cultivate self-love with these three poses

​With National Eating Disorder Awareness week beginning today, now is an excellent time to cultivate self-love and the power within you. At the root of eating disorders one will often times find a deeper unresolved issue. Getting to the root of one’s disorder is challenging and is a journey, but once we are able to identify and acknowledge these issues, we are able to begin to liberate ourselves from the delusions these issues create. Below are a few yoga poses to practice in order to ignite your inner fire and to cultivate self-love and gratitude.

1. Malasana/ Garland Pose/ Yogi Squat
Malasana is a grounding posture. Low to the earth feet planted into the ground, this pose allows for us to connect with Mama Earth and the divinity around us. Malasana teaches us about our energy locks (bandhas) and shows us how to seal that energy for ourselves. As we continue to practice malasana, we begin to feel how harnessing our inner power allows for the igniting of light throughout the body.
Matra: I am powerful.

2. Dhanurasana/ Bow Pose
Practiced on the belly, dhanurasna stimulates the inner organs and activates the third chakra. When we first begin practicing this pose, we sometimes find it to be uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally. This is the case especially for those who struggle with self-confidence and self-esteem. It is important to maintain a steady breath with deep inhales and exhales. This posture aids in digestion and helps to assist in energy that may be blocked in our powerhouse. As we continue to practice this pose, we begin to extend (backwards bend) the spine, allowing for our freed energy from the third chakra to express itself in the heart chakra.
Mantra: I am worthy of love.

3. Supta Baddha Konasana/ Reclined Bound Angle Pose
A restorative pose, this posture opens any tension we may be holding in the hips and legs and allows for us to rest and receive. As we encourage this relaxation through the hips, we are able to open us space to increase and improve blood circulation and improve and aid in digestion. Resting and breathing in this posture also send a signal to the nervous system to calm and quiet. While resting in this posture, I like to place on hand on my belly and one hand over my heart. In doing this, I feel the rise and fall of the vital force and the breath and feel the beat of my heart. We can take this as a reminder to be grateful for ourselves and for our bodies. We can be grateful for the energy that moves within us and through us each day.
Mantra: I am enough.

Remember that you are a beautiful human full of light and love! Practice the way you treat and speak to yourself. Kindle your inner spark, then continue to extend that fire outward!
~Namaste,
Nicole