Esse Quam Videri: To Be, Rather Than to Seem
The Latin phrase Esse quam videri—to be, rather than to seem—is more than a tattoo on yoga teacher and author Jessamyn Stanley’s forearm. It’s a guiding principle for how she shows up in the world. Known for her unapologetic voice in the wellness space, Stanley has helped redefine what a yogi looks like, centering authenticity, self-inquiry, and radical self-love at the heart of her message.
Yoga and the Journey to Self-Acceptance
Jessamyn didn’t always exude self-confidence. Her journey involved confronting internalized criticism and dismantling her own self-doubt.
“On any given day, most people say awful things to themselves. We have to face those thoughts, not ignore them,” she explains.
Her approach? Deep self-inquiry. She encourages asking hard questions:
- Why am I being so critical?
- Do I really believe this about myself?
- Am I conforming to unrealistic standards?
Stanley insists that building a better body image starts with this brave emotional work—not with the perfect yoga pose.
Yoga Is Not About the Body—It’s About the Soul
Many people see yoga as a path to a better body, but Stanley believes that’s missing the point.
“Yoga prepares your soul and spirit for something bigger than whether you like how you look.”
While yoga can support physical wellness, its deeper value is in how it nurtures awareness, emotional clarity, and spiritual peace. Stanley is quick to note that you don’t need to look a certain way—or move a certain way—to be a yogi.
Facing the Trolls with Grace
Despite the love she receives from fans, Jessamyn has also faced online body shaming. Her response? She keeps living her practice, undeterred.
“I’m just living my yoga. And it still amazes me that people even care,” she laughs.
Her antidote to body negativity is to cultivate self-love—not as a trend, but as a daily cellular-level practice.
Every Body Yoga: A Real Talk Guide for Beginners
Stanley’s bestselling book Every Body Yoga is part beginner’s guide, part raw memoir. It answers questions that beginners might be too afraid to ask—from how to choose a welcoming studio to what gear you really need (spoiler: not much).
She includes pose breakdowns that are visually accessible for all body types and skill levels. But at the core of her teaching is a powerful message:
“If you can breathe, you can do yoga—even if you need help breathing.”
Why Movement Should Be Fun, Not Punishment
Jessamyn rejects the cultural obsession with weight loss as the end goal of fitness. For her, exercise is about joy and engagement.
“I need movement to be interesting. Otherwise, I’m just not going to do it.”
Her favorite activities include hiking, weight training, and cycling—especially hiking for its grounding, sensory-rich experience in nature.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Through Music and Empowerment
Beyond yoga, Stanley supports QORDS (Queer Oriented Radical Days of Summer), a nonprofit camp for LGBTQ+ youth that blends music, activism, and healing.
“Growing up queer in a traditional Southern town was hard. QORDS creates the space I wish I’d had as a kid—one where you can be fully yourself.”
What’s Next for Jessamyn Stanley
Jessamyn continues to use her voice through new platforms, like her podcast Jessamyn Explains It All on Stitcher Premium. The show dives into real-life yoga, away from the curated perfection of Instagram, and tackles issues like race, gender, and spirituality in wellness.
Her second book is in the works and promises to dig even deeper into hot-button topics, exploring how politics, race, and culture intersect with 21st-century yoga.
Yoga as a Practice, Not a Destination
Jessamyn Stanley reminds us that balance isn’t static—it’s something you return to again and again.
“The moment you think you’ve got perfect balance is the moment it tips. But I keep showing up. When I’m out of balance, I use my tools to find my way back. That’s yoga.”
Final Thoughts
Jessamyn Stanley is proof that yoga is for everybody. Her work dismantles toxic narratives about fitness, beauty, and wellness—and replaces them with real stories, real bodies, and real power. If you’re just beginning your yoga journey or trying to find peace with your body, her example offers a grounded, empowering path forward.
Want to learn more?
📖 Every Body Yoga is available wherever books are sold.
🎧 Listen to Jessamyn Explains It All on Stitcher Premium.
🌐 Follow her on Instagram @mynameisjessamyn