Podcast Episode 30: Body-Positive Advocate Jessamyn Stanley
Credit: Christine Hewitt
Looking for a new yogi to inspire you? In this episode we talk to the incredibly warm and wise Jessamyn Stanley who has so much to say about life on and off the mat. As the author of Every Body Yoga, Jessamyn’s mission is to help anyone and everyone feel confident enough to try yoga. She says, “I wrote this for every fat person, every old person and every exceptionally short person. I wrote it for every person who is self-conscious about their body.”
In this very candid interview, Jessamyn tells us about her life as a social media star and how the story people see on Instagram doesn’t always reflect her real personal life. Seriously, this woman really knows how to drop some truth bombs!
Podcast Episode 30 Highlights With Jessamyn Stanley
- The first time she tried Bikram yoga and why she almost swore off all yoga after that “markedly awful” experience
- Why she decided to give it another try and how it helped her with depression issues
- Jessamyn’s hope for yoga to become more about personal development and not about competition with fellow yogis
- How a fear of looking “stupid” holds way too many folks back from looking deeper into themselves
- Her thoughts on nailing the perfect posture (which might surprise you)
- The unique joys of a home yoga practice
- Body acceptance and learning to appreciate every inch of yourself
- Tips for selecting an appropriate class
- Details about her upcoming program at 1440 Multiversity
- How the stories in her book sometimes counter the image she has on Instagram
- The power of positive feedback when teaching
- “Upcycling” everyday household items into nifty yoga gear
Also in this episode, Jenn, Kristen and I each discuss our most memorable yoga experiences, the FBG Retreat at 1440 Multiversity and I get a little dark with my answers — again!
Get the episode with Jessamyn Stanley here or below!
Get more info on our podcast here and be sure to subscribe on iTunes so that you never miss an episode!
Have you had a bad “first yoga” experience, too? What got you back on the mat? Tell us about it in the comments! —Margo