I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the contributors in this volume who courageously shared their stories. Your words shine bright and clear and act as a beacon of light to us all.
I want to provide special acknowledgment to a few people who have been invaluable to this project. I see you, Angela Wix! Your patience and continued support has been steadfast and strong. To my soul sister, Anna Guest-Jelley, you inspire me on the daily and I am forever grateful to you for helping launch this collective storytelling process off the ground with book one and driving the conversation forward from the beginning until now. Your encouragement and trust to go it alone this round made all the difference. Your grace, ease, and kindness continue to inspire me through the rough patches.
Natalie Cummings, what would I do without you? I’m thankful for your hard work and camaraderie in extending the words from the book into the world through the Yoga and Body Image Coalition. And where would I be without Amanda Huggins? Huge thanks to Dan Ward for being the connector. Your enthusiasm, organization, and words of encouragement kept me from diving off the deep end countless times.
I want to thank my all my colleagues and allies who work tirelessly in the name of social justice and collective transformation (you know who you are and there are too many to name). I want to reserve special gratitude for those that serve (and have served) on the Yoga and Body Image Coalition leadership team with me as well as my fellow Yoga and Social Justice Conference organizers. You sustain my drive and passion while inspiring me to do better each step of the way. Thanks for all you are and all you do in the world.
I want to thank my teachers and students for their daily doses of inspiration and wisdom over the years. The well of gratitude runs deep and makes my heart sing when I think of all you have brought to my life.
Last but not least, I want to express my love and appreciation to my family and friends. I never doubt how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such supportive and encouraging people. You make it all worthwhile and I love you endlessly.
Keep in Touch with Melanie and the
Yoga and Body Image Coalition
Yoga and Body Image Coalition:
http://ybicoalition.com
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Yoga and Body Image Book:
http://yogaandbodyimage.org
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https://www.facebook.com/YogaAndBodyImage
Use the following hashtags to stay engaged with us:
#WhatAYogiLooksLike—Engage in our effort to challenge stereotypes about who practices yoga, who “should” practice yoga, and what a “yoga body” looks like. Yoga is more than a fitness trend, yoga is a multifaceted practice available to all. YOU are #WhatAYogiLooksLike.
#EveryBodyIsAYogaBody—Join us by boldly declaring EVERY body is a yoga body. Every age. Every race and ethnicity. Every class and socioeconomic status. Every gender identity and sexual orientation. Every size, shape, height, weight, and dis/ability.