Classes of Yoga for Overweight People Are Becoming More Popular

Gyms and special classes where only women have access are no longer a rare occurrence – in fact, it’s strange not to see a gym with at least one room for women alone, it is being said. Other such exclusive locations are already starting to pop up in all major cities, but what separates them from the ladies-only ones is that they’re destined for overweight customers, as a recent piece in the NY Times indicates.

Being heavier than most people can be a mortifying, some say traumatizing experience on a daily basis – so just imagine how hard it must be for these people to walk into a regular class, where everyone is slender, flexible and in perfect harmony and understanding with their body. Because of this, yoga trainers have come up with special yoga classes, where all students are the same weight, therefore there is no need to feel embarrassed.

Nevertheless, that’s not the only thing that makes these classes so special, the NY Times piece adds. They also include poses and positions that have been specifically adapted for a heavier bodily frame, since they would be impossible to pull through otherwise. Under normal circumstances, says the aforementioned report citing a yoga trainer, such modifications should be operated by the instructor along the way, depending on the case – if it were so, then the need for separate classes would be considerably diminished, it is being pointed out.

“A lot of plus-size people are very embarrassed about sweating and struggling in front of people. 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.” Megan Garcia, 36, founder of the Mega Yoga class, explains for the publication.

Still, while the purpose of these special classes seems to be a truly noble one, psychologists question the finality of having heavy people gather together. Separate classes could be translated into some sort of acceptance of obesity or, on the contrary, it could be seen as a segregation, which might lead to further feelings of isolation and frustration. “There’s something wrong that we’re doing as a community if people have to be shunted off to these classes designed for their size.” says Kelly McGonigal, editor in chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, who has a Ph.D. in psychology, and is an instructor at the Avalon Art and Yoga Center in Palo Alto, California.