The Subversiveness of Acceptance: Curvy Yogis Speak (Part Two)

This post is Part Two of our interview with the intrepid band of curvy yogis in Sacramento. (To read Part One, go here.)  Today’s discussion continues with a focus on what accessibility means for yoga—both in the media and in our own communities.  You won’t want to miss these visionary responses!

Anna: What I’ve found most interesting and helpful about all the conversation around the Yoga Journal letter and talent search has been what it has stirred up around accessibility, diversity and inclusion in yoga.  What conversations have you been having individually and amongst yourselves about this, and how has it influenced what you think/how you feel about your own yoga practice?

Ryan: I think I’ve been most horrified at the star system on the Yoga Journal (YJ) site.  The idea of rating some one’s pose is just yuck, and the idea of telling someone that their wheel pose is only two star worthy is just insane to me.  I get that there are some photos on there that are more aesthetically pleasing than others—and in ways that have little to do with the normativity of the person’s body.  Things like location, picture quality, and even things like alignment.  But to rate?  Rate?!?!

Fierce Ryan!

It goes against all that I’ve been learning and realizing about yoga and myself on this path.  And it hurts me that the most visible venue for this wonderful activity/philosophy is working in diametric opposition to this by having a rating system.  And thus I’ve noticed in my practice since, I’ve been even more gentle and compassionate with myself and even more tuned in to the cues and signals of my own body.  Would that be fighting fire with water?

Madeleine: When I wrote my blog post on that topic, I had no idea how much it would reverberate for so many people. It was so eye-opening to discover how many people feel systematically excluded from a practice that is supposed to be all about interconnectedness, for pete’s sake! But I think we can sometimes put ourselves in a yoga-induced bubble and convince ourselves that the practice isn’t political, when it is. Unconditional kindness and radical acceptance is subversive, and we have to keep re-connecting with that, or even our yoga practice can just reinforce cultural divides.

Tami: Can I just say for the record, I looked at every.single.picture. in the Yoga Journal contest? {Yes, I know, I’m a little crazy} What struck me was the similarity to almost every picture I’ve ever seen on the cover of Yoga Journal and to each other. King Dancer is quite the YJ cover model want-to-be favorite.

After I sent my side-angle picture in, I immediately wished I’d sent in one of me in a restorative pose. That’s really where my heart is, too bad I didn’t listen to it. The Curvy Yoga Gallery of Greatness got one though!

The lovely Tami

It’s funny because despite living in the same city and practicing at the same studio, we are rarely all together. It has been through social media, private messages and blogs that I’ve gotten a clear sense of our solidarity with each other.

I think this photo shoot and the Curvy Yogi Revolution has brought out previously unspoken support for each other and others that fit into the non-traditional American yogi mold.

By the way, I think Madeleine’s posts about this have been absolutely brilliant.

Anna: While I think it’s important for yoga media to include a diversity of images, I think the most interesting and important work gets done in our communities.  How do you see this shaping up in your own community?

Ryan: I think the resources Madeleine had on her blog are showing how this interesting and important work is happening.  And I think It’s All Yoga is doing a good job of letting people know that it’s out there and offering an alternative to the “yoga fitness” movement in Sacramento.

The thing that I keep coming back to with this, though, are the people who might have that inkling that they want to try yoga and who are seeing YJ on the stands and believing that it’s not for them.  I think yoga conjures up one of two images for lots of people—the hippie “woo woo” yogi and the super bendy thin yogi—and so for me the question is how do we disrupt those stereotypes.

I’m not willing to let YJ off the hook with that.  I know that they have a fiscal responsibility to their advertisers, but I also believe that one doesn’t work for or advertise in a magazine like YJ unless they believe something (however small) about the deeper qualities of yoga.  I want to be generous in thinking that they *believe* they are doing the right thing.  So it’s also getting to them, and saying “hey”!  Because the curvy person/person of color/queer person/disabled person/elderly person in the grocery store aisle or the bookstore stand needs to know that yoga “belongs” to them too.  And the mean girls who think that being in a class next to one of these people is gross or wrong need to get over it.

Tami: Our home base of It’s All Yoga is a special place. Our folks (really our yoga family)  tend to skew older, curvier, and don’t seem to be there to develop six-pack abs. Michelle has a knack for bringing people together and supporting a truly loving community. I feel lucky to have found such a place.

Anna: Where do you see this energy and support for inclusion in yoga going next?

Ryan: Ultimately, if YJ isn’t going to rise to the challenge, then it’s our collective responsibility to provide alternative spaces and alternative images that are more inclusive.  I’ve felt for some time the pull to do a teacher training so that I can spread the “Curvy Yogi” gospel.  The timing and the money just haven’t worked out yet, but that will happen some day.  And I think developing more and more venues where everyone can see the diverse and *beeeeeaaaauuuuutiful* faces of yoga is really important.  Whether that’s blog entries, like this one, or finding a way to publish a book of beautiful images like the one’s Vanessa took, I’m not sure.

Leili: Youth. I’m so grateful that these lessons on self-acceptance have reached me now…but what if I could go back and tell my teenage self what I’ve learned? I so often look back and think, if only I knew how to really care for myself. My hope is to see this energy shared with children and teens.

Madeleine being delightful

Madeleine: I have two emails in my inbox right now. One is from a high school teacher, and one is from a deputy probation officer at a juvenile detention center. They are both looking for people to come and teach yoga to their populations. That is at the heart of the change – people in these positions are recognizing the value of yoga to young people, especially young people at risk. I think of the poignancy in Leili’s comment – what if she could go back and teach her teenage self about yoga? I think we’re going to find out some of the answers to that “what if” as those kids grow up with access to yoga. That is so exciting to me.

Tami: My mission in life is to get people who think yoga isn’t for them to try it. I want to dispel the myth you need to be thin or flexible or peaceful or new-agey and just get people to lighten the hell up already. Couldn’t we all use a little rest and kindness?

Anna: Definitely!  Many, many thanks to each of you for sharing your thoughts.  I think as we continue to see conversations like this pop up across the country (and world!), we’ll continue to see accessible and inclusive yoga growing in leaps and bounds!  Your leadership on this is so inspiring!

Bios

Ryan Fong is a fabulous yogi and PhD candidate in English.  Check out Parts One and Two of this wonderful interview to learn more about him.  Follow him on Twitter @deephomework.

Leili Khalessi is a lovely yoga teacher and blogger over at her site, Leili Learning Life.  Connect with her on Twitter @LeiliLearning

Madeleine Lohman is a talented yoga teacher and inspiring blogger atMadYoga.  Learn more about her in Parts One and Two of this amazing interview!  Then connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Tami Hackbarth is the hilarious and brilliant writer behind Teacher Goes Back to School.  Don’t miss this lovely Q&A with her.  Want more TGBTS?  Fan her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Photo credits: Vanessa Vichit-Vadakan