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Yoga for the obese?

Question:

I’m looking for some resources (websites, books, videos, anything!) or recommended poses for obese people who just can’t do a lot of the poses out there. I’m about 24 and about 100lbs overweight, but still surprisingly flexible (I can not only touch my toes from standing, I can place my palms flat on the floor). I did yoga for a little while before I got obese due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and I would really like to get back into it. The yoga book I do have is almost 30 years old, and I love it – I’ve never found one as good. If I could find something similar to it for obese people, I would be very happy. It’s called "The Light of Yoga Society Beginner’s Manual" bye Alice Christensen & David Rankin. It’s a very detailed and easy to follow book with a plastic spine, so it can sit open on the floor very easily. Any help is very appreciated!

Response:

Check out the video Yoga for Round Bodies. you can find it through the Yoga Journal website, in the book & tape source section. peace, sandra <A HREF="http://www.yogajournal.com/"Yoga Journal</A

Response:

You don’t say where you are located, but there are many resources out there! I would suggest contacting Lanita Varshell (www.agentleway.com) who was featured in Yoga Journal a few months ago on this very issue. That article included adaptations of several poses.  Lanita has classes in SoCal as well as an audio tape that would be useful. She also has good contacts throughout the US and runs workshops for teachers and others who are interested in learning to adapt asanas to the special needs of the obese. I know there is a 2 day weekend training session coming up soon. Also, Naomi Offner put out a Gentle Yoga video a few years ago that is appropriate for larger sizes (www.gentleyoga.com). This video was my introduction to yoga. At 275+ pounds I found it very doable. There is an older video set by 2 Kripalu teachers called "Yoga for Round Bodies" that you may find useful.  I personally found it slow (& a bit boring), but YMMV. Finally, I just heard of a new video (I haven’t seen it yet) called "Yoga For Any Size".  The blurb about it says: If you want to practice yoga but need a modified approach because of experience or size, this video makes yoga accessible to you. Instructor Maggie Moraldo adapts basic yoga postures that all individuals can apply with effective results. Many of the postures are easy to attain while others will challenge your ability. This 30-minute workout includes a brief introduction about yoga and continues with postures that are adapted for the overweight or average individual. The video was professionally produced in a studio environment with soothing music that can enhance your workout. The verbal instruction is so precise that beginners should be able to have results immediately. I believe it is available directly from Ms Moraldo. She can be can be There is an out of print book called Gentle Yoga, by Lorna Bell, that is very useful in adaptation of postures.  You can sometimes find it on www.alibris.com I have significant experience in adapting yoga for my own large body and started a teacher training course when I weighed 333 lbs.  Let me know if you have any other questions or if you want to correspond! Namaste’ –Laura M. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for some resources (websites, books, videos, anything!) or recommended poses for obese people who just can’t do a lot of the poses out there. I’m about 24 and about 100lbs overweight, but still surprisingly flexible (I can not only touch my toes from standing, I can place my palms flat on the floor). I did yoga for a little while before I got obese due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and I would really like to get back into it. The yoga book I do have is almost 30 years old, and I love it – I’ve never found one as good. If I could find something similar to it for obese people, I would be very happy. It’s called "The Light of Yoga Society Beginner’s Manual" bye Alice Christensen & David Rankin. It’s a very detailed and easy to follow book with a plastic spine, so it can sit open on the floor very easily. Any help is very appreciated!

Response:

Dear yoga friends,     I have a question for y’all.  I have a 66-year old friend who is obese, diabetic, alcoholic, and a smoker.  He went to a yoga class a few years ago, and, naturally, as the course wasn’t really designed for a fellow such as himself, he stopped going after a few classes.  He lives in NYC.  Does anyone know of a good one-on-one yoga therapist, who has worked with un-fit, heavy people?  Or group classes designed for heavy people?  Or workshops? Etc.  Thanks muchly and namaste, richard.

Response:

Check out Yoga for Round Bodies- this video tape series was made by two Kripalu trained teachers. I like the way the approach the subject.         peace, sandra

Response:

Richard, Integral Yoga Institute in NYC has "extra gentle" and "new beginnners" classes that migh be appropriate for your friend. They also have a referral service for private sessions. namaste

Response:

the krupalu center in lenox mass. offers a video called "Yoga for Round Bodies". I did not see the original post but hope this is helpful.

Response:

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