power in vulnerability – what pose makes you feel vulnerable – typically heart openers. What pose challenges your need to protect yourself?
My eating disorder was a coping skill that ultimately took a huge toll on my health. When we’re stripped of our copping skill we feel raw and vulnerable. It took a long time to have the courage and the strength to lead with my heart and be vulnerable despite the possibility of being hurt. I ultimately found the power of vulnerability through heart openers in my yoga practice. We must be open to all emotions if we want to invite love into our life.
Mantra: “Don’t Shrink, don’t puff up. Stand my sacred ground” – Brene’ Brown
Wednesday March 1st:
Supta Bhada Konasana: Releasing of Emotional Stress – hip openers. Certain poses can help release emotional garbage and often results in me shedding tears on the mat. Hip openers always do this for me. What pose helps release your emotional garbage? Hip openers or something else?
Mantra: Let Go and Let Be
Thursday March 2nd:
Half Moon: Balance – self acceptance – 100% of people fall out of a pose at one point or another – fighting perfectionistic attitudes is at the heart of my ED recovery. What balancing pose helps you learn to accept your perfectly imperfect self?
Mantra: I am always learning and growing from it all. I am perfectly imperfect.
Friday March 3rd:
Twisting Chair – new perspectives on our body and our beauty – twisting poses are an opportunity to invite in a new or different perspective. In ED recovery we must learn to see our body differently and heal our body image. What is your favorite twisting pose that helps you practice letting go of your old, self-judgments and create a healthier perspective of self?
Mantra: I choose acceptance and patience as I learn to see my body as something of love and beauty.
Saturday March 4th:
Savasana – letting go of control. What pose challenges you to let go of control? Ultimately many ED’s are a way in which we feel we can control our life and the people in it. In ED recovery we must learn that there is actually very little in life that we have control over other than our own behavior and our reactions to other people.
Mantra: Serenity Prayer
Join us by sharing your photos February 26 – March 4 and become eligible for some great prizes!
To Enter:
1. Follow hosts on Instagram: @ybicoalition, @adiosbarbieofficial, @asteyafitness
2. Share your photos on Instagram using hashtag #edyogawarriors
3. Tag three friends who you think could use a dose of inspiration and healing.
Prizes:
We’ll be choosing 3 winners at random. Each winner will receive a copy of Yoga and Body Image: 25 Personal Stories About Beauty, Bravery & Loving Your Body and Asteya Fitness tee as well as a body positive coaching session with Adios Barbie co-founder, Pia Guerrero.