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#2016Goals: 7 Yoga Poses That Will Inspire You To Get Active

yoga poses
Image: Big Gal Yoga / Instagram

We’re one month into 2016 and with many of us dealing with winter weather, you may not feel too inspired to be active.

We don’t know about you but the plus yoga community on Instagram always has us inspired. See for yourself by searching on Instagram for hashtags like #plussizeyoga and #plussizeyogi. These women are proof that yoga is for all bodies and is an inclusive activity. YAY to inclusivity!

You may see these poses and think that it’s impossible. But that’s the beauty of yoga. It’s a versatile activity, where you can make it work for you. Research online via Google and social media to find modifying examples to perform yoga poses in a way that is comfortable for you.

There’s props you can use and great resources online such as the Big Yoga site, run by Meera Patricia Kerr, who teaches classes and also offers books and DVDs to use at home.

Read more#SizeDoesntMatter Challenge Shows That Plus Size Women Can Do Yoga Too

Here’s 7 yoga poses we saw on Instagram that are sure to inspire you to get active because if they can do it, so can you! You just have to take that first step and commit to it like these amazing ladies have done.

#1: @mynameisjessamyn

I don't know how I got to be so lucky. Every day, @nolatrees and I say to each other, "HOW IS THIS REAL LIFE?!" I am still so confused about the bounty of the universe, but then again what else is new. The love from all of our students is so overwhelming- our trip has been extremely eventful (in more ways than one), but our long distance tribe has fully encased us in love. The packed house for our #inversion workshop at @leelayogastudio kinda blew my heart wide open- it's crazy to me that our community expands so far. You guys are beautiful fucking people, for real. I keep meeting my @codyapp students in real life which is CRAZY and awesome and everything in between. And @nolatrees & I are basically living out a millennial femme version of "The Odd Couple"- a saga which is being captured on my snapchat constantly(@mynameisjessamy), & on my periscope (@jessnotjazz). Sooooo much love to all of our Bay Area baes who have offered rides, coconuts, forestry, fresh fruits and everything else we could possibly need at every point in this journey. I could go on, but I think I'm running the risk of sounding sappy. Basically, no matter how ridiculous the circumstances may be, I've got a lot of love for the Bay Area right now. ??? Top- @purelimesport Leggings- @rainbeaucurves Photo from that time I was practicing #handstands in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, by the silver fox @lydiahudgens

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#2: @naschue

#3: @unravelingjenna

https://www.instagram.com/p/BA0dTcXFeUM/?taken-by=unravelingjenna

#4: @curvygirlmeetsyoga

#5: @glitterandlazers

Clean up in aisle one, we have a hung over yogi trying to monopolize the dairy section with her flexible moves. Apparently no one does their grocery shopping at the fancy grocery store in Sunday morning. Including me. I seriously usually get really overwhelmed with choices at the grocery store and end up with 1 million things in my cart and none of them can actually be constructed into an adult meal. Child meal? Oh my hangry shopping kills at providing a child's dream meal. Frosted cookies and popcorn for breakfast anyone? I swear if people really knew how far I am from a fully functioning adult, I would probably lose my job and end up having to sell plastic jewelry made by children in impoverish countries on semi busy street corners while trying to avoid being shut down by the cops and still make enough to survive. My conscience can't take that and I suck at hiding from the police. Shh keep my low functioning a secret. Tell no one… Especially not nosy Sharon in accounting. #yogaeverywhere #doyou #instalife #groceryshopping

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#6: @canadianyogini_akb_

Day 2 #downwardfacingdog or my variation of #3leggeddownwardfacingdog #easewinterblues 1. Begin on your hands and knees in a tabletop position. Align your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. The fold of your wrists should be parallel with the top edge of your mat. 2. Spread your fingers out wide and press firmly through your palms and fingers. Distributing your weight evenly across your hands. 3. Tuck your toes, exhale, and lift your knees off the floor. Reach your pelvis up toward the ceiling, then draw your sit bones back behind you. Gently begin to straighten your legs. 4. Press the floor away from you as you lift through your pelvis, being sure not to lock your knees. As you lengthen your spine, lift your sit bones up toward the sky. Now press down equally through your heels and the palms of your hands. 5. Firm the outer muscles of your arms and press your index fingers into the floor. Lift from the inner muscles of your arms to the top of both shoulders. Draw your shoulder blades into your upper back ribs and toward your tailbone. 6. Rotate your arms externally so your elbow creases face your thumbs. 7. Draw your chest toward your thighs as you continue to press the mat away from you, lengthening and decompressing your spine. 8. Engage your quadriceps. Rotate your thighs inward as you continue to lift your sit bones high. Sink your heels toward the floor. 9. Align your ears with your upper arms. Relax your head, but do not let it dangle. Gaze between your legs or toward your navel. Make sure to check in with your hosts: @cheezysmilegal @finding.me.beginneryogi Tag our great sponsors: @craftycosmiccreations @zenergystone @zions_den_apparel @oilandbudder @nostalgic_autumn_dreams #practiceandalliscoming #progressnotperfection #practicedaily #ILOVEYOGA #igyogafam #instayoga #yogachallenge #yogaeverydamnday #yogaeverywhere #yogajourney #curvyyoga #canadianyoga #thickyoga #teamnourish

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#7: @pesekgp

Are you inspired yet? Here’s some links to get you started on your yoga journey, if you are.

http://supportiveyoga.com/

http://www.curvyyoga.com/

http://jessamynstanley.com/

http://bodypositiveyoga.com/

http://buddhabodyyoganyc.com/

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-yoga-tips-for-plus-size-people.html

You can do anything you set your mind to. Be inspired! Have a yoga story to share? Leave us a comment below and let us know.