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Plus Size Yoga

Ranked #422 in Healthy Living, #10,123 overall

We Are Not Limited By Our Curves

Yes, plus size women can and do participate in yoga practise. If you are plus size but haven't discovered the benefits and joy of yoga then you have come to the right place.

This lens is your one stop shop to plus size yoga. You will find reviews of my favorite CDs and books as well as links to some of the best yoga sites on the web.

Yoga is a fun, relaxing, strengthening form of exercise that is good for your body and your mind.

Namaste!

The Beauty of Yoga

It is not limited by location

Yoga in Peggy's Cove by lululemon athletica
Savasana Wrap - Blanket Style by lululemon athletica
Array by Jen SFO-BCN
Yoga in Bali by lululemon athletica
yoga in venezuela by lululemon athletica
jean'sbiophoto.jpg by spikeyfruit
curated content from Flickr

Yoga Just My Size with Megan Garcia

In an intro, Megan discusses how she came to perform yoga, how she was motivated to produce a video and how it works. She talks about being self conscious and limited by her size and what yoga has done for her. This video is designed to increase self confidence, produce a sense of calm, lengthen tight muscles and improve posture. Weight loss is not the focus of this video. Like with most exercise videos, there is a caution for all viewers especially if you're pregnant or menstruating.

Yoga: Just My Size is divided into 3 sections: Warm up, Workout, and Deep Relaxation. Throughout the twenty minute routine Megan wears a body hugging unitard showing off her chubby belly and double chin. According to her website, her frame is 210 pounds, the 5'10" and a size 18. As Megan performs the moves a voice narrates directions on how to perform them and what to use. The background music is louder and annoying, bordering on cheesy cheap.

The warm up works through five slow, non-strenuous movements, holding each posture for five deep breaths. After a lunge transition to the standing position for the workout Megan performs five new postures, again with five deep breaths. This set is repeated once more before doing another lunge transition, to the floor to do four more poses as a transition to prepare the body for the final step, deep relaxation.

Tips are not given through the video so it's important, if you're not going to watch the whole video right through to at least watch the special tips section first. Here she provides some info on how to use a chair, pillow, wall or shoulder block for a few of the popular poses.

In a short interview at the end, Megan declares, "I want to help women feel beautiful and confident, in their own skin." She feels anyone larger than a size 8 must practise yoga because, "Yoga forces you to look inside."

I have some experience with yoga; both with classes and on my own. I found the moves easy to do with little strain. The great thing about the DVD is you can easily skip the intro and go right into the warm up. I hate DVDs that make you go through opening credits to get to the starting point. As a time saver the warm-up would be an excellent mini energizer in the morning and the deep relaxation at night would help settle the day before sleep.

As I mentioned earlier, the music is a bit cheesy. The alternating clips of rushing clouds are hypnotic. Megan doesn't provide the instruction. The simple moves provide an excellent platform for beginners but are perhaps too simplified for advanced practitioners other than a change of view and routine to their video collection. It is short so there are no excuses for not fitting it into your activity schedule a few times a week. I'm sure you'll be addicted in no time.

Menu Options:

Entire Program
Intro
Warm-Up
The Workout
Deep Relaxation
Special Tips (modifications)
Interview
Just My Size Brand Video
Weblinks
Language selection

Just My Size is available from Amazon.

Breath

Six Foot Mandala Round Yoga Mat

Now here is a yoga mat that a plus size yogi can be proud of. No more readjusting to stay on the mat. No more hanging off the mat while doing floor work. And it's big enough to share with a toddler.

This six foot mandala yoga mat is available from Yoga Accessories for $74.95.

Get your own Six Foot Mandala Round Yoga Mat.

Plus Size Yoga Wear

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Junonia

For active wear and casual clothing in the latest more...2 points

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Always for Me

Tights, pants, capris, tanks, and bras.2 points

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Danskin

Find fashion-forward picks for fitness and casual more...0 points

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Just My Size

Pants, tops, bras and more0 points

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CafePress: Funny t-shirts, unique gifts, and custom t-shirts

Over 15 pages of yoga saying T-Shirts0 points

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Plus Size Active Wear

It's a common misconception that plus size chics d more...0 points

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Threadless graphic t-shirt designs; cool & funny t-shirts weekly! Tees designed by the community.

New graphic t-shirts released weekly. Awesome new more...0 points

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Alight

Capri, leggings, tanks, and bras from Alight.0 points

Sun Salutations

This is not a teaching video. It's just pretty to watch.
powered by Youtube

Mega Yoga

Megan Garcia is a plus size model for both magazine and catalogues. In 2005 she was the instructor for the Just My Size yoga video. Mega Yoga is her own venture based on her years as a practitioner and certified yoga instructor in Manhattan, New York.

Mega Yoga covers the basic concepts of yoga and focuses strongly on the ability to treat yourself with compassion and avoid judgement. Or as Megan says, to take up space with no second thoughts. In the physical realm it teaches you how to use props like straps, blocks, walls and chairs to intensify or modify a pose.

With a motivating voice she guides readers through breath, movement and meditation to generate strength and sensitivity via Hatha (movement) yoga, all modified for the plus size woman. An ongoing theme throughout Mega Yoga is the importance of getting to know your body and how it works. Because plus size women have cushions where the average yoga user doesn't Megan offers "skills" such as moving the flesh and binding the breasts as a way of getting deeper into poses. I don't have the chest issue so I can't let you know how effective this technique is but the moving flesh is a viable option.

Mega Yoga is a full colour, heavy weight, glossy, 157 page book intended for beginners. It's divided into seven categories. Each category of poses has Megan wearing a different colour outfit which is a great marker if you're quickly flipping through the book to find a specific section. The pictures are clear and they are numbered so you know where to look next. The pose explanations are brief and point out areas to keep an eye or focus on. Practically every page has a sidebar for mega tips, modifications, cautions or ways to intensify poses.

There is more to yoga than poses so Megan teaches three types of breathing common to yoga practise but sometimes lost in class translation: dirgha breathing, ujjayi breathing and alternate nostril breathing.

At the end, everything is arranged into three programs, 30 minute, 60 minute and 90 minute, with a small image of each pose and what page to find it on if you need further direction.

Here are the categories:

Introduction
Warm-ups
Standing poses
Wall poses and Inversions
Cleansing Poses
Quiet Poses
Programs

I really enjoyed reading Mega Yoga and found it helpful for fine tuning moves I was somewhat familiar with as well as giving me some basic background information on the poses. I did not feel overwhelmed by the material and it is a quick read.

What I would have liked to have seen is a pull out section of the programs so I could post them for easier reference or perhaps a ring binding so the book would stay open at the page I'm working on. Technical things that have nothing to do with the content.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mega Yoga and highly recommend it.

Mega Yoga is available from Amazon.com.

Balance

Favorite Pose - Tree

Twitter Spotted: Tree Pose by lululemon athletica
Portugal Tree Pose by lululemon athletica
Tree pose at Bridal Veil Falls by lululemon athletica
Tree pose at Joshua Tree by aldeka_
vrksasana tree pose on the rocks by mariachily
tree pose on a ledge up Leanging Tower, Yosemite by mariachily
Leaning Tree Pose! by lululemon athletica
silk road tree pose by mariachily
Tree Pose in Hawaii by lululemon athletica
sudheer and son mayan riviera by lululemon athletica
Tree Pose with the trees! by lululemon athletica
Tree Pose! by lululemon athletica
curated content from Flickr

Large and Lovely, BellaOnline

BellaOnline's Large and Lovely site knows there is more to you than being fat. Articles, reviews, rants and links for fat chics with cool hips.
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Favorite Yoga Links

Share your favorite Yoga Links and vote for the best!

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Yoga Journal

Homepage YogaJournal.com -- covering yoga poses, y more...6 points

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Gaiam

A Liftestyle community2 points

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My Yoga Online Video Classes Pilates Meditation Downloads

My Yoga Online is the premium yoga videos streamin more...1 point

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A Gentle Way

Stress Management Experts, Yoga Therapy, Gentle Yo more...1 point

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Yoga - history and tradition from India

Information on hatha yoga and the other classic ty more...1 point

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Plus Size Active Wear

It's a common misconception that plus size chics d more...1 point

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Online Yoga Classes from Gaiam Yoga Club

Gaiam's online yoga club allows you to practice yo more...1 point

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Curvy Yoga

Anna Guest-Jelley's blog on living a plus size yog more...1 point

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Fit Yoga

Fit Yoga Magazine covers the modern world of yoga more...0 points

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Big Yoga

Buy the original Hatha 1 DVD, or look for the new more...0 points

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Joyful Yoga Studio - Chandler, Arizona yoga, pilates and Zumba

A warm, encouraging environment for people of all more...0 points

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Yoga Sutras by Patanjali - Science of Yoga - Taimni

A very scholarly translation and commentary on THE more...0 points

Plus Size Yoga in the News

From unlimited burritos to on-site yoga, Boulder firms pile on perks
The company plans to double in size over the next year. "I'm hopeful that we can keep this culture and perks and the fun as we grow," Brantz said. Grant Holl, right, and Rob Piers take a break to play ping pong at SendGrid in Boulder.
Leading Plus Size Retailer Sonsi.com Adds Exciting New Apparel and Accessories ...
A BIG ATTITUDE® ? Specializing in active and exercise apparel crafted especially for plus size style and comfort, A BIG ATTITUDE offers high quality fitness clothing including sports bras, yoga pants, bike shorts, leggings, sports tops and more.
'I tried throwing up after I ate and that's awful': Plus size model hailed ...
But plus-size model Myla Dalbesio has revealed the industry wasn't always so accepting of her size 12 figure. The 24-year-old admitted she once survived on nothing but olives and pickles, spent hours in the gym - and even resorted to purging - in an ...
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Peace

Favorite Pose - Warrior

Pennsylvania National Guard by The National Guard
Yoga Class by EvanLovely
YOGA! July challenge by lululemon athletica
Yoga amid trees by lululemon athletica
Barefoot in the Park by lululemon athletica
curated content from Flickr

More Yoga

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Living Large - Yoga Journal

Hatha yoga isn't just for the slim and slinky. A f more...2 points

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Big Yoga Review - Large & Lovely

Meera Patricia Kerr, a 60 year old Southwest Michi more...0 points

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Big Yoga Interview

Meera Patricia Kerr began Integral Yoga teacher tr more...0 points

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Plus Size Yoga for Heel Pain

What follows is a short series of moves I have fou more...0 points

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Interview with Sally Pugh, Yoga Instructor

Everything is coming up Yoga, especially for plus- more...0 points

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Interview with Lanita Varshell, Yoga Instructor

Lanita Varshell is the owner and founder of A Gent more...0 points

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Yoga Self-Care - Happy in Your Own Skin

Whether you're doing battle with an eating disorde more...0 points

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Why We Need Gentle Yoga Classes & Teacher Training - Lanita Varshell

Sixty percent or more of our population is now ove more...0 points

Yoga with Rodney Yee

A.M. and P.M. Yoga

A.M. and P.M. Yoga

Amazon Price: $9.46 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

Although not specifically developed for plus size people, I enjoy Rodney Yee's AM / PM yoga. It includes two 20 minute programs, one to enliven your senses and another to calm you down.

This is a beginner level yoga and is tolerable to larger sizes but if you are looking for something to give you alternatives because of your size this isn't it. You need to have some idea of how your body works and how to adjust it on your own to get the benefits of this video.

Yoga in Bed

Yoga in Bed

Yoga in Bed

Amazon Price: $32.75 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

"Whether you're a novice or an ardent devotee finding time to practice yoga can be a difficult challenge in today's hectic world. With this in mind expert instructor Edward Vilga offers a program that fits into even the busiest of schedules with two 15-minute workouts specifically designed to be performed in bed. Based on his book of the same name Vilga's fun and easy-to-follow YOGA IN BED presents one energizing morning routine that prepares you for the upcoming day and one relaxing evening practice that lulls you to sleep."

Big Yoga - Flexibility

"For those who don't look like the traditional Yoga models."

Meera Patricia Kerr has been teaching yoga for 30 years and is certified in Hatha 1, Cardiac and Extra Gentle Yoga, and Meditation. Her approach is not commercial but strives to include a full body experience including a peaceful mind and strong breath. Big Yoga - Flexibility is more of a starting point "to ease ourselves into yoga" or any physical activity for that matter.

The Flexibility CD begins with adaptations to positions to ease tension or pressure on hips, knees and wrists. Meera has a belly and admits it gets in the way while doing movements but it means she cannot bring the positions as close to her core as a slimmer person could. It does not mean they are not doable or beneficial, just different.

Big Yoga - Flexibility makes sure the ankles, hips, shoulders, neck, and wrists all get some activity. The movements are performed on the floor but many moves can be done in the chair or standing position if getting down on the floor is difficult. She uses layman terms and official yoga terms to cement understanding. Throughout each movement she gives helpful prompts to enliven the lungs with proper breathing (when to inhale or exhale) and rhythm.

Following the flexibility movements Meera takes viewers through one of the most popular sequence of yoga asanas, the Sun Salute. In the Hatha 1 video she taught viewers how to do the Sun Salute with a wall. In this video she teaches how to do it with a chair. This helps to keep the momentum going and is easier than getting up and down from the floor quickly and repeatedly but it is still beneficial. As the user progresses they can eventually transition to using the floor if they choose.

One of my favorite activities at the end of a yoga class is the guided relaxation/meditation. It helps me take stock of what my body is doing. In Meera's video it is done on the floor to relaxing music but can just as easily be performed on a bed or sitting in chair. The final part of the relaxation is nostril breathing and then she goes into a lovely peace chant.

For those who want to explore the chanting aspect of yoga this CD closes with an explanation of OM Shanti chanting -- personally, I found the accompanying accordion irritating after such a lovely relaxation and I think would have been better a cappella as Meera has a lovely voice. Chanting is not for everyone and having it at the end of the video makes it easier to skip.

The CD is divided into five sections totaling seventy minutes:
  • Intro - 6:22
  • Flexibility Series - 26:18
  • Chair Sun Salute - 6:40
  • Guided Relaxation and Pranayama - 23:46
  • Peace Chant - 7:41
There is the option to play the full program from start to finish or visit the specific chapters mentioned above.

Overall, this isn't your typical yoga video. There isn't a series of yoga movements to practice other than the Sun Salute but a series of gentle movements to increase the body's range of motion and full breathe. Big Yoga - Flexibility would be perfect for anyone who hasn't been active in a while. It is slow but invigorating for the whole body and would be a perfect start OR end to the day. It is good for all sizes and all ages (the instructor is in her sixties). I highly recommend Big Yoga Flexibility series by Meera Patricia Kerr (BigYogaOnline.com) for anyone who wants to ease back into being active.

Big Yoga Flexibility is available from Amazon.com.

Yoga Accessories

"The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind." ~Rodney Yee

Here are a few product although not necessary can make getting into and staying in position easier as well as assisting with a deeper stretch.




Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat - $ 16.99
Retail Price: 24.99
You Save: $8.00


Cylindrical Junior Bolster (Blue) - $ 34.99
Retail Price: 46.99
You Save: $12.00


8 Foot Yoga Strap w/D-Ring Buckle (Blue) - $ 6.99
Retail Price: 9.99
You Save: $3.00

If You Like Yoga... You May Also Like Pilates

Look Great, Feel Great:

Look Great, Feel Great: "Plus Size Pilates"

Amazon Price: $9.03 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

"Plus Size Pilates is designed for today's real woman. This workout is custom tailored for the plus sized women and is a great way to get into shape and stay that way!Join us in an energizing MORNING WORKOUT to make you feel energized invigorated and inspired! A reviving MIDDAY WORKOUT toning for legs and arms perfect to iron and stretch you out .A relaxing EVENING WORKOUT calming yet challenging workout to allow the tensions of the day to melt away."

Yoga For Real Bodies

I have not seen these videos but they have been recommended to me by others.
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BigGirlBlue

I've been practicing yoga on my own for over five years after working with a qualified instructor (she moved).
When I'm not here you can find me at the... more »

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