How does yoga treat tall people?

superunhappyfuntime · 4 months

You will be fine, I'm 6'3" and my girlfriend is your height, we both are fine when we go to yoga. My only problem with it is that I am often the only guy in the class and always the tallest person there so I stick out like dog's balls.

doomglobe · 4 months

6'3" here. I find myself running out of mat sometimes. The main thing about Yoga, though, is that it doesn't really matter if it is harder for you than for someone else. You just do what you can. Nobody is really paying attention to the people who take an extra childs pose if they don't want to take pincha in the middle of the room, or whatever. The only time anyone notices what anyone else is doing is when they don't know what to do themselves (or someone is doing something amazing).

Don't worry about that article. The vast majority of people shouldn't be doing most of the things they do on a daily basis. Yoga is probably going to turn out to be the best thing you do for yourself, aside from survival essentials.

rockchickyogi · 4 months

I wouldn't worry too much about that article. Instead, ask yourself - are you the performance driven or bare minimum type? Knowing this and being aware of it when practicing yoga you will be able to adjust by either slowing down or shaping up and holding that posture a little longer. It's all about balance.

As for the height, I am also taller than average women and aside from needing a longer mat, I think it can actually be beneficial. For me, being klutzy, doing yoga has helped me become more aware of my physical body (more grounded) and it has also helped me perform better in other discipline like rock climbing for example.

But above all, have fun! Yoga is not a sport and therefore no need to perform. Listen to the teacher, ask questions after class and stop to rest if and when you need too. :)

rusnak167 · 4 months

I'm a 6'1" male who has no problems doing yoga. I think that "grounded quality" you're referring to is your center of gravity. It will be higher but your wider stances will compensate for it. Other than that it's the same for you as it is for shorter people, but you take up more space.

dotlurker · 4 months

Yoga classes depend a fair bit on your instructor, some have different styles of teaching or preferences for doing certain poses more or less often.

Be sure to tell them it's your first class, and they should be able to give you any help if you need it. Go slowly and gently if you have any injuries, but you'll be fine.

For your first class, there's usually a number of stretches, and whether or not you're flexible shouldn't play a big part in whether or not you can do them, and your instructor will always be able to provide your alternatives if not.

Have fun and enjoy yoga! Oh and try not to compare yourself to others around you (which can be a bit hard at first) but just focus on yourself.

bluescreenlife · 4 months

You'll need a longer mat, and balancings might be a bit tougher. No big deal. As for that article, just don't push yourself too hard. And when you do push yourself too hard, like I do, give your body the downtime it needs to figure its new self out.

yeahbenwhatever · 4 months

don't kick the person behind you or kick them lots. either way!

captjet23 · 4 months

A tip for the tall here. I'm only a 5'10" guy, but I have an armspan of over 6'2", and I have taught many a tall person, most of which have had some kind of balance issue starting off. The key is that you HAVE to extend yourself out. You may have to give yourself a bit more room to work than others, but get as much room as you need and STRETCH. The reason I noted my armspan is because that is what helps me to balance, even though it should throw me off. If you have troubles with your flexibility, that's not a problem at all. Just do what you can, and keep it easy. Extend yourself, but it shouldn't hurt. And always remember, your limbs should reach as far away from you as possible.

Drainbownick · 4 months

IMHO...

NYT article is puff piece of crap. Glenn Black is famous in the yoga community for his curmudgeonly ways(I've studied with him and he is basically a dick, but an incredibly knowledgeable and kind dick)...Your odds of getting injured crossing the street are way higher than being injured in Yoga. Their own statistics are laughable...estimated 20 million practitioners with 46 reported injuries? Give me a break. That said- don't ever let anyone (including yourself) convince you to do anything that feels like more than just discomfort...also tall people seem to have further to go to get to their toes...

akaxaka · 4 months

I'd like to invite you, and all other tall people of r/yoga to /r/tall .

We could really use some Yoga/Posture/Body confidence advice for tall people over there!

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