Yoga Poses For Plus-Size Women

Yoga Can Be Performed By Everyone Regardless Of Shape Or Size

Yoga is a wonderful thing. Aside from the known benefits that range from improved flexibility and mindset to increased strength and balance, yoga has an even more important quality about it:  Anyone can practice yoga. Whether you are young or old, big or small, man or woman, beginner or expert, you can practice yoga poses. Take those of us that are plus-sized for example. There are many poses you can do to experience the same benefits of yoga as someone who is in excellent shape. The following article covers poses and stretches for plus-sized women. Men, don’t feel left out, you can also perform these poses! As with any exercise, consult with your physician before commencing these poses.

See the article below and be sure to pass this on to your friends and family who don’t think they can do any exercises because of their bodies.

By Peter Mitchell

Gentle Reclining

The Practicing Restorative Yoga or Stretching for Metabolic Syndrome study conducted by the University of California San Diego and the University of California San Francisco suggests a good pose for plus-sized women involves reclining with raised legs. Place a small pillow on the floor near a chair. Put another pillow a foot or so closer to the chair. Lie back on the floor so your head rests on the pillow, with the other pillow supporting your lower back. Raise your legs and put them on the chair. Breathe steadily and hold this position for several minutes.

Chair Neck Stretch

Neck stretches are a straightforward way to practice yoga if you’re overweight. It helps to stretch out your spine and back muscles, as well as work your neck and shoulders. However, you can do all this sitting down, according to the Boston Yoga website. Sit straight in a hard-backed chair. Bend your right ear toward your right shoulder. As you lean, stretch your right arm down toward the ground and hold for a few seconds. Breathe deeply and at a regular pace. Repeat the movement in the opposite direction. Try moving your chin to your chest and feel the stretch down your shoulders and back.

Mountain Pose

Using a wall for added support is ideal for plus-size women or anyone with any balance worries. In her book “Yoga at Your Wall,” Stephanie Pappas suggests the exercise “mountain at the wall” as a good beginner wall position. It’s good for aligning posture and improving steadiness. Stand with your back to the wall and your buttocks touching the wall. Focus on one still point in front of you. Gently ease your shoulders and your triceps back against the wall. Lift your arms up, with your elbows bent at 90-degrees. Keep them flat against the wall. If you have a yoga block, try squeezing that between your legs while in position.

Chair Arm Stretch

Chair arm stretches help you work your sides and arms without standing and risking loss of balance. Lift both arms in an arch until they’re both directly above your head. Exhale slowly and lower your arms again. Do this several times until you feel relaxed and comfortable. Next, try holding one side of a chair with your hand. Curl your opposite arm over your head and bend your body down toward your other hand. Holding the chair gives you extra stability.

See the full article from livestrong here.

To Your Health And Wellness!