Great article in the NYT about yoga classes for large people. Megan Garcia, who runs a yoga class for large people in Manhattan, notes
“A lot of plus-size people are very embarrassed about sweating and struggling in front of people,” she said. “They try to be very well groomed and not stand out. Yoga can get very sweaty and awkward, so it’s easier to do when you’re surrounded by people who look like you. You don’t want to be the one sweaty, fat person in class.”
Participants appreciate when the instructor can give modifications for a move.
Another instructor laments that these participants don’t want to join a regular class, and notes the future of yoga is to appeal to everyone, regardless of size or initial fitness level.
I’ve never done yoga (unless you count a few poses on the Wii Fit), but I have participated in exercise sessions for the overweight. Years ago, at the Albany pool in the Bay Area, they had a swimming session limited to large women called Making Waves. I felt intimidated at that time to go to a regular pool, and so this sesion was just what I needed.
Once I got comfortable with myself in a bathing suit, I joined water fitness classes through Berkeley and at another club. My exercise regimine has gotten a lot more intense since then, but I was glad that there was a resource like that for me when I needed it. It helped me to develop the confidence to be the fattest person in a class, and to realize that everyone is wrapped up in his or her own body drama and isn’t paying much attention to mine.
By the way, I’m STILL the fattest person in my exercise class! But it’s a boot camp class that strikes fear in everyone who starts it; most don’t keep it up. I keep up the best I can, and little by little am getting more fit.
