Breaking Free from Fitness Expectations

Embracing Body Acceptance

Fitness shouldn’t be about seeking external validation, but rather about discovering our own strength and resilience. By embracing our unique bodies, we can break free from societal definitions of beauty and fitness.

Jessamyn Stanley, a yogi, influencer, and author, is a shining example of body acceptance and liberation. Her yoga journey is a testament to the power of self-acceptance, showing that fitness is about learning to love and appreciate our bodies, rather than trying to fit into someone else’s ideal.

Fitness as Fuel for Self-Acceptance

Exercise is a tool that can help us build our bodies into a home for experiences, creating, and living fully. By focusing on our own well-being, rather than trying to meet someone else’s standards, we can cultivate a deeper sense of self-acceptance.

As Jessamyn Stanley puts it, “If we accept ourselves fully, then we can live fully.” By embracing our imperfections and celebrating our individuality, we can break free from the constraints of societal expectations and live a more authentic, fulfilling life.

A Conversation with Jessamyn Stanley

What does fitness mean to you?

Fitness is taking care of oneself, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Moving Away from Body Positivity

Body neutrality and body positivity are means to an end – self-acceptance. It’s about recognizing that our bodies are perfect just the way they are, and that we’re okay today, exactly as we are.

Body Acceptance as a Route to Liberation

I practice body acceptance, which is the first step towards liberation. It’s about freeing ourselves from the idea that anyone else owns us and accepting every single part of ourselves, including our imperfections.

Yoga and Fitness as Tools for Liberation

Yoga helped me see my body negativity and sparked a journey of self-acceptance. It’s about doing the daily work to overcome shame and accept our bodies, flaws and all.

The Spiritual Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is not just about physical benefits; it’s about spiritual growth and emotional awareness. It helps us tap into our human emotions and confront our insecurities.

Lessons from Fitness

Fitness teaches us to persevere, sustain, and have stamina. It reminds us that we’re capable of more than we think.

Inclusivity in Fitness

Visibility is everything. Seeing people who look like us doing things we thought we couldn’t do is powerful. Having the right exercise clothes for people of all sizes matters, as it enables us to feel good and confident in our own skin.

Starting Your Fitness Journey

My advice is to just start. You’re perfectly capable of doing it. Everything is exactly where it needs to be. Begin from where you are today, and remember that fitness is a journey, not a destination.