I use this word a lot in my yoga classes — purposely.
BELLY. 
Because it’s a great one to make friends with. Normalize. Welcome.
“Soften your belly like a nice loose Buddha belly.”
“Bend your knees so much you can press your belly into your thighs.”
“Hug your belly toward your spine to stabilize.”
“I like to move my foot to the right a few centimeters in this pose to make room for my belly.”
And so on.
BELLY.
Say it. Love it. Embrace it.
Twice a week I teach yoga to my kid’s soccer team. The other night I had them lie back on the turf in Supta Baddha Konasana and place both hands on their bellies, and say “Thank you, belly.”
They giggled. A lot.
It was so sweet and silly. And gentle.
Can you be a little more sweet, and silly, and gentle with yours? 