Loving Her Curves and All and Enjoying the Journey - Antoinette

Oshunjo
May 13, 2021
3 min read

After five years of practicing yoga and becoming a yoga model, Antoinette has become an inspiration to many. She is published in Yoga Journal, and the benefits of yoga have allowed Antoinette to make her yoga mat, body, and mind a safe space. Yoga allowed Antoinette to become more comfortable in her post-pregnancy body and gain more confidence, flexibility, and self-compassion. Antoinette is currently practicing at home and teaches online classes.

Tell us more about your yoga journey. How long have you been doing yoga? How/why did you start doing yoga?

I have been practicing yoga for 5.5 years now. I began my practice right at home and am predominantly self-taught. I started my journey because I wanted to learn how to feel at home in my postpartum body and generally get back into body movement as a whole, so I searched for inspiration online. I couldn't find too much, but when I did, I gave myself no more excuses and began my journey.

How has yoga helped you along your self-love journey? Has yoga helped you with body issues or internal issues (self-confidence, anxiety, depression, etc.)?

Yoga helps me feel at peace in general. It's such a powerful tool that can open a person up and awaken all that's inside if you give in and let go. That's what happens to me when I get on my mat. It has helped me truly connect to my body and connect my body to my mind and spirit/soul. Finding out what my body can do in practice has helped me appreciate what my body does with and without my assistance (like my heart pumping and my lungs expanding without my control).

Yoga has also helped with internal and external issues such as anxiety and depression. I have an overactive mind, and yoga helps me stay in the moment and allows me to let go of certain expectations of myself, almost simply by honoring my present moment and breathing through the difficult moments. I feel safe and free all at the same time in my yoga practice so that I can feel my way through the emotions I'd usually bury deep inside.

Is there a particular story you'd like to share about how someone or something has inspired you along your yoga journey? Or how you've inspired someone else along your journey? Any particularly memorable situation in a yoga class?

People like Jessamyn Stanley and Dana Falsetti are the main two that inspire my journey. Jessamyn being a curvy BLACK woman and teacher - and Dana is a curvy and outspoken teacher. Therefore, I saw the possibilities for myself. I've had the honor of sharing space with Dana in a major photoshoot because THEY saw ME, and Jessamyn has shared with me on a few occasions of how I inspire HER! It's still mind-boggling that the two who gave me the courage to start my own journey also found inspiration in me.

As for all who have come to their own practices simply by me showing myself online, I'd have to say that hits me in the feels the most, and I give so much thanks and gratitude to God for showing/reminding me a bit of my purpose in each post I share.

Looking back on when you first started, overall, how would you say yoga changed you as a person?

I am much more confident and comfortable in my being. I have so much more compassion for myself, which grows so much more for others. Simply put, yoga truly has changed my life all the way around. My mind is more open, and I feel more grounded in expanding myself and sharing what I love with others.

What advice can you give to help those who are just getting started with yoga?

Just do it! Things have come full circle for me in a few ways by me jumping out there to share my journey just as they have, and it is always an honor when I get messages of how me simply showing up and sharing my fluid practice when there was a time I feared being seen for exactly who I am.

So, try your best not to compare your beginning to someone's middle or seasoned practice. Honor your body, and use props! Ask all the questions and just take it one breath at a time. It truly is a journey, so enjoy the ride!

Antoinette encourages others to practice yoga and has documented her progress through her Instagram account, @journey2antoinette. She is currently in the process of becoming a certified teacher.