Essay Response

Link to the essay: Big Yoga Student (2012, 2019)

Summary

In Big Yoga Student, Kimberly Dark reflects on her experiences as a fat woman participating in yoga and fitness spaces, examining how societal pressures around body image affect self-perception and inclusion. She shares personal encounters in yoga studios where she is observed and judged, highlighting both the discomfort and the moments of solidarity she experiences with other marginalized bodies. Dark critiques how many wellness spaces cater to narrow standards of fitness and beauty, leaving some participants feeling excluded. Through her own journey of self-acceptance and by becoming a yoga teacher, she models embracing difference and creating inclusive communities. She emphasizes that wellness is about self-acceptance, visibility, and living authentically rather than conforming to societal ideals.

Response

Reading Big Yoga Student by Kimberly Dark made me reflect deeply on the ways society constructs beauty and fitness standards and how these standards influence our interactions with our own bodies and with others. Dark’s essay demonstrates that wellness spaces, even those designed for self-care, can replicate societal hierarchies that marginalize people who do not conform to the dominant body ideal. Her account of noticing another fat woman’s gaze in a yoga studio illustrates the power of solidarity and recognition among those often overlooked, as she writes, "Sometimes we were having the same thought: 'How wonderful! She’s living her life and using her body as she chooses, despite what others might think.'" This simple moment underscores the essay’s central theme of community and mutual acknowledgment.

Dark critiques the exclusivity of yoga studios that cater to people with certain body types or socioeconomic status, explaining that "in the process, it’s left some of us behind." This insight challenged me to consider how access and representation shape experiences in spaces intended for wellness. The essay highlights that inclusion is not just about physical space but about creating cultural environments where all bodies feel valued and visible. This resonates with class discussions about how societal norms privilege certain identities and bodies while marginalizing others.

One of the most impactful aspects of Dark’s essay is her evolution from seeking validation to embracing her presence in yoga spaces. She notes, "Ten years ago, I would make the effort to prove my fitness worthiness, but nowadays, I just make my own offering, flawed and brilliant as it can be." Her journey illustrates the ongoing process of self-acceptance, reminding readers that confidence and authenticity are cultivated over time. Becoming a yoga teacher allows her to model inclusivity and challenge cultural assumptions about who belongs in wellness spaces, showing how personal choices can have broader social impact.

Representation and diversity are central to Dark’s message. She encourages more fat, older, and disabled yoga teachers to step forward, emphasizing that visibility in these spaces can create community and foster belonging. She critiques the consumerist notion that the teacher’s body should be a model or goal, stating, "Most students want to think of the teacher’s body as a goal, an attainable one because she got to look like that by doing this yoga thing. Well, it’s not that simple." This statement reminded me that cultural ideals of fitness and beauty are constructed and maintained by societal and economic forces. Recognizing this allows us to reclaim agency over how we relate to our own bodies and how we view others.

The essay connects to societal issues beyond yoga. Dark’s reflection on visibility, recognition, and self-acceptance resonates with broader discussions of how marginalized people navigate public spaces, whether related to race, gender, ability, or body size. Her personal story demonstrates resilience, agency, and the importance of creating supportive networks. Moments of solidarity, like the mutual acknowledgment between two fat women in a yoga studio, show how small acts of recognition can foster connection and empowerment.

Dark also emphasizes that wellness is more than physical attainment. She writes, "Living a good life is more about acceptance than it is about attainment." Her essay made me reconsider my own assumptions about what it means to practice wellness and how societal pressure can distort our understanding of health and value. It encourages readers to focus on self-care, authenticity, and inclusivity rather than striving to conform to unattainable standards.

Overall, Big Yoga Student combines memoir, social critique, and advocacy. Dark encourages readers to examine how culture shapes our experience of our bodies, our communities, and our sense of self. Her essay highlights that authenticity, acceptance, and solidarity are essential for personal growth and social change. It challenges readers to reconsider how they participate in wellness, question societal expectations, and embrace difference as a source of strength. The essay provides strategies for self-acceptance and community building, reminding us that every body deserves visibility, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.