Since starting to teach body positive classes, I have seen that they attract a wide spectrum of individuals of various sizes, shapes, gender and ethnicity, making them so diverse and inclusive. The diversity within the class has proved to me that everyone regardless of their size, whether they are curvy or thin, has some sort of disconnect with their body. All they essentially want is a safe, judgment-free space, where they can receive support and not be body shamed. So that they can appreciate and recognise how wonderful their body is.

For those who are brave enough to attend a class (and I do not say this lightly – there is a real fear of attending a yoga class or studio), then the safe space is there to be discovered. However, the hurdle of actually entering the room is tough. I recently overheard, I don͛t want to attend a class where the front row is full of ‘supermodels’. Some students are brave enough to go as far as booking to come to a class, but the fear is so strong they do not turn up, which is so sad for them and for me as a teacher.

The simple fact that they are in the class shows me their determination and their commitment to make a change to their lifestyle and I celebrate that. A body positive class is about modifying yoga poses for a wide range of body types, as well as having an appreciation and understanding of some of the difficulties that a student with a larger body may encounter.

These classes are not about separation. It is like having a pregnancy or chair yoga class, allowing students to enjoy the many wonderful benefits of yoga that will cater to their needs and bodies and to know that if all they want to do for the duration of the class is rest in childs pose on their mat, then that is perfectly fine. That to is yoga. We must remember that yoga DOES NOT care what you look like or make any assumptions about your abilities. Yoga is NOT just a physical practice. The need for these classes are further reinforced by some of the feedback that I receive from students:

“Last Saturday, I dolled up and took myself to my first curvesome Yoga class. I like to think I can flex and bend, but I still can not bring myself to go to a regular Yoga class, as my local seems to have mature crowd and fear they wont completely understand my struggles.” – Fran

Or take a look at what some yogis had to say about their before and after experiences of yoga: https://youtu.be/XFxfuO0_BkU

What we don’t often remember is that as children, we are born yogi and flexible – like a completely natural happy baby pose! A perfect example. As you can guess, the name ‘happy baby’ stems from the origin of the pose. A happy smiling baby holding their toes and making baby sounds. In this pose, you start out on your back and then grab hold of your big toes with your index fingers and thumbs. Then pull your knees down towards your shoulders. It’s a very relaxing pose as demonstrated by babies, a natural posture for our bodies from the time we are born. If you can lay on your back, you can do happy baby pose.

Observe a child. Have you ever watched how children perform different asanas at different stages of their development? For instance, as they learn to crawl and walk, they do the cat stretch to strengthen their spines and when they’re learning to stand, they spend lots of time in downward dog pose before getting on their feet. Children can inspire us in our yoga. Yoga is the most natural way for our bodies to move. For any body, any age, any ability.

Yoga is for every body.

“Yoga must be made to suit the individual, not the individual to suit yoga.” – T Krishnamacharya

If you have a body + Do yoga = you have a yoga body…