Way too often, there are many cases where instead of lifting each other up, women are putting each other down. This isn’t a surprise considering the way society portrays women acting towards other women through movies, television shows and other forms of media.

But just because the media loves to portray women as being competitive towards one another, doesn’t mean we have to abide by those standards. In fact, by not feeding into those standards, a large step is being taken towards female empowerment.

We live in a world where there is already a lot of comparison, inequality and judgement. With so much of that negativity that surrounds us, the last thing we need is to contribute to that energy by tearing other women down.

Over the years through practicing and teaching yoga, I have been able to witness so many women come together to lift each other up physically, mentally, and even spiritually. I have seen them form bonds with one another and create friendships that have the potential to last a lifetime.

To be able to see how women are able to elevate one another has allowed me to realize that as a woman, there is no other support like the kind where another has your back.

As females, we go through things that only females will understand. One of the greatest feelings is being able to have another friend to go to and lean on during times of trouble, sadness, and hurt. What good does targeting another woman’s weaknesses or mistakes do when we have weaknesses and mistakes of our own?

Women alone are capable of doing so many magnificent things alone, but sometimes empowerment has to start with us lifting each other up in our own communities before we can truly start to make and see the changes that we want in this world.

I want you to think about how you are going to empower the women around you this week. Here are some steps you can take in order to do that:

1.) Compliment another woman

2.) Support young girls and women in need

3.) Tell the women around you how much you appreciate them