I Dared to Crop Top (and I Loved It)
I was hesitant for a long time. My love of wine and tacos (not necessarily at the same time) has prevented me from having a perfectly flat tummy, and who would think someone without a 6-pack would have the audacity to wear a crop top to yoga class?! Well, now I am that person who dared to wear a crop top.
It started with high-waisted yoga pants and longer tops so only a sliver of non-perfect abs were visible. I vividly remember being so paranoid that people were judging me during that whole class that I couldn’t even focus on my breath. I was too busy looking around trying to see if anyone noticed my extra belly-ness peeking out during a nerve-wracking side angle. I got into my car to go home after that class with a pang of guilt that I thought I was cool enough to actually do that. That’s when it hit me…
Why the hell was I feeling the least bit guilty for what I was WEARING?! Guilt should be saved for making mistakes, not going against socially constructed ideas of who should wear what based on their body fat percentage. When I went to yoga the next week I wore a shorter crop top and as we twisted and bent, I looked around to realize no one was even looking at me. My narcissism was put in check in the best way possible. It was a beautiful reminder that everyone is on their own journey in the practice of yoga.
We go to yoga to tune out the rest of the world and get in touch with our own body and mind, instead of paying attention to others. Yoga is that time during your day where you can be completely selfish and focus on who and where you are on that given day. It is such a grander idea than being concerned about aesthetics. I was so humbled by the idea that others have more going on in their lives to work through during yoga than being concerned about me wearing a crop top.
Not only does no one actually care what you wear to yoga class, but it makes twists that much juicer. When your skin and organs aren’t restricted by tight shirts and itchy fabric, your body can reap the full detoxing benefits of twists. From providing your muscles with ample oxygen and moving around blood and lymphatic fluid, a detox twisting sequence can truly make your body feel renewed. And doing that all in a crop top will make you feel even better.
Whether you’ve got belly fat, stretch marks, tattoos, or any other thing that isn’t a perfect 6-pack, I challenge you to wear a crop top to yoga. You owe it to your inner peace and self-esteem. Namaste.
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6 Comments
Megan Reddix
July 8, 2016 at 9:25 amLove this! This is a great reminder to love your body and realization that your yoga practice is, just that, YOUR yoga practice.
Amanda
July 9, 2016 at 8:26 amI don’t normally wear crop tops to a studio or gym, but my first time doing so was memorable for me. It was my second (and last, but that’s another story) Bikram class. In the first one, I dressed like I normally would for yoga, and I learned my lesson. Second one, I was as naked as I could be without being inappropriate. And there was a sort of freedom about it.
Plus, I love the point here: who cares! Wear what’s comfortable, do your thing. 🙂
Jessie J
July 9, 2016 at 11:26 amGo you! Our insecurities can be so limiting. That’s what I love about yoga. It’s so mind opening and empowering. Keep on smashing your fears and inspiring others! 🙂
Rosamund
July 10, 2016 at 7:52 pmlove it. I used to feel the same until I started Bikram and all those self-conscious feelings went out the door in favor of tearing off the layers. I realised that yoga is not about what my body looks like, but what it can do!
I Dared to Crop Top (and I Loved It)
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