Yoga For the Larger Woman

For the larger woman, yoga is something that many of us do not consider. Yoga involves getting on the floor and contorting into positions that are humanly impossible. Yoga stretches the body, opens any blocked energy channels and clears the mind. Larger women would benefit from all that yoga has to offer. Here are some suggestions for taking that yoga class, even if you will not be caught dead in a pair of skin tight yoga pants.

Dress comfortably. Most people in the yoga class will be thin. This is a fact of nature. People that do yoga tend to be very healthy and healthy people tend to be thin. The thin people will be wearing tank tops and tight pants and they will think nothing of it. Wear clothes that are not too baggy, but don't feel like you have to wear things that are too tight. Wear clothes that you can tuck in and ones that you won't find up around your neck should you find yourself in an upside down position.

Bring an extra thick mat to class. If you are not able to find an extra thick mat, use two mats on top of each other. Yoga has many moves where you are on your hands and feet only, your knees, or one foot only. Having an extra thick mat will reduce the stress on your body. As a larger person you need the extra mat because it is ridiculous to think that one tiny mat will protect your knees from the floor. Think about using an extra mat as giving yourself what you need to get through the workout without pain.

If you can't do a position, modify it as best as you can. You will find that you can do many of the moves in a yoga class if you just modify things slightly. If you are really worried, talk to the instructor before hand. Let them know you are new to yoga and you are nervous that you will have trouble due to your size. Remember that yoga is not supposed to hurt. Just being there is your success.

If you really can't do a position, sit in the child's pose, or stretch out. Don't be afraid wait out a pose because it is just too difficult for you. You will still benefit from the class and not overdo it at the same time.

Look for a class that is for beginners. Classes labeled, "all levels welcome" tend to be more intense than classes for beginners only. Know that flow yoga moves quickly and as a beginner, you may not know enough positions to keep up with the class. Look around and you will find the right class for you.

As larger women, we must stick together. Encourage any larger friends you have to take a yoga class with you. Talk to your local YMCA or yoga studio and ask them if they can hold a class for larger people. Yoga can bring you an overall sense of well being in a very short time and we should not be missing out on this opportunity.

Learn more about this author, Melissa Nykorchuk.
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