On ‘Radio Times’: Jessamyn Stanley wants more representation in the yoga community

 (From left) Radio Times producer Trenae Nuri; author and yogi Jessamyn Stanley; and Radio Times host Marty Moss-Coane pose for a photo at WHYY in Philadelphia (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

(From left) Radio Times producer Trenae Nuri; author and yogi Jessamyn Stanley; and Radio Times host Marty Moss-Coane pose for a photo at WHYY in Philadelphia (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Generally, we imagine a yoga instructor as a skinny, white woman twisted in strange poses, but Jessamyn Stanley is shutting that stereotype all the way down.

In her new book “Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get on the Mat, Love Your Body,” the plus-sized yoga instructor wants to encourage everyone to hit the mat no matter their age, gender, race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

Earlier on Radio Times, Marty Moss-Coane asked Stanley about her growing number of Instagram followers — about 300,000 — and what that means for her.

“I think it says that there are a lot of people who feel left out,” Stanley said. “I think that because there are so few representations in the media of anybody who looks different than a white cisgender, heterosexual woman that means they’re attracted to me.”

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

To hear more about Stanley journey to yoga, listen to the full interview on Radio Times.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal