This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
Lauren Taus's life has been a journey of self-discovery and growth. Born in California, she began competing in rhythmic gymnastics and dance at a young age. At 14, she moved to Connecticut for boarding school, followed by college at Columbia University in New York, where she also spent time studying in Spain, England, and Israel. After a few years in finance, she attended graduate school to become a clinical therapist.
As a clinician, Taus works with body-based interventions, recognizing the importance of reconnecting with one's own wisdom. She is trained in trauma-sensitive yoga and MDMA-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD, and is excited about the potential of psychedelic healing. True healing, she believes, requires moving past symptoms, and a common one is body hatred.
Taus has struggled with body image issues, including an eating disorder in her younger years. However, through her practice of yoga and self-reflection, she has grown to love and accept her body, even acknowledging areas where she still loads herself with judgment.
When feeling self-critical, Taus takes it as a sign to stop and examine the circumstances in her life, seeking to relax into the present moment. She finds that yoga helps her shift focus from the external to the internal, allowing her to connect with her body and let go of judgment.
For Taus, being naked is about displaying fierce courage, being openhearted, and willing to connect. It's about being human and embracing vulnerability. She believes that true beauty lies in being who you are, without apology.
As told to Amanda Woerner, Taus's story is one of self-acceptance and body positivity, inspiring others to do the same.
