Why I am not in my ads: self reflection on presentation online, how it affects my business, and Journaling prompts to reflect on your social media consumption
spoilers: It’s annoying for marketing but also not as big of a deal as you might think
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Written by Rose Moore
on June 26, 2021
Rose Is a Yoga alliance registered yoga teacher with a 200hr level. In her free time she writes, reads tarot, and has been reading Dune for almost two years and still only a chunk of the way into the book. She is a treasure to anyone who finds themselves always asking themselves “why?”
The last two days I have been taking no sleep naps outside with my head under poncho and the rest of my body nude. I am trying to get more sun. I heard that the sun is good for Vitamin D. Ever since I was told by a doctor to take vitamin D for my back pain, I have been thinking about it.
I can get it for free from the sun.
I will do ANYTHING to help my back pain without paying anyone.
And I happen to be free at about the time the sun is at 12 astronomic time. No shadow time according to a young Tommy Pickles. When everyone else is at work and I am surrounded by privacy fence. Truly alone. Gosh I never thought I would be able to say that and not feel ashamed.
By the way, I am the only neighbor who has not contributed to my fully fenced property.
What does that say about me? My yard—So unsightly in past years, Rose, so unsightly.
Anyway, it was noon and then I came inside to try to work some. I have stuff to DO so to speak. Like a lot
But how can I do any of that if I do not have any vitamin D?
I have never spent so much time topless outside in my life since I started doing this. Is this not weird? Girls, am I right? Guys, you are topless all the time, right?
I am so modest. No no, I know what you are about to say!! Oh no, not in the performative expression of my being. I am not modest in my message, my decisions, my pen stroke, my movement, or my outward pouring of passion. I am not modest there.
Its my body. And it is so paradoxical. Allow me to elaborate:
For comfort I did not wear a bra for years. It was no big deal to me, even at my bustiest. I am a card-carrying member of the itty-bitty bust club. Since my stomach has always reached out past my knockers, I said whatever. Plus, I have never worked anywhere I did not have to wear an apron before I started Royo Yoga Service LL. No one could tell in my professional life. (If they did, they never called HR so whatever!)
Also, Eric was not complaining about the view.
We are all subject to the public gaze on S.M.
So, I have no qualms with my body just being, existing so to speak, for the sake of my comfort. On my own terms. It is more like; I do not want to sell at the expense. I do not want my job to be branded or sold due to a curated display of flesh juicy for consumption. (even if that’s why you come to my classes. Paying customer is a paying customer)
The public gaze is an odd thing.
When you add money into the equation plus the nature of my work—to help people physically connect with their bodies—It is hard for me not to separate this from an exploitation of my body for material gain. Remember, remember, I did say I am a modest woman.
Rose, you do not have to do that, you say.
This is my yes but moment.
Yes, but I need to engage with my audience in a meaningful way. As my teacher so clearly stated, “They need to see that you can do it or they’re not going to bother.”
So here I am in between by catering to the royo yoga private group which you should totally join by the way
If only there was a way to bypass the ads and sponsored content, see all the goods I provide to my group members by joining my mailing list. ANYWAY
I have been drawing a lot and I am hoping it will help bridge the gap between 14 views and the outpour of admiration for the men and women who can sun their asshole and take a picture for the internet(its a whole thing). They are not hung up like I am. Gosh I admire you! Email me and we can trade notes on the algorithm.
I am glad I did take the time to photograph my progress through yoga before and during my teacher training, back when I was heavy on my original Instagram account photo dairying, so there are pictures if you have the time to scroll. It wore on me more and more after I began teaching for cash and I had time to sit with it.
Then I look at the fresh faces of Yoga students I meet who are so empowered by their first time fearlessly posting a full body shot in a yoga pose, smiling into the camera—and into your eyes. It is a powerful thing and I gush. No really, I GUSH when I can see these moments. My immodest empathy.
I was unconscious of my modesty. I do not call it an anxiety or shyness. It is my principles, an expression of my authentic self, part of my identity. How I show up to the world is a huge part of my life, and I want people to know who I really am.
But like, not every mole on my body to sell a yoga class you get me.
Share you answers at www.facebook.com/groups/royoyoga and join the discussion. Or take a class with me, let me show you how to make a deeper understanding of the why when it comes to your image. Peace
Journal Prompts
Ok now here is where you
can look inward Journal prompts to think about. Do you have any hang ups about the nature of our photo centered online realm of life?
Do you feel gorgeous when you post a photo online?
- How do you want people to see you?
- And is this the same way you see yourself?
- If you do not show your face online, think about why?
- Where does privacy play a role in the things you post
- do you ever regret posting something
- How does it make you feel when you get positive responses vs negative responses
In what ways does money, social media, and my body all fit in together?
- Am I the consumer or am I the product on social media?
- How much capital am I not getting for my original content because it is going to the corporations who own these networks?
- Do I want to keep up with the ocean of jones’ or do I really want (insert product or service)
- How much do my friends see me online versus real life and how does that make Facebook money?
Is there a difference between my lived experiential self and the face I put online?
- How are they different?
- Where does this disconnection come from?
- How are they the same?
- Where does this connection come from?
- How are they different?
How do I want to use social media? What do I want to get out of my time spent there?
For each question:
Ask yourself WHY and do not stop after the paragraph where you talk about.
Those feeling one way, or another might come from inner beliefs you are not aware of. Because such thoughtful insights take a while its best to try to write for 5 or ten minutes at a time to start off journaling. I know some people who can write all day about their inner workings. That is the kind of stuff in me of which I would want to be aware of!
You can come back to this journal entry a week later and read it. Respond to yourself as if writing back to a pen pal. Notice what a week of consideration does to change your reflections.
I hope you enjoyed this article, thank you for your time
