Loving the body

In our society, we are presented with two extremes when it comes to the treatment of the body--indulge or hide. I tend to lean more towards the indulge side. I try to value and love my body at all times. I grew up in a household that made no big deal about the human body. In fact, I grew up appreciating and celebrating the body and all it is capable of. Nudity, while not encouraged in a whenever-the-mood-strikes kind of way (aka Brittany Spears peep show), was not an issue in my house. We have bodies and body parts and they serve very useful and important functions--this was how everything was presented to me. Nothing to be ashamed, but rather something to revel in. Today, I indulged and loved my body in the form of a 90-minute massage.

Now, usually, when it comes to things I do for the body--run, yoga, lift weights, etc.--I like tough and in depth. Pain equals good in my brain. My massages are no different. But today my usual therapist was sick, so I had a new person. Now usually this would deter me because when you find a good massage therapist, you don't stray. However, I learned a good lesson today. Mo helped me love my body today. She is a deep tissue gal, just like my regular person, but today was all about love. Fluid, lucid, and dreamy best describes how I feel right now.

I want to remember this over and over again. Extreme is not always best when it comes to my body and loving it. Sure a good tough workout, massage, etc. is nice, and I usually thrive on that. But I was totally seduced with the gentle, yet purposeful experience today. Tough girl lost today. Yeah!