Anything you can do, I can do almost.

Hello, my name is Valerie aka Big Gal Yoga. This is my personal journey of a big woman's yoga practice. My life is not perfect, but I try to fill it with the beautiful things in life. The beautiful energy of people, travel, hobbies, art, and my yoga practice. I appreciate all the love I've gotten from this blog, and hope to keep motivating new people to try out yoga! Visit my website www.biggalyoga.com for more info, events, and FAQ! I started here on Tumblr, but have mostly been frequently on Instagram. Check me out there for more daily updates! Instagram: @biggalyoga #SelfLovingYogis #ThePowerOfYoga #biggalyogachallenge #biggalyoga #yogawithval

[big-gal-yoga]

So excited to see my friends and businesses getting pre copies of my book! Still jelly that I am still waiting on my copy to show up at my doorstep! 🙄 If you didn't know my new book is coming out in two more weeks! Ahhh! If you've wanted to start a yoga practice but didn't know where to start in this giant mass of information in the yoga world, my book is a great place to start! We are all allowed to practice yoga no matter our size or shape with out the stigma and shaming of our bodies! Our bodies are amazing and powerful, and we don't give them enough credit for how powerful they really are! Thank you so much to all who have already pre-ordered, and if you haven't yet the link to pre-order is www.biggalyoga.com ! I will be touring around the west coast once the book is released, so I hope to see you at one of those events! I have two events set up in my hometown at @curvygirllingerie July 29th and at @btcwellness August 6th, and you can find that info on the events section on my website! Other dates TBA! 😀 @sealpress

[big-gal-yoga]

Day 4 of the #Selflovingyogis July challenge ❣Hero Pose / Virasana You can come into Virasana with or without props, and/or come into a Reclined Hero Pose (swipe for variation). . Coming onto the floor, you can have the knees together sitting on the heels, or hip distance apart to sit on the floor between the ankles. You can use a blanket over the heels, or place a block or cushion under the butt to be propped up. Hands placed on top of the thighs, spine upright, chin slightly down, gazing ahead or with the eyes closed down. To come down slowly into a Reclined Hero, place the hands back and by your side's, dropping down to your forearms. Keep the spine long and elongated (you can also place a long bolster to support the back). Only come down as far as it feel comfortable but not painful, this is a deep pose so take your time. . 💥 We also have a couple sponsors joining, so please tag @bombsheller @luminanceskincare and @stardancerdesigns in the rest of your posts for the challenge! They will be generously giving gifts to a couple of you at the end of the challenge! . How to join in: - Post a photo (s) or video of what you feel like for the self care activities, and of yourself in the daily yoga pose. - Tag myself @biggalyoga (TBA sponsors) with #selflovingyogis so I can follow you along on your journey. - Share the flyer and tag a friend to spread the word and join in anytime! . . . #yoga #selfcare #selflove #yogalove #yogatherapy #yogachallenge #summerofselfcare

[big-gal-yoga]

Day 3 of the #Selflovingyogis July challenge ❣Self Care activity: Put on a cute outfit. Outfit can be cute, sexy, fun, comfortable, crazy, fancy, minimal. Whatever you want! A new cute outfit or an outfit that you have maybe only worn once but couldn't find that time to ever wear it again can be a fun new change out of your normal routine! Also just wearing a comfortable outfit like your favorite leggings, cute shorts, and favorite top. Trying new outfits on at your favorite store can be a fun dress up as well. I like taking pictures in an outfit I can't afford sometimes so I don't feel like I'm obsessing over an outfit. Have fun with it today! Both of these outfits I got from @forever21plus, and I haven't worn them since I got them! I still really love them, just didn't know when I would ever wear them. So I thought today should be the day! How to join in: - Post a photo (s) or video of what you feel like for the self care activities, and of yourself in the daily yoga pose. - Tag myself @biggalyoga (TBA sponsors) with #selflovingyogis so I can follow you along on your journey. - Share the flyer and tag a friend to spread the word and join in anytime! . . . #yoga #selfcare #selflove #yogalove #yogatherapy #yogachallenge #summerofselfcare

[big-gal-yoga]

Day 2 of the #Selflovingyogis July challenge ❣Thread the Needle

Practice whichever position works best for you with or without props! Begin on your hands aligned under the shoulders and knees under the hips. Reach the right arm up opening up to the right side, then sweep the right hand down threading the arm under the body towards the left side. Then drop the shoulder and head down to the floor. If the shoulder and head don’t reach, or that sensation feels too deep right now, place a block or folded blanket underneath for support or drop the forearm down to the floor still twisting the torso as much as you can.

How to join in: - Post a photo (s) or video of what you feel like for the self care activities, and of yourself in the daily yoga pose. - Tag myself @biggalyoga (TBA sponsors) with #selflovingyogis so I can follow you along on your journey. - Share the flyer and tag a friend to spread the word and join in anytime! . . . #yoga #selfcare #selflove #yogalove #yogatherapy #yogachallenge #summerofselfcare

[big-gal-yoga]

Day 1 of the #Selflovingyogis July challenge! ❣Self care activity: Write 5 things that make you happy right now. 1. Art/art friends 2. Breaking piñatas 3. Trying to keep cacti alive. 4. Watching gaming livestreams. 5. My kitty Roux. A simple activity to take a moment to think about what simple pleasures are going on in your life. They don't have to be grand or exciting for someone else, just something that keeps you going positively. How to join in: - Post a photo (s) or video of what you feel like for the self care activities, and of yourself in the daily yoga pose. - Tag myself @biggalyoga (TBA sponsors) with #selflovingyogis so I can follow you along on your journey. - Share the flyer and tag a friend to spread the word and join in anytime! . . . #yoga #selfcare #selflove #yogalove #yogatherapy #yogachallenge

[big-gal-yoga]

Hey everyone! This Saturday will be the start of another #selflovingyogis yoga/self-care challenge hosted by me! It is a 25 day challenge with 13 days of self care activities, and 13 days of yoga poses! Sometimes we want to know what self care can look like and I've chosen a handful of activities that I've used along with yoga poses to practice throughout the month! You can also add in other health-care activities that you've practiced yourself like putting on make-up, hanging out with friends, or as simple as staying hydrated!

This challenge is about your own accountability. You pushing yourself towards your own self-care. I hope that you treat the challenge as pushing yourself positivity. Not focusing or getting upset that you missed a day or a handful of days, but enjoying the simple benefits of taking care of your own well being. Looking forward to the challenge! 💕

How to join in:

1. Repost flyer to help spread the word, tagging a friend who might want to join with you as a support system.

2. Follow myself @biggalyoga (and possible sponsors TBA)

3. Follow along daily, posting a photo or video on your account of the daily activity or pose.

4. Tag #selflovingyogis and myself in your post so i can follow along on your journey! 😚

To pre-order my new book Big Gal Yoga coming out July 25th, follow the link www.biggalyoga.com ! 💖 

[big-gal-yoga]

Happy International Yoga Day! As well as welcoming the Summer Solstice and first day of summer! ☀ 12 Sun Salutations for today's practice. One of these days I will remember all of the mantra that go with the 12 salutes! . Also a Happy Birthday to my mother! 🎉 . " Solstice time is one for gratitude and celebration, especially to yourself. Gratitude for all of the work you put in to see your harvest, in all of its glory – flourishing, yet struggling – growing, yet pushing. This is a time to celebrate your healing cycles, the not-so-exciting self-care victories and the deeply impactful self-affirmations. " - Cassandra Thompson - @wearyourvoicemag . Im definitely in a stage of recovery with yoga. I've put so much energy towards my book, and now I want to remind myself of why I've come to yoga. Why it means so much to me, and why I want others to hopefully experience it.

If you have ever wanted to start a yoga practice and are unsure on where to start, my new book Big Gal Yoga can help you start your journey! It is my labor of love to you all! It comes out July 25 and you can pre-order it now! www.biggalyoga.com 😚 . Bikini Top by @swimsuitsforall 👙 Leggings by @bombsheller 💣 Mat by @liforme 💓

[big-gal-yoga]

Just a little over a month away for my labor of love to come out! I seriously can't wait to hold onto It with my hands and cry over it! I've gone through so many emotions watching this book come to life, and I can't wait for you all to have it too! In my book Big Gal Yoga - Poses and Practices to Celebrate Your Body and Empower Your Life, I share how everyone of all shapes and sizes can start their own yoga practice though all of the different aspects of yoga using personal stories, affirmations, exercises, a yoga challenge, and yoga routines that can help everyone find empowerment through yoga. Everyone's journey and experiences through yoga are all different, but we all come to the same place wanting to find self acceptance in our lives and bodies. 

How thoughtful of my book to come out July 25, the day after my birthday! Pre-order the book now! Link to where you can buy my book is www.biggalyoga.com ! If you are local or traveling around the SF Bay Area, I will be having a book chat and signing July 29th at Curvy Girl Lingerie ! As well as a yoga class, chat, and book signing August 6th at Be the Change Yoga and Wellness! Info for those events on my website! Hope to see you there! ❣

[big-gal-yoga]

Sorry for abandoning Tumblr

I still use Instagram as my main source of social media, but I will try to remember to post here. It was irritating before because my yoga account is not my main account, and I don’t know if the connection to IG lets you post to a secondary account. And I’m apparently to lazy to to copy and paste, lol. Though now that my book is coming out soon I will try to add more here!

[stophatingyourbody]

Created by Wear Your Voice Magazine, #BeyondBeauty is a campaign that hopes to challenge brands that promote body positivity to include a more diverse range of women in their advertisements. #BeyondBeauty is urging body-positive campaigns such as Dove’s Real Beauty and Lane Bryant’s #PlusIsEqual to include an even more diverse range of women.

Head over to Wear Your Voice to learn more about the #BeyondBeauty campaign.

JOIN THE BODY PEACE REVOLUTION!

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It was amazing to be in such a great campaign!

[mypalval]

I used to be weirded out of the thought of other people seeing my body, but now I fully embrace and enjoy that people like myself are loving their bodies. I have lumps, rolls, scars, dark spots, uneven skin, stretch marks, fat, body hair; all the things that make me who I am. All those things I’ve come to accept and love about myself.

[big-gal-yoga]

Check-In

Hey everyone, I know it's been awhile since I posted photos or answered questions. Sorry about that! I didn't know that Instagram would take up my time. I care about you guys and thank you all for following me. I will definitely get back soon to posting photos from Instagram. If there have been any questions that you guys might have asked, check out my website www.biggalyoga.com under the Frequently Asked Questions and your answer might be there. Much love to you all! 💜

[big-gal-yoga]

Wow, I'm still so stunned at how many people I've reached here on Tumblr 20k and Instagram 30K 😲 I know that not all of you check my IG daily, but thank you all so much for wanting to follow my yoga practice! Because of you guys, I've finally given into wanting to become a yoga teacher. I fought it for a long while because of the fact that this is my practice. It is the one of two things that has impacted my life when I didn't know where I was going. The first was doing ceramics and getting into my BFA program, but when I slowly fell into a rut and didn't know where I was going in my art, yoga picked me up. My practice has been the supporting hand on my shoulder when times get tough. Life happens and all we can do is keep going, and yoga has been the physical and mental therapy for myself. Whenever I become a yoga teacher, I'll be happy to be connecting to new people. All our lives/practices are different. My experience and your experience through yoga will be different. I just hope to keep spreading self love through yoga. Loving ourselves is such a radical thinking. I know that we can't always love ourselves all the time, but we should have a good understanding of ourselves physically and mentally. To try and not to tear ourselves down about such small things. Much love to everyone! 😙❤❤❤❤❤

[big-gal-yoga]

Super ecstatic about my Self Loving Yogis commission that Valerie of @thetinyhobo did! So beautiful!!! Love her art style! 😙❤ Ahhh, so super cute! Also loving the rainbow background, perfect timing for #pride weekend! Check her out if you haven’t yet! She has such cute stuff in her Etsy and does adorable commissions! ❤💛💚💙💜💓

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#SelfLovingYogis June Yoga Challenge Hosted by big-gal-yoga Sponsored by: Fractal9 - fractal9.etsy.com Stardancerdesigns - www.stardancerdesigns.com

This #SelfLovingYogis challenge is about backbends and heart openers. My back has been a bit stiff lately so I wanted the theme of the challenge to focus on deepening backbends while openning the heart.

[big-gal-yoga]

#SelfLovingYogis June Yoga Challenge Hosted by big-gal-yoga Sponsored by: Fractal9 - fractal9.etsy.com Stardancerdesigns - www.stardancerdesigns.com

This #SelfLovingYogis challenge is about backbends and heart openers. My back has been a bit stiff lately so I wanted the theme of the challenge to focus on deepening backbends while openning the heart.

[big-gal-yoga]

The beach will be my home for the summer! 🌞🌊

Bikini top from Forever21 Shorts by Fractal9.etsy.com Use the code FRACTAL9PLUS to receive 15% off your order!