Meditation For Positive Body Image

Social media track 2:
Women and men have struggled with body image issues for generations before the advent of social media. But social media has taken that insecurity and anxiety to a different level.

When filtered and edited versions of your friends' photos pop up on your screen, it can surface some deep hidden doubts you have about your body. When next-door influencers appear like they wake up with flawless skin or have the perfect body shape, it can trigger feelings of discontent. When there is always talk about a "summer body" - you might start wondering if your all-year-round body is appropriate for the beach. When less-than-ideal lives are never shown to you and are always hidden, you may start to believe that they don't exist.

This meditation track helps reinforce your belief in your own able body. It takes the approach of using posture, breath, mindfulness and gratitude to remind you that your body is a truly amazing feat by itself.

Music by my trusted musician Varun Shah.

Transcript

Hi there,

This meditation will aid you in getting comfortable with where you are in your physical journey.

Surprisingly enough,

This is a task for the mind.

Today we will work on that mind-body connection as I guide you through a meditative practice.

Go ahead and find a comfortable seat and close your eyes.

With your inhale,

Lengthen your spine and find a tall seated posture.

And with your exhale,

Relax your shoulders and let go of any tension that you're holding on to.

Lengthening of your spine tends to evoke a sense of confidence and self-assuredness.

Use this little trick anytime you're feeling insecure about your body.

Add a subtle but kind smile to your face and simply bask in this moment.

Breathe,

Begin to observe your facial muscles,

Relax them if you can.

Take this moment to think about how your face serves you,

Your eyes,

Your nose,

Your mouth and the ears.

Take a moment to appreciate this service.

With this feeling of gratitude,

Take a deep breath in and find your tall,

Confident spine again.

Exhale and relax,

Bring your attention to your belly.

Think about how it served you today,

Yesterday and since the day you were born.

Take a moment to feel this gratitude.

And with your inhale,

Expand your chest and belly and exhale,

Relax.

Bring your attention to your arms,

Your legs,

Fingers and toes.

Think about how they serve you daily.

You might even feel proud of all the work they've accomplished so far.

With the next inhale,

Raise your arms all the way up overhead and exhale to relax them down.

Bring that subtle smile back to your face and find your tall spine again.

Take a moment to appreciate the greatness of your body.

It serves you every chance it gets with strength and vigor.

Take a few seconds to simply breathe,

Listen to your breath and if you get any thoughts during this time,

Slowly bring your attention back to the sound of your breath.

This sound will serve you as an anchor anytime you're feeling insecure about your body.

It's the sound of life,

The rhythm of life.

Your body gives you this every single day.

Continue enjoying the sound of your breath for another minute or feel free to end your meditation practice here.

Thank you.