Storytelling is a powerful way to examine how culture constructs beauty standards and upholds appearance privilege. In this episode, Kimberly Dark, author, yoga teacher, and retreat leader performs a reading of her poem about Marilyn Monroe and her mom teaching her how to smile like a woman down to the exact degree angle of the head tilt. Listen as I share how my decision to “reflect and retreat” helped me explore my relationship to my body, heal emotional wounds, and grow in my social justice work. About Kimberly Kimberly Dark is a writer, professor and raconteur, working to reveal the hidden architecture of everyday life one clever essay, poem, and story at a time. She uses humor, surprise and intimacy to help audiences discover their influences, and reclaim their power as social creators. Kimberly teaches in Sociology and Women's Studies at CSU, San Marcos. She also teaches writing and theatre courses for Cal State Summer Arts. Kimberly Dark has written award-winning plays, taught and performed for a wide range of audiences in various countries over the past two decades. Beloved by diverse audiences, Kimberly crosses boundaries to show how we must engage all the wisdom and verve we have to create the most compassionate, fair and inclusive world we can. She offers inclusive yoga retreats for helping professionals and anyone interested in healing their relationship to their body through yoga and self-reflection. Website | Instagram  | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Body Wise Professional Development Retreat  Yoga is for Every Body Retreat --- Get the Body Kindness book It's available wherever books and audiobooks are sold. Read reviews on Amazon and pick up your copy today! Order signed copies and bulk discounts here! --- Donate to support the show Thanks to our generous supporters! We're working toward our goal to fund the full season. Can you donate? Please visit our Go Fund Me page. --- Get started with Body Kindness Sign up to get started for free and stay up to date on the latest offerings --- Become a client Check out BodyKindnessBook.com/breakthrough for the latest groups and individual support sessions --- Subscribe to the podcast We're on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Enjoy the show? Please rate it on iTunes! Have a show idea or guest recommendation? E-mail podcast@bodykindnessbook.com to get in touch. --- Join the Facebook group Continue the episode conversations with the hosts, guests, and fellow listeners on the Body Kindness Facebook group. See you there! Nothing in this podcast is meant to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.