Anna Chapman is a Podcast Host (where you belong), Joy Creator, Size Inclusion Educator and Certified Accessible Yoga and Teacher, and we're thrilled to have her as our Body Positive Superhero for July! Anna Chapman's mission is to create a safe space for people to connect and land in their bodies through yoga. Having started yoga feeling like she and her body didn't fit in, she has since come to the conclusion that the most empowering act of self-care is to take up as much unapologetic space as is needed both on the mat and in life. Read our full interview below.
Pronouns: she / her / hers
Location: Portland, OR
Instagram: @iamannachapman
Anna on the Body Positive Fitness Finder: superfithero.com/annachapman
How long have you been a fitness teacher? What made you get into this line of work?
I have been a meditation teacher for five years and a yoga teacher for three and a half of those five years! I started practicing yoga when I was trying to find something to do on "recovery days". I was really inundated with diet culture and thought that if my body changed so would my outer and inner world. Yoga was one of my most supportive tools for healing that toxic idea. What I found yoga helped me do was anchor into my belly, I have lived so much of my life feeling like I was a floating head, that it almost felt shocking to be more embodied. Now I try to constantly move my awareness down into my body so that I am really truly here and rooted in the present.
Who is your superhero?
I think my favorite living superhero is Adrienne Maree Brown because her work around emergent strategy and Pleasure activism has helped shaped how I want to show up in the world as a community builder. I am so deeply moved by the connection between nature and humanity and I wish (myself 100% included) would slow down more and take everything in. I also am inspired every-time I hear her process or writing, they are such a gift!
What is your personal fitness or movement routine?
I do a lot of joy centered movement: Dance, Yoga, swimming when its available!
Do you set fitness goals for yourself? Why or why not?
All of my goals are based around body liberation and mobility. Ie. I want to travel and walk around, I want to scuba-dive and be able to carry my gear safely.
Who is your perfect client?
A person who wants to get curious, is open to their own process, and loves to talk (Cuz honey I love a talker!)
Do you talk to your clients about their bodies? Tell us about that.
A lot of my work is about our bodies and grieving the idea of what we thought they should look / feel like, as well as unlearning the narrative that our bodies are a problem to be solved. We do a lot of practices to remember the preciousness of these awesome bodies of ours!
What is your superpower?
I feel like my super power is that I really really care about people and about creating access for them! Like Care Bear powers!
Anything you're promoting right now or want to share with us?
I offer movement and embodiment coaching online for folks needing any kind of support around their bodies, medical advocacy, or just support and I am taking new clients: https://www.iamannachapman.com/body-love-coaching-session
Want to train with Anna?
Get in touch with her on the Body Positive Fitness Finder.