TO YOUR INNER TEACHER
Hello there, happy Tuesday and happy September! I hope this week finds you embracing the beginning of a new season, even if it's uncomfortable. I'm drinking Irish Breakfast Tea this morning and thinking about growing, changing, and bowing to my inner teacher.
But first! It's my Fat+Happy Community Class this Saturday at 9am PST. 1 hour of fat positive Yin Yoga and you can pay whatever the heck you like! REGISTER HERE!
Fall is almost upon us (happy Spring to my friends South of the equator!), and I can't wait for this season of change. And after the response to my last newsletter (so many of you are ready to say "fuck it!"), I think you're ready too.
I'm coming at you with another book quote this week, this one from The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck. I have to tell you that this book has blown my hair back and cracked my heart wide open. It might simply be the right time in my life to read it, but if the idea of being in harmony with yourself (even if it ruffles feathers) appeals to you, I highly recommend giving it a read!
In the book, Martha talks about soul guides. Those people who come along and push you along your own path, or open your eyes to certain realities or realizations. Knowing these people can even change the trajectory of your life in the best and most unexpected ways. However, she wisely cautions that “Every real soul guide outside you will bow to the teacher inside you”.
Boom! Cue me hovering over a partially sorted pile of laundry, headphones on my ears, rewinding my audio book eight times to listen to that quote again and again.
As someone who often looks to others for guidance, and sometimes ignores my own instincts in order to defer to someone else's opinion (hello every bullshit diet that was ever sold to me!), this quote hit me hard. I absolutely have moments where everything inside of me is saying one thing, and the moment someone disagrees, I squash it, deferring to them and assuming I can't possibly be right. About my own life. Helen!
I truly believe that this is not only a product of being socialized as a woman, but also being told directly and indirectly for decades that my body was wrong, and therefore my existence in a space was offensive. For many years, I operated in a constant state of shame and apology. And let me tell you, friends. That shit adds up! It's hard to go through all of that and then suddenly say, "you know what? I'm going to trust myself and my inner guide today!". No. It takes time and practice. And that is perfectly okay.
I've done a lot of work for over a decade and I can absolutely tell you that real and lasting inner change is possible. So for me, this is just another journey to take. I'm letting my inner teacher take the lead and I'm excited for what comes next.
Of course I'm still going to go to my close circle for advice. I love my community and I think sharing and checking in with each other is so healthy and important. I'm so grateful for my soul teachers in all their forms. But I've gotta tell you, I'm going to be keeping a close eye on anyone who isn't bowing the hell down to my inner teacher, and that includes me!
My inner teacher has led me to all of you. She's pulled me out of the depths of body despair, past the anxiety of getting on stage and taking a risk, and over the hump of walking into a yoga studio when I didn't think I belonged there. She knows what she's doing and yours does too.
I'm forever grateful for all of the friends and true soul guides along the way, and with the shift in season, I'm ready to dive inward once again and see what being in harmony with myself looks like at this stage of my life. I'll be sure to update you on how it's going, and I hope you'll take this journey alongside me.
As always, I'd love to hear about it! What does this season of change mean for you? When have you repressed your inner guide in favour of someone else's opinion? What does being in harmony with yourself mean at this time in your life? Let me know in the comments below!
As you move through this week, remember to treat yourself and your body with love, respect and kindness.
Much love,
Helen xo
