Be Bold: A Fresh Slate

from outreach.com

The sky early this afternoon reminded me of what this day was all about. A clean slate! So blue and clear like it was ready for me to finger paint on it. Today, I've gone natural. I've cut all the chemically treated hair off and am left with what grows out of my head as is. I can now accept and embrace my lovely strands for how they are meant to be. A way to accept myself for how I am meant to be. 

A few months ago, I realized I was really fearful of this process! Instead of waiting only 4 months to cut my hair, I was going to wait a year. That's all fine and dandy until I realized why. Not doing something because you are afraid is not a good reason at all. Finding this out, I went from waiting for 12 months to skipping the last 8!

Sassy and syked!

Before!

One fear about this process was, am I rushing into this? I can't really go back in the way I want if I'm wrong. What if I fail again? (I have tried before and that didn't go so well). My last fear was, My hair will be SO Short! I'll look like a boy. I've wanted long hair for such a long time, why would I do the opposite? 

My mind was a few steps behind what my heart already knew. I'm not rushing. I am taking all my extra baggage and leaving at the bus stop. Why pack for a month when you'll only be gone for a week? I've been wanting a completely fresh start for such a long time. This is my chance. Now is the time to take it, not later. Having natural hair is a journey of self acceptance. I have a post on lessons learned from Yoga and going natural HERE. It's accepting the way that I am  instead of trying to change it. Especially when those changes are Not working. 

So here I am. One goal down before the year is out and I can barely even organize my thoughts in this post for my immense joy! In the words of the Lovely Jennifer Pastiloff "Fuck You Fear!". I've decided, it's time to Be Bold! 

!!!BEING BOLD!!!

Yoga and Hair

Not too long after I began my yoga journey, I began a hair journey as well.  Going from relaxed (chemically treated) and unhealthy hair to natural (naturally growing without chemicals) and healthy hair.  Both of them have their lessons to learn.  The three ways I  connect Yoga and going to Natural Hair are Patience, Peace, and Growth.


Patience
Yoga takes patience in many ways.  Letting your body begin to get used to the poses, acquiring a more focused mind, and not rushing anything.  Just to name a few. Going natural takes tons of patience as well.  It takes months (at least 6) of growth to get out all of the chemically treated hair.  Then if you are like me with zero hair skills, learning how to take care of and style this "new" type of hair all by yourself. (Yes it is a big deal for me when I get one decent looking braid on the side of my head! lol) There are many techniques and products to try for your hair and for practicing yoga.  Sorting them all out is going to take time.  What I find is that, the more patient you are, the more time you seem to have because you are focusing in and getting it done right.  


Rushing usually means trying to do something the fast and easy way, incorrectly, or by cutting corners.  Which in the long run makes everything slower due to the fact you are guaranteed to have to go back and begin again properly, or scrapping what you were working on in the first place. My example is the first time I tried to go natural.  I didn't have the patience to work with my hair and gain the knowledge to do it correctly, so I went back to relaxed. I shall not turn 'round again! 


Peace
Yoga helps you gain peace with your own body.  Learning to be okay with how it does and doesn't move.  Pacing applies as well due to the fact you have to be okay with, for example, everyone else having a pose you do not at the moment. *cough*downwardfacingdog*cough* Ahem, excuse me. Mental peace is a benefit from all the breathing and sweat, too.  Learning to let go of certain things allows you to gain clarity and harmony in exchange.  


You may be thinking, "Hair and peace? Are you talking about some Afro or long haired hippy stuff?" No, but feel free if those modes of expression move you.  When it comes to going natural, you must make peace with how your hair is.  Accepting your hair is kinky, curly or coily and may need more maintenance and time you are used to putting in. 


Not forcing your hair to do what you want it to do (being straight or what have you) and accommodating the hair, not making the hair accommodate you.  This point goes back to yoga.  You must go along with where your yoga practice is taking you and not the other way around. Forcing your practice can be detrimental to your body and forcing your hair to work a certain way can damage your hair.  By using Patience, we will eventually gain peace.  A lesson that I must always be taught.  I'm slowly getting there, and will get there.  As will you. 


Growth
At least for me, yoga is one way I am growing as a person.  Completing four days a week at the studio last month was a big deal.  Showing myself I can stay consistent with something if I plan and work hard at it. There is also the renewed purpose in my writing, confidence and other things that are slowly developing. Like what I have listed and what will come along later.  


Growth comes from yoga opening your mind when a teacher says something that strikes you or from a question you ask.  Also, your limbs grow flexibility, as your mind, while your spirit gets stronger.  There is the obvious growing in length with hair.  I have seen a woman's hair go from her shoulders to her hip in about a year and a half if I am remembering correctly.  Keep in mind the skills and knowledge you develop from styling your own hair and looking and experimenting with different products.

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Practicing Patience and going along with how things are developing in yoga, your hair, or life, and not forcing anything, will allow a Peace to come from seeing what is happening, accepting how and the rate it is happening, and knowing everything is going in the right direction.  The end result is Growth from the knowledge, skills and experiences gained along the way.  


Yoga and Hair...Who knew?




Namaste my friend,
~Writer Yogi