Standing Half Forward Bend

Yoga is terrific for losing weight! You're really in the "fat burn" in traditional yoga (not yoga-aerobics like at the gym). Don't get discouraged by the awkwardness of it at first. Many of my students have difficulty kicking their legs through from downdogs to lunges/warrior 1. You may just have to put the knee down of the leg your NOT kicking through, stablize yourself and set up for lunge or warrior 1. But, if all you do at first is down dogs to develop strength, flex and breath, you're on your way! Keep in mind, many people have trouble w/ the poses due to their proportions--i.e. long femur bones, short arms etc. --has nothing to do w/ weight. Everyone has a struggle; on the other hand, I really believe everyone has a pose they're naturally good at--just have to find it!

Hi Pearl,
I am overwieght too and am wanting to try yoga. I have been looking for a sequence designed for someone like me...out of shape, overweight and really tight in the legs and back. Well I found one I am going to try. It's called "Beginner's sequence for Mom and Dad." You can find it by using the search box at the top of the page. I do know it is going to be very difficult to perform some of these poses but eventually I hope to be able to advance to some harder poses. So, here's my advice to you (it's the same pep talk I told to myself): take it slow but not easy. You want to make your body works hard but don't hurt yourself. Take it two poses at a time if your need to in the beginning. The key is to set your mind to it and do it everyday. By the way, walking has helped me lose some weight. I walk about 20 min a day and have lost some weight in the last few weeks. Well that's all the advice I have. Good luck to you. You know you can do it!

There's also a lot of support in the blogs. Check it out!