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?

I do a hot yoga flow class. I'm mid fifties size ten. I never ever come out of class thinking that was lovely and relaxing. It's always bloody hard work. I take a small towel to mop the sweat and rest out if I need to. Wouldn't give it up for the world even though five minutes in I feel ready to give up 🤣

Defo worth persevering. All classes are so, so hard at first, it gets easier.

I go to Hot Pod Yoga and I agree.

Every class, every different ability & every different body and we are all sweating and working to our ability. Everyone is challenged fromthe beginner to the guy who can headstand from crow.

I do a more yin type class every week too (also in the pod) and I sweat in that as well.

I tried yoga with my neighbour who was twice my age. She was so much better than me, but my body shape (curvy!!!) didn't seem to want to do the yoga positions at all. And my boobs and bum got in the way. I thought in some poses I was going to suffocate.

Tai Chi is a much better proposition for me. It looks as though you aren't doing anything but you are actually using a wide variety of muscle groups!

Agree with most PPs... Yoga is an umbrella term and there a lots of disciplines within it. Yes, hatha is more gentle than ashtanga... I started with hatha 6 weeks post partum and soon got hooked and ended up doing ashtanga for years! It's all about the teacher, with yoga. If your teacher isn't giving you what you want then each one will give a different experience so it's worth 'shopping around'.

I just wanted to add about the mental health benefits - yoga is intended to clear the mind (I know that sounds impossible at first but it soon comes, honest!) by marrying the body and breath. Even if you walk out of a class thinking 'bloody hell, I was so busy concentrating I didn't think about work/kids/whatever for a whole hour!' then it's job done 👍🏻 😉 You'll soon find you get so much benefit from that 60/90 mins of head clearing yoga that you can't live without it! Not to mention the physical benefits too - it's such a buzz when you realise are making progress even if it's just that you can finally get an inch further then before.

Keep going, it's amazing 🕉️

No you are not too fat for yoga.
I actually started yoga when I was 7 mos pregnant ages ago.

Yoga looks effortless and just a bit of stretching and is often thought of as not real exercise. This is not the case at all! It can be very intense exercise. It can take more strength and effort to stay still in warrior 2 than to walk on a treadmill.

My first class I was exhausted in less than 10 minutes. Also sweating buckets and embarrassingly had farted loudly a few times too.

It gets better, you get stronger and the best thing is that yoga helps strengthen joints so less chance of injury doing other exercises.

Stick with it. Honestly, shrink the world to you, your mat, your body & breath, the yogi’s voice and ignore everyone else in the class.

I have a bad back and just take a break during the class when I need to and just sit/lie there for a bit if I can't do some bits - I think that's fine to do.

I'd really encourage you to stick with it, OP. There are so many benefits.

I think everyone finds it hard at first and also that their body doesn't seem designed for some of the poses- that's completely normal. Using blocks and straps can really help- I still use blocks for some poses despite having been doing it for 20 years. It's about your particular body and what works for you. Also no shame in taking a child's pose any time you need to rest- that's still yoga- it's a breathing exercise, the movements are secondary.

Try a few different classes/styles if you like. FWIW I know people have mentioned hatha as being gentler and it is but it can still be hard work. Most mainstream forms of yoga are "proper exercise"- they will raise your heart rate and challenge you physically. Yes it's relaxing but that's because, once you've been doing it for a while, it takes you out of your head and into your body. It's not relaxing like having a nice bubble bath is relaxing.

(there is also Yin yoga, which is different again- does challenge you physically but shouldn't raise your heart rate as it involves holding poses for long periods- a great complement to your regular practice.)

Yoga is also the best thing I've found for feeling connected with your body and for self-acceptance. It's really a wonderful part of my life.

Well nobody is going to find any kind of exercise easy the first time they ever do it… yoga is still hard unless you do something very slow like Restore or Yin.

its truly an eye opener where you realise just how much effort/strength/focus etc goes into !"simply" standing with legs apart, one leg bent, with your arms held horizontal (Warrior 2) - we breathe through it and come again.

Yoga is hard. It may not look it but I find it tougher than most exercise classes. It's well worth sticking with it though as the benefits are great.
It's just a coincidence that everyone else at your class is slim. Yoga is for all sizes. Make sure you are following the beginner moves and take a break if you need to. You'll be surprised at how quickly you make progress.

this gorgeous larger woman in the same pose may be more appropriate

I completely recommend Donna Noble's online classes - https://www.instagram.com/curvesomeyoga/ and thenobleartofyoga.co.uk/ she makes her classes really accessible, particularly with using props etc to get the position.

Persevere. It may not be the right class for you, it can take a while sometimes to find the best teacher, type of yoga, and class for you.

The best thing about yoga is that there will always be postures you can do, regardless of shape, size, or age.

Don't expect to be able to ace every posture. I am short and fat and have big issues with shoulder stands due to my boobs getting in the way. Twists are also trickier for me. Otoh I am great at reaching my toes.

Google Jessamyn Stanley as well, she is a passionate advocate for practicing yoga in a larger body.

I'm quite fat (size 18) and have very tight hips and can't bend my knees far enough to sit right back on my heels (never could, even when I was younger and thinner). I almost always feel great after doing yoga. I think your problems are almost certainly more to do with just not being used to it than your size, and things will improve if you stick at it. But also try out different classes because some instructors are better than others at encouraging you to make adaptations and making you feel there's nothing wrong with that. I had one once who was always banging on about how I wouldn't get any benefit out of the sitting back on your heels poses if I didn't try harder to do what I simply cannot do.

Feeling a wee bit overwhelmed after reading all of these. Thank you all for your lovely encouragement, positivity and for sharing your thoughts.

As much as I felt embarrassed yesterday I do think that was mostly down to being self conscious about my size and most of all the sweating.
I had pain in my knees and feet but think this would have been more tolerable if I'd had the confidence to just stop when it was really too much.

I'm certain this wasn't "gym yoga" as it takes place in a small studio that only offers yoga as opposed to a wide variety of exercise.

The instructor was very nice and I might have missed some chat at the start about what to do if you need a rest etc. so maybe next time I'll feel more reassured that I can just pause if I need to.

In hindsight, I actually loved the way I felt whilst doing some of the poses and today I feel a bit achey but in a good way.

Going to have a look through insta at some of the recommended pages and see if that helps me to get the hang of some of the poses. It's so refreshing to see some bigger bodies doing this too!

Recommendations for a thick mat welcome - preferably not one that will break the bank!

Please don’t give up! I’m fat and do yoga, you will gain strength and flexibility if you keep going. You’ve done the hardest part by showing up to the first class! Don’t quit!

I always think I am the sweatiest at hot yoga. Sometimes I come out completely drenched and my kids will ask if I’ve had a shower my hair is so wet. But I’m short sighted & the pod is dark so I don’t really know if it’s true or not. It’s 37 degrees and meant to be hot. After final relaxation last night the very slim woman in front of me was laughing how inside her ears was dripping with sweat & I get that too.

Getting hot & sweaty in normal temp yoga is good too - your body moves so much better when it’s warm.

women are too often shamed by sweat. I’ve felt this myself in the past & it pains me to see my teen daughters trying to avoid sweating. Sweating shows your body is working, growing strong. Sweating shows your body is doing what it’s designed to do.

Release yourself into the sweat of your bodies delightful movement- it’s liberating.

Really do just buy a second "normal" mat and use two, then you have the option to just use one if you'd rather.

Or if possible, just fold your mat over under your knee etc when needed?

Well done on starting, its made a massive difference to me and is the only thing I've ever stuck to

The instructor was very nice and I might have missed some chat at the start about what to do if you need a rest etc. so maybe next time I'll feel more reassured that I can just pause if I need to.

Ok, in this case, try coming early the next time. Some instructors will get a word with the newcomers, ask about experience and health limitations. If not, you can mention it's your second time ever, and you found it hard to keep up, and the instructor should encourage the rest/alternative positions.

And it's absolutely ok to use the easier options as much as you like, this isn't sprint, this is about getting a positive habit.

In my eyes the best instructor isn't the one with the most flexible body, but the one who can adjust to beginners and people with healt limitations.

I was physically sick at my first yoga class 10 years ago, but it was hot yoga and I couldn't cope. I was a size 12-14 then, and maybe 11 stone.

It didn't help me lose weight at all though. The only thing which has done that are spinning classes.

I'd be wary of hot yoga. You absolutely do move more easily when it's warmer, but I almost fainted in a hot yoga class. I have also learnt kundalini isn't for me, nor is laughter yoga (though that was a really tough workout on the abs.) It's good to try different styles if they're available though, and you might find one you really love.

I have a friend who used to do iron man competitions where you run a marathon, bike and swim in the same day. Took her to a yoga class once and she said it was impossible! It's like any new exercise and may feel horrible at first but it's a great way of moving and it does get easier. Just remember to breathe!!

Yes! I was also going to suggest Yoga with Adrienne if you wanted to get some practice in at home. Her mantra is "find what feels good" and I think that really helps and might give you the confidence to do a child's pose / take the easier option if the class that you go to is a bit intense! She does 30 days of yoga series and the day 8 video is always a nice relaxing session 😊

There is no danger of me attempting hot yoga! I hate being too warm 😆