Big belly and yoga

There's Jessamyn Stanley:

http://jessamynstanley.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxJaVA4Tu6oQaHOppbt8qvA/videos. Might be good for info.

My local studios were always welcoming. Never felt fat shamed. And (good) instructors welcome questions about how to modify for any type of body issue, from size to muscle pulls or injuries. I felt like I got waaaaay more out of a studio class than the few videos I tried. More motivation, more help and adjustments tailored to me and my needs, more gentle corrections when doing something that might hurt me, more everything. When watching a video at home, It was too easy for me to roll over and say,” whew that one was too hard, I’ll just wait for the next pose.”

springlering62 wrote: »

My local studios were always welcoming. Never felt fat shamed. And (good) instructors welcome questions about how to modify for any type of body issue, from size to muscle pulls or injuries. I felt like I got waaaaay more out of a studio class than the few videos I tried. More motivation, more help and adjustments tailored to me and my needs, more gentle corrections when doing something that might hurt me, more everything. When watching a video at home, It was too easy for me to roll over and say,” whew that one was too hard, I’ll just wait for the next pose.”

A good instructor is wonderful for yoga newbies (and not so newbies). I started practicing yoga when I weighed over 200 pounds. My first class was very demoralizing because the teacher didn't pay much attention to individual students or give modifications for poses, and I later learned that some of the poses she was doing in a "beginner" class were rather advanced. Everybody else around me was able to hop into crow pose with no problem, and I felt like a complete failure. It took me a long time to try yoga again after that, and I was still obese when I did find a good teacher.

A good teacher should be suggesting modifications to make poses accessible for students, and giving alternatives for those who can't or don't want to do a pose. For example, I was not able to do shoulder stand when I was obese because I just could not lift my own weight off the ground. My teacher had me do "legs up the wall" pose or use a block to support my rear end instead. A good studio should have props like blocks, straps, blankets, etc. and instruct students on how to use them. Also, it is totally fine in a yoga class to use your hands to shift flesh out of the way. Some instructors remind all the students to do this when appropriate (even those who have less flesh to move). Finally, part of the point of yoga is to observe your body as it is, without judgment. A good teacher should encourage a practice that is appropriate for your body without causing either physical or emotional pain.

Many studios offer free or discounted classes for new students, so you may be able to check out a variety of classes around you and find a teacher you like.

going to classes in the beginning is important. it will help you learn proper alignment and such which will help you not get injured.
a good studio should be welcoming. the studio i work at tries to be welcoming to all body types. i do modifications for those who are little fluffier than others. or i warn them that something might be uncomfortable.

I study martial arts and also some yoga (mostly martial arts). I started at size 24 (morbidly obese) and am now a size 6. What I can do is now different, but it was always about practicing, going slow but getting a little better compared to where I currently was.

The best thing I can say is that for me, a mental shift was needed. I also took on meditation, and that was super helpful for me. The body you have right now is what it is. It's guaranteed to change, and the choices you are making are pushing that change in the direction of more health, flexibility and strength, which is awesome.

While it's not about yoga, you might find James Clear's video on How to Get 1% Better Every Day helpful.

Have fun, and don't stop!