Model ‘stressed’ and ‘riddled’ with body hang-ups turns to naked yoga to get her confidence back

A model “riddled with insecurities” says naked yoga was the key to her new-found body confidence – and now she’s teaching the practice to others.

Jannica Klingborg was once a jet-setter, flying across the globe to work with high-profile fashion clients such as Calvin Klein, Armani, Burberry, L’Oreal and many more.

“Being able to practice completely free from any restrictions like clothes, [is something] I think everyone needs to try at least once.”

Despite the 39-year-old living a life many people can only dream of, there was a dark side to the success. Jannica struggled with her body image, as well as bad health habits such as constant drinking and eating a poor diet. Her experience with yoga was so life-changing, the model soon ditched striking poses for the camera to challenging poses in the studio, working as a lead yoga instructor for True Naked Yoga.

But there’s a twist – she does it all in the buff.

“Yoga is yoga no matter if you are wearing clothes or not,” said Jannica, who lives in Los Angeles, US, and boasts over 4,000 followers on Instagram (@yogannica).

“Being able to practice completely free from any restrictions like clothes, [is something] I think everyone needs to try at least once. While the concept might be met with skepticism, I see nudity as not inherently sexual but instead our natural state where we can feel both liberated and at home. [After the glamor of modeling wore off], I realized I was very stressed and not satisfied with work, or how I felt mentally and physically. I would go out a lot, drink and eat unhealthily. I grappled with insecurities that many models inevitably develop through the nature of the work; mostly about my appearance. Your entire sense of value is defined by your looks and you can literally lose your livelihood if it changes or falters.”

Modeling’s false hopes

Jannica, who was born and raised in Sweden to a Thai mother and Swedish

father, had a “typical and traditional” childhood.
But she wanted more.

She moved to London in 2004, where she worked in hospitality, before eventually moving into modeling. While initially promised a lifestyle of travel and luxury, Jannica quickly realized the true impacts of the taxing career.

She said: “Expectations of endless youth and perfection are always present. There was always a constant requirement to lose more weight to fit the new collections, even though I was a perfectly healthy weight. And if you don’t start out with hangups about your appearance, by the time your modeling career is over, you’re most likely riddled with them. I knew I didn’t want this anymore and needed a change.”

A new mindset

In 2011, the model went to her first yoga class in a bid to maintain her physical appearance. But her mindset soon shifted.

Jannica said: “The practice began to unravel not only the knots in my body but also in my mind. It was dynamic and powerful – I had never felt so good before. I started going every day and quickly became obsessed, as it was an escape from everything I wanted out from.”

She went on to study the practice in Bali and Thailand, where she later became a full-time yoga teacher and Reiki healer.
Then, in 2020, she discovered ‘True Naked Yoga’ through a friend, which was founded in 2018 and focuses on “visually stunning and expertly designed” yoga flow programs that can be viewed at home.

For Jannica, this involves crafting tutorials and teaching those who wish to heal and empower through the practice. And the benefits speak for themselves.

“ Yoga saved me”

She added: “It was difficult giving up the income I was making from modeling to a minimal salary. I miss the freedom of travel, but I don’t miss being told what to do – and being judged for my looks and size. It was all worth it for my mental health – and to help others. I’m only there as a guide and teacher in the hope that they will be able to discover something beautiful about themselves in life, as I did. Yoga saved me; little-by-little I would quit going out because I wanted to wake up early for it. And with that came more rest, better mental well-being, changes in my diet and more energy. It’s helped to bring me back to the present and serves as a constant reminder to slow down and breathe.”