Mega Yoga [Paperback]

For too long yoga instruction has ignored the needs of larger woman. I have been in yoga classes where the question "what do I do with my boobs?" was greeted with a puzzled look from my teacher.

Last year, I once again embarked on a yoga journey with the Just My Size Yoga DVD. I love it! Now, the instructor of that DVD has a book that builds on the poses and workouts highlighted in the DVD.

If you have ever been in a yoga class and felt out of place because of you size, this book is for you. If you want to enjoy the benefits of yoga, but learn adaptations for your curvy figure, this book is for you. If you want to feel good, and feel better about yourself, this book is for you!

MegaYoga stresses the benefits of yoga. Yoga improves health, releases stress, and builds self-esteem. MegaYoga does not, however, emphasize weight loss. Rather than setting a goal for someone you CAN BE, MegaYoga helps you love the person you ARE. It teaches the reader to love her body the way it is, and to not compare herself to others who are "thinner" or "more beautiful."

The book starts out with the journey of Megan Garcia, a beautiful plus size woman and yoga teacher. Next, the reader is introduced to "MegaYoga." MegaYoga teaches the traditional Hetha Yoga, but it acknowledges the special needs of the larger student. Posture, practice, props, and "moving the flesh" are all covered with a gentle, compassionate spirit.

The workout is broken down into "warm-up," "standing poses," "wall poses and inversions," "cleansing poses," and "quiet poses." While learning the poses, the book also provides a plan to help the learner grow with yoga. There are three workouts provide in the book, a 30 minute work out for the first 6 months, 60 minute workout for 6 - 18 months, and a 90 minute workout to go beyond 18 months.

I highly recommend this book for all the big, beautiful woman out there who want to reap the benefits of yoga.

Mega Yoga covers the basic concepts of Hatha yoga and focuses strongly on the ability to treat yourself with compassion and avoid judgement. Or as Megan says, to take up space with no second thoughts. In the physical realm it teaches you how to use props like straps, blocks, walls, chair to intensify and modify a pose. The importance of taking 15-20 minutes for quiet time is essential. There is more to yoga than poses so Megan teaches three types of breathing common to yoga practice but sometimes lost in class translation: dirgha breathing, ujjayi breathing and alternate nostril breathing.

At the end everything is arranged into three programs, 30 minute, 60 minute and 90 minute, with a small image of each pose and what page to find it on if you need more info.

I really enjoyed reading Mega Yoga and found it helpful for fine tuning moves I was somewhat familiar with as well as giving me some basic background information on the poses. I did not feel overwhelmed by the material and it is a quick read.

What I would have liked to have seen is a pull out section of the programs so I could post them while referring to the next move or perhaps a ring binding so the book would stay open at the page I'm working on. Technical things that have nothing to do with the content.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and highly recommend.

I am a yoga teacher with several Mega students in class. This book really helped me understand the challenges they face and gave me GREAT ways to help them in the postures. Megan is inspirational and very upbeat. I am all about inclusion and this really has helped me to accommodate larger women. A great resource on my bookshelf!