Too fat for yoga?

[Pompelly]

I'm very overweight - have just started to follow a structured exercise routine and decided to try yoga in addition to help improve my strength and balance.

Went to my first class tonight - it was advertised as beginner friendly and suitable for all abilities. I had to pretend I needed the loo about 3/4s of the way through just so I could have a quick rest because my feet were cramping, knees killing me and I was sweating buckets.

Everyone else in the class was "normal" sized - most were slim and petite, some taller stronger builds but nobody visibly fat like me.

I really thought this would be something enjoyable and a more gentle way to be active on a rest day but I just felt embarrassed and gross like I do after my intense cardio classes.

Is it worth perservering?

I don't want to go down the route of chair based etc - I'm young and whilst this was tough I do feel physically better afterwards even if my dignity has taken a beating. Online just isn't for me.

I already know that I need a thicker mat, any other tips for a fatty?

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

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 )

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 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!

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.

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!

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

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

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 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.

Yoga inspiration watch the link for inspiration

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 😀

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’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.

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

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.

Yoga can be really hard. It depends a bit on the teacher and the type. I do three classes. One is very much a relaxation class with some gentle stretching. One is lots of stretching with some strengrh and core work and one is a fast full on workout.

However, in all of them there are suggestions for easier options and a reminder that you can return to child's pose for a rest at any time.

I'd thoroughly recommend tai chi and qi gong. (I've done loads of yoga and pilates over the years but much prefer tai chi.)

If you're determined to keep going (and good for you!), I know a brilliant yoga teacher who teaches online as well as in person (she's in London) and is great with all body sizes and qualified in remedial yoga for those who have extra issues to contend with. If you'd like her details, feel free to DM me.

I’ve been going for a while. Have lost weight on MJ. I still get cramps , sore and sweaty. Depending on the type of yoga it can feel
like a real workout. This teacher on IG is bigger. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3FVOYXt4iP/?igsh=MTlwN3YybGZuNndvbg==

I've done yoga regularly while losing weight (on a GLP1).
I started with a BMI of 41. I felt like I was going to be sick with every forward bend & childs pose was absolutely impossible (arse way up in the air).

There are many modifications you can make as a bigger person though in a class this might not be covered. But there are lots of bigger yoga teachers etc on Instagram and it might be worth following a few and you will quickly learn how to make adaptations to suit your body & practice.

Yoga is so beneficial - you will quickly change as you practice wethter you are losing weight or not. Yoga is perfectly possible for a bigger body - its for every body there is. You don't have to do the pose "perfectly" - whatever you can do will be your yoga & very beneficial to you. Try not to compare yourself with others. Leanrt to use props such as blocks etc. to help with modifications.

Could you have a quite word with teacher, talk about your challenges and ask them to help you with modifications in class - a good teacher should be offering these anyway.

keep going - you will soon feel your body start to become more flexible, more comfortable & strong.

I've done over 400 classes in 18 months - I am very fit & flexiable now, I can get my bum down in childs pose!! Yoga is still a challenge, and yes can feel brutal - in that sense people on every level will be able to do the same class. And remember everyone there was a beginner at some point.

Maybe check out Jessamyn Stanley on YouTube and start from there? Doing bits at home first.

It’s not a fat thing.. yoga feels really hard work and physically awkward at first, but keep going and it actually starts to feel nice, I promise!

Someone suggested Jessamyn Stanley videos, which is a great suggestion for seeing someone with a larger body doing yoga.

I also like yoga with Adrienne (not plus sized) but just to practice some of the basics at home so they feel better when you do them in class.

You’ve done the hardest bit by turning up the first time, so keep going.

I've been loving formerlyfatstephens yoga journey on Insta - fun & inspiring

https://www.instagram.com/p/DX8J5RpNh3Q/

He calls forward bend with hands clasped behind his back "police brutality" 😂

Yoga is a still a workout. Like anything else - if you're not used to it and it's all new to you and you're at the beginning of a fitness journey, it will be hard at first, and to be honest, the fact that it's making you sweat and ache a bit is a good sign from a fitness point of view. That's your body putting the work in! There will be things you can't do at first and the point of yoga is to do what you can and progress over time.

If you're not comfortable in that particular class, there are likely to be others around where you might see more of a range of body types, ages etc, but I would try and persevere for a few weeks. I'd also chat to the teacher afterwards if you have concerns; they're usually really happy to help and suggest modifications etc to the moves if you're struggling.

I've always used a thicker spongy mat for pilates / yoga and I wouldn't want to attempt it with a thin mat.