Big Yoga: A Simple Guide for Bigger Bodies [Paperback]

Meera Patricia Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2010

If you think yoga is only for skinny young things, you need to think again. To expert Meera Patricia Kerr, yoga can and should be used by everyone—especially plus-size individuals.

In her new book, Big Yoga, Meera shares the unique yoga program she developed for all those who think that yoga is not for them.

Part One of Big Yoga begins with a clear explanation of what yoga is, what benefits it offers, and how it can fit into anyone’s life. Included is an important discussion of selfimage. The book goes on to provide practical information regarding clothing, mats, and suitable environments, and to emphasize the need to begin with care. Part Two offers

over forty different exercises specifically designed to work with bigger bodies. In each case, the author explains the technique, details its advantages, and offers step-by-step

instructions along with easy-to-follow photographs.

If you have thought that yoga is not for you, pick up Big Yoga and let Meera Patricia Kerr help you become more confident and relaxed than you may have ever thought possible.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Though the power of yoga to help reverse heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels-problems endemic to the overweight-is well-established, the popular image of the rail-thin yoga guru can discourage those who might benefit most. Kerr, a yoga instructor for 30 years, understands the challenges of the heavy-set; describing herself as "beefy, athletic, and loud," she provides a complete, much-needed guide for making yoga work regardless of limitations like weight, stiffness, injury or disability. Without skipping over yoga's history and evolution or its spiritual dimensions, as well as personal accounts of her training and the development of Big Yoga, Kerr adapts traditional Hatha yoga poses that work for everyone, and discusses each alongside a generous series of photos. With broad, thorough coverage of yoga's many aspects, including breathing technique and meditation as well as poses and their adaptations, Kerr's manual is a welcoming, comprehensive exercise program for the rest of us.

Review

"Big Yoga is a wonderful introduction to the ancient art and science of yoga for those challenged by extra weight, stiffness, injury, or disabilities. It is a welcome addition."     (Dean Ornish, MD )

"A complete, much-needed guide for making yoga work regardeless of limitations like weight, stiffness, injuy or disabiltiy...a welcoming, comprehensive exercise program for the rest of us." (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Square One Publishers (February 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757002153
• ISBN-13: 978-0757002151
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Yoga expert Patricia Kerr was given the name "Meera" by her guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda, naming her after the venerable Indian princess and saint, Mirabai. While meditating in the LOTUS Shrine in Central Virginia, Meera heard a voice say "Big Yoga" which gave her the idea to create a Yoga program that was big, not just in terms of the body, but also expansive, and inclusive of all the various Yoga practices. Meera has produced adapted Yoga on two DVDs: Big Yoga Hatha 1, and Big Yoga Flex-Ability, also available on Amazon. You don't have to be thin, young or flexible to enjoy the benefits of Yoga!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BIG Yoga gives you all the tools you need to do yoga with a larger body!!, March 22, 2010

By 

jean short (Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Yoga: A Simple Guide for Bigger Bodies (Paperback)

I waited for months for this book, and it was worth the wait. As a large-bodied yoga instructor who teaches people of all abilities, I find BIG Yoga an invaluable resource. I have recommended it to Chair Yoga and large-bodied students, and will be recommending it to the yoga teachers who attend the "Yoga for Larger Bodies" workshop I facilitate. Simple instructions, props and helpful suggestions make the practice of yoga accessible to everyone from beginners to advanced students, and do-it-home practitioners. Thank you Meera for your part in making yoga accessible to everyone.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Yoga explains the Big Idea, September 10, 2010

By 

Susan H. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Yoga: A Simple Guide for Bigger Bodies (Paperback)

Big Yoga is an excellent read for a beginner to Yoga, also excellent for why a big person would even consider yoga. Meera is very honest and straight-forward in talking about some of the hesitations plus-size people have. We must bring our "before" body to the mat and be comfortable with this as our starting point,having no fixed view or opinion on what the "after" will be. It is only this present moment that counts and can be lived.

This book brought me to have the courage to enter my first yoga class (gentle yoga for all bodies, mine being one of the larger ones). This book keeps me going with much practice between class.

In Meera's book, the history and philosophy and background of yoga is thoughtfully summarized in the beginning of the book. This was important to me. I have been on other paths which has brought me to the spirituality of yoga before I came to the mat of yoga.

The pictured asanas and accompanying instructions for each gives us reason to hope that practice, does indeed, make perfect.

The resource guide in the back is very helpful, as well as the yoga terms dictionary which I refer to often.

The book is inspiring enough to me that I have found that the author is actually not far from my neighborhood in Southwest Michigan, so I will watch for an opportunity to make an event with her.

I have also now purchased her Hatha Yoga DVD to practice to at home.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Yoga is refreshing, September 16, 2010

By 

Rocelyn G. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Yoga: A Simple Guide for Bigger Bodies (Paperback)

Meera has worked out a wonderful plan for the plus-sized individuals to participate in an age old practice of Yoga. I have taken her teachings as a Big Yoga instructor and have been following it for two years with great results with clients from 1oo to 400 lbs.The explanations of the asanas in her book make it easy for the non-experienced participants to follow. The best part for me as a teacher of Big Yoga is having the knowledge before hand to assist the clients in adapting the postures to their body sizes. Anyone can do this as it is really gentle yoga. The other good thing about Big Yoga is that it can be a prelude to the more advanced yogas in that it prepares them through the flexibility exercises to assume the yoga postures with greater ease.
This is definitely a book worth having in your library as a reference, support and encouragement for those who want to get active!