Beaming diidhiti {Thais of Living in the (k)Now}

diidhiti is the Sanskrit word for inspiration, splendor, light, power, brightness, and devotion

Beaming diidhiti is an inspiration series hosted by Thais, Faern, and myself. We’ll be rotating blogs each Tuesday to talk about what inspires us to get on our mats and how yoga inspires our lives off the mat. You can find more info and the blog schedule here.

Today I’d love for you to help me welcome the lovely Thais of Living in the (k)Now!! She somehow manages to find time to be inspirational and uplifting while working, doing her YTT, and keeping up with her amazing blog. Here she’s opened up about how she first was introduced to yoga and what finally made her fall in love with it.

~~~

What inspires me to get on my yoga mat? One word – Food.

I have had issues with binge eating for three years now. It’s something I have to deal with every time there is food in front of me. As long as I know I am working towards my healing, I feel ok about it, or at least try to. The question is – how do I heal?

When I was first introduced to yoga, I was not a fan. My competitive nature led me to believe yoga was only about flexibility and because I wasn’t flexible I was not interested.  A few years, and many pounds later, I went back to yoga with a new perspective. I heard about the healing powers of the mat and I figured – what did I have to lose? Anything to help me deal with my issues (as any binge eater knows, eating disorders have very little to do with food) was welcomed.

There was another reason I wanted to try yoga again. I grew up in a spiritual household and the more I fell in love with God and the Universe, the more I wanted to reach out to like-minded people. People who understand that living in the present moment is essential to a satisfying life. People who understand the beauty of letting it go.  I hoped yoga would open those connections that I was so dearly missing in my life.

My second introduction to yoga was as different from the first as night and day. I fell madly, deeply, truly in love. Not only did I meet the like-minded people I wanted, but I was also exposed to so much more. I learned the connection between breath and body. I started trusting my body more and practicing compassion and love. The way I viewed my disorder slowly started to shift. I felt supported by a community that made me feel perfect just the way I am.

So going back to the question – What inspires me to get on my yoga mat? Food does. I know that every time I practice yoga, either through meditation, postures, breathing techniques, I am one step closer to embracing my binge disorder. One step closer to accepting my imperfections and perfections. Getting on that mat is my way of telling the world – I am working on myself. Every time I practice yoga I send a little thank you prayer, for I have found my path to healing.

xx T

Thais is a 20s something yoga dork with a passion for living life to the fullest. You can catch her taking naps in the park with her black lab Caviar, reading ten books at a time, or tweeting away about some quote or another. Check out her corner of the blogging world here, or join her on Facebook or twitter.