Growing up, my best friend’s mom was always ready for me to spill my milk at the table whenever I came over.
I wasn’t the very last person to be chosen when it came time to pick teams at recess (elementary school) and gym (junior and high school), but I was always second or third to last.
It wasn’t fun.
I was already socially awkward, and the repetitive rejection sealed my beliefs that I was uncoordinated, unattractive, not good at sports, and no one wanted me on their team.
But wait you say, don’t you teach yoga?
Yes. And I fall teaching yoga and taking classes in front of people all the time.
It’s no big deal anymore.
I’ve learned to accept my shortcomings, respect my limits, and participate in activities that feel fun to me.
If you struggle with feeling self-conscious when being physically active or have always felt uncoordinated, this poem is for you.
INNER ATHLETE
There’s an inner athlete in me
Full of muscle, strong
She runs
She dances
She yogas
She weight lifts
She swims, but mainly just for fun
She has lots of friends,
a body that is light
and pain free
Her balance is stable
Her feet are aligned
Her ankles are strong and
resistant
Her only injury is
falling too fast
for love
She eats a lot
to keep up her
energy needs
She never gets tired
-except after
physical exertion-
She falls asleep easily
No one makes fun of her
And she’s never afraid to try
– Written by Angela Savitri
© Copyright 2013 CAPRI HEALTH – Angela Savitri, OTR/L, RYT
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