Thank you James for a wonderful rebuttal!

Beautiful , full bodied yogi, I so respect Jessamyn!

Amber is one of my teachers, so life affirming

Color me pissed. I was thinking that our society had moved toward compassion about people with different bodies and expression of the body.  Past judging due to body size and type. 

Then Bill Mahr thinks it's funny to bring shaming to late night .  An acquaintance posts that "this may hurt but it's the truth" with an obituary about someone who was morbidly obese passing.  Marketing for yoga that only highlights one body type. 

I am in the middle of reading " The Body Keeps the Score".  ( if you want to be more trauma informed, I highly recommend this book!)  In short, the studies have shown that the more that people who are overweight are shamed and judged, the worse the potential for depression.  The worse the depression, the more that the individual could potentially stop healthy behaviors and move back into coping skills that may not be as healthy. 

Let me say this clearly....

SHAMING HAS NEVER HELPED ANYONE. ( yelling intended)

I started My Real Bodyoga 16 years ago to create a place for people to love the body that they have, however they express themselves.  It has been amazing to watch my students walk into the studio, scared.  Then as they find their comfort and voice on the mat, years of shame drop off.  Smiles and self esteem rises, my students shine from the inside out.  ( I actually had a student tell me that she drove somewhere else to do yoga , turned around and came to my class because she just wanted to feel loved)   The goal is to build a foundation of self love and acceptance that my students can make any choice they want. Empowerment. 

I can't believe that after all of these years, I still need to step out and yell.  Body shaming will never, ever be ok.   

Please, the next time that you feel you need to be honest, don't.  You never really know what someone is going through.  Kindness must rule the day.   It just must. 

​May you be loved and blessed. 

Doing the 108 Sun Salutations every day for 30 days was so life changing for me.  My life went on whirlwind, which is why I haven't posted until now!

First, my body.  It got strong, then seemed like it broke down.  Actually it didn't break at all. Almost like the tape that was holding me together broke free and I gained some new understanding of my body and how it works.

Marina's Experience of 108 in 30 days
"Completed my 108 for the 30th Day! 
It's been quite the experience. Honestly, I felt that I wouldnt do it every single day, even just doing the simple version...lol Yet here I am having not missed one day. In the beginning (the first week) it was a challenge for me with my feet hurting midway through and for some reason I felt nauseous, even though I drank plenty of water prior to. Also, the entire back of my legs hurt the entire week. After the week it became easier and I had less pain and as of the last day of this challenge I don't have any pain from it. Instead I have been having more energy. For the most part I have done them in the morning rather than in the evening/night and it's worked out to be better for me given the fact that I have more energy. Funny thing is that during my practice more times than not I have had to deal with someone in my family (son, mom or sister) that would be distracting by talking/asking questions/etc. Amazingly, I didn't let it get to me and get irritated by it. Instead I just listened and kept on moving through it. To be honest I've had a few days I was laying in bed fretting to get up and do them; yet, once I got up my mind turned a switch and I was ready to go.
Needless, to say I'm with Heather and I'll continue to do 108 every day as I've been holding the space for it, even if maybe some days I just take that time to mediate, if it calls for it. I did ask my son/motivator if I should continue to do them and he said "yes, Mama".😂
Thank you Sandy for the inspiration to do this challenge! Also, thank you and Heather for embarking on this journey! It's been an honor, loads of fun and lots of learning and growing.
Namaste!"💕🧘‍♀️

This week was crazy.   I am sorry I haven't been able to stay caught up on blogging, but it was challenge and work...or to blog!!!

Here I am now after a super fun and relaxing day to share with you about the challenge. 

Remember on July 24, I ( and a few of my friends) started that 108 sun salutations for 30 days.  It has been a roller coaster and if you have never tried a challenge like this, be prepared.  My body is changing, my heart is changing and I feel more connection than I have felt in a long time. 

The first few days I could only do like 5 sun salutations at a time, then I had to stop and step away for a second.  All 108 done, but slowly.

Then I could increase to 30 at a time, then 50.....then Wednesday hit.

On Wednesday, I had one of my toughest days.  I can't go into details but let's say I was more than super grumpy when I got home.  BUT , when I got home, I had a houseful of my favorite traveling rappers and wanted to express my friendship to them, so I hid my grumpy and made pad thai.  It was so late when I was done, I thought "forget it, I am not doing the challenge."  I tried to go to bed.  BIG MISTAKE.   That night was AWFUL!  I was continually woken up with restless leg, horrible leg cramps and nightmares. I woke feeling anxious, depressed and every negative thing that had ever been perceived by me ran through my head. 

I had to laugh at me.  " Only an addict/alcoholic would stop doing something that works!!"  

( A side note, I thought about not telling you I took a day off, trying to not embarrass myself.  Then I remembered my own words in this challenge, do what you can , not what you can't.  Funny how I still get wrapped up in my " not good enough " language!)

The next day, the promise I made to myself was "never again!" and I ROCKED 108 in one fell swoop!  108 night 2!  

I am back on the challenge....or did I ever really leave?  Wasn't this more of a challenge of who would I be at the end of 30 days?  Not how can I prove I am perfect or how can I get you to accept me?  It was, who will I be in 30 days.

I think I am doing really really well in this challenge and so far, I am proud of every day!

May your challenge become so real to you that your life can change too!

I love you, Namaste!

( PS remember there are two weeks left in the challenge, it is never to late to join the Facebook event page and post your own challenge!

This challenge is becoming to mean so much to people, quietly telling me the lessons that determination and presence is creating . 

Many people are finding their way to their voice in this challenge,  Students telling me that they are learning that there are no big deals, addressing their resistance, gaining strength to be who they are without apology!

A wonderful couple who are my students gave this card to me.  This is the definition of success to me, that I am seen as a teacher who creates fun and inclusion.  This is why yoga has been my career and my passion for so long!  Thank you!

This series has been so important to me.  As I have been saying, I needed to knuckle into my life in a new and brave way.  This was as brave as I am right now, to move through my fears and into the unknown.  Tonight as my legs swelled to a painful level in the heat, I had every reason to not do the salutations. Except one, my body has come to crave the movement.  I know the more I move, the less I have problems with both my knees and leg swelling.   After the 108 tonight, my legs are still slightly swollen but feel so much better, stronger.

Another challenger moved in her 108 after being exhausted and with a migraine.  It is so amazing when we can take charge with love and humility of our bodies.  Both of us experienced a reason to not move today and both over came the reason.   ( I won't say excuse because some days it might be the right thing to do is to not move!)

I am also finding my grief of this past year's losses is full surface. Sadness that has been deep down is right up front but my yoga is putting me in front of people who love me and showing me that I need connection with other people.  The connection and my being more honest in my pain has begun to work it's magic in my heart. 

During my salutations, I pray.  I am praying for peace, for the shooting victims and their families, for focus on how to move forward and make a difference, on my housing situation, my future.   Wondering how God wants to use me and listening with every part of me, eager as a child at Christmas morning. 

Tonight, I expect to sleep well , to pray big prayers and wake up grateful again.  I am getting more grateful as this challenge moves ahead. 

May you be blessed in your sleep and until we see each other again. 

Much love and pray for peace.

Part of my prayers are that the soap business I have started creates enough income that I can qualify and get a house,  I want a place where I can hold workshops to help and love others more! Working with my life's work in both recovery and yoga, the focus is dedication and empowerment!

If you have questions about the Challenge, 
write me here!  I promise, I will answer! ( Also you can contact me through the MyRealBodyoga Facebook Page!

Thank you Lisa for purchasing my CD, Singing for the Soul!  Enjoy!  You can purchase this CD on Amazon too!

This is a shot down memory lane.  These were the happiest days of my life, teaching at Wild Grace Arts!

This was one of the most wonderful Day 6's of any challenges that I have ever done.  I guess it's the yoga!

With my fibro, I have tried challenges in the past, always ended up in a fibro storm, me sick in bed for a week.  

This time has been different, I think because I am following what I tell my students, 

Do what you can, not what you can't
​