How a Fat Yoga studio is making poses easier for overweight people with 'thick thighs' and a 'larger body'



When you think about yoga, images of toned celebrities such as Gisele Bundchen and Gwyneth Paltrow probably spring to mind.



But Anna Ipox from Portland, Oregan, who happily describes herself as both 'fat' and 'fit', is out to challenge this stereotype with the launch of her new yoga studio, called Fat Yoga.

She explained to Fox8News that she has redesigned many of the compact moves such as the fetal-like child's pose, so those with 'belly fat' and thick thighs' can achieve them without feeling frustrated.

Accessible top all: A woman in Portland, Oregon, is out to challenge the 'thin' yoga stereotype with the launch of a new yoga studio called Fat Yoga (student pictured)

Ms Ipox, who has been practicing the gentle form of exercise since 2001, says that for years she struggled because of her bigger size.



'[People] just have no idea what it is to have a big body. I remember teachers pushing on my hips to make it happen. It’s not a flexibility thing and I couldn’t articulate any of that,' she said.

'There’s a responsibility as a fit woman of size to be visible and challenge those stereotypes.'

In a bid to make things easier for overweight students she became a certified yoga teacher and opened her own studio in January.

At ease: Anna Ipox, who has been practicing the gentle form of exercise since 2001, says that for years she struggled because of her bigger size

Small alterations:has redesigned many of moves so those with 'belly fat' and thick thighs' can achieve poses without feeling frustrated

To date, she says the response has been overwhelmingly positive. One of her students wrote on the review site, Yelp : 'Oh, gosh. where to start? I am fat. I wanted to try yoga.

'I was intimidated by the thought of trying to move, to be, in my body in the yoga poses.



'Anna (and her teacher-in-training Gretchen) have been wonderful and welcoming. All body types are welcome at Fat Yoga, but the focus is on how to practice yoga in a large(r) body.'

'I love the laid back and friendly atmosphere. I love the encouragement. I love that I can laugh while I do yoga and that I can already feel myself becoming stronger and more confident.'

Weighty issues: Ms Ipox, who says she has never dieted, said that she chose the provocative name of Fat Yoga for her business in an effort to tackle weight bias issues head on

All shapes: All body types are welcome at Fat Yoga, but the focus is on how to practice yoga in a 'larger' body, says Ms Ipox

And another class participant, Melissa Brown, told Fox8News: 'We come here to have that space and hold that space and be healthy and get our sweat on and laugh and have a good time.

'I really think she nailed it right on the head. Yoga for fat people. Fat Yoga.'

Ms Ipox, who claims to have never dieted, said that she chose the provocative name of Fat Yoga for her business in an effort to tackle weight bias issues head on.

'I say I’m fat cause, guess what, I know I’m fat. Our American script says, "No, you’re not fat, just some other euphemism, thick, fluffy, big-boned, portly, whatever."'

Well received: Students say they 'love the laid back and friendly atmosphere, as well as encouragement'

Confidence classes: One yoga student Melissa Brown, said, she goes to Fat Yoga to 'be healthy and get our sweat on and laugh and have a good time'

She said that she never encountered fat prejudice until a doctor suggested lap band surgery to lose weight, which left her speechless.



However she does acknowledge that fat-stigma exists: 'You just have to do a little Google searching to see all the fat hate. Fat girls shouldn’t wear stretch pants, they shouldn’t wear white, they shouldn’t wear yoga pants and you’re not allowed to let your fat jiggle.'

She insists that she is not encouraging people to avoid weight loss and her classes are open to all shapes and sizes.

