There once was an intelligent, insightful, Californian writer called Naomi Wolf. Her seminal 90's book 'The Beauty Myth' took a long hard look at what beauty means to women and how women are mostly still obsessed with it, even if they are successful, educated, emancipated...
She once was quite popular and some people had heard of her! Now she's been replaced by Katie Price, Kate Moss and Tyra Banks.
Beauty is now virtually pornographic - the mean is pouty, tanned, semi-naked, accessible. All women fear ageing rather than look forward to the maturity and acceptance it brings. The skincare industry dominates women's magazines, even influencing editorial decisions. Models are around 20% skinnier than your average ordinary woman. And motherhood magazines have been glamorised - you even have to look sexy and pouty at 8 1/2 months or with a newborn in your arms. Have we bought into the beauty myth? Would we all feel more free and comfortable with ourselves is we could just be our own version of lovable?
Naomi Wolf's book is dated now, but it still has some interesting facts and figures. Why not order a copy or ask your library to stock it?
Why is this information on the Eco-Fitness blog? Because Eco-Fitness is not about getting skinny, or fitting into some popular stereotype. It is about being naturally healthy, just because it's a good thing to do. It's about living YOUR life and not someone's idea of what you should be. There's no impossible ideal to reach for. It's saying goodbye to the beauty myth and hello to sensible achievable health and fitness.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Monday, 4 October 2010
Blackberrying - the new yoga!
I had the most unexpected experience earlier. I was out and about around the country lanes picking blackberries, and rose hips to make syrup ready for the winter (both have loads of vitamins). A welcome Autumn sun shone on my back as I walked and searched and stretched to reach the berries.
Each time I hit a spot with an abundance of big juicy fruit, I was touched by a strong, primeval sense of contentment - sort of like the kind of stillness one strives for in meditation or yoga. Maybe some ancient part of my brain recognised the moment more deeply than I expected. Sun, working in nature, getting supplies for my family, a bit of good luck. It was a very basic but fulfilling sensation. William Bloom I think calls it the inner smile, or the endorphin effect.
Nature just handed me this on a plate - I didn't have to stare at a candle or say mantras or achieve a difficult yoga posture.
Another thing, I looked at my watch thinking an hour must have passed and in fact only 10 minutes had passed. Time was slowing down. It was wonderful not to have to rush for a change.
Oh yes, yet another thing too - I spotted a gorgeous bright orange ornate butterfly with chiseled wings.
Eco-fitness was also going on of course. I was stretching up high, strolling in nature, balancing to pick difficult blackberries and not sting myself on nettles or thorns. I was nice and warm generating my own heat - saving on the fuel I would have consumed if I had stayed at home, or driven to the shops.
There are many fruits and a few nuts to be harvested at this time of year in the UK, although the season is nearly at an end. A word of warning though - if you decide to enjoy this form of eco-fitness for yourself, make sure you know exactly what you are picking - ask someone who knows or look it up on line.
Each time I hit a spot with an abundance of big juicy fruit, I was touched by a strong, primeval sense of contentment - sort of like the kind of stillness one strives for in meditation or yoga. Maybe some ancient part of my brain recognised the moment more deeply than I expected. Sun, working in nature, getting supplies for my family, a bit of good luck. It was a very basic but fulfilling sensation. William Bloom I think calls it the inner smile, or the endorphin effect.
Nature just handed me this on a plate - I didn't have to stare at a candle or say mantras or achieve a difficult yoga posture.
Another thing, I looked at my watch thinking an hour must have passed and in fact only 10 minutes had passed. Time was slowing down. It was wonderful not to have to rush for a change.
Oh yes, yet another thing too - I spotted a gorgeous bright orange ornate butterfly with chiseled wings.
Eco-fitness was also going on of course. I was stretching up high, strolling in nature, balancing to pick difficult blackberries and not sting myself on nettles or thorns. I was nice and warm generating my own heat - saving on the fuel I would have consumed if I had stayed at home, or driven to the shops.
There are many fruits and a few nuts to be harvested at this time of year in the UK, although the season is nearly at an end. A word of warning though - if you decide to enjoy this form of eco-fitness for yourself, make sure you know exactly what you are picking - ask someone who knows or look it up on line.
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