Kareena Kapoor’s transition to size-zero was widely covered by tabloids. Her waif thin frame became a fixation among teenaged girls, who were aspiring to look like mini-Kareenas. Plus, Yoga became fashionable for all the wrong reasons.
There is this misconception that Yoga doesn’t burn fat or one should do yoga as a mild form of workout. Well, it couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Does this by any standard look like a mild workout?
B.K.S. Iyengar the man responsible for making yoga popular among the westerners is no more with us. But, his teachings and followers are in huge numbers. In 2004, Iyengar was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
Yoga is not just a body workout but it combines the well being of mind-body and soul. Not a quick-fix solution to your weight issues. Yoga establishes a bond with your body and Anna Guest-Jelly, Founder & CEO (which stands for, Curvy Executive Officer!) at Curvy Yoga understands that.
Being ‘fat’ should really not stop you from bending, twisting and turning your body. It’s not about being thin, but being flexible. The art of syncing the body-mind & soul energy is of paramount importance in Yoga.
Anna reveals how she misunderstood the concept of yoga. She wanted to cut down her weight in order to get the yoga moves perfectly, but realisation dawned upon her soon. The fact that yoga is a holistic practice of self-love and acceptance. Check out this video, from Anna’s Curvy Mat episode she recounts the reason she took up yoga.
Blatant body-shaming is nothing new. Social conditioning has ingrained in our psyche that a heavier looking person is unhealthy and simply dysfunctional.
Obesity is the leading cause of death, now. We are not asking here to embrace the unhealthy way of living, and definitely not obesity. But, pinning down a person on their weight, looks and appearance to push them to achieve a ‘desired weight’ goal is unhealthy too.
Anna had to struggle with her body image, the good, the bad and the ugly comments, all of it. But, after she realised that feeling good about yourself is more than embracing, it is a way of life. There was no stopping her then.
Anna Guest-Jelley is founder and CEO (Curvy Executive Officer) at Curvy Yoga, a training and inspiration portal offering classes, workshops, teacher trainings, retreats, a virtual yoga studio and lots of love and support to people of every shape and size — all over the world.
Anna is a writer, teacher and lifelong champion for women’s empowerment and body acceptance. Co-editor of “Yoga and Body Image: 25 Personal Stories About Beauty, Bravery & Loving Your Body and Curvy Yoga for all shapes and size.
As the creator of a body-affirming yoga phenomenon that embraces people of all shapes and sizes, Anna Guest-Jelley has written an encouraging book that is about to become your go-to resource. In Curvy Yoga, she shares stories about body shaming with poignancy and even sometimes with humor. Guest-JelleAnna Guest-Jelley has written an encouraging book that is about to become your go-to resource. In Curvy Yoga, she shares stories about body shaming with poignancy and even sometimes with humor.y also reveals how things started to change once she found yoga—the last thing the self-declared non-athlete ever thought was possible.
Don’t let others give out judgements about your body. You’re the advocate and best judge of your body and not others.
Spread out that yoga mat lying behind that door and eating dust. Get started with those yoga asanas.