119 Body Image in Yoga: Community Conversations with Alison Heilig

Yoga Medicine

We all deserve to feel good in our bodies, but when we have negative perceptions of how our body looks, feels, or functions that experience can seem impossible.

Today host Rachel talks with returning guest Alison Heilig about the sometimes sneaky ways body image manifests in yoga. In this episode, we discuss how body image forms and the different ways negative body image can show up - including the perpetual optimization of health and demonization of the aging process. We also touch on implications for gender conformity and advocate normalizing diversity in ability and appearance in yoga classes. We share our tips on how yoga teachers can provide positive embodiment experiences, ensuring that body image isn’t what stops our students practicing.

Listen in as we talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of body image.

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Show Notes:

• Defining body image, and why it matters more in yoga than you think [3:05]
• How does body image form [7:33]
• Personal experiences of poor body image [8:58}
• The added impacts of social media, photoshop, filters & AI [12:50]
• Body image challenges through life; perceptions of aging [14:39]
• The surprising ways poor body image can manifest [16:40]
• Orthorexia, perpetual optimization & the medicalization of body image [20:00]
• Implications in yoga [24:59]
• How yoga teachers can foster more positive body awareness [30:58]
• Tips on teaching groups [39:45]
• Advice for individuals & the slow journey to positive body image [53:33]
• The conversation continues: Fit Bottomed Girls [1:02:26]
• Final thoughts & key takeaways [1:08:04]

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Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes:
  • 32: Yoga for Athletes
  • 96: Creating Change
  • 116: Yoga for Menopause & Beyond
• Yoga Journal articles:
  • Are the Poses You Hate The Ones You Need Most?
  • The One Cue I Never Use When I Teach
• Yoga for Athletes Teacher Training
• Connect with Alison Heilig:

Facebook | Instagram | Alison Heilig | Yoga Medicine Online Guest Teacher

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-119.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

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