In a chaotic world that incredibly, still uses the phrase “like a girl” as a derogatory term, it’s time. To quote Grammy award-winning singer Lizzo, it’s about damn(ed) time. Time we reclaimed, redefined and celebrated our femininity. Time we honoured the divine within all of us, and tapped into a little less Wilma Flintstone, a little more Goddess Kali. Would either woman have tolerated the phrase, “like a girl”? I doubt it. 😉 This is a little story of how yoga celebrates self-love… I hope you enjoy it!
Misrepresentation has plagued women for millennia. Kali and Wilma are no exception.
Hindu Goddess of death and rebirth, Kali is often misconstrued as a unilaterally bloodthirsty feminist.
Carvings in Hindu temples dating as far back as 8th century CE depict Kali standing on the back of her consort Lord Shiva.
Yet her true nature is that of both warrior and mother figure, transformer and liberator. Kali is an embodiment of Shakti, the divine feminine energy.
She stands on Shiva as a symbol of triumph over ego, attachment and ignorance.
Fast forward to the 1960s, and Wilma Flintstone is painted by TV producers as a picture of Palaeolithic domesticity. Apparently, she was a deft hand with the Brontosaurus steak, which was no mean feat, since Brontosaurus became extinct long before humans existed. Yet if we look closer, her character was beautifully multidimensional, not to mention quite progressive for the 1960s. Fashionista, supportive spouse, independent thinker and mother, she was as steady as the sundial that marked time in her prehistoric rock and boulder home.
These two archetypal figures represent the myriad facets of womanhood. They embody strength, resilience, creativity, determination and so much more… including self-love. Yet in the context of our modern lives, these aspects often become untethered. Our world view is filtered through a masculine lens, clouding our ability to hear our own feminine inner voice.
So how do we navigate a path back to feminine sovereignty? How do we rediscover the essence of our power, autonomy and unapologetic awesomeness?
I believe yoga may hold at least one key.
Yoga is like a sacred dance that reconnects you with your true nature. Each pose is an invitation to awaken aspects of yourself that have been muted, dulled or simply lie dormant. As you move through a flow, energy blocks are released, the mind steadies, emotions and senses awaken. Each pose has value and purpose. Each pose contributes to your transformation.
Take Goddess (Deviasana) for example.
Goddess is a deeply nourishing, yet challenging pose, not least of which because it demands focus, lower body strength and balance. Your glute and thigh muscles might scream and threaten to steal your focus, but trust me when I say, it’s doing you good.
Goddess pose draws blood flow and energy down deep into the pelvis, helping to free the abdomen, uterus, ovaries and vagina of the tightness and tension that inhibit normal hormonal activity.
This increased energy does wonders for the reproductive organs and glands, and contributes to more balanced hormonal function.
It’s also a great way to avoid saggy butt cheeks!
Finally, there’s pranayama, the yogic practise of breath control. When you sink into your breath, it’s like exploring the catacombs of your soul. Pranayama creates space for the wisdom of generations of women to flow through you. Inhale, and draw in their strength. Exhale, and release what doesn’t serve you.
The practice of yoga is a sacred space where your inner voice can be heard, your body honoured and your intuition celebrated. Maybe you wobble your way through Tree Pose, maybe you snore through Savasana. No matter. Yoga is a celebration of your unique quirks, your softness, your fire, and everything that makes you beautifully and unapologetically you.
So embrace the warmth of sun salutations, feel your body sway to the rhythm of your heart and let yoga guide you back home to yourself, because within the four corners of your yoga mat lie sovereignty and self-love. Smile, and know that you are a force to be reckoned with.
Namaste.
Have 5 minutes? Try this short meditation 🙂
Article first published as ‘Grace, grit and goddesses’ in Unapologetic Woman magazine.
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