![]() ![]() Growing up with a very athletic build (broad shoulders from diving and big legs from figure skating), I was always self-conscious about my body because it wasn’t traditionally “feminine.” But, considering I have been all shapes and sizes in my life, that’s been a recent development in my life since about 2014. #Girl power tattoos professional#I have a full-time job, but a huge part of my identity is being a professional natural bodybuilder. Societal expectations and misunderstandings about what actually happens on a biological level when you strength train force us to gravitate toward the tiny pink dumbbells and resort to unsafe dieting practices. ![]() See a woman benching more than her body weight? She’s a weirdo. If a man can bench press three plates, he’s seen as an advanced strength trainee and not to be messed with. When I think of “girl power,” I think of independent badass women, who have control over their lives and finances, are physically strong and healthy, and have their own unique style and way of thinking.Īs in the west, it’s all-too-common for women in Japan to avoid picking up the weights as to avoid the societally ingrained fear of “getting too big.” It’s becoming rare to find strength trainees in Japan who train for anything other than aesthetics, given the popularity of weight loss services such as Rizap. Many women are led to believe that’s enough “girl power.” Diet, drink juice, and hold the pink dumbbells. Deadlifting twice your bodyweight is most often considered scary and having calluses and chalk on your hands from lifting is certainly not feminine. When it comes to health, maybe your “ joshiryoku ” level is high if you order juice cleanses or frequent an oshare hot yoga studio. You’d be a good wifey and you embody old-school femininity. ![]() The nuance of the Japanese term “ joshiryoku ” (literally, girl power) is, however, far different and describes the “power” to be the all-encompassing “feminine woman.” If you’re referred to as someone that’s “ joshiryoku takai” (high-level of “girl power”) you likely have a spotless home, cook elaborate meals, always have your nails and makeup done perfectly and are a great socializer. When I think of “girl power,” I think of independent badass women, who have control over their lives and finances, are physically strong and healthy, and have their own unique style and way of thinking. Here's one way to redefine girl power as a foreign woman in Japan. Why do we, as women, shy away from being strong when we are strong by nature. ![]()
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