Meet @maine_yogi_ sharing her #yogasavedmylife story with us on with us. These are her words 💚

"I used to look at these beautiful women on social media with fit bodies and flat stomachs, with attractive lips & stunning eyes & get so frustrated when their captions were talking about personal struggles with body image. I’d think: “how the hell are THEY struggling?! I’d kill to have that body.” . . "Not to be overly dramatic but I was introduced to yoga when I was 14 during the midst of dealing with a severe eating disorder & the continuous foundation of mind, body connection in yoga helped me overcome my darkest days & continues to be a fundamental support in my personal life, in all aspects . . A few years ago, I taught my first body image workshop. I talked openly with my struggles & battles, answered questions and listened carefully to each person who shared so bravely about theirs. . After the first session, I had a woman come up to me and tell me how frustrating it was to hear me talk about my struggles because she’d kill to have my body. I paused & smiled because I knew exactly what she was feeling. . The other attendees left & I pulled the woman over to the mirror and we stood there looking at our reflections. I told her what I saw when I looked at her. She told me what I saw when she looked at me. . Then we shared what we saw when we looked at our own bodies. . Body dysmorphia doesn’t discriminate. The umbrella is a false shelter to anyone who finds themselves slipping underneath. It’s not just focused on one gender or race, it’s not tailored to just one body weight or height, it’s not tailored to one kind of emotional struggle. It doesn’t matter the level of severity. . And more often, those who are facing the obstacle of body dysmorphia are damn good at hiding it. . Remind yourself that when you’re with others, there are so many more layers of that person than meets the eye. Be gentle with your words & be kind with your eyes 💚 .