השראה: המורה ליוגה שמלמדת נשים לאהוב את עצמן

Thanks to @unclerush, @tarastiles, and @nymag, I am feeling a lot of love from all points of the globe. I can't tell you how happy I am to see so many people engaging in dialogue about body issues in the #yoga community- this is the dialogue that leads to change.This is the dialogue that fosters a diverse and widespread yoga community, not pictures and inspirational quotes. I am grateful to be part of a community that began long before I ever stepped on a yoga mat. Warriors like @diannebondyyoga, @curvyyoga, & @amber_karnes have been stoking the flames of this conversation for so long and I'm happy to be one of many baby samurais in their kick ass body positive army. @Nymag, one of my favorite magazines, asked my thoughts about the instagram yoga community and the evolution of #fatyoga- click the link in my instagram header to read the article! Also, this photo is #tbt to being a curvy inverted statue with my love @nolatrees. PRO TIP- check out her website (nolatreesyoga.com) for a sneak peak of our upcoming teaching tour dates. Official dates and registration details are coming soon! Leggings- @lineagewear

A photo posted by Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn) on May 28, 2015 at 8:07pm PDT

I spent today bending and making shapes w/ dis bitch- I feel so grateful that the internet brought us together, and not just because her guidance helped me earn some serious hang time in #CrowPose today. @Nolatrees's face is a perfect reflection of our mutual excitment over this exciting development. I am SO EFFING HYPE to go on our teaching tour this fall- trust me, plenty of details are coming soon! Leggings- @lineagewear

A photo posted by Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn) on May 24, 2015 at 7:52pm PDT

I never feel more in tune with my true self than when I'm at the shore. Maybe I was a mermaid in a past life. I don't know, but sand is nature's yoga mat and this is heaven on earth. Swimsuit- @Forever21 Sunnies- @hm

A photo posted by Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn) on May 13, 2015 at 7:22pm PDT

Y'all have humbled me by your immense response to the workshops @nolatrees & I are planning. I don't know if it's possible to feel literal waves of love from Durham, but please believe I am sending them. Dana & I are busily planning our pursuit to a studio near you- locations/dates already in the works for late summer-fall 2k15 include NYC, Washington D.C., & Atlanta, as well as multiple locations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, & California. As we solidify things, trust me- you guys will be the first to know. We have big plans to visit every pocket of the continental U.S., as well as future plans to take our mission international. If you have any specific studio recommendations, feel free to shoot me an e-mail @ mynameisjessamyn@gmail.com. But right now, please know that I am forever grateful for all of you. You have each opened my eyes to a world that is so much bigger than my #yoga mat. I can't tell you how much inspiration you guys give me on a daily basis. I could never do this without you. Happy #forearmfriday, y'all. #invertyoself #inversion #Invertyocurves

A photo posted by Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn) on Apr 17, 2015 at 7:38pm PDT

I know we all "know" yoga is about more than asana practice, but it wasn't until I spent an entire #savasana (#corpsepose) in a complete emotional meltdown that I actually realized the real gifts of my practice. And when I say emotional meltdown, I mean MELTDOWN- I'm talking sobbing, sniffling, snot rolling down my face, the works. I don't know if it's the intensive nature of teacher training, but all of the emotions I've been stockpiling over the past 27 years are finally coming to the surface. It's ironic because while I'm SO not the crying or hugging type, this week has been characterized by more crazy intense hugging and crying than ever in my entire life. And for once, I'm trying to be open to tears and hugs, without belittling them with my trademark knee jerk cynicism. Thank god, right? I mean, how are we supposed to live with all of these emotions bottled up inside? Furthermore, how am I supposed to be an emotionally supportive #yoga teacher if I can't even deal with the darkness and light inside myself? I know this topic is probably a little dark for the typically 'bright and happy' world of instagram yoga, but I'm glad. It's completely unrealistic for yoga practitioners to hold themselves to ridiculous standards of happiness and beauty. No one's life is really like that, and I think pretending otherwise is inauthentic. In my opinion, it belittles the true reasons we all continue to practice. I can only speak for myself, but the daily pursuit of balance is just that- a DAILY pursuit. Life never stops ebbing and flowing- we just find better ways to deal with our knee jerk reactions. Photo by my incredible little brother, Gabriel- I was blessed to spend the afternoon inverting with him and it was just the emotional medicine I needed. Bodysuit by @chubbycartwheels #invertyoself #invertyocurves #inversion #headstand #split #hanumanasana

A photo posted by Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn) on Mar 22, 2015 at 3:06pm PDT

Y'all, I am extremely excited to start teaching #yoga in the Raleigh-Durham area- as soon as I have all the details of my weekly teaching schedule finalized, I'll post them here and on my facebook/tumblr. Among other things waiting for me upon my arrival home (BILLS! @SalemAcademy 10 Year High School Reunion Registration! Wedding Invitations!), my friends at @mymanifesta sent me a pair of their new "Follow My Lead" capris and I started smiling from the moment I slipped them on. Unlike leggings specifically made for yoga, @mymanifesta leggings easily transition to other sports- I especially like them when running (aka jogging bc y'all know running is far from my forte)- the waistband is designed to stay in place nicely when you're doing cardio activities that makes belly fat difficult to control. These are extremely soft and stretchy- softer and stretchier than their other designs, actually. I love them so much, and I can't wait to take them for a spin on the Eno River hiking trails. You know, before everyone ELSE realizes that we're venturing into perfect hiking weather and the trails start to clog up with other people/pets. #athleteproblems Pants- @mymanifesta ('CURVYYOGA' gets you 20% off) #invertyoself #Invertyocurves #inversion #headstand #sirsasana

A video posted by Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn) on Mar 31, 2015 at 6:59pm PDT

When I'm asked "Why do you practice #yoga so much?" or "How do you get motivated to get on your mat?", I think I'm expected to rattle off a list of health benefits or exercise goals. But the only true reason I can muster is because my practice literally gives me life. It is my therapy- it pulls me through the darkest moments, the moments when the winds of change are blowing so agressively that my practice serves as the only piece of outerwear that counts. If you have ever struggled, if you've ever been pulled asunder, if you've ever lost focus- establish a home yoga practice. I promise you won't regret it. Song is No Doubt "New" Bottoms- @fractal.9 (use 'fractal9plus' for a discount at check out!) #Natarajasana #Dancerpose #backbend

A video posted by Jessamyn (@mynameisjessamyn) on Feb 19, 2015 at 5:46am PST