Fat Bubble: Laura Burns

Welcome to the Fat Bubble, where every week we immerse ourselves in the culture of fatness, and where I share resources and leaders that support us in fat liberation. I’m so glad that you’re here.

Last week, when I focused on Jes Baker, I ended by acknowledging how oppressive structures mirror each other - how the same tools that uphold white supremacy also uphold anti-fatness, transphobia, homophobia and more. Today, I want to focus on a person that encourages me to hold disability justice close to my heart and my work, and from whom I learn so much.

Laura Burns is a favourite leader and IG follow of mine, under the name Radical Body Love. Primarily, she is a yoga teacher – creating sacred and safe spaces for folk to enjoy accessible and adaptive yoga. In the pursuit of this, Laura has also written a book! Called Big and Bold: Yoga for the Plus-Size Woman, which can support you in developing your yoga practice, in the body you have right now. From finding inclusively sized clothing and props, to the basics of getting started,  and beyond into a sustainable and rewarding practice, it walks you through a relationship with yoga that is both comfortable and challenging.

Laura’s lived experience as a fat person doing yoga is invaluable in supporting you develop your own practice. I've spoken about the power and validation of an 'own voices' experience before - by fat people for fat people - and this is the case here too; Laura knows about the neutral accommodation of your body, because she does it too! Because if your yoga practice isn’t actually accessible, you’re not going to want to do it! Laura’s descriptions of the techniques are supported by helpful photography – invaluable if you want to see what a particular pose might look like for someone who is also in a fat body. The yoga world can often make the right noises with inclusion but, unless spaces are really considering the needs of fat folks in their classes, it can often lead to people internalising yet more shame about their bodies, and feeling like it is their own personal failing if they need to adapt, alter, modify or omit poses from their practice. Making your practice bespoke is human and necessary, and it is a part of creating a relationship with yoga that feels enjoyable, manageable and even satisfying. For those in bigger bodies, however, it can feel like a defeat or, worse, an indictment on your body's lack of capability. Laura's practice and teaching is so vital, to support you in meeting your body where you are, honouring your body, rooting your practice in compassion and affirmation.

And, alongside Laura’s yoga work, she also creates caring spaces for those with chronic health conditions – specifically diabetes, PCOS and IBS. Laura is the co-founder of PCOS Body Liberation and, using the #PCOSBodyLiberation and also the #DiabetesWithoutShame hashtags, Laura contributes to creating vital connection, support and resourcing for fat folks who live with these conditions, and exploring the axis of fat liberation and disability justice in her work.

PCOS and diabetes are such a minefield for those in fat bodies. Routinely, support will pivot on intentional weight loss as the solution, and fat folks will routinely experience stigma, bias, judgment and neglect as they attempt to access resources. Having to interact with mainstream medical services can swipe people out of their Fat Bubble, positioning bodies as problems to be fixed, rather than humans to be nurtured and facilitated. Laura’s compassionate understanding is a balm for anyone wanting to dismantle the stigma that can become internalised along the way, as well as being a foundation from which to advocate for services and support with the belief that you are entitled to respectful and comprehensive care.

You can engage with Laura on her website where she has live and pre-recorded online sessions available; you can also find her on Patreon. Follow the hashtags, and I hope that Laura’s can contribute to you honouring the body you have, right now, just as it is – it's what you deserve.  

Until next week, friends, wishing you safety and joy.

Vicky