Yoga: For Curvy Girls Guide - Easy Beginner's Poses for Women with Curves

by Carmen Reeves

You’re just not flexible enough, your curves would get right in the way and that your body just wouldn’t obey you. You’d wobble like an ugly duckling and finish up feeling embarrassed and very silly. At least that’s what you think.

But did you know that over the last few years, a revolution has been gathering place in the yoga studios and living rooms of the world? A powerful revolution fronted by women just like you and I who also want to enjoy the massive health and happiness benefits of starting a yoga practice, but because of their body shape have felt too ashamed to even give it a go. A revolution that I’m lucky enough to be part of.

Over the past few years, I have helped empower curvier women to start a yoga practice no matter what their challenges, or how scared they might feel, and now I’m here to do exactly the same for you.

I’ve witnessed the amazing transformative effects of yoga in all of my fellow yoga enthusiasts; I’ve watched wallflowers blossom into strong, confident and beautiful women, I’ve seen that inner glow light faces from within, I’ve seen chronic health conditions heal and stubborn pounds drop off. And I can’t wait for these amazing benefits to happen to you.

You see; you don’t have to have supermodel looks or be as bendy as a pretzel to welcome yoga into your life - you only need the desire to learn and a body to practice within. Provided you follow the easy-to-understand instructions in this book, you CAN become the very best version of yourself, and feel amazing too!

Here’s some of what I’ll be sharing with you:

• The fascinating facts about yoga
• An easy guide to the styles, philosophy and underlying principles of yoga
• The top secret ways to get the most from your yoga practice
• What to do when boobs get in the way (and many other useful curvy girl tips)
• Why it’s so important to get that breathing right
• The truth about yoga as a fitness workout


PLUS a fully illustrated guide to yoga postures (asanas) and flow sequences, including:

• Beginner’s Guide to Sun Salutations
• Yoga for Winter Blues & Depression
• Yoga for Better Sleep
• Yoga for Weight Loss
• Yoga for Period Pain


And my ultra-popular and useful ‘5-Minute Fix Yoga’ for those who really need to give their bodies some TLC.

Genres: Nonfiction

104 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2016

Reviews

[Travel Writing · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a yoga teacher, I am always super interested in any books about yoga. This book, however, is a very, very, very slim book (100 pages. 1/3'ish pages are hand drawn illustrations). Actually, it's not so much a book as a pamphlet with trade paper back binding. There is some good info here, but it is not robust enough nor are there any photos. Cute drawings and text will not help a beginning yogi. Much less one who will need assistance with how to get into poses when their tits are trying to strangle them, or they can't feel their sitz bones.

I would highly suggest two other more substantial titles if you want to learn a lot about how accessible yoga is for those of us that are curvy:

Every Body Yoga: Jessamyn Stanley
Curvy Yoga: Anna guest Jelly

Wanting to know a bit more about the author of this book, I did a quick search. I could not even find an author bio or a website stating any qualifications to write a yoga book. The author seems to own the publisher that publishes all this authors titles, and only this authors titles. The author has written at least 16 books on everything from natural skin care, to yoga, to adrenal fatigue and herbal medicine.

For someone with absolutely no easily accessible qualifications, that is a whole slew of books on some pretty intense topics. A person could spend an entire life doing ONE of those things and never reach the end of knowledge. For example, Norman Blair has been practicing yin yoga for over 26 years and teaching for over 17, and he has written ONE book. One.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs audio

It's difficult to try and read and try to perform the poses (to me sure you're doing them right.)
I typically avoid audio books because I love to read, but if I'm trying to concentrate and try to do poses properly so I don't hurt myself, I wish this had an audio option.
I like this book because unlike the other books or instructional videos for "beginners," they still aren't for people who are 50lbs overweight, have more curves, or are absolutely zero athleticism, strength or flexibility.
I thought about joining a class but I'm just not they're yet. I'm very self-conscious and practically hermetic, another reason I got this book. I'm trying to better myself and take steps in that direction.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book. I have a much better understanding of Yoga and the principles and different types that are out there. The instructions for each pose were so easy to follow and I loved the pictures that were included as well.

Plus - there were some bonus materials included at the end that were a pleasant surprise!

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned some good tips and work-arounds for different yoga positions.

[Myrna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic poses for beginners with good descriptions and helpful drawings depicting the poses. Over short and basic read

[Monica Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had no pictures of real people doing the yoga. Just some simple illustrations of the poses. I would rather see curvy girls doing yoga to show it is possible for a bigger person to do the poses

[Christina Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good advice and inspiration.

Good juice recipes. A little inspiration. Some good inspiration and advice. Just an ok book. I would only read it it's free.

[Susan Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I liked the simple diagrams and poses. Also the reassurance that touching your toes is not essential to yoga practice.

[Emma Boultby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

Very easy to follow

[Cindi Kimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like the humor and the yoga moves it shows.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book for girls/woman (whichever you prefer) with a bit of extra stuff to deal with. Naturally, this is why I got the book.

It did a very good job of explaining how to manipulate your body around those extra curves and in-the-way pieces (I'm looking at you boobs). I also really liked that it gave you different sequences for whatever ails you. Asanas for the morning, night time, depression, pms, etc. This makes it so user friendly that I would recommend it to someone who is not overweight. It makes me want to buy the paper version so that I can flip through it easily instead of on my kindle.

There was one teensy downside with this book (on Kindle). It downloads with a few extra little books on the end from the publisher that are very health focused/holistic. Maybe somewhere down the road, I will read those, however, I didn't get the book for those extras, I didn't even know they were there, and second of all, I felt that it was a little bit preachy. Just because someone wants to do yoga, it doesn't mean that they immediately want to start using tumeric to cure the rest of what ails you. If you DO want to use tumeric for whatever ails you, then that's okay too. You do you.

All in all, this was a good book and I will be revisiting those asanas in the future.

[Mary Codilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was an interesting beginners guide. The illustrations were very helpful and added to the overall appeal of the guide. I liked how the author provided some helpful tips in using Yoga for better sleep, relaxation and amongst others. Personally thought that this is one of the best newbie guides around.

[Claire Wade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some helpful information and motivating bits, however the book finished when I was less than 37% through, so it felt more like an extended magazine article.

[deni Tomgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginners guide, useful for home practice.