The alternative title to this piece could be ’10 Reasons it Means So Much that Jessamyn Stanley Wrote the Foreword to Queer Yoga‘. It means so much because her teachings have helped me as a queer person in coming home to myself.
The Underbelly is Jessamyn Stanley’s yoga app and I’ve long been a proud subscriber. When people ask me where to go online for queer yoga, this is the app I direct them towards. Here’s why:
1. Space to be vulnerable
In a world where people are pushing to go faster, produce more, and work harder, it’s so precious to find spaces where you can slow down and connect from the heart.
For a lot of queer people, their journey hasn’t always been easy. Our healing can begin when we find space for vulnerability, and when I come to the mat with The Underbelly, I feel like that space is being held for me.
2. Making your practice your own
When queer and trans bodies are policed and politicised, it’s especially important for us to have spaces where we can take ownership of our yoga practice.
I love how so many of The Underbelly classes begin in savasana, corpse pose, and the invitation is often to stay in that shape if that’s what’s serving us. As an autistic person with demand avoidance, I really appreciate having choices (especially the choice to do anything at all!).
If you need space to stop, and reconnect with your breath, and let that be your practice, that is perfect too.
(Slow Energy Reset sequence from The Underbelly)
3. It’s OK to not be OK
Almost all of The Underbelly videos start by asking how your day has been, and acknowledging that there’s every chance your day might not be going so well – but we’re always reassured that we’re not alone and we’re doing the right thing by coming to the mat to practice yoga.
It gives me a sense of connection, remembering that everyone around the world watching the same video inevitably has their own stuff going on. It quells the rising panic when things really aren’t going well, to remember that it will pass.
4. Making space for the whole self
Just as I love the way the classes are opened (see above), I also appreciate the way they are closed. Jessamyn often says something like: “the light in me sees and honours the light in you, and the darkness in me sees and honours the darkness in you”.
Our light shines bright as queer people, but the darkness is there too – the journey with shame, internalised homophobia or transphobia, and the mental health issues. It means a lot to make space for both the light and the darkness, because it’s about recognising it’s all part of us. It’s all part of who we are.
5. Living beyond the binary
As a non-binary person, I value the chance to practice yoga with teachers who are moving beyond binary thinking.
We spend so much of our lives trying to fit into boxes. You don’t need to do that here. You can expand.
(Low Back Betty sequence from The Underbelly)
6. Mental health support
The LGBTQIA+ community is disproportionately impacted by mental health issues. As someone with bipolar disorder, when I need someone to hold my hand through the difficult times, The Underbelly helps me find steadier ground.
The noise will go away but you have to let it in. You have to let it move through you.
(Nightcap sequence from The Underbelly)
7. We’re all human
As much as it can be empowering to find the language that describes our experience, such as being trans or non-binary or queer, there’s also power in remembering we’re all human.
Jessamyn makes space for burping, farting, swearing, or body parts needing to be moved out the way. There’s no shame (and goodness knows, queer people need spaces where there’s less shame) and these moments remind us that we’re all in human bodies, whatever they might look like.
8. Being held in discomfort
Growth, change, and living authentically all require some willingness to sit with discomfort. It can feel lonely sometimes, and I’m always grateful for the compassion in The Underbelly videos which make discomfort more bearable – and make growth more accessible.
Every piece of your journey is good because every piece of your journey is you.
(Bring your Baggage meditation from The Underbelly)
9. Celebrating the body
Jessamyn writes and talks about sex with such freedom and joy that she gives us all permission to enjoy our bodies, whether we have a partner / partners or are alone.
I haven’t found any other yoga teacher who makes me feel this free. Her approach reminds me of the book Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown. She’s also explicitly trans inclusive, with a class on The Underbelly aimed specifically at the trans community.
You were made this way on purpose.
(Water Track meditation from The Underbelly)
10. Generosity
There is a generosity of spirit in all The Underbelly classes. And it doesn’t stop on the mat. For example, The Underbelly shop sells T shirts such as their Free Palestine, Abortion Rules, Trans Resilience, Protect Trans Kids ranges.
It is totally on brand that Jessamyn generously agreed to support me, a teacher she has never crossed paths with, and to support Queer Yoga, by writing the foreword. Her support means the world and her words are as healing as ever:
Coming out as a lesbian in high school was both terrifying and liberating; my whole body held terror and relief in equal measures at the exact same time. But that moment opened a whole new world of self-acceptance. It showed me that queerness is not just about accepting who you love: It’s about accepting the many layers of who you are.
(Jessamyn Stanley’s foreword to Queer Yoga)
There is no doubt that Jessamyn’s teachings have marked my own teaching style. In this sense, all of Queer Yoga is touched by her words, not just the foreword. For this, I am hugely grateful.
Order your copy of Queer Yoga via Barnes & Noble (USA), or via Bookwyrm queer bookshop (UK).
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