Teaching Yoga for Round Bodies

Introduction

1. Adho Mukha Shvasana
2. Ardha Matsyendrasana
3. Balasana
4. Bhujangasana
5. Chandrasana
6. Dandasana
7. Dhanurasana
8. Garudasana
9. Janushirasana
10. Jathara Parivartanasana
11. Matsyasana
12. Padahastasana
13. Parvatasana
14. Paschimotanasana
15. Salabhasana
16. Sarvangasana
17. Sasamgasana
18. Savasana
19. Setu Banghasana
20. Siddhasana
21. Standing Backward Bend
22. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
23. Tadasana
24. Trikonasana
25. Ustrasana
26. Utkatasana
27. Vajrasana
28. Viparita Karani
29. Virabhadrasana
30. Vrikasana

Ardha Matsyendrasana
The Half-Spinal Twist

Half-Spinal Twist is a nightmare for fat people! It’s usually the knee that’s pulled up to the chest that’s the problem. The fat student usually can’t even find out how supple they are in this asana, because the belly gets in the way.

Difficulty breathing, and a tendency to lean back (to unconsciously accommodate the belly) are the usual result. I seldom teach this asana in my class, substituting supine twists. However, I do sometimes use it to teach alignment. (It’s a good one for demonstrating keeping the head aligned with the torso.)

I usually recommend that the fat student raise the knee to a comfortable level only, and that s/he not cross the raised leg over the other knee. This, of course, lessens the stretch in the lower back and buttocks. On the other hand, it permits the fat student to breathe. I know which one I’d go with.