Note to Big Guy in the Sky: Thanks for all the good things You do, but I wanted to bring to Your attention some of the physical characteristics You have endowed me with that might have been better designed: hair too frizzy; flat feet; big head on long, thin neck; short legs; big bum; small bust; big teeth in small jaw (my orthodontist pointed this out); large pores; dry skin; sway back; arthritic knuckles; sensitive stomach; bad eyes; hives.  I could go on. Sort of like a punch list for the Builder to fix those last little, or not so little, imperfections in this Temple of the Soul, aka my body.  Then everything would fit and I could be happy, happy, all the time.

As it turns out, not one of those things has been changed or fixed, not by Cosmic or cosmetic surgery. If anything, some of those flaws are maybe more noticeable or problematic as I get older. But I’m coming around to being OK with it all. Partly, the lessening of expectations as I rounded the corner at fifty.  Partly, I’m starting to be friends with my body after all these years, kind of happy with things for the most part as they are. And, well, a whole attitudinal change. 

 I think yoga has had a lot to do with it. I started practicing maybe twenty years, but very haphazardly, without really giving a chance to let the benefits accrue. Then I started back again maybe 7 or 8 years ago, just once a week, but more committed. And voila – I’m more comfortable, more healthy, and kind of fond of my dear, old body.  As opposed to starting that long downhill slide at middle-age, where it all goes wrong, I find myself trotting along, coming back pretty well from all the passing slings and arrows of aging.  Yes, there’s arthritis, and muscle aches, but they pass and I feel good again.  No question, it feels good to stretch, and consciously relax and breathe; it also feels bad to miss too many classes when traveling, or away during summer. 

 I really can’t say enough good things about yoga in general, my instructors along the way and the cheerful, positive, fun spirit of the other class members.  In all honesty ,yoga is the best bang for the buck that I know of, healthwise – so many benefits, and not much downside at all. It does, however, take some looking to find the right class, teacher and style to suit you.  They’re not all the same, and you could hurt yourself if you don’t learn how to modify the poses for your own body. I really do have to give a shout out to Serenity Yoga in town, and its visionary founder and teacher, Toni Bradley.

Perhaps the best thing of all about yoga. is that it helps you learn about and pay attention to your body – not as something to fight with, but to enjoy and feel proud of – no matter what your parts are like, or your problems.  We each have our traits, short legs, weak wrists, tight hamstrings that limit us, but there’s so much that we can do. The very combination of long torso and small chest that has plagued me for years finding a swim suit also makes me able to do Crow position – balancing my crouched weight on my elbows, hands planted on the floor. Try that, why don’t you?

 Now, finally, I’m getting it – that the big hips are an asset – “Plenty of room in that uterus,” said the mid-wife. No wonder I had those big babies; it was the spacious quarters. And not having large breasts means less attention of the unwanted kind, and less back pain, and a significant savings in bras.  The big teeth, still tightly packed in there after several extractions, have kept decay out, and the curly hair – well, it’s more or less a calling card for me now –annoying at times, but on the upside, extremely wash and wear.  

 Oh, all right, Master Designer of the Universe, Thanks.