Gorgeous Yogi Proves That Yoga Is For Every Body


Dana Falsetti was in college, overweight and unhappy, dealing with anxiety and binge-eating. She ended up losing 70 lbs, but she still found that she was still dealing with many of the negative emotions she had expected to lose along with the extra weight. She told Daily Mail Online:

“After all those pounds went away, I was still me. I was still sad, feeling unworthy, feeling even more confused, and just lost. I went to yoga because it was something new to try during a time when I felt like giving up. A big part of me was craving the time for silence, for meditation and reflection. I had no idea the physical practice would lead me down the path of inner strength that I always needed, and that led to the larger perspective shift that really changed my life.”

 


Although she faced constant self-doubt about how her size would affect her ability to do yoga, once she started, she was hooked. Now, she teaches yoga online and in workshops, and posts photos of herself doing poses.

A photo posted by Dana Falsetti (@nolatrees) on


She is aware of how many people will react to her photos, but she has a zen approach to the feedback she receives about her images:

“Some people see a photo of me and call it me an inspiration. Others see it and call me a whale. I am neither an inspiration nor a whale, I am me. People will see what they want to see.”

I think we can all appreciate such a body-positive approach to yoga. I admit that my fears have prevented me from taking yoga classes, although my main fear is that I will fart loudly in the middle of the class. At-home online classes can be a great option for folks who deal with body anxiety, or who are worried about “fitting in” with all the yoga yuppies driving a Lexus SUV and carrying a Lululemon yoga mat.

(And, yes, I am aware that that is a stereotype, but it’s definitely true of the majority of women who go to yoga class near my house.)

A photo posted by Dana Falsetti (@nolatrees) on

Falsetti’s Instagram account has more than 100,000 followers. She features photos of herself in poses, as well as candid shots.

It is important, however, to remember that she is impressive not because of her size, but because of her body acceptance. That’s what makes her an inspiration.

 

Featured image is via Instagram.