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Michiana Chronicles writers bring portraits of our life and times to the 88.1 WVPE airwaves every Friday at 7:45 am during Morning Edition and over the noon hour at 12:30 pm during Here and Now. Michiana Chronicles was first broadcast in October 2001. Contact the writers through their individual e-mails and thanks for listening!

Nekkid Yoga Challenge!

Graham King--Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Once Upon A Time, when I was fat in the way only a healthy twenty-five-year-old girl can be fat (i.e.: perfect with tiny flaws only she can see with the help of three hand mirrors and a bad romance) I did yoga naked. Well, mostly naked. In the secluded backyard of my friend's house, with two wonderful gal pals, we did (almost) naked yoga one fine summer day. It was glorious: warm sun shining on our nubile bodies, wind rustling our hair. The naughtiness of it was thrilling and dangerous . . . until we heard someone call out! You should have seen how fast we moved when we saw the surprise male visitor coming up the driveway! We made his day.

Later I practiced "brag" yoga in front of my husband when we were dating. (See how sexy and flexible I am? You better put a ring on it!) I pictured myself as strong. I saw myself doing yoga as sexy, even in yoga pants.

Seven years later and I rarely do yoga in front of him. I certainly do not do it naked. When I was younger and lived alone, I had naked time all the time. I used to languish about all afternoon, munching grapes and reading on my couch, naked. I was comfortable in my skin. I valued myself and I felt lovely. Things are different now. As I have aged and grown fatter as a forty-two year old mother of two, I struggle with my mama body. I work harder to feel beautiful and it involves more makeup, more hair products. More clothing layers.

Then I reada Huffington Post blog on moms and their swimsuits. The author Jessica Turner’s words keep rattling around in my brain, speaking beauty and acceptance into my womanly soul. I cannot wait to flaunt my abundant posterior at the next beach day. I won't hide on my beach blanket any more. I will PLAY. Thank you, Jessica Turner, for reminding me about what matters.

I kept thinking about Turner’s beautiful words and realized I have grown apologetic about my body. I self-consciously hide it. I dim the lights at night. I wear pajamas and dressing gowns. I add layers even in the summer heat. I still do yoga, but it is less of a celebration of my body and more of a maintenance plan.

Today I did yoga naked in front of my husband and in front of my daughters. I had something to discover about myself. I needed to rise to the challenge and woke up inspired. I took my lovely naked self downstairs and did fifteen minutes of YogaGlo yoga. Naked. I felt vulnerable, anxious, and proud of myself. I felt accepting of my body. It was wonderful. It was embarrassing. It was almost as good as the outdoor naked yoga, but I do not have enough privacy fence to make that happen. Ever again. But today was great.

When she woke up and came downstairs, my little daughter only asked me two questions, "Mama, why are you naked?"

I told her I wanted to be thankful for what God gave me, even if it’s shifted. I told her I wanted to have a little naked time and do my yoga this morning. She took that in stride. Any kid can understand their Mama wanting “Naked Saturday” on a Tuesday morning instead.

Then she asked the best question ever, "Why aren't they naked?" as she pointed to the on-screen instructor. I stifled a chortle and smiled, "because that is another kind of channel entirely, My Love!"

Heather Novak's professional history includes sales and customer service training and troubleshooting for businesses, but she loves motivational speaking best. Heather leads church events for youth, singles and women, has spoken for Chicago Apartment Association and many organizations throughout Indiana. Nowadays Heather is just another stay at home wild mama trying to loose some weight, keep some sanity and enjoy her life. She is being raised by two little girls named Portia and Libby and is indulged by a guy named John who was gracious enough to marry her. Heather blogs about F Words: Feisty Faith, Fumbling Family, Fairly Healthy Food, Failed Fashion and Fabulous Friendships. You can find her at www.liveyourloveoutloud.com.
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