Do fat people do yoga?

I started doing Yoga at 260 pounds. It was hard and it wasn't pretty, but I improved with each class and now I can do almost everything. You might try going to a gym. A live instructor can suggest modifications that can make things more manageable and allow you to get started.

I am obese and I love yoga! I don't have the confidence to actually go to a class but I have lots of yoga dvd's. Sure, I can't do all the poses as well as 'skinny people' but I do the best I can and I love it. As I lose weight I notice a big difference in how limber I am and how far I can stretch.

I've taken a couple of classes and the instructor was good about giving modifications to suit the beginners. I'm pretty flexible anyway and also am really in the mindset of "I don't care if people are watching, I'm doing my thang" If I hadn't had that attitude from the start, I wouldn't have lost as much as I have. Remember you are doing this for you, and everyone else is there for themselves, and probably won't be watching you:) Good luck!

Hi!

I have been going to yoga for years and I've seen all kinds of people coming to give it a shot.
It's really great and don't let your weight be a barrier. If you stick with it you'll see that everyone has his own "disabilities" or things that make it hard for them to do yoga. It's very individual so try not to compare yourself with others (I know it's hard, but it's worth the struggle
Don't worry about it and try to stay focused on what your doing on your mat, you don't have to be "good" at yoga in order to benefit from it and enjoy it and like everything else in life... stick with it and it'll just get easier and easier

I, and several other women I know who are my size, do yoga all of the time. Look up pictures of Indian women doing Yoga. There are LOTS of us "fat" women doing it.

Yes, I believe you had bad videos and/or expected yourself to be able to do the poses/stretches perfectly right out of the starting gate.

Getting into Yoga is like getting into Martial Arts. You don't start off busting boards and wielding katanas on your first session. Arnold Schwarzenegger did not become Mr. Universe the first time he picked up a dumb bell. The base lesson of Yoga is patience. Patience with your body. Patience with your breath. Patience with becoming one with the moves you are doing. In Yoga, you go at your own pace and not of someone else's. If the instructor is expecting you to hit poses perfectly, they are not a teacher you want.

Yes, I would suggest joining a class. It may teach you the basics.

As for videos, my personal favorite is "Crunch Fitness: The Joy of Yoga". It's very low impact, yet high work out too.

Oh find a good teacher and/or studio!!!!!!!!

Yoga should never hurt.
Yoga is not about achieving the perfect pose.
But the journey toward your pose.
Focus on alignment, not how far or deep you can get into the pose.
Often when you relax into a pose you get a better stretch.
It's a lot about using you body as weights or using the weight of your body to achieve a better stretch.

Push enough that you can feel the stretch, but never feel pain.
It is a gradual process, that you hardly notice until you think back and say hey last year I couldn't do that.
I read somewhere those who practice yoga over the long term also tend to maintain a healthy weight over the long term.

OH YES!!!!!!
Remember to breath.

I started yoga last year when I was pushing 290, I am around 210 now. I believe most of my weight loss, strength and flexibility comes from my practice. Do what you can do and take your time learning. You will notice the difference as you improve.
V.

Yes, definitely go to a class. In the class I go to there are people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and weights. People will be too focused on looking at the instructor and/or themselves in the mirror to notice you. Also, being "fat" doesn't necessarily mean you'll be bad at yoga. I'm thin, but very inflexible so some of the heavier people that have been doing yoga longer than I have put me to shame. Let your instructor know that you're new to yoga and they will give you modifications for most moves and just sit the ones out that seem impossible right now. Good luck!

I do yoga and I absolutely love it! I am a beginner and I can't do all the poses, but I am getting there slowly I have yoga DVD's that I follow at home. I have too much of a busy schedule to go to the gym. I really love Elena Brower DVD's and philosophy about yoga. Don't push your body to do more than what it can and you should be fine.

yes, we do yoga (us not so skinny people)

take a beginners class, just concentrate on imitating the poses as best as you can, breathe through your nose...

I've done both DVDs and classes...if you talk to the instructor beforehand they can be helpful. Good luck!

i do yoga, and i have been doing it even while i was quite fat. i'm probably one of the fattest handful in my class, and even though i've been doing it for over 10 years, i will never be able to do certain moves because of my dodgy knees.

If you have a good instructor and are doing a beginners class, they should have alternatives for all ages and all levels of flexibility.

I once did a class where it was full of grannies, the instructor was 86 years old and a super yoga freak! She was awesome.

i do a reasonably advanced class now, and there are plenty of things i can't do. but even really fit people, especially people who run and have tight hamstrings, can't do many of the moves. and they are watching me (fatty over here) being able to do twice as much as them probably wondering whats wrong if i can do it and they can't.

it's not about getting to the same position as the instructor, it's about getting to your limit, and working there. It should never be painful. That is the most important thing about yoga, you do what you can do and stop, don't try and stick your head up your butt, if you just aren't that flexible. many classes i've done in my time have older people, injured people and all sizes. it doesn't matter if you can touch your toes or if you are still only half way there, the benefits are still there. It's very important not to overdo it.

I, and several other women I know who are my size, do yoga all of the time. Look up pictures of Indian women doing Yoga. There are LOTS of us "fat" women doing it.

Yes, I believe you had bad videos and/or expected yourself to be able to do the poses/stretches perfectly right out of the starting gate.

Getting into Yoga is like getting into Martial Arts. You don't start off busting boards and wielding katanas on your first session. Arnold Schwarzenegger did not become Mr. Universe the first time he picked up a dumb bell. The base lesson of Yoga is patience. Patience with your body. Patience with your breath. Patience with becoming one with the moves you are doing. In Yoga, you go at your own pace and not of someone else's. If the instructor is expecting you to hit poses perfectly, they are not a teacher you want.

Yes, I would suggest joining a class. It may teach you the basics.

As for videos, my personal favorite is "Crunch Fitness: The Joy of Yoga". It's very low impact, yet high work out too.

Soooo true, thanks for this comment! I am a martial arts student and I try to get yoga in a few times a month atleast. I have a yoga video called "My Size Yoga" by Megan Garcia. It's great for us "fluffy" girls and it tells you how to improvise some of the moves until you can do them. It's even available on Netflix!!

I have a friend that is about the same size as you (height and weight) and she has gone to many yoga classes...and has never felt out of place!! If you would rather start with a DVD to get the moves down...I recommend Denise Austin's "Yoga Burn", or The Biggest Loser's "weightloss yoga"!!!

but yes...I am gonna say it...."never let anyone's opinions stand in the way of your health!" you are doing great, and just keep on going!