What has come between you and feeling at home in your body?

How did you first come to learn that your body was a problem?

None of this is your fault. You are not broken.

It’s time to try something different to stop the endless cycle of shame and body blame.*

Learn actual strategies you can use regularly to help you develop a loving and peaceful relationship with your body. The Be Body Positive Model does not promise a quick fix (like diets do), but rather, is a framework to help you truly transform your relationship with your body over time.

In this group, we will talk about:

• How to establish yourself as the ultimate expert of your body and take back your power from the forces, systems, and establishments that keep you in fear around your body and health
• How to get back in tune with your intuition and learn to trust your body’s innate wisdom
• How to treat yourself more kindly and understand your self-criticism in a new light
• How to expand your definition of beauty so that it includes yourself and all people
• How to create a community of people who can support you

Published research has indicated that negative feelings about one’s appearance is linked with increased sexual anxiety and lower sexual esteem. The good news is, just as we can learn skills for coping with anxiety, we can learn skills to better support body image. The Be Body Positive Model by The Body Positive offers a way of living that offers permission to love, forgive, care for, and take pleasure in one’s body throughout the lifespan.

Who is this group for?

The Be Body Positive Model has been used for both the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, with people on the spectrum of eating and body image issues. The model is beneficial for people who don’t have defined struggles but wish to experience more joy in their relationships with their bodies and lives.

The Model 

The Be Body Positive Model is comprised of five core life skills or “Competencies” that promote a healthy, confident relationship to the body. When people become proficient at using these skills, they are able to care for themselves in body, mind and spirit from a place of self-love and appreciation. Each Competency is supported by numerous independent research studies. Embodying The 5 Competencies reconnects individuals with their precious natural resources of trust, intuition, self-love and connectedness with others. The model offers a sustainable framework for living in one’s body that is free from double binds, judgement, and blame and honors the influence of unique life circumstances on self-care. The following graph illustrates what the Be Body Positive Model offers – and what it does not. The Body Positive Model offers:  

Tools for a lifetime of exploration	vs.	A static goal-oriented view of life
A practical framework of self-inquiry	vs.	A step-by-step program
A whole-person health model	vs.	A weight loss program
A definition of health that is based on balanced self-care and self-love	vs.	An idealized external image of a “healthy” person.
No double binds	vs.	Conflicting messages that leave people confused or frustrated
Attuned self-care	vs.	“Rules” about eating and exercise
A foundation of self-love and forgiveness	vs.	“Shoulds” and punishment
A celebration of diversity as beauty	vs.	A limited definition of “ideal” beauty
The development of positive communities	Vs.	Connecting with others through negative self-talk

Commitment to Honoring Diversity 

The philosophy underpinning this work is truly universal because it honors each person’s unique knowledge, life experience, and ancestral inheritance. Rather than dictating a prescriptive set of rules to follow, we guide people through patient, mindful inquiry to find what works uniquely in their own lives to bring about positive self-care changes and peaceful relationship with their bodies. We welcome people diverse in all ways – size, shape, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, culture, and all of the other ways human beings are unique. My intention as a facilitator is to hold space and offer experiences to help mitigate the impact the culture has on people when it does not reflect their wholeness.

What happens in a session? 

Group guidelines help to create a brave space for vulnerability and sharing. Group starts with a check in around a prompt from the last session. Then on to a couple of activities that may include a video, a guided reflection, an art project or discussion. Before we leave, the prompt for next week’s check-in will be provided. Snacks will be served at one of the final sessions, while water and hot drinks are available throughout. Having a dedicated journal or notebook is recommended for notes and reflection.

When are the sessions?

Next session is starting the first week in January 2023!

Want to host this program at your organization, college campus or group?

Jenna is a licensed Body Positive facilitator and can host a group or education sessions for your organization. Education is available for middle school, high school, college groups and adults. Email info@rochestercenterforsexualwellness.com for more information.

Do you have a group for kids?

The Be Body Positive Model’s research has shown to be effective for youth as young as 11 years of age. However Jenna has experience working with groups as young as 9 to help address body image, eating, and movement. Providing positive messages and evidence based curriculum at a young age sets children up for success in this challenging environment.

Can you help folks raise body positive children?

Absolutely. I provide consultations to caregivers, educators and service providers. One of Jenna’s favorite type of group to run is a child/caregiver workshops for youth and their loved ones, great for Scout Troops!

About the Facilitator 

Note 

The Be Positive discussion groups do NOT provide treatment for eating disorders or mental health. The facilitator is trained in a referral protocol and will utilize the behavioral health team at RCSW and local resources.

*Kinavey, Hilary; Sturtevant, Dana. Reclaiming Body Trust. Penguin Publishing Group.