Am I too fat for Tai Chi or Yoga?

I'm at 245 today, target 165, so I have a year or more to go until I get in target range.  My SO and I walk and bike about an hour 5 days/week.

I'd really like to start some activities to maintain good ROM, proprioception, and balance.

My question is, how fat is too fat to begin yoga or tai chi?

I'm so rolly-poly and feel so awkward, how can I approach that kind of workout without embarrassment?

Maybe I should work on weight reduction and consider those things after I get closer to a healthy weight range.

Thought & opinions?

Thanks!

- Dan

I think Tai Chi would be a perfect place to start, danader, especially since you feel "awkward."  It will help you regain your sense of balance, of centered-ness, and will help you feel more at home in your body.  This is one of the first benefits of exercise and weight loss, as far as I'm concerned.

Personally, when I tried yoga with 100 extra pounds, I found many of the positions very difficult or impossible.  The basic resting position was not restful because my thighs and belly were too big!

However, I got a dvd of yoga for larger people, which made some adjustments in consideration of such matters, and I really enjoyed it!  I think I got it on Amazon, so you can search and find something there.  A good yoga instructor would also be able to help, but I found the classes I attended were "one size fits all" with pretty unimaginative instructors, and I was too full of shame to advocate for my needs, so the dvd was just what the doctor ordered.

Now that I've lost weight, I want to try a yoga class again, but now I have arthritis in one knee.  This time, no shame, I'm going to speak to the instructor before I sign up for the class, and figure out what to do since I can't kneel without major pain.

Hi danader,

There is no reason to wait to do yoga. You need to find a teacher that has a class for older people so that you will feel comfortable and so that you will learn to do the moves correctly (ditto tai chi). Age and weight do not prevent you from doing yoga although you will need to learn variations on poses at the beginning. The right teacher is the key. You will need to call/google/visit/sample a studio to see if it right for you.

Don't try to learn yoga on your own. But once you know some basics you can extend the practice to home in addition to the studio.

I am still about 45 pounds overweight and arthritic and do yoga about 5 days a week.

go for it!

Don't wait, danader!  There are all kinds of modifications for yoga....I actually was part of the cast in a yoga dvd for recovering heart patients created by the health insurance company I worked for.  Most of the poses were done using a chair.    I agree with Jannid - the trick is finding the right teacher and the right class.  Don't hold back...and don't put it off.  You never know, you might find a new passion.

Danader, I'm with you, I'd love to take a class but the ones I've taken in the past were not helpful for older or heavier people.  I did get books on yoga and a dvd for larger people and I bought some "props" which are quite helpful.  Still, I believe an instructor would be good if you have one close by. 

I think I'll go make a few phones call now for myself.  I'm happy you reminded me!

Best wishes.

MZ

I started at 217 and am now at 183 after four months.  In May, I bought a Wii Fit, which has about 1/2 hour of yoga and 1/2 hour of strength (which is basically a little harder yoga).    I find myself easily doing the exercises for an hour every day (all but a couple which at 50 I can't ever imagine being able to do).  Not only has this improved my balance, but helped immensely with my arthritis (knees and neck and shoulders) but done wonders for backaches I was previously gotten, which are completely gone.  I have also, with permission of my doctor, eliminated the arthritis medication I was previously taken.    Good luck!!

How about that! I bought a Wii Fit, too,  about two months ago, and I'm really pleased with the yoga, strength, and balance games. The aerobic stuff is ok, but we use My Fitness Coach, too, and like it better for aerobic workouts. I've lost 20 pounds and feel like I have more energy. I bought us each a pair of snow shoes so we can keep up our walks in the woods after the snow falls. My this winter we'll both be in good enough shape for a mile or two of snow shoeing, so that ought to be fun.

Absolutely not! I've seen 80 yr old men and women do Tai Chi. You do not burn many calories, but is is very good for balance and control, which helps with energy, state of mind, etc. Breathing is very important.

You're never too old to do yoga:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4FTWEw-Yoo

or too fat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf96ns3bJ3I

It's very uplifting! take a look.