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3 Ways (Yoga Included!) to Shift Your Body Image, by Anna Guest-Jelley, MA

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

A friend recently asked me how I made the shift towards a more positive body image.

And I froze.

Despite writing about this often and thinking about it even more, an answer didn't easily spring to mind. I think that's because it's a monolithic question in a lot of ways, and I've done SO many different things that it's hard to narrow it down.

Drilling Down

After shaking off my initial brain freeze, I did the next best thing I could think of: spout off some platitudes—therapy, journaling, blah, blah, blah.

Now, those things aren't blah blah to me—not at all. They're actually two of my most important tools that I use on a regular basis. But they were blah blah to her at the time because I knew she'd heard it all before, and she was struggling. She wanted to hear something different, and I knew I wasn't being as real as I wanted to be.

One More Layer
There were a few other friends in the room, so the conversation continued for a bit without me. I listened to them with one ear and to myself with the other—asking myself, "What has REALLY made a difference to me?"

And then it hit me.

As soon as I could, I jumped back into the conversation and told my friend, "One of the biggest things I did was completely change my environment."

That got her attention.

Creating My Life
From there, I went into further detail. First up, I let go of toxic friendships—the ones that drained me of energy because they were all one-sided. But also the ones where all we talked about was how much we hated our bodies and needed to go on a diet. Now, I didn't just call up these people and break-up with them in one day; my process wasn't that quick. But over time, as I saw our relationships more deeply (or, rather, saw their lack of depth), I had less desire to spend time with these people. And we gradually drifted apart—no passive-aggressive melodrama necessary.

Second, I also changed my home. I got rid of all the clothes I was hanging onto for the hopes of fitting into one day. I couldn't believe the shift that created for me energetically. I quite literally felt freer after unburdening myself of the expectations infused in those clothes. I also hid my scale from myself. Of course, I knew it was still there, but more often than not I didn't think about it when it wasn't the first thing I saw every morning. Again, over time, as I fell out of the routine of weighing myself two-three times a week, I missed it less and less.

The Myth of Giving Up
As I read through this list, my inner critic thinks, "You didn't change your environment. You gave up!"

And, my, isn't that a pervasive myth? We even have jokes about it—how people get older, married, in a busy job, have kids or whatever (it really doesn't matter the reason, does it?)—and they "give up." In this scenario, giving up is meant to mean on the way they look. What a sad social construct.

First of all, I think this is ridiculous, offensive, and designed solely to support the diet and beauty industries. Second, you know what looks better on people than a smaller pair of pants? Not hating themselves.

Truly, don't we all know those people whose bodies don't fit the standard beauty norms but who everyone thinks is radiant and gorgeous? I know I do. And it's not because of their clothes or makeup. It's because they have a light within, and they shine it out with confidence.

Where Yoga Comes In
Another thing I did to make a body image shift is commit to my yoga practice—for real. Up until that point I'd had an on again/off again relationship with it, but as I realized how yoga taught me to connect with my body on the mat, I quickly saw how it was supporting me in the same way off the mat. So I set about finding a way to practice every day, even if some days that looked like one deep breath with mindfulness.

The more I talk with people about how yoga affects their body image, the more inspired I am by how it creates a positive shift for so many types of people in different ways. Although yoga culture these days can sometimes contribute less positively to body image issues, the actual practice of yoga reconnects people with their bodies and gives them a way to relate to them that might otherwise be difficult or even in accessible.

Making the Shift
I know it can sounds like a lot, perhaps even too much, to change your environment. And I can hear the reasons as to why you could never cut that person out of your life. And that's probably true; it is for me. I still have people in my life who aren't 100% supportive of my body lovin' journey who I choose not to cut out (primarily because they're family members). So what I do with them is shift the conversation as much as possible, redirecting the topic when it shifts to bodies, calories, and dieting, as it often does.

You'll also notice that with everything I did, I said "over time" or "slowly." This didn't happen overnight?not by a long shot. So if there are things you might like to change in your life, figure out your own pace and method.

And start making the shift.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2014. All rights reserved.

For months there have been two or three people controlling my thoughts to get me to feel the way they want me to. They want to punish me or make me think twice about what I'm doing versus what they want me to do. There are thoughts forced into my mind constantly. I can't think for myself and if I try forcing the thoughts away they just get quiet for a while. How can I force these people out of my mental space?

S.

Astrea:

Telepathic messages are picked up by people with various types of psychic ability. Often Empaths will experience people intruding on their thoughts as you describe.

Most of the time, other people drift in and out of our minds or we only get vague impressions from them. We may pick up on their thoughts, but we perceive them with feelings and impressions instead of images or voices. I don't know of anyone getting the winning lottery numbers from something like this, but I do know that numbers are common things to see in this way.

It isn't good for you to feel helpless, especially since no one can punish you except YOU. Please try to grasp this concept! You can choose to stop hearing these voices, but you may need some help.

If you have people in your life you can trust to take this information in the right way, ask them to meditate and pray with you so you can get rid of these telepathic intruders right away. The sooner this is over, the better you will feel.

Also, think about what you did to open the door of your mind and let these intruders into your Harmony. Go back in time to when these voices began. If they seem to be growing stronger or more troubling, it may be high time to get rid of them altogether.

You can quiet them for a while now, and with time and effort, you can learn to quiet them permanently. You simply have to find the strength to close the door you opened in the past. Once you discover when, why and how this all began, you shouldn't have any trouble quieting these entities once and for all.

Most telepathic people must learn to shield themselves from other people's thoughts, but in this case, you've allowed them to take control. If these are living people you know in real life, just tell them to stop. If they are other-worldly people, then you have to get them out of your head.

One way to do that is to replace their voices with the voices of your Guides and Angels. Your Angels can battle these intruders and get rid of them for you, but you have to ask them to do it. Though our Guides and Angels can't force us to take particular action, they can force other beings out of where they don't belong.

You would also be wise to consider that these experiences could stem from a change in any kind of medication you've been taking. If you or your doctor made any prescription changes at about the time this began to happen, talk to your doctor about changing your dosage. If this is altogether a spiritual condition, you might seek support and guidance from a spiritual helper like a healer or spiritual counselor.

*****

Susyn:

This problem is more common than you might imagine. We are bombarded via television, radio and print advertising with commercials, messages and propaganda trying to influence our opinions. We also have ministers, teachers and family members around us who may be trying to influence or control our thoughts for various reasons.

It sounds like there are some people in your life who would like to direct your thoughts, and that you know who they are. In this case, it should be relatively simple to block their attempts.

First, keep in mind that every time you mention others' attempts to control you, you actually give them more power to do so. As long as you believe that they have the ability to do this, you keep the door open and allow this behavior to continue.

I recommend you begin with a daily or hourly affirmation. Each time you feel others' energy coming at you, simply block it with the statement, I am in control. No one has influence over my thoughts or actions unless I allow it.

Next, it would be a good idea to freeze these individuals using a few simple household items. Gather together a white candle, a brown grocery sack, some table salt, and some sandwich size Zip-loc baggies - one for each person you feel is trying to control your thoughts.

To center your mind, light the white candle and take some deep breaths. Tear off a small piece of the brown paper sack and write the name of one person on it. Concentrate on this piece of paper and say aloud, I ask the Universe to freeze all thoughts and controlling behavior emanating from this person, and return those thoughts to them tenfold.

Then fold the paper three times, drop it into the baggie and sprinkle some table salt into the bag. Next, fill the bag two-thirds full with water, seal it, and place it in your freezer. Repeat this ritual with each person you feel is attempting to control you. Within 24 hours (after the bags of water have frozen solid), you should feel better and more in control of your own thoughts.

If these are people with whom you are in regular contact, you can also visualize a small mirror in your solar plexus chakra area when you are with them. When you feel attacked, focus on the mirror and let it symbolically reflect their words and energy back to them.

You can also carry a piece of turquoise or lapis lazuli with you at all times, as these stones are known for their protective powers.

These three methods should help you sidestep any influence these people attempt to wield over you and eliminate the telepathic problems you've been having.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.