On Yoga Pants and Tuning Forks
I went to try on yoga pants the other day at Lululemon with a gift card that my sweet husband gave me for my birthday. When I got in the dressing room, I about LOST IT when I saw my body in the 4-way mirror. When did my body change like this? And why is there cellulite on my shoulders?
Within seconds, I went from the joy of using my birthday gift card to self criticism and shame. Ugh. It was a horrible experience, and I felt like I took steps back in my body image healing despite all the ways I’ve been kind to myself this year through physical nourishment and joyful movement. With a shred of courage (perhaps from the work I have done toward healing), I didn’t just return the pants to the staff member and leave. I still chose to get the fun, maroon colored pants rather than the more “concealing” black.
Then, the next morning, I went to heated power yoga in my new pants. It was one of the hottest and most challenging classes I’ve taken, and the instructor led us through so many beautiful reflections. At the very end when we were in the resting pose with eyes closed and my new pants soaked through with sweat, the instructor came to each of us wafting lavender essential oil over our faces and used a tuning fork over our hearts. What? It sent a vibration through my whole body. She then asked us, “How can you leave here today with the greatest possible love for yourself?”
In this place of deep relaxation, I was able to see more clearly. And then there I was, back in the dressing room. Except this time, I saw myself as who I really am, as God created me to be, rather than a distorted image. I was full of joy as I picked out the colorful pants I loved as a gift from the man I love. I was filled with gratefulness for this body that is imperfect but GOOD.
It wasn’t until I was driving home from yoga that the familiar hymn lyric suddenly came to the forefront of my mind: “TUNE MY HEART TO SING THY GRACE.”
“TUNE MY HEART”…with an actual tuning fork? Seriously? I don’t know how sound therapy actually works, but I do believe God can work through anything, and He had just given me a tangible metaphor of how He can change our hearts.
Through His grace, we get so much more than we deserve. Healing and freedom are available to us, no matter what. And He loves us unconditionally, beyond measure.
If you’re doubting it today like I was, I want to remind you that your body is good. And you are so, so loved. When we tune our hearts to Jesus, we will be able to see the Truth. And the more we tune our hearts, the more quickly we are able to remember the Truth next time. I believe it with every bone in my yoga-sore body.
