Revolved, bolster supported, kneeling, low lunge (Son of Anjani pose) variation which supports stretching the hip flexors and quadriceps, building core strength while opening up the chest and shoulders.
Yoga is for every body.
Yoga For Bigger Bodies aims to provide a safe space for anyone at any size to become more in tune with their body; to find connection where there may be separation. These series are designed to bring yoga to those who feel uncomfortable in the modern, “thin, flexible and exercise” focused, drop-in class setting. Practicing in community with others in bigger bodies provides support, encouragement, embodiment and collective care.
YBB classes are offered in person as workshops or livestream and on-demand via our new online studio. Join us!
These series of individual workshop classes are open to all shapes, ability levels and sizes. This is an inclusive and non-judgmental class that centers yoga philosophy, honors yoga’s South Asian/Indian roots, Health At Every Size®, embodiment and joyful movement. There is no weight or size requirement—everyone is welcome!
In person workshops are held regularly at The People's Yoga in NE Portland (weekdays) and offered occasionally at The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center in SE Portland (weekends). Each in person class is a separate series typically 6 weeks long. Livestream and on-demand classes are offered as drop-in or with class packages or monthly memberships. Find out which class best suits your needs on the CLASSES page.
Workshops and classes sell out often, so we encourage you to register as soon as the new dates are announced!
“I was always nervous to take yoga classes due to my larger size. I felt soon as I walked into a class I would be judged and didn’t have a fighting chance in keeping up with the routines. Then I came across Bethany, whose approach is honoring self inside and out—one’s wholeness. The practice of listening to self and being in the here and now has allowed me to apply it to all aspects of my life.” - YBB Student
About
Bethany Batsell
Owner and Principal Teacher
I am a fair-skinned, fat, Black, woman with African and European ancestry. My pronouns are she/her. I recognize the privilege and responsibility of my multi-ethnic identities and also honor the adversity and hardship. Throughout my life, from singing to dancing to running to living - I struggled to fully access my breath, to find my voice and to "fit -in". Growing up in small, rural towns and changing schools often, I was always judged and scrutinized by my image. Always asked “what are you”? Practicing yoga has helped me to turn my attention inwards to find wholeness and home within me. I learned more about my relationship with my body and how to trust it’s strength and resilience, to amplify my voice, and to honor my boundaries and find belonging in the body I have today. My love and gratitude for Yoga and a deeper connection to my whole self unfold from the inside out, the more I learn and practice. It helps me let go of image and perfection to reclaim body trust and liberation. It’s a daily practice. I am honored to share my experiences of transformation and to teach others how Yoga can support joy, healing, love and self-acceptance from the inside out.
I became a teacher in 2018 after completing my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training from Yoga Refuge Yoga Conservatory. That same year, in addition to teaching 3 weekly, drop-in classes at Unfold Yoga Studio, I began subbing workshops for Yoga For Bigger Bodies led by founder, Julie Westlin-Naigus. In 2020 I became the primary teacher for all three weekly YBB workshops and as of 2022 it was an honor to become the owner and principal teacher. I am an Accessible Yoga Ambassador and am passionate about sharing the gifts of yoga beyond asana.
My yoga teaching, honors the ancient roots of Yoga, HAES (Health at Every Size) and celebrates the diversity of bodies in all shapes, sizes, abilities and identities. There is space for you to be you, just as you are. You belong here.
About Julie Westlin-Naigus, M.A., LPC
Creator and Founder of Yoga for Bigger Bodies
Julie created Yoga for Bigger Bodies in 2013 when she realized that many of her students were not receiving the support and encouragement they needed in a drop-in yoga class. Through listening, creating brave space and recognizing her own limitations with her own body privilege, Julie continues to hold space for dialogue and change within her community of students and teachers.
She received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training from Kripalu Yoga Center in 2008 and has been studying Body-Mind Centering since 2013. She began studying yoga in 2006 when she found herself fully immersed in the Kripalu Seva program where she spent two years studying the science of yoga.
Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds her master’s degree in counseling with a certificate in Eating Disorders from Lewis & Clark College. Julie has worked extensively with Hilary Kinavey and Dana Larson with Center For Body Trust (fka Be Nourished). Julie had a private practice at Be Nourished for over 7 years. To find out more about Julie's private practice please visit her website.
YBB Logo Artist Attribution: I was delighted to collaborate with Rosie Molinary, author of the book "Beautiful You: A Daily Guide To Radical Self Acceptance" on this design. In her free time, she enjoys painting water colors and conducts virtual art shows. When I saw this piece of her artwork, I was immediately drawn to it. It reminds me of a person in a bigger, soft, round and rooted body in a seated posture with their heart radiating loving kindness into the world. This is me. This is you. This is all of us, in our wholeness as we heal together in our practice of Yoga.
While Rosie initially only saw this piece as stones stacked on top of each other, she was overjoyed with my vision and together we collaborated to create the new YBB Logo design. It means the world to me and is a full circle expression of love and gratitude as her book was one of the first I ever came across on my journey of self-love, acceptance and fat liberation years ago. I hope you enjoy and delight in it as much as I do.