"Although I have been teaching yoga for nearly twenty years, and practicing for nearly thirty, and I teach yoga retreats internationally, I am not considered employable in most American yoga studios. 

 

I’m not looking for a job, but this is important to note. Think it through. I would not even be considered for an interview in most yoga studios.

 

Literally every fat yoga teacher I have ever known—and through my work, I’ve known many—started yoga businesses in order to teach (or joined up with a studio founded by another fat yogi). 

 

Maybe they could have found teaching work otherwise, but I think probably not, given the fact that appearance is often more important than how one teaches, what one brings to the practice, one’s quality of focus on the eight limbs of yoga, and even one’s ability to demonstrate asana—the most basic criteria for teaching a generic gym or studio yoga class. 

 

On the one hand, inspiration is great wherever we can get it. On the other hand, we can delve deeper into “diversity” and “body positivity” if we acknowledge that nearly all of those speaking their gratitude are practicing in studios that would not hire someone who looks like Jessamyn [Stanley], just as they would not hire me. 

 

We dare not look away from the “sideshow” aspect of her fame. I’m grateful that she is discussing it too: “Wow, look what that fat black yogi can do!” 

 

There is neither compliment nor encouragement of practice in an admiration that says, If she can do it, then surely I can do it too." » Kimberly Dark