Yoga While Fat! It Rocks!

A tribute to Patricia at Whole Life Yoga. I just finished her "Yoga for Round Bodies" class, and I loved it.

Ordinarily, embarking upon anything remotely athletic would fill me with apprehension. OK, not entirely true. I've been working with the most fabulous Jay Holby for a while now, and he's helped me realize that, indeed, my body is pretty strong and capable in the exercise and physical activity department (and that some athletic straight men are perfectly kind to clumsy fat lesbians. I'm fairly certain this would be true even if I weren't paying him). I even go to the gym to work with Jay - a place that, several years ago, I would never have stepped foot in for fear of some jackass feeling the need to make himself feel better by ridiculing me.

Anyway: I admit I was a bit afraid when my dear Boo gave me a certificate to the Yoga for Round Bodies class for Hanukkah. Her body, not so round. I would be attending it solo.

Patricia helped me feel at ease immediately. She's all about using extra mats, bolsters, and yoga blankets for comfort and assistance. She also helped everyone in the class be comfortable with our individual abilities, and to push ourselves gently. There was no competition; no humiliation because I can't really do a "bridge." Just encouragement to relax, figure out what my body can do, and enjoy it. It was great to get my mind to quiet down a bit, even for an hour and a half a week, and to just breathe and move during that time.

I really appreciate Patricia's teaching style, and the fact that she's dedicated her yoga instruction to encouraging us round folk to get on the mat.

Unfortunately, Tracy (the owner of Whole Life Yoga) hasn't scheduled this class for the current quarter. It won't be offered again until May. Are there really not enough willing round bodies to fill another class? I doubt that's the case. Come on, Tracy - make room for this class more often.


Thank you to fuchur for posting this photo on flikr for public use.