Blog Post #5: Self-love and Acceptance

At the end of each of my classes, I say “Remember that self-acceptance is the highest practice in yoga.”  I truly believe that self-acceptance is the foundation to accepting our strengths along with our limitations both on and off the mat, and the foundation to self-love.  Developing this quality takes time, honest introspection, courage and inner strength.  For most of us, it is a work in progress.

In order to move towards the ultimate goal of self-acceptance, here are a few reminders:

1. You do not have to fit into a mold that society deems acceptable.  If your self-worth is constantly dependent on other people’s reactions and opinions of you, you are stepping away from your authentic self, perhaps changing who you are to fit that mold.
2. Recognize that as a human being, you are less than perfect. Commit to accepting yourself as you are, without judgment.
3. In your yoga practice:  Refrain from judging yourself for how often you practice, how much or how little you challenge yourself or how strong or how flexible you are.  Honor yourself for showing up on your mat!
4. Self-acceptance does not mean liking or celebrating those things about yourself that you know need improvement. Rather, it is the first step toward making the necessary changes to improve yourself.

In conclusion, loving yourself unconditionally, as you are today, is the ultimate act of self-acceptance.