Yoga Pathways

Why I’m Writing This

I don’t know if the title got your attention because it sounds bold, boastful or even just a preposterous lie. If you know me, you’ll know that I have often been at war with my body. I have avoided the camera for most of my life and frequently absent myself from dressing up occasions – I mean what would be the point!  But that’s a story for another day (or another blog post). Today, despite all that, I can say with my hand at my heart centre – I love my body.

I love what my body does for me.

This love didn’t come suddenly or easily. It’s been a slow, steady process—much like learning to master a challenging yoga pose or turning 5 miles into 10 miles into 160 miles on a bike. Last Sunday, after completing a 60-mile cycle through some of the most beautiful parts of Norfolk, I felt a surge of gratitude and joy that made me want to shout it from the rooftops. Or at least blog about it.

The Ride That Changed Everything (Or Almost)

Once upon a time cycling 60 miles wasn’t something I imagined doing, something I’d be interested in doing or something even vaguely enjoyable. But there I was, pedalling through unpronounceable sunny villages, past windmills, farms, and forests, with the wind in my hair and grinning like a loon. I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire time. It was a rare day when everything aligned—the weather, the scenery, the rhythm of my breath and my legs—and I felt, quite simply, alive.

What struck me most wasn’t really the physical achievement but the deep appreciation for what my body made possible. This wasn’t just a random burst of energy or motivation. It was the result of consistent yoga practice and smaller, regular cycles that built up strength, flexibility, and endurance. Days when I didn’t feel like moving but did anyway.

From Vanity to Vitality

In my younger years, my relationship with my body was tangled up in a combination of vanity, frustration and disregard. I took for granted the amazing health I was born with (I know this is normal). I now know, that health is the greatest gift that we have. Watching friends and family struggle with aches, pains, and mobility issues has been a sobering reminder of how precious it is to be able to move freely and without pain.

I suspect I’ve been lucky with my genes—my dad certainly wasn’t the poster child for body care, he disrespected his body for 80 years collecting all his joy through his intellect and spirit. But luck & genes isn’t enough so I have begun to care for the one body that I have. I no longer scoff at the saying ‘my body is a temple’. I understand the truth of it and have changed my ways accordingly. Don’t worry there will always be room for fun and cake.

Yoga, Cycling, and the Art of Showing Up

As a yoga teacher, I end my classes by inviting my yogis to thank themselves for their practice and their bodies for what they do. It’s a simple ritual but one I’ve come to understand more deeply through my own journey. This 60-mile ride was a vivid reminder of that gratitude. It made me truly appreciate the strength, resilience, and quiet miracles my body performs every day.

Yoga has taught me to listen, to be present, and to celebrate small victories—like getting up off the floor without a groan or holding a pose a little longer than yesterday. Cycling has added a joyful dimension, reminding me that movement can be both a challenge and a delight.

Loving Your Body Doesn’t Mean Loving Every Inch

This isn’t about suddenly loving every part of myself or pretending I don’t notice the things I used to criticise. It’s about shifting the focus from appearance to ability—from frustration to gratitude. It’s about recognising that my body is my home, my vehicle, my companion on this journey.

And yes, I will always enjoy cake, a few drinks and a roast dinner a bit too much – I’m not planning on changing my personality, no need for perfection or deprivation.

An Invitation

If you’re reading this and have ever felt disconnected from your body or frustrated with it, you’re not alone. I also know that not everyone’s body allows for long bike rides or yoga poses, and that for many, just getting through the day is a victory. Gratitude for our bodies can take many forms, and it isn’t always about movement or physical feats. Sometimes, it’s about appreciating the small ways our bodies support us, even in the face of illness or difficulty.

This is simply my story, and I share it not as a prescription, but as an invitation to reflect on whatever your own body allows you to do—whether that’s a marathon, a walk around the block, or simply taking a deep breath. There’s no right or wrong way to appreciate your body. I’m just excited because it’s taken me a VERY long time to appreciate mine.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope it inspires you to pause for a moment today and offer a quiet “thank you” to your own body—for all it does, seen and unseen. If you feel comfortable, please share your own moments of gratitude or challenges in the comments below. Let’s create a space where we can support and celebrate each other’s journeys, no matter where we are on the path.

Remember, every body is worthy of love and care—just as it is, right now.