JESSAMYN STANLEY YOGA CLASSES IN LONDON

Jessamyn Stanley is a yoga teacher – but not your ordinary yoga teacher. She has become one of the US’s most famous body positive advocates, known for her empowering messages and challenging stereotypes to prove that literally anyone can practise and enjoy yoga. Jessamyn’s classes strive to celebrate each individual’s shape and size to encourage her students to ask themselves “How do I feel?” rather than “How do I look?”.

This month Jessamyn has come to pay us lot in London a visit, to spread her message, and The Hot Yoga Society are currently holding their Big Weekender classes to help you kick-start your way into the new season – with four days of mindfulness and body goodness with the inspirational woman herself…

Let’s get to know Jessamyn a little bit more; take a look at her interview below and find out what made her fall for yoga, her naughty pleasures and her mantra for life….

How did you get into Yoga?
Like (seemingly) most people, I began practicing yoga during a very difficult point in my life. I was 24, and thus completely consumed in the elementary dramatics of being that age. I was studying in a graduate program that didn’t quite fit with my ever evolving goals, as well as coping with the end of a long-term relationship. In fall 2011, one of my classmates encouraged me to purchase a groupon unlimited pass to our local Bikram yoga studio. I had actually tried Bikram once before, when I was in my teens- my experience was so overwhelmingly negative that I almost didn’t heed my friend’s advice. However, I found a great comfort in the Bikram yoga practice when I gave it a second chance- the combination of heat, repetitive sequencing, and long holds was a complete release from the stress of my daily life. I began to look forward to class in a way that I didn’t really look forward to anything else- it made me feel powerful and self-assured at a time when I couldn’t summon those emotions on my own.

Did you find Yoga challenging at the beginning?
Like many people, I found asana practice to be EXTREMELY difficult in the beginning. ALL OF THE POSES seemed essentially impossible, even seemingly “basic” poses like child’s pose.

What was it about Yoga that made you become a teacher?
I became a teacher in response to the insane wave of people from all over the globe who desperately asked me to come and teach them. If left to my own devices, I may have never become a teacher. It wasn’t until after I underwent training, however, that I began to understand just how important it is to have a wide variety of yoga teachers in order to respond to the endlessly varied lifestyles that exist on the planet. There is no singular yoga teacher who is perfect for everyone, and therefore it’s important to have a large group to draw from.

The typical Yoga stereotype can be quiet daunting, what is your advice for those unsure they want to start because they don’t feel comfortable in their own skin?
First of all, your body is normal and perfect. Stop thinking that it should or could look any different or better than it does right now. Second, instead of placing emphasis on losing weight or “getting healthy”, just focus on feeling good. This should be your only goal when practicing yoga- getting to a place where you feel good. As curvy people, we are taught from a young age that there is something inherently wrong with our bodies- this is a mentality we need to change. Our curves give us strength and power- don’t diminish that power by believing in society endorsed negativity.

You are described as a Body Positive Advocate, what does that involve exactly?
I advocate for body positivity through every aspect of my lifestyle, from the way that I present myself to what I teach and present to others. It means I work to educate others about the importance of body positivity in all walks of life.

What is your mantra for life?
My mantra for life is Esse Quam Videri- “To Be Rather Than To Seem”. It’s a sentiment I hold close to my heart at all times because it reminds me to remain authentic and genuine at all times.

Three words to describe yourself…
Authentic, Driven, and Creative

What tools do you think are essential for starting a yoga practice?
A positive attitude, a grippy and non-slip mat (not essential but definitely helpful), and a good jumping off point (a resonant teacher, online class, etc.)

Is there an essential yoga mindset?
If anything, I’d say it’s “All the answers to every question can be found within yourself.”

Can you tell me about a time you experienced a breakthrough from pushing yourself past the point where you wanted to give up?
If I had given up on my headstand practice in the beginning, I would never have gotten to where I am today. However, even though the mere prep poses for headstand felt impossible, I just continued to preserve. Even when I fell down, slipped, fell into a wall, etc- I always just picked myself back up and tried again. And eventually I saw progress. Did it come quickly? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Did I bruise my ego and butt many times? DEFINITELY. But all the work was more than worth the effort.