Inner Beauty By Chahna Tailor
Namaste, my beautiful people! Happy August! This month’s issue is filled with awesome contributors focusing on Fashion and Beauty. While reading about beauty, it is appropriate to also consider our inner beauty. I am sure you have heard the saying, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Have you heard this one, “outer beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates?”
So, what is inner beauty? While we notice outer beauty through our eyes, the inner beauty is described by our character. It is something that makes us whole. It is generosity, sincerity, kindness, empathy, and mindfulness towards ourselves and others. It can be incredibly powerful moving, and even liberating. One way to work on your inner beauty is through yoga and meditation.
The practice of yoga and meditation is about non-attachment towards the material world and the thoughts that can take us out of the moment. There are several aspects of yoga that allow us to focus within.
One such aspect is sauca, cleanliness. Aside from keeping ourselves clean on the outside, are we keeping ourselves pure internally? Are we thinking positive thoughts? Are we purging the mind of negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, or egoism?
Another facet of yoga teaches us about santosa, contentment. We were born with this form and given this body to propel us through life. Are 
we showing gratitude for it? Are we content with what we have? Do we recognize how complete we actually are?
Fashion and beauty can sometimes help with self-confidence. However, yoga teaches us that true self-confidence and self-esteem comes from within. The way you think, speak, hold, feel, love, help, listen, care, and be – these are the real characteristics of inner beauty. Just as external self-care is important (taking care of your skin, staying physically fit, etc.), don’t forget the importance of internal self-care. A camera lens may not be able to capture your inner beauty but the people that you interact with will surely notice.
About the Author
Chahna Tailor is a certified yoga instructor with backgrounds in occupational therapy and health science. Occupational therapy opened up the doors of knowledge when it came to taking care of the Self first and leading a healthier life. This led her to the physical practice of yoga. Chahna deepened her practice by training in Rishikesh, India, where she studied the science behind yoga, the breath, and meditation. Chahna also practices personal training, Reiki, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, pranichealing, and sound healing.
