"The Oak Tree"

A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the oak tree's leaves away,
Then snapped its boughs
and pulled its bark
until the oak was tired and stark.
But still the oak tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around...
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
"How can you still be standing, Oak?"
The oak tree said, "I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs, and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch then, for you see,
they are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew."

one of the ancient oaks in Sherwood Forest

Loving a Body

Loving a body is about nooks and crannies, 
the first hints of silver at the temples,
laughing out loud at the TV in the next room,
a pile of unwashed dishes but
opting for a snuggle instead.

Loving a body invites an opening,
a breathing into acceptance of that
one damned trait that can absolutely-drive-you-crazy –
until you let go,
celebrating strengths instead of obsessing.

Loving a body is both charted and uncharted;
we often have guides, some better than others –
who lead us into possibility.  Who hold
the stumble as precious and expected,
even welcomed.

Loving your own body is a wild landscape –
some have gone before you, but
the dispatches are few and far between.
And what is endearing in loving another
quickly turns to scorn when the object is yourself.

Loving your own body is practice, patience, persistence and
the metabolism of loss.  That is how I heard yoga
described recently, and the way the two
map each other is inextricable.  Broken and organic,
ragged and seamless.

Anna, Curvy Yoga

The Body Positive Boost - Anna at Curvy Yoga

In case you need to hear it, I wanted to remind you that you’re beautiful.

In case you need to hear it, here’s permission to take some time to yourself today—even just five minutes of quiet before bed.

In case you need to hear it, yeah; it’s okay to eat that.  Yes, even that.

In case you need to hear it, that person who said that hurtful thing about you?  They were wrong.

In case you need to hear it, your yoga practice is gorgeous—not because you do every pose perfectly, but because you do them in your own way.

In case you need to hear it, I deeply appreciate you being part of this community.

In case you need to hear it, your body is already summer, beach and whatever-else ready.

In case you need to hear it, you are fierce.

In case you need to hear it, people do appreciate you, even if they’re not always the best at showing it.

In case you need to hear it, you are loved.

What else do you need to hear today?  ♥!

xo xo xo

Message From Anna at CurvyYoga.com

The Power of Healing Through Yoga

Below is a YouTube video about U.S. Gulf War vet, Arthur Boorman.
Arthur's health had deteriorated to the point where he could barely walk and his weigh was nearly 300lbs.  No one could seem to help him until he came across Diamond Dallas Page and his DDP Yoga program.

The YouTube video, which has had more than 5,000,000 clicks, summarizes Arthur's journey.  It is an amazing story of perseverance and transformation.