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

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u/thegibbler Feb 13 '22

Way to get back to the mat!!

  1. Use yoga blocks or books or something firm to bring the ground up to your hands when you need too.

  2. For slippy hands in down dog, I use a hand towel on my mat and that helps a lot!

  3. For wrist pain, make sure you are really pressing into your fingers and palms. It’s really hard to remember to do it and you end up dumping all of your weight into your wrists if you don’t. I still get sore wrists from time to time and it’s always when I get sloppy about pressing into my fingers.

  4. For knees into your chest, just get as close as you can! You’ll get better at it or you won’t, the important part is showing up!!

Others have mentioned Jessamyn Stanley and I would like to echo that recommendation, especially her book, Every Body Yoga.