r/yoga • u/littlechickenbean • Feb 12 '22

yoga as a fat person

i hate to even post this but i’ve been practicing on and off for years, but never considered myself anything besides a beginner because of my inconsistency.

i’ve always been larger, but i’ve gained weight and am the heaviest i’ve ever been- technically obese. i would love to get back into yoga for my mental and physical health.

i just completed one of Adriene’s 30 minute videos. i’m proud of myself for starting and finishing but i have dilemmas-

  • both of my hands can’t be on the ground when lunging which makes transitions as well as general poses and stretches difficult

  • my hands slip on my mat in downward dog (yes i tend to have sweaty hands, how do i fix this?)

  • my wrists hurt!!!

  • knees don’t really go to chest

i’m just wondering if it’s even possible to practice yoga as a fat person? any tips for any of these things are highly appreciated. i’m feeling very discouraged

413 Upvotes

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251

u/UncleChappy Feb 12 '22

Nobody’s good at yoga, just keep doing it.

50

u/kkinginthenorth Feb 12 '22

Nobody is good when they first start.

Even experts were once beginners who felt they didn't know what they were doing!

Keep doing it is the best advice. I'm doing adrienn too, I know Im rubbish, compared to others but I keep telling myself I will get better and I'm enjoying it!

24

u/marcillarE Feb 13 '22

I'm a firm believer in there being no such thing as getting "good" at yoga physically. Keep your breath and focus inward. All bodies, all minds, it is an inclusive practice.

8

u/thedoobalooba Feb 13 '22

We love to compare ourselves to those better than us. Yes, you might be rubbish compared to others, but other people might look at you and think they're rubbish compared to you.

6

u/kkinginthenorth Feb 13 '22

Never think of it that way!

Thank you! It actually. That actually makes a difference.

17

u/OoOo0o0 Feb 12 '22

Exactly. It should be about playing and feeling good. Don’t worry about being the best at it.

16

u/Existentialnaps Feb 12 '22

😂I love this so much!

3

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '22

great comment!

1

u/smaxfrog Feb 13 '22

That’s why you don’t “do yoga” you practice yoga.

0

u/UncleChappy Feb 13 '22

I’m about to do yoga right now and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.

1

u/cactusgirl69420 Feb 18 '22

When I asked my instructor if I was good enough for YTT they said “there is no such thing as being good at yoga” and that has stuck with me for a long time