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YogaZonePLUS offers Yoga Classes for Bigger Bodies in Toronto

Curvy Canadian: YogaZonePLUS offers Yoga Classes for Bigger Bodies in Toronto

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

YogaZonePLUS offers Yoga Classes for Bigger Bodies in Toronto

A short while ago, I was invited, by owner/creator Suzanne Gracan, to attend a complimentary yoga class at YogaZonePLUS, a yoga class designed specifically for those with bigger bodies. It was a fantastic experience.

The studio was bright, open, and clean. It was a lovely night out, and so the windows were open and a lovely breeze came into the studio. Suzanne lit candles and placed them at each of the windows and dimmed the lights so that the atmosphere was very relaxing. All the equipment was laid out for us before we entered the studio, and the uses of each piece was explained to us in case we were unfamiliar with it.

It was very comforting to be in a body positive space while practising yoga. Often times, I have been to yoga studios and I feel as though some of the slimmer students are looking at me (even though they're probably not) and just knowing that I am in a non-judgemental space helps me to focus on my practice instead of what other people might or might-not be thinking about me and my body.

Both Suzanne and Mary (the instructor) were very welcoming and made me feel totally at ease. They both demonstrated each of the asanas (yoga poses) so that you could see what the posture should look like from the front and the side.

We started the class with shavasana, a pose where the student lies on their back with their eyes closed and meditates on their upcoming practice.

Mary came along and gave us each a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil to help invigorate us and our practices. It was lovely!

Then we began some of the more active poses.

Owner/Creator - Suzanne Gracan (left), Instructor - Mary (right)
Warrior Pose

















































And for our final shavasana, Mary came around, gave us some lavender essential oil to ease us in to a very relaxed state, put a bolster underneath our knees to ensure our backs were making perfect contact with the floor, and tucked us in under a blanket to make sure we were nice and warm. I could have fallen asleep right there! It was like mixing a yoga class with a spa session. I can't remember the last time I was so relaxed!

















All in all it was a really great yoga session, and I think that uniting plus size women for exercise in a body positive space is a wonderful idea. If you are interested in taking yoga or other fitness classes with Suzanne, check out her page here. Many thanks to Suzanne and Mary for a wonderful class!

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7 Comments:

At Thursday, April 05, 2012 12:03:00 AM , Blogger preeti said...

Nice post. Now days everyone like to have nice body. Women's specially want to look good. So it is a good idea to be is shape with these yoga classes.

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At Thursday, April 05, 2012 3:31:00 AM , Blogger My Big Fat Wardrobe said...

These classes look great, I wish we had these in the UK, Ive always wanted to go to a class but I know the positions at a regular one won't really be suitable for my body.

 
At Thursday, April 05, 2012 11:29:00 AM , Blogger geetabix said...

That's so great. It really ruins yoga practice to feel like people are staring at you. Is the whole studio big-friendly or is this a once-a-week special occasion?

 
At Thursday, April 05, 2012 3:37:00 PM , Anonymous Suzanne said...

Geetabix, our classes are all created specifically for plus size people. Come join us!

 
At Friday, April 06, 2012 5:33:00 PM , Blogger Tina said...

That is really cool. I have a video of yoga for plus size women, but a class would be so much better!

 
At Wednesday, April 18, 2012 2:15:00 PM , Anonymous Crystal said...

That sounds like a wonderful class! I've tried regular yoga classes and I too sometimes feel out of place - plus all my fat doesn't let me do some of the poses!

I just found a yoga studio in Vancouver that offers classes targeted to plus size people. I have my first one on Sunday so I hope it goes as well as yours!

 
At Monday, June 03, 2013 6:26:00 AM , Anonymous Bookkeeper Caloundra said...

This is a good motivition for huge women if they want to look good!

 

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