“Is anybody hurt?”

I had a yoga teacher in college who started every 8:00 a.m. class with this question. Students were hesitant to respond, understanding an injury as a weakness.

Through this question, however, I became more aware of my body. And through this new awareness, I developed an exuberant gratitude for it that has allowed me to take better care of myself in the way of a healthier diet, more rest, and a more grounded sense of self.

Here’s a good meditative exercise to help develop healthy body awareness. I call it FeMeditate.

1) If it is the end of the day, reflect on the moments you were ungrateful for your body or treated it without care. Did you listen to society’s beliefs about what your body “should” look like instead of listening to the love inside of you?

If it is the morning, start your day anew. Let your commitment to love and peace of the body be known.

2) Next, find a place to sit in stillness. If you cannot find a quiet space, allow the background noise and listen to the silence in between.

Take time to repeat each of these mantras today. Do not be discouraged if you struggle with them at first―we are hardwired to believe awful lies about our bodies. If you can return to love, even just for a moment, opening that door will move mountains for your inner work. Have faith.

Gently close your eyes. Become aware of your surroundings and the positive, loving energy around you.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Inhale: I accept that I have placed false illusions upon my body.
Exhale: I release these harmful expectations.
Inhale: I am aware of my body. I listen to my body.
Exhale: I honor my body.
Inhale: I see my body for the light that it is.
Exhale: I am grateful for all my body has given me.

Meagan Roppo has been a student of meditation and yoga, as well as a 60-hour trained advocate for women, for the past four years. She has dedicated her time and passion to women’s crisis shelters, feminist studies, and writing on women’s issues. By founding She Enlightened in 2014, Meagan encourages and empowers girls & women to bring forth the unique gifts, voices, and light shining inside each of them. Meagan currently works as Chief Operating Officer of Young Professional Women in Energy, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that works to employ more women in the energy industry. http://www.sheenlightened.com