Zaftig Zen: Transforming Life, One Body at a Time

Patricia Blackburn knows these Truths, also--her shining countenance is the first clue that this Yoga class is different, that this Yogini is unique. Blackburn teaches Full-Figure Yoga every Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. at Tranquility Yoga Studio at Spa City Spa on Seward Street in Saratoga Springs. And Saratoga Today had asked me to take the class, and write about it.

"What," you're asking, "is Full-Figure Yoga?"

Now, you should know that I'd taken Yoga 12 years ago and loved it. But my osteoarthritis has gotten rather severe over the last decade...so I wasn't exactly looking forward to the experience. I was prepared to fail miserably, feel badly about myself and awaken unable to get out of bed.

I walked into the studio on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and was met by the radiant Blackburn, our Yogini. Blackburn created Full-Figure Yoga--although she is a petite creature, her heart is for those who need her services and empathy.

Her body is small, but her soul is monstrous.

So what, I had to know, is Full-Figure Yoga?

This concept, this gift to the world, is Yoga for the Rest of Us. For those who'll never grace the cover of Vogue--yet who are every-bit as beautiful as the anorexic girls who do. Yoga for women who are ahead of the game, culturally: we who understand that thin is no longer in.

We embrace our Raphaelite Selves.

Were we born during the Middle Ages, we'd have been hot property. In 21st Century Mauritania--we're in demand. Unfortunately, in contemporary America, we've been emotionally beaten up, as the men of Madison Avenue try to convince us that we're not desirable or lovely.

But we are lovely, and lush, and zaftig--the Yiddish word for "succulent," or "juicy."
In other words--we got the goods, and we know it.

But were we to enroll in a "traditional" Yoga class--we would probably be greeted by a roomful of tightly-wired bodies, attached to closed minds. Many of those who practice Yoga today are in it for the physical benefits--they don't see the deep spiritual and emotional perks. So they've not transcended to that place in which they understand that beauty comes from within, from that very spiritual center which they ignore in their quest for physical "perfection."

Enter Patricia Blackburn and her accepting, open, loving self.
Blackburn has been a Yogini--a teacher of Yoga--since 1996. She studied and was certified with Dani Riposo in a derivative of Kripalu Yoga, and with Eric Schiffman and his "more lyrical" take on Iyengar Yoga. That which Blackburn teaches here in the Spa City is loosely called, Hatha. Her deep understanding of these Yoga practices, along with her new interest in Yin Yoga, keeps her aligned in body, mind and spirit.  

And her own alignment transfers to her students as the elements of self-love and acceptance are married seamlessly to the potentially rigorous postures in the class.

The class was fun, quiet and deep. The calming lavender walls of the studio set the tone as stark flute and sitar music accompanied the postures and breathing. Almost immediately, I felt the day's cares melt away--and the serenity of inner knowledge settling into my very bones.

And my bones! I popped, I squeaked, I stretched--things I'd not felt in 12 years came to life again, as my mind fought off the fears of breaking something I'd need later. Fortunately, my mind took over, and the body went along for the cosmic ride.

Patricia Blackburn helped me feel assured, confident, natural--and beautiful. Every woman in that class was beautiful and uniquely, lushly, warmly magnificent. The room was electric with potential, while at the same time a womblike environment where emotional safety reigned. As the class ended with a prayer and a chant for peace, I was sad that it was ending. I'm sure that every beautiful woman in that class felt the same. 

This is what brings them back every Wednesday. Yoga is a deeply-moving experience--but it's only as good as the one who facilitates and teaches. Patricia Blackburn gives of herself to each student: mentoring, nurturing, cajoling--and, ultimately, blessing.
Blackburn teaches Yoga at the YMCA in Saratoga, also, and has a lively practice of CranioSacral Therapy. She can be contacted at any time about any of these offerings--I'm sure that her other classes and CS Therapy are as nurturing and loving as that which I experienced at Full-Figure Yoga. She brings her entire self into every session; she shares without prejudice.  

Prejudice is heaped on "full-figure" women every day, somewhere in America. This is the only time, place and Yogini in the entire Capital/Saratoga Region where we can go to escape the prejudice, and fall in love with ourselves all over again. As we stretched beyond our limits--and realized that we have no limits--we found far more than physical satisfaction. We found that we are held back only by what we think--and Blackburn is determined to make sure that we think the highest. Faces heavenward, feet firmly planted on the Earth, hearts opened to possibilities.  

Patricia Blackburn may well be a miracle worker--an angel in our own backyard. Her years of training in Yoga and CranioSacral Therapy practice have crafted her into a giving, generous, accepting teacher. A new-found mentor for my soul--and my formerly-aching body. And by-the-way: the next day, I awoke and fairly leapt out of bed.

That is an experience I hope you'll all choose to share--and soon. It's never too late to jump into the class and find your energy--or your self-esteem.
Patricia Blackburn can be contacted via phone or 
email: (518) 488-2203/alawrence4@nycap.rr.com