We happened upon this photo and had to post it. People have been sharing this pic like crazy and it’s for good reason. If you’ve ever felt bogged down by what we’re often told a yoga body is or isn’t, this will absolutely make your week. So much love for this guy right here.

Photo caption via facebook:

“My yoga teacher took this of me today. When I look at this my first reaction is of disgust. I didn’t see what my teacher saw. ‘Look at your top arm and leg. The openness at your chest and hips is beautiful!! How straight your are able to get, and how you are supporting yourself and balancing on one arm and leg.’ Years of hating myself won’t go away over night, but with the help of supportive friends I’ll get there. Yoga is for EVERY BODY. — at Healthy Life Yoga.”

Hear, hear, friend! We’re so glad he found a welcoming studio and a teacher who understands yoga is for every body.

Our thanks to My Real Yoga Body for the heads up on this.

Here’s more about Richard Widmark, Jr., the yogi pictured above, who’s been blogging about his personal experience via his website The Raw Xperience:

I’ve been overweight my entire life. I was always the biggest guy in the room. For the longest time, that’s who I thought I was supposed to be. I’m a 36 year old male, who has finally decided to change my life. At my highest weight I was 669 pounds. This came from years of being lazy, depressed, and not motivated to do anything. My life seems like it’s been one huge roller coaster ride. In hind site I realize that every choice I’ve made has led me to this point in my life. Right now is the perfect time and place to be. I can see my future for the first time, and it’s looking very bright. I look forward to sharing my journey with you, and if you get just the slightest inspiration to change your life, it was all worth it to me.

Widmark has made some new ground through yoga and has discovered that he might even want to use his experience to eventually teach yoga and encourage others who are reluctant or think they can’t do it to try the practice.

On March 29th he posted this message to facebook:

I don’t think there is enough comfort for overweight people to start yoga. I can’t really blame them either. Yoga has taken on a “beautiful” body with seemingly next to impossible poses. I’d like to see this change some. Yoga is becoming a major part of my life. I swear and sweat when I do it. I don’t do the poses perfectly, but it isn’t about perfection, it’s about growth. I did a pose Friday that when I saw my teacher do it I thought “Yeah right.” You know what though, with a gentle push of confidence from my teacher and a few moments of visualization I did it. In that moment I felt absolute accomplishment. Sure some poses I can’t physically do because of my weight, or fat getting in the way, but one day I will. One day I’d like to teach the people, who like me, were reluctant to try yoga. To be continued to another day ……

<3

——

Earlier…