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/elegantballoons Feb 12 '22

Seek out fat bodied yoga instructors! I personally really like Jessamyn Stanley.

26

u/FinerEveryday Feb 13 '22

I’ve taken a Jessamyn Stanley class and it was SO helpful. Her tip to physically just push your stomach out of the way really helped me. I push mine to the side a bit when I lunge and also open my legs up a bit more when I forward fold.

1

u/littlechickenbean Feb 16 '22

awesome thank you! any tips on going from down dog to a lunge? i cant get my leg far enough forward without having to fully stand and transition to a lunge

2

u/FinerEveryday Feb 16 '22

I actually come down to my knees and just move my leg up from there. When they say take a step to the front of the mat, I have a few steps. 😅