"The cave you fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek."
I agree with Joseph Campbell, who said that quote above. For most of my life, I feared inhabiting my body. I mean, FULLY inhabiting it. Cultivating deep acceptance of every cell, organ, bone, hair, function... and imperfection.
Being embodied, without shame or judgment. Is that even possible??
My practice of SativaYoga -- which springs from my relationship with Cannabis Sativa -- has helped me into a "bikini body" for the first time in my life. And it did so, from the inside out.
You might be surprised how nerve-wrecking it is to take a bikini selfie! The ONLY way I could pick one, and actually publish it, was with oceans of... acceptance. Unconditional acceptance of my "what-is-right-now."
And equal acceptance of my "what-can-be-10-days-from-now."
That's why I'm choosing to go about this 10-day challenge a little differently. That's why I didn't even mention the phrase "10-day challenge" until now, because I didn't want comparisons or expectations based on other fitness challenges.
People tend to build on the forms, templates and blueprints of others. Derivatives of derivatives. No thanks.
And not because I'm contradictory.
But because I am so regularly shown a fresh form for me.
And that's how this style of yoga -- SativaYoga -- came to be.
I listen + look inside me. And then, practice + act outside me.
That is true of how I manage my depression, fibroids and any other material challenges. As well as immaterial challenges, like shame and limiting beliefs.
It is how I overcame a very harmful belief in outer authority. And it is how I committed myself to a life of advocacy for, and celebration of, cannabis sativa.
Future posts in this series will expand and explore how SativaYoga renews our mind and -- ultimately -- our physical body. Because if we don't feel free there -- in our "flesh suit" -- where else do we expect to feel it?
I recommend watching this as prep for our next steps.
Thanks for allowing me to share this with you.