February Thoughts
With all the mirrors in the studio, you would think I’d feel comfortable seeing myself in one. But honestly, I struggle with it. I find it difficult to form a true, positive assertion of who I am and what I deserve in life. It wasn’t until my first yoga training that I confronted these challenges through mirror and deep shadow work. At first, I couldn’t even sit and open my eyes during these exercises, which might sound absurd. We all look in mirrors daily as we get ready for our lives, but the truth is, when we’re getting ready, we’re not really looking at ourselves. We focus on the version of ourselves we want to present to the world, not the real, unfiltered version in the mirror.
The Mirror Principle of Love suggests that the way we see ourselves—and the way we relate to others—reflects our inner world. It’s a powerful tool for gaining insight into our strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. In relationships, how we treat others and how they treat us often mirrors how we treat ourselves. We tend to attract people who share our values, beliefs, and emotional intelligence. This connection between how we view ourselves and who we attract into our lives highlights the profound impact of our inner self-perception.
Mirror work is a way to practice self-love and awareness. To do it, stand in front of a mirror and look into your eyes. Use positive affirmations to send loving messages to your subconscious. As you do this, pay attention to how you respond emotionally and physically. Notice the messages your body sends and how your feelings shift. These responses are valuable insights that can guide you toward greater self-awareness and growth.
Mirror work and the Mirror Principle of Self-Love help shift our mindset and foster self-compassion. Practices like mirror meditation (mindfully connecting with your reflection) and daily affirmations build confidence, reduce stress, and improve relationships. When you start seeing yourself with love and acceptance, you’ll notice that your relationships and outlook on life shift naturally, too.
Loving ourselves and each other is the highest offering.
With love and gratitude,
Elease