Guest guest Posted February 12, 2003 Report Share Posted February 12, 2003 Hari Sant Singh, I've been overweight and I've been not so overweight but I've always had a very round body. First of all I much prefer the words "overweight" or even "FAT" to "obese" (even if it's true). Obese, (well maybe especially if it is true) is a really creepy word. It is a word that in fiction is only used to describe lazy, evil, greasy, people. (One may call a Buddha or a Santa Claus 'fat' but only a detractor would call them 'obese') The word has more than a medical connotation. Due to it's usage it has a negative moral connotation. Probably only an obese person would be touchy about this but self loathing is an important part of what you need to overcome when you are obese. I'm not saying you should be less than truthful. Just sensitive. When I first returned home after finishing school, I'd gained so much weight I took a "gentle" yoga class from my former teacher. It was not what I needed. I needed more vigorous movement not "gentle" movements that I could not do. My teacher asked us to "draw the knees into the chest and relax" between almost every asana. I hated that and dropped the class because of it. If a person has extra weight around the belly, drawing the knees into the chest is NOT relaxing. When I rock on my back I hold on behind the knees. Child's pose is terrible without adjusting it to resting the head on the hands. Forward bending poses are much easier if the legs are separated. It makes sense. Just ask yourself, "Could I do this if I had a soccer ball duct taped to my belly"? Also, remember that a heavy person is pushing or holding up a lot more weight when they are pushing up from the floor. The key is adjustment. Also be sure they protect the lower back in leg lifting poses. A pillow under the rump is very helpful. I use both 'Fat Free Yoga' by Ravi Singh and 'Weight Loss with Kundalini Yoga' with Nirvair Singh videos. Nirvair's video is gentler, Ravi's more invigorating. These would be excellent references for teaching overweight people. Nirvair's video includes meditations and yoga walking. Ravi's uses breath of fire. Breath of Fire is is great for invigorating a sluggish system. good luck with this! It is much needed. Devinderjit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2003 Report Share Posted February 12, 2003 Sat Nam Devinderjit, Just want you to know that I particularly appreciate your comments regarding use of words and sensitivity and the need for invigorating exercises. Thanks again. Sincerely yours Hari Sant Singh Give up your sense of mine and yours and become the dust of the feet of all. God resides in every heart. ___________ SikhNet - http://www.SikhNet.com ___________ Get news on Sikhism and the Sikhnet web site Sign up at http://www.SikhNet.com/ ___________ Select your own custom email address for FREE! Get you w/No Ads, 6MB, POP & more! http://www.everyone.net/selectmail?campaign=tag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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