Too fat for yoga?

Ha Mr Monkey is a skinny marathon runner (34 marathons under his belt most sub 3.30hr). The look of horror when he tried his first yoga class (on advice of his physio) was priceless. He thought it would be just some easy stretching.

I’m pretty fit - run a lot etc. yoga is absolutely brutal at first 😂

I’ve just started yoga ( four classes) and find it really hard but am just beginning to feel anything other than discombobulated by the whole thing. I’m so pleased I’ve persevered though. I did Pilates for a year and initially struggled with that too after never really exercising before. I was about to describe myself as formally fat but I’m easily the largest at yoga and don’t really care. Keep going OP, it really is worth it.

Yes, I’ve got a lot of experience but some of these classes can still feel challenging. It’s never been a problem for me but I have really felt for some people I’ve seen in classes who clearly (and reasonably) were expecting a beginner-friendly experience. I can see how it could knock someone’s confidence and enthusiasm.

I know how you feel! But keep going - I can also highly recommend Yoga by Adrienne on YouTube - I love her videos and try to do a couple most days. I was a size 24 - 26 for most of my adult life and found yoga tough - was/am also the biggest woman in the room when I went to classes. Am currently a size 14 - 16 and still find it really hard! I am not very flexible at all, but do find it give me such a good feeling afterwards and I just do what I can. The breathing is really important - if I can remember to keep breathing it seems slightly easier to do 😀

Yoga inspiration watch the link for inspiration

I have had this discussion with my gym. They advertise all classes as "all levels" when they plainly aren't. I have been doing yoga (on and off) since I was 14 and still can't deal with some of their classes. It's super unhelpful.

Long time lurker, first time commenter AND chubby yoga teacher here.

Keep going! It's not a fat thing, it's a first time thing. Any good yoga teacher should be offering modifications, but here are some tips...

• Bend your knees, pretty much always
• Widen your stance (especially in forward folds, even in downward dog)
• Take child's pose anytime you want, no one will judge you (if it's uncomfy, try it with your big toes together and your knees wide)
• Breathe. Every movement connects with an inhale or exhale. Exaggarate them. It will help.
• Don't think about how it looks, focus on how it feels in your body
• Don't push anything to the point of pain. 'Soft edge' is what we look for...the little tingle of productivity, but you can still breathe fully and easily.
• Loose yoga pants over leggings
• Use blocks for anything where you feel like you need to tense or push to get into the asana.
• If your knees are hurting (you say you need a thicker mat) folded blanket under the knees does wonders.

That's about it! But keep going and try to enjoy :)

I’ve been doing yoga for years and have invariably found that a lot of classes advertised as suitable for beginners or all levels actually aren’t. They assume you at least know asana names and how to move in and out of them. I’ve seen real beginners struggling or leaving classes halfway through at loads of different studios.

Please don’t be disheartened by this. I’d recommend finding a class or workshop that focuses on the absolute basics to help you get started and build up your confidence. Then you’ll hopefully feel more able to join other classes. Good luck

There’s a larger yoga teacher on instagram she’s amazing - follow her lucybyoga - she’s totally inspiring

Another one suggesting you stick with it! It is definitely a first class thing. It will get easier. The whole philosophy of yoga is progress not perfection, and yoga poses can always be tailored to where you are at. I am a huge yoga addict, and I've been overweight and not over the the years, but it has always been beneficial, both physically and mentally. My yoga studio also has gentler classes, which you might want to start with and look out for - classes focused on stretching/relaxation/yin yoga. Good luck!

Try Ddp yoga (aka YRG). It's starts slow, its gentle and even my 20st husband was able to do it. You can buy the dvds online so no need to go to a class, can do it at your own pace, whenever you have a spare half hour. I like to do the Energy routine in the morning before breakfast and work.

I ache more after my Pilates class than 8 do after the gym. Keep going. I remember mouthing ‘what am I supposed to do with my stomach’ at another middle aged woman with a tummy in class as we were supposed to be bending over. We nearly got thrown out for giggling.

my Pilates class is all shapes and sizes and she does lots of adjustments for people.

im not keen on yoga as too many downward dogs makes me dizzy. But keep going!

Im not overweight but getting stiffer and older as I age. Pilates is far gentler and slower to follow compared to yoga. Excellent for your balance and core strength. Try that first then progress to yoga. Good luck.

I've never done yoga or pilates in my life, and I'm betting that I'd be a sweaty red achey mess at a beginners class (and FWIW, I'm 51kg in weight, 5ft 4 tall, have a physical/active job and easily hit 15-20k steps a day). Just put it this way, I almost fell off the spin bike at the end of a beginners spin class once (and I'm used to cycling and running!), where a bunch of people 30yrs older than me wiped the floor with me! I think it's fab that you're getting out there and going to a class. Speak to the teacher and keep at it, you'll find things easier as you learn more :)

I would love to learn pilates and yoga, but my work shifts aren't fixed so it is very difficult to find classes that I can actually attend on a regular basis (so I will be looking up some of the home video classes that people have mentioned here :D )

Oh, one of my best ever yoga teachers was a big girl... she was incredible.

Keep going! The teacher should offer rests if people are struggling. You can always sit it out for a bit... just take Savasana on the floor until you feel able to join in.

WELL DONE YOU!!!!

Don't stop! Yoga will make you strong and flexible but most of all help you work on your self acceptance. Weight is irrelevant in yoga, it's your time for you - try to let the negative thoughts pass you by. I second the suggestions to tell the teacher you might need to lie on the mat but you don't even need to tell her. Lots of people do this, me included. When I met my partner we were both very fit and I took him to a yoga class. He thought it would be some nice easy stretching and we would go to do some 'real exercise' later. I rolled my eyes inwardly as I'd been to that class before. Ten minutes later he was drenched in sweat whimpering like a puppy on the mat. Keep going at your own pace, enjoy it - you are doing fantastic things for yourself.

I think yoga has this reputation of being relaxing and gentle but it's hard! Holding your body weight in different moves is tough and it requires a lot of coordination. I know I can't do some moves (hi crow pose) so I take the opportunity to rest in child's pose and join back in.

You've had a couple of great accounts recommended, I'd add "Lucy b yoga" on Instagram too. She's got a great attitude to fitness.

Another voice to say stick with it!

Yoga is hard! I often come away a little bit achey and tired - my god do I sleep well that night! There are basic that I still can’t do despite doing it for a year. I also get sweaty but then, I’m also menopausal so anything makes me sweat!

Go back, focus on your mat and your movement.

if you have to provide your own equipment, I say get some yoga blocks and then ask your yogi how to use them to support your movements.

I’m a big lass too - my belly and boobs prevent me doing some poses the same as others but your poses are yours! Enjoy them and watch yourself get fitter and stronger.

@ReadingSoManyThreads
I do Pilates and Yoga and, in my experience, Pilates is a little bit tougher on the body.
I do Fitness Pilates and Fitness Yoga so both are definitely a workout!
When I was phasing myself back into exercise after a short illness, my instructor recommended starting back with Yoga.

Go for it, this is about you and your process and I admire anyone trying to improve themselves and their wellbeing especially when you can feel judged and self conscious- you are brilliant to have gone. I'd bet that the other people in the class feel similar to me and think good for you, but if they don't, what do they want, bigger less fit people to lock themselves away and do nothing about it - that's ridiculous, judgey and cold so anyone thinking like that deserves to be ignored!!! I am a sweaty person when exercising, I swear it's because I have super thick hair 😂 not because I am 2 stone overweight!!! sometimes I spiral about it like if I'm at line dancing or something that other people don't appear to be sweating but then the anxiety just makes it worse for me and I get in a state so this year I am just letting it go and focusing on my own needs and my own process and getting fitter. I do a lot at home though just because it suits me, would doing the odd YouTube yoga be an option for you to build up quickly?

My friends and amazing yoga teacher. Older lady who's probably an 18.
Try a different class or book some 1:1 classes. Iv found leisure centre classes can have more of a mixed vibe.

I let one yoga class put me off for life qnd I wish I hadnt. Iv a friend who's older lady and size 18 and she is anazing yoga teaxher. She has really helped me

I have done yoga for almost 30 years now (yikes!) in my twenties i was thin as a stick and i was able to do all the tricky poses. Then i had kids, life overwhelmed me, i stopped yoga and became obese (bmi 34)… when i decided to return to yoga i really struggled with my body shape: my belly was getting in the way of my bending poses, i couldnt twist as well and i just couldn’t do inversions any more: i was too heavy and had lost all my muscles… i persevered with “soft” and relaxing yoga classes which were good for keeping me moving (better than staying on sofa) and good for mobility and balance. People in these classes were perhaps slimmer than me but had various pains etc that prevented them to do a more challenging type of yoga. Then thru diet, exercise and i’ll admit WLI, i lost 3.5 stones. But i did not lose it straight away. After losing my first stome i joined a hot yoga and pilate studio. The classes were super challenging, i felt i was the only fatty one. And i was dying after each class. My first class i had to get out because i thought i was going to puke, it was so hard… but I kept at it. I soon realised i wasnt the only obese one and that little by little i was getting better at it. It is really motivating to witness progress week after week. Of course i lost lots of weight over the course of one year. I am still overweight and one of the “cuddly” ones at this particular studio! But i dont care. Like the others, i only wear a bra and my 3/4 leggings now and let my rolls breathe during class! The other cuddly ones have long tshirts. I am older as well (50yo) and actually i hope that by being at ease with my “cuddliness” and belly rolls, i am showing younger women that they dont have to feel pressured into thinness. With every class i am gaining strength and doing good to my body. I am no longer trying to lose weight. I feel great and “i” think i look great! I am working on being able to do press-ups and i also want to be able to do a head stand at some point, like when i was in my 20s! If you like yoga, just go for it. Everyone is focused on themselves in the class anyway. You are only competing with yourself, and you dont have to do that. You can just enjoy caring for your body through movement. Have fun!

Yes, persevere and well done you for going. It will get easier and do you good.