Welcome to a new Series showcasing different Curvy Yogis and their journeys! “This Curvy Yogi Thursdays” was created to help others to see the diversity of yogis in the yoga world.
Meet Jacquitta, Creator of this Curvi Yogi and This Curvi Yogi Thursdays. She is a Yoga Instructor and Student who is growing and learning to enjoy her journey of yogi! Read on to learn more about this Curvi Yogi!
1. What is the affirmation that resonates with you right now in your life? Why did you pick this affirmation?
“I will love and accept my body for what it does and how it looks, even when I don’t like it.”
This helps me to practice body positivity everyday. The journey of self love and body love is an everyday journey. One day I can be confident and love my body fully; other days I may have an issue. But everyday I wanna strive to love and appreciate it.
2. How did you start your yoga practice?
I started yoga in December 2014 in my own living room. I started by following other yogis on Instagram and joining Instagram challenges. I then went on to start watching Yoga with Adrienne and teaching myself poses.
I started yoga while working full time and going to grad school full time so it started off as an outlet for me. However, it has turned into much more than a physical practice for me.
3. As a curvy yogi, what obstacles have you had to overcome in your practice?
My biggest obstacle while practicing the asana (poses) portion of yoga was overcoming my own perception of my body. I’ve always struggled with my weight and loving my body so i already came into my yoga practice thinking I could not do it. Seeing other women who were more flexible, smaller (and let’s be honest) and who were not black completely discouraged me at times. But I still tried it.
As I continued exploring the asanas, I realized that my body is fully capable of doing them and that my body will not necessarily look like someone else’s in the same pose. This has helped me so much in my own asana practice and is the reason I wanted to become a teacher. I wanted other black and curvy women to feel comfortable in a yoga space so that they can receive the benefits they need.
4. What is your favorite yoga pose and why?
I have had so many favorites over the years but currently I’ll narrow it down to 2!
I love handstand because it is one pose where I continually learn more about how my body works and responds to it. It is a challenge, but it feels good to get upside down regularly, even if it is by a wall!
I also love half moon pose because it represents being able to remain stable and grounded while you are being pulled in many different directions! It helps remind me to remain grounded in this busy busy world!
5. What is your least favorite yoga pose and why?
I’m going to go ahead and put a group of poses out there because I get so frustrated with them! I am not very fond of arm balances, aside from handstand. My mind and core just can’t seem to connect enough for me to hold them!
My next least favorite is headstand. I am terrified of headstand and I’ve tried and failed before and it is hard for me to attempt again. I think It scares me because I’m scared of injuring my neck and spine while doing it. I’m hoping one day I can very obey this fear and have the courage to try it.
6. Do you use props In your practice? If so, what is your favorite prop to use and why?
I love blocks and the yoga strap because they help bring the ground up to me and to achieve poses that may not be possible with my short arms, legs, and thick thighs?
I also love the wall and my yoga wheel. The wall, affectionately named P aul the wall, helps me with knowing that I won’t fall in handstand. And the wheel helps with backbends and trying new variations of different poses.
7. What advice would you give to other curvy yogis who are trying to build their practice?
Get rid of the idea that your practice is supposed to look like someone else’s. It will only hold you back from reaching your fullest potential in your practice.
Find people who look like you to follow and connect with who practice yoga.
Find a yoga instructor that works for you and who will help you to develop your practice and adapt it your unique body!