by katie veltri kjvelch@aol.com
They say the only thing constant is change. I was walking from my car to write this week’s column, wondering what health topic I was going to pursue, and then realized that what was eating me was this persistent, annoying voice in the back of my head echoing, “…and then I will have the perfect body.” I had a minimal epiphany, and proceeded to ponder, “How silly that I place so much importance on something that’s never going to be constant.” And, then I thought, “When did I start this ritual of critiquing everything about myself and thinking that once I hit the image I wanted for myself that this would make me fully content?” I guess what I’m getting at is that eventually getting to this state of perfection, whether it be mind or body, is an illusion, a fabrication we create to have something to work towards, and can be both anti-climatic and destructive. I think most of us want to mold ourselves into something more beautiful and appealing, but when it becomes an obsession, it acts as a distraction from finding genuine contentment. I hope this does not sound like my neurosis spilled all over the place. My intent here is to take a deeper look into the idea of perfection. I find it interesting that the definition of perfection is, “the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects,” simply because the word “free” is put in there so nonchalantly, as if to suggest that being free was not possible with flaws.
Moreover, how do we free ourselves from the pressure of wanting to look, act, and be perfect? We meditate or contemplate. We transcend past the ego and ask ourselves, “What is it that will make me happy, content, or satisfied? What will bring me peace?” In Yoga, they say that perfection is recognizing and accepting yourself in the moment. I have to admit, even though I teach Yoga, sometimes I start bursting out with laughter because I’m like, “What does that mean; this leads me nowhere but back to square one.” It’s like a matrix of crazy mysticism and cult-like followers. On the other hand, I think about how wonderfully refreshed I feel after practicing for an hour. I find that I enjoy it that much more when I’m with others because we are here trying to improve or search for something together, but each in our own way. Yoga means “union”, or “to yoke” in Sanskrit, and has the potential to bring you back in the moment by relaxing your senses, letting go of rationalization for a moment, and provoking internal awareness by becoming in touch with your raw emotional state. Yoga can be used for a plethora of things, whether it be soothing lower back pain, finding clarity of mind to work more efficiently, or embarking on just plain exercise to burn calories. Yoga is flexible, and that’s why it’s so mainstream and popular these days. There is not only Yoga, and some people just don’t like it, there is Pilates, Tai Chi, kickboxing, dance cardio, step, and body sculpting classes you can try. The point is, to get acquainted and to see what works for you. And, of course, find an instructor that moves you.
The only thing that will set you free is the truth. Be real. If you don’t buy into something fully, ie. Yoga, then ask yourself what positives you take from it and what negatives you can learn from. Accept it for what it is whatever endeavor it may be, and maybe then it will become easier for us to accept whom we are, without having to resort to obsessive and potentially destructive thought patterns. Remember, perfection is a state of mind, and our mind is always changing. Now that I have enveloped you in as many clichés as I could think of off the top of my head, allow me to leave you with a “delightful” tip.
Make a V-shape with your body by pushing your palms shoulder-length apart and feet hip-width apart on the floor. Extend the hips (butt) toward the ceiling. Keep the head in alignment by keeping it neutral and look in toward your navel. Then, lift the right or left leg up with a flexed foot and make small circles out slowly. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth while repeating this motion rhythmically for 1½ minute. The only thing moving is the leg. Lower the leg, and repeat the exercise with the opposite leg. This will tone your butt and abdominals, and since your abdominals are stabilizing the exercise, you are also working on balance.
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