I’ve struggled with body image for most of my life. I shot up to 5’11’’ and was fully developed by the time I was 12 years old. I was teased for being big in late elementary school and tormented by two classmates when I was the new kid when I was in middle school. These early experiences left a massive mark on my ability to love my body and show up confidently in the world.

I shared last month that my intention for 2021 was to foster an environment of strength, balance and energy. While I would love to take credit for doing the work to get myself to these words, the credit is due to my new yoga teacher, Navishka. She starts every practice with a meditation and my second class with her started with the words:

Sthira sukham asanam is a Sanskrit yoga sutra which means strength without rigidity, flexibility without instability. It really means balance.