2011 nahm Stanley erstmals an einem Bikram-Yoga-Kurs teil. Um ihr Training kostensparender zu gestalten, begann sie schließlich daheim in ihren eigenen vier Wänden zu üben. Heute, vier Jahre später, hat Stanley über 50.000 Follower auf Instagram – und bringt ganz beachtliche Posen zustande.

Mehr als nur Yoga

Für die 27-Jährige ist Yoga mehr, als eine meditative Praktik. Neben ihren Erfolgserlebnissen im Training will Stanley vor allem eine inspirierende Message in die Welt hinaustragen.

Auf dem Fotobloggingdienst ruft sie daher dazu auf, auch die „kleinen Erfolge zu feiern“ und sich in seiner Haut wohlzufühlen – unabhängig von Hautfarbe oder Körpergröße.

„Unsere Gesellschaft stellt jeden, dessen Körper von jenem der Models in den westlichen Medien abweicht, in den Schatten. Ich sage Menschen, vor allem Frauen, immer, dass sie aufhören sollen negative Energie an ihren Körper und ihre Köpfe zu senden“, sagte sie im Interview gegenüber der „Huffington Post“.

Und weiter: „Die negative Energie ist für jedes körperliche Ungleichgewicht verantwortlich. Die einzige Person, die die Kontrolle über die eigene Erfahrungswelt hat, ist man selbst.“

Y’all, my first book is being released tomorrow by @workmanpub. I’m overwhelmed by all of the nice shit that’s been written about it, not to mention the awesome write-ups in print mags like @elleusa, @bust_magazine, @healthmagazine, & @familycirclemag. Also, apparently there’s already a book club reading it this month and I’m just sitting over here like 😳📕😳📕 Tomorrow’s Bull City tour kick-off at @motorcomh c/o @regulatorbookshop is allegedly sold out, but y’all know how I feel about party crashers- just show up and you’ll probably get in- at the very least you can grab a beer or some sesame udon salad at Parts & Labor. Tell ‚em Jessamyn sent you & TIP YOUR BARTENDER PLEASE AND THANK YOU. After that, it’s Nashville’s @parnassusbooks on Wednesday, Raleigh’s @quailridgebooks on Thursday, and a yoga class at #yogafestnc on Saturday- all the info’s on jessamynstanley.com/tour (link is in the header). Anyway, y’all are the best & I’m so excited to meet you. Also USE THE #EVERYBODYYOGA SNAPCHAT FILTER WHEN YOU’RE AT THE EVENTS- it features a half-naked bitmoji Jessamyn doing yoga soooo. Yeah. Let’s spread that shit. You can buy „Every Body Yoga“ anywhere fine books are sold. I have waited a long time to say those words. Also, this shameless promotion is inspired by the boys of @thecrookedmedia. Outfit by @vonscher_active Photo by @lydiahudgens

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Y’all, @workmanpub, @jadeyogamats, & I have teamed up for a preorder sweepstakes celebrating my new book, „Every Body Yoga: Let Go Of Fear, Get On The Mat, Love Your Body“! The story of my personal yoga practice is much more complex than what could possibly be shown in a few instagram photos. In „Every Body Yoga“, I’m finally able to give a full and clear answer to everyone who asks ‚Hey Jessamyn, How Do I Start Practicing Yoga?‘ Click the link in my profile to check out the book + a chance to win: 1 . Coffee or a meal date with me, @mynameisjessamyn/@jessamynstanley 2. A signed copy of #EveryBodyYoga 3. A 68″ mat and large cork block from @Jadeyogamats Throwback to that time @yogicphotos convinced me to practice my #handstand game in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge while wearing @k.deer leggings. SPEAKING OF WHICH, thanks to everyone who entered the @k.deer gift card giveaway! I went through and read all of your answers to the question „what pose kicks your ass?“ and I was inspired to the brink of tears by how many of you are able to be completely fucking honest with yourselves about the reality of your personal practices. I could ramble forever on this topic but in short- thank you for being vulnerable with me. If you’ve ever feared beginning a yoga practice, do yourself a favor and scroll down a few entries to the giveaway post- there is some genuine human development going on in y’all’s practices, and you can take comfort in knowing that everyone (yes, everyone) is challenged by asana practice. Anyway, YOU GET A CARD: $50 gift cards- Marie-Hélène Dugal (Facebook) & @soulfulshania (instagram) $500 gift card- @retroengineer Congrats, y’all- if you’re a winner, shoot an email at [email protected] to collect your prize! Leggings- @k.deer Photo by @yogicphotos

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I almost cried during my interview with @selfmagazine when they asked about my experience with self hate- honestly, it’s bizarre to me that I’m perceived as such a confident person when I spent such a huge chunk of my life buried under truly toxic body shame. And it’s not like those feelings have completely dissipated- just like anyone, I have ups and downs. And I always roll my eyes whenever people draw the conclusion that yoga is the source of my body confidence. I mean, Instagram is littered with proof that an aggressive yoga asana practice can unintentionally sow the seeds of body negativity. But there’s no doubt that yoga has made me stronger- but the physical strength isn’t really the point, is it? If you want to watch me get choked up and talk about body shame, click the link in my Instagram header! Photo by @nadyawasylko (Btw, I can’t remember who made this sports bikini but I EFFING LOVE IT and need it in every color. I only ever want to practice in my underroos and when the #teamSELF crew said „…are you cool with wearing this?“ I almost started frothing at the mouth from excitement. THIS IS WHAT FAT GIRLS WANT. 👙👙)

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I kept it 💯 on my @additionelle snap takeover today and not just bc I started the morning with restorative yoga to help heal my body after a night of sloppy karaoke fueled antics (MY FRIEND WAS LEAVING TOWN, WE HAD TO GET A LITTLE CRAY OK💯💯💯.) I then went on to teach an EFFING AMAZING flow at @durhamyoga (hey guys I ❤️ you), had a very chill video shoot w/ @unctv, and then gave a little headstand tutorial. And I got to wear my @additionelle NOLA swimsuit the whole time bc fat bodysuit life is imperative for this movement, y’all. If you’re interested in seeing what the life of a 21st century yoga teacher really looks like, follow @additionelle on snapchat! Swimsuit is by @additionelle, and my personal snap is @mynameisjessamy 👻💋

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