Yoga can already feel intimidating enough—learning the names of poses, bending your body in new and creative ways, understanding how to use your breath… For most people, these are all brand-new frontiers. But there’s another aspect of yoga that can feel the most intimidating: not seeing people like yourself on the yoga mat. To make yoga accessible, that’s where we need to start.
According to a 2022 study by the Yoga Alliance, 71% of those who practice yoga in the U.S. are white. In truth, it’s rare to step into a yoga studio and find a full spectrum of races, ages, body types, genders, and income levels. Though yoga is an extremely versatile movement and meditation practice that can benefit everybody, there’s a lack of diversity in the Western yoga community.
One woman who’s working to change that is Jessamyn Stanley. An author, yoga teacher, and entrepreneur, Jessamyn is on a mission to make yoga—and wellness as a whole—more inclusive. Her bread and butter is pairing movement with unbridled honesty and vulnerability. She’s also a fierce advocate for marginalized communities, believing that all people deserve to feel 100% comfortable in their own skin.
Here, we chat with Jessamyn about her yoga journey, common misconceptions about body type and fitness, tips to make yoga accessible for beginners, and more.
How did you get into yoga?
I started practicing yoga almost fifteen years ago after a friend convinced me to join her for a class. I thought yoga was just for thin white women and over time I’ve come to realize that yoga is for everybody. I co-founded The Underbelly as a space where it is okay to be yourself and find yoga your way.
What challenges have you faced in the wellness industry?
The wellness industry is predominantly thin, white, and patriarchal. Racism, fatphobia, and ableism are commonplace, and I have worked to accept myself and be present to the white supremacy within my own practices as a way of making space for other people to have permission to be themselves.
How do you dispel misconceptions about body size and physical ability in the context of yoga and fitness?
It’s still rare to see people who are not thin, white, and able-bodied in any industry, let alone yoga and fitness. I’ve found that by being my authentic self unapologetically, I can address and dispel common myths and misconceptions about body size and physical ability in the context of yoga.
How has your yoga practice helped you form a different relationship with yourself?
Yoga has helped me be more patient with myself and more accepting of every part of my identity—not just my physical body.
What advice would you give to someone who feels intimidated by yoga?
You’re not alone. A lot of people feel intimidated by yoga. Start your practice at home with an online class and then when you feel ready, try out lots of different in-person classes. No two classes are exactly the same and the teacher you practice with makes a HUGE difference.
If you’re not feeling the vibe in a class, try a different teacher or a different style of yoga. And the point is to fall down. If you can’t “do the pose right,” that is the point. If you fall down, just get back up. The real lesson—the real yoga—is picking yourself up when you fall down.
Are there any specific poses or sequences you find to make yoga accessible?
Anyone can do any kind of yoga. There are no limitations based on body type. If it looks interesting to you, give it a try. Adapt all postures for your body. Acknowledge and show love to your belly, arm fat, chin rolls, and everything else you’ve been taught to hate. The more you love on your body, the more access you’ll find in every yoga pose.
How do you handle days when you might struggle with self-doubt or body image issues, and what advice would you give to others?
Accept what you’re feeling. Don’t try to pretend it’s not there. The power comes from accepting that you are a full, complex human being with a wide range of emotions. You’re not doing a bad job because you’re experiencing self-doubt or body image issues. Then put on a fun outfit and take yourself on a date—you deserve it. Show yourself the love you want to receive.
How do you practice self-care, wellness, and movement in your own life?
I have A LOT of daily self-care, wellness, and movement practices that I do every single day. Eating food that makes my body feel good, going for walks with my dog, practicing yoga every morning, drinking water, prioritizing masturbation, consuming plant medicine, journaling, and brain dumping before and after work, and soaking in the bathtub are all crucial to my mental health.
What’s something you think women deserve to speak more openly about and why?
All human beings need to speak their truth as much as possible. As women, we often lie to ourselves first—and that makes it hard to speak our truth to anyone else. When we speak our truth, we make space for other people to do the same. On a macro level, it changes the world for the better. On a micro level, we experience happiness within ourselves.
What impact do you hope to have by making yoga accessible?
I want to make space for other people to feel comfortable with themselves and experience freedom every day.
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