What does beauty mean to you? My understanding of beauty has evolved just as I have evolved from being a child to then a teenager, to now adulthood. When I was younger, my perception of beauty was attached to the external point of view.

I used to find my mother’s Cosmopolitan magazines under the bed and look through the pages of models wearing makeup and designer clothes, and I was intrigued. Although I was blessed to be taught it is what is on the inside that matters, I didn’t realize at the time, this did have an affect on my understanding of beauty, and placed subconscious beliefs around what causes the world to see anyone as beautiful. I attached the meaning of beauty with looking a certain way on the outside.

This led to many years of negative self-talk, an addiction to exercise, and deep feelings of unworthiness. I was filled with limiting beliefs that held me back from being my authentic self, from showing up in the world feeling confident, and most importantly, held me back from embracing what I now believe the word beauty truly embodies.

Self-love.

I wrote an eBook about my self-love journey, called “Keep Me Where The Light Is”, where I explain how the practice of Yoga was transformational and continues to be, in helping me know myself on a deeper level in my mind, body, and spirit. My love and passion for living Yoga as a way of life grew, and I became certified to teach, so I can be a guide for others to begin the journey of self-inquiry through the practice of Yoga, and ultimately experience and transform the most important relationship we will ever have, and that is the one we have with ourselves.

There is a spiritual awakening that happens on and off our mat, and beauty is sprinkled all over it. We peel back the layers of our identity that are attached to the ego, letting go of old pain, old stories, stagnant energy, unforgiveness, judgment, and fear. And it’s beautiful. There is a deeper connection to the higher power of our own understanding, allowing you to see how everyone and everything in the universe is connected, recognizing the universal energy of unconditional love and oneness flowing between each one of us. And it’s beautiful. There is an unveiling of our true essence, beyond the physical, mental, and emotional body that lives within our heart, that allows us to be expressions of loving kindness towards ourselves and others. And it’s beautiful.

Yoga is a journey, not a destination, well worth taking, that connects us to the true beauty within. Beauty begins at the level of how much you love yourself. Here are a few ways Yoga can help you along your journey to self-love:

• It teaches you to accept your body. One of the biggest obstacles to connecting to your inner beauty is body image issues. Yoga can help you to accept your body exactly as it is. When you learn to appreciate your body for all it can do, rather than what it looks like, you will start to feel more beautiful from the inside out.
• It helps you release stress. When we are stressed, our bodies release hormones that can make us feel anxious, tense, and unhappy. Yoga can help to reduce stress by teaching you how to relax your body and mind. When you are relaxed, you are more likely to feel beautiful and confident.
• It helps you to connect with your breath. Our breath is a powerful tool that can be used to calm the mind and body. Yoga teaches you how to focus on your breath and use it to bring your awareness to the present moment. Pranayama, or controlled breathing, can also help reduce anxiety, boost the immune system, and release toxins from the body. When we feel healthy inside and out, we radiate beauty inside and out.
• It helps you to cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness is the art of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Yoga can help you to develop mindfulness by teaching you how to focus on your body and breath in the present moment. When you are mindful, you are more likely to see the beauty in the world around you, including yourself.
• It helps you to connect with your intuition. Our intuition is our inner wisdom. It is the voice that tells us what is right for us. Yoga can help you to connect with your intuition and receive divine guidance, by teaching you how to quiet the mind and listen to your inner voice. When you are connected to your intuition, you are more likely to make choices that are in alignment with your higher self.