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'Fat Yoga’ Being Used To Encourage Body Positivity

A fat yoga class in action. Photo: facebook.com/buddhabodyyoganyc.
A fat yoga class in action. Photo: facebook.com/buddhabodyyoganyc.

There’s a new fitness craze in the US that is debunking traditional yoga body myths.

Forget donning the lycra and showing off those sculpted abs – ‘fat yoga’ is for people who are more comfortable in trackies and baggy tees.

Although the concept of yoga principles remains the same – promoting a connection between the mind and body – there are strictly no skinny people allowed in these classes.

MORE: Is Hot Yoga Good For You?

Michael Hayes, owner of New York City’s Buddha Body Yoga, told Yahoo Health the overall aim of the classes was to teach people to relax, feel more comfortable in their bodies, and learn to move better, usually with the use of props for easier movement.

Props are generally used to provide support. Photo: facebook.com/buddhabodyyoganyc.
Props are generally used to provide support. Photo: facebook.com/buddhabodyyoganyc.

He says calling the classes ‘fat yoga’ was not insulting, but instead was empowering.

“Some people find the word empowering,” he said. “The people who have a hard time with it … that’s their issue. They have to choose to work with it or not.”

QUIZ: What Yoga Style Are You?

He says people can feel safe knowing that people of a similar shape and size will be attending the classes, so there’s no need for larger people to feel uncomfortable or discriminated against – they won’t be working out with lots of lanky people around them.

We think any kind of class that encourages more people to work out is a great idea – get those downward dogs going!