Yoga classes can be intimidating places.
They can be fashion shows of the most chic and sometimes expensive yoga clothes and accessories. They can be contortionist exhibitions with folks seemingly putting their bodies in impossible positions – “is she made of rubber bands?”
They can be scary for folks who don’t feel comfortable in skin-tight anything!
While this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be, it is what it is. We carry all our truest selves into the room – our insecurities about body image, our need to feel confident, our competitive edges. We all can’t turn off the volume to those inner voices and tendencies with the flip of a switch and some of those tendencies can keep folks from trying yoga at all.
Next month Just B Yoga will debut a new class geared to inviting every body type to yoga – Yoga XL.
It will be taught by Connie Varma.
Here’s how she describes the class:
“Intimidated by the thought of doing yoga surrounded by skinny flexible people? Join me for Yoga XL. This class is designed for people who are or feel that they are Large, XL or XXL.
Learn to move with confidence, begin to put negative body image behind you. Work on accepting where you are now and examine the possibilities of where you would like to be. By developing a physical practice you can get to know your own body better, and learn to appreciate your strengths. Begin to feel stronger physically, get your mind in a more positive space and heal your own spirit.
I have been practicing yoga for seven years. During this time I have seen that number on the scale go up and down. Regardless I continue to come to the mat and maintain my yoga practice.
I never feel more graceful than when I practice yoga. Yoga really is accessible for every body. Come explore yoga with me.”