What’s With The Tattoos? ~ Lee Anne Finfinger
There is one question that I am asked more than anything else in the entire world.
The question I evade so much that it has cost me friendships is this innocuous, completely acceptable on: why do you cover yourself in tattoos?
I have full, colored tattoo sleeves that include the words inhale and exhale across my wrists, a chest piece, a large piece on the back of my neck, behind my left ear, on each shoulder blade and on each ankle. I got my first tattoo when I was 21.
The answer is so simple, yet I rarely tell anyone. (I can count on one hand the people who actually know). Without a glaring, daily, jarring, colorful reminder of who I really am, I will excuse myself so that I can make myself very tiny to fit behind you. I’ll slouch my 5’9” frame down so that I can make myself diminutive in stature.
I’ll say thank you demurely and I’ll even teach yoga class in a self-deprecating way. Those who can move into that pose, please do. For those of you like me, no worries, you’re in good company, just modify it. There’s something safe about being small. We get to play a small game and live small. Our mistakes are small.
Photo: Jhong Dizon
Our worries are small. Our losses are small. We’re not risking much and we’re okay with that because we try to diminish risk. Without risk, we won’t lose too much, but we won’t win much either.
Without risk, we won’t screw up too badly or make a fool of ourselves. Every now and then—I get pulled off my path.
Someone will knock me down with their idea of what I should be. I’ve even had someone tell me that a $10 word I used didn’t sound like a word I would say! But there I was, saying that word!
After a few good conversations with friends and some big colorful nudges (that sometimes get in the way at formal affairs)—I figure it out.
I don’t want a safe life. I’ll choose to make a mess, start one way and change my mind mid-trip and turn around and I’ll risk big.
Look for me and join if you like— I’ll be the brightly colored statuesque teacher with the loud laugh making no apologies for intensifying a pose or falling out of that pose.
Either way —I won’t be slouching.
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Lee Anne (LA) Finfinger is a full-time Yoga Instructor, born and bred Pittsburgher. She and her husband live with their rescued cat, Harmony. When she’s not in a studio, LA can be found baking, running (thanks to yoga!), traveling, hanging with family and friends, mentoring in the community, reading, writing and knitting. She can be found at: www.lafinfinger.com
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LA, I love where you're you are going with this. I want to know more, specifically, which pieces mean what to you (if that's something you consider when getting tattooed). Although we see so many women with tattoos, we rarely see women with, say, sleeves of tattoos. I am interested in what drives you to do this.
Thanks for sharing.
peace,
~T
Thanks Temple, I know it's really intriguing I think – what drives us to mark our body and how. Yes, every piece has a meaning and the first piece was a simple vine that encircles my left wrist. It was simple and I could cover it with a watch (so when I "went corporate" I could cover it). I think I could write for days on this to really cover it all. Think I will.
With Love,
LA
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Thank you Tanya!
You are very welcome!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I love tattoos and I think it's especially charming on gals, if I may say so, although I don't have any myself. Most of my gal pals are all tatted up and I can't help but love it and admire it in a way.
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I love this! I have been described as 100 lbs of loud. I definitely feel that getting my tattoos were part of this process.
My first one was when I was 38. I got Namaste tattooed in Sanskrit on my lower back. My second tat is a lovely OM on my left shoulder blade. They are and will be always just for me. Because of their location, I can't "see" my tattoo , but knowing they are there makes me feel powerful and beautiful.
Thanks Mahandeva! "100 lbs of loud" – I like that. Yeah, I think the tattoos we can't see are special in a unique way also because they are viewed by others more than us, but we still chose to put them there. Secretly empowering – in a way!
This might surprise you, but there are many people who don't care about your tattoos, or your vanity.
Hi George,
No, that doesn't surprise me at all.
With Love,
LA
I now have 2 tattoos and i'm gearing up for # 3
I love tattoos that work with lines… and love planning them, looking at designs, etc… gives me some sort of control that i can't get elsewhere, if that makes sense.
First tattoo is a sunflower with the stem reading: et lux in tenebris lucet
Second tattoo is a little black pin-up girl with a pin-up dog.
Thanks for this post LA.
Hi Lauren!
Yeah – I get that perceived sense of control… as they age… you'll lose some of that control! Hope to see you at yoga next time in in Philly or you're in Pgh! Thanks for sharing!
There is little sexier than a beautiful woman with tattoos. A lot or a little.
Love your words and your thoughts LA! I remember asking you about your chest piece in Costa Rica. You politely answered that only your husband and you friend know. I appreciated your answer…it's up to you want you want to share. They are beautiful and so are you!. Much love.
Sara! Yeah – I probably didn't gracefully bow out of answering that as much as I wanted. I do remember you asking. I guess it took me a while to get up the nerve to answer.
Thank you my friend!
Love to you as well!
It took guts to admit the true reasons for your ink. I applaud you for your courage.
A German study found that 27% of those with tattoos/piercings admitted to cutting themselves in childhood. Compare that with less than 1% of the general population.
Moreover, most of those cutters said they tattooed or pierced themselves to overcome the "bad things" that caused them to self-abuse themselves in childhood.
For them it was a socially condoned form of self-abuse that helped them to overcome psychological trauma.
Hi Anna,
Thank you and thanks for the statistics – that's interesting. I'm curious what those numbers would like like in other parts of the world.
Thanks Again!
LA – you are beautiful inside & out, tattooed or tattoo-less. Your words are unique just like you and I love you for your honesty, brilliant way with words, & genuine sincere caring efforts. Thx for being a friend and fellow yogini leader. I will follow you anywhere!!!
Love
Linda
Always love to you Linda!
Just out of interest – what will you do when you grow tired of some or all of your tattoos? It's not like getting sick of one's clothes. You can just get new clothes.
Hi Louise,
I have put quite a bit of thought into most of my pieces. They, just like everything – are just who I am now physically. They really are nothing like my clothing or jewelry. They are like the birthmark I have that I dislike that isn't going anywhere either.
Thank you for reading.
With Love,
LA
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Thank you Tanya – much love!
Thank you for putting into many less and more articulate words what I have been trying to explain to people since my first tattoo at the age of 19…If I didn't keep putting myself out there, loud and colourful I would too easily fade to grey and hide away.
Thank you Karen for reading and for your comment. Don't fade to grey!
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Thanks Beth! Yeah – traveling do to yoga is always interesting. At times, it does force me to be more outgoing at times when I'd like to just be less visible.
Hi Cain,
I don’t think that Patanjali would waste much time at all thinking about my little ej post. (Woops, there goes that self- deprecating way again.) Darn it, I have to watch that.
Either way – thanks for the comment.