She’s the model, author and dance fanatic who’s all about finding the feelgood and championing individuality
YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY SEEN HER COOKING SHOW – conducted on roller skates – or enjoyed her hip-hop dance class videos on Instagram. Or you may know Naomi Shimada in one of her other guises as a successful model, author and social activist who’s fast becoming the voice of a generation (though she probably wouldn’t want you to say that). In fact she is such a multi-hyphenate hero that the Evening Standard even named her one of London’s most influential people. Fun, fresh and irreverent, Naomi’s star is very much on the rise.
Born in Japan, raised in Spain and currently residing in London, Naomi started modelling over ten years ago and made her name speaking out against the unrealistic body standards of the industry. Her candid, relatable approach to her career has made her something of a social media star.
But last year, Naomi found herself dependent on Instagram, leading to mental health and anxiety issues and resulting in her co-writing the book Mixed Feelings: Exploring The Emotional Impact Of Our Digital Habits, along with journalist Sarah Raphael. An examination of social media and its associated neuroses, the book delves into what these platforms are really doing to our self esteem.
We caught up with Naomi to find out about her passion for life, her love of dance and her struggle with sports bras…
First of all, how have you coped with lockdown?
To be honest, I am feeling emotional and overwhelmed with the state of the world… but because of this I am feeling immense gratitude for the things in my life – my health, the love and support I have, the roof over my head and the work I still get to do. I’m not sure how things will be week to week as the pandemic continues, but I know I am one of the lucky ones.
How do you make sure you are taking care of your health and wellbeing?
I try to take care of my health and wellbeing every day, but there are times when I veer off course. Before lockdown I was actually in the best shape I’ve ever been in, but quarantine really made me drop my routine.
How are you picking your routine back up?
My favourite way to move my body is – hands down – dance. There are never-ending kinds to try and it’s literally the funnest way to exercise. Whatever’s on my mind just dissipates into the air and all that matters is being in that room. For me dancing is a meditation, a sacred ritual. It’s a beautiful moment shared between everyone in the room to move us onto a higher frequency.
Where does your passion for dance come from?
I danced a lot when I was a child – and then didn’t for years. I really believe that dancing is such an innate quality for human beings. Every indigenous culture has a dance. I think it’s a travesty that most of us think we have to be good dancers in order to dance. I think the world would be a much better, loving and just place if we danced together more often.
How vital is it to feel comfortable in the skin you’re in?
Even that term ‘feeling comfortable in your own skin’ is so nuanced, but in general it means embracing not only how we look, but how we feel and the language we use to think and talk about ourselves. To me it means accepting the present version of yourself as who you truly are. Not to live in the idea of who you can be in the future, but love who you are today. I try to remember to treat myself as I would a friend, but it’s not easy!
What would you say is your biggest motivation to exercise?
My biggest motivation to exercise is for my mental wellbeing. I know I can’t be the best version of myself when I don’t sweat and move my body. Exercise makes me a kinder, more patient and joyous person.
Do you ever get put off from wearing certain types of fitness wear, perhaps because they are uncomfortable?
The thing I struggle with the most is sports bras, I have big boobs and it’s a struggle to get the right support. I usually end up having to double up on bras, which is definitely not comfortable!
Do you like to mix up sportswear into your everyday looks?
I think I’m not alone here when I say I spent most of lockdown in leggings! I get up most mornings and put on sportswear to help get me in the mood to work out. I feel like once I have it on I have to get going, even when I’m feeling lazy!
Can you sum up your book, Mixed Feelings, for us?
Mixed Feelings is a book that delves deep into how our digital habits have affected our innermost lives. How it’s affected the way we work, think about our bodies, the way we love. Social media is so often a place of projection and performance that we wanted to create a space of vulnerability, in the hope that by us being honest it would free others up to feel less alone.
What would be your number one tip for keeping social media habits balanced with real life?
Remember, these apps are made to get us addicted, so it’s easy to lose hours of your life as well as trigger all sorts of anxieties. My personal tip is to delete apps for periods of time, but if that’s something you don’t want to do then use an app like Self Control that can help you limit and curb your time on it.
Where are you finding the joy right now?
I am trying to find joy in the smallest of things, a butterfly flying past me, a phone call with a friend, cycling past a jasmine bush. I think 2020 so far has been about simplifying and restructuring our scope for joy. That joy is resilience, joy is love amidst pain and what we need to feel to survive.
Naomi is hosting a Latin dance class for our Wellbeing Festival on 5th September
