Yoga clothing is not just for people who do yoga – it is clothing that is comfortable, flattering, and really easy for active use – whether you want to go for a walk, a bike ride, do Pilates or yoga or just lounge around the house.

There are a lot of options out there for plus size yoga clothing, and the ones that have largely positive reviews are –

Old Navy stocks plus size yoga clothing offering a wide range – comfortable stretch capris, cropped wide leg yoga pants, straight leg, roll over yoga pants and lots of other options.

Uniquely me also has plus size yoga clothing such as lined bra tops, Capri pants, leggings, cellulite smoother leggings, tank tops, and lots of other options.

Danskin yoga and active wear gets a lot of positive reviews, with their options for separate bottoms and tops, leotards, leg wear and tights, and so on.  

A Big Attitude stocks plus size yoga clothing and active wear – plus size capris, shorts, cami bras, leggings sports bras, sports pants, sports tops, combo sets, yoga pants, and a whole range of other active wear.

The right kind of yoga clothing or active wear should not only fit well and be comfortable, it should also flatter and enhance your assets so that you are motivated to be active and keep fit.

With plus size girls no longer content to hide behind concealing, shapeless clothing, the designers are sitting up and taking notice of this demand for smart, feminine, flattering designs for larger women, in Canada as well.

Plus size clothing stores now abound in Canada as well, that cater to the discerning plus size buyer.

Pennington’s Plus currently has their spring ready styles available, with T shirts, tops, jackets and lots of other stuff and very significant discounts.

Addition Elle is another great option for plus size shopping in Canada. Their denims and skinny leggings and jeans look particularly attractive, and they also offer some useful tips on what to team the pants with – longer tops, tunics and blouses.

Sears Canada offers a wide variety of plus size clothing options – there are spring and summer dresses, swimwear, formal and casual wear, active wear, shoes and accessories. There is also available specialty sizing for petites and so on.

Satin Woods is another plus size clothing store that caters to Canada – sweaters and cardigans, dresses, fashion tops, tanks and camisoles, jeans and pants, accessories are all available. There is also a 25% discount on all jewelry and select sweaters currently available.  

With the retail segment aware of the fact that plus size shoppers are now discerning and savvy about what they buy, plus size clothing of all kinds, and particularly plus size bathing and swim suits are easier to buy than ever before.

There is now a wider range and variety of plus size swimsuits made, with attention to every body type and requirement. No longer do larger women have to hide in tent like creations; there are now flattering cuts and designs, elegant colors and prints, and options ranging from the one piece maillot, to bikinis and tankinis to choose from.

And the shopping options for plus size swimwear is wider today than ever before – most bricks and mortar stores will have plus sizes and designs to choose from. Then there is the added convenience of shopping for swimsuits online as well.

Though a lot of us may be a little wary of buying a swimsuit online, there are many reasons why this is a good idea – you can browse a very wide variety of plus size swim suits online, accessing multiple stores and sites without leaving the comfort of your home. You can get benefit of online promotions and sales, and use the sizing chart to find a perfect fit as well.

The ‘ideal’ of beauty today is a skewed one and one that is historically divergent from previously held views.  Previously, thinness was always considered synonymous with malnourishment, weakness, lack of prosperity and even suspect fecundity.

Consider the Venus Figurines, particularly Venus of Willendorf (pictured here) thought to date back about 35,000 years, which are considered to be some of the oldest ceramics known, and the earliest works of prehistoric art ever found.

Wide hips, a rounded belly and breasts were obviously prerequisites for the female form to be considered worthy of being worshiped as a fertility goddess or mother goddess.

Now contrast this with the pictures of models in recent times; most famously Isabelle Caro, who really put herself out there trying to get across the message of emaciation being tantamount to ill-health.

While Caro was trying to send across a crucial message, other skinny models that people the fashion and beauty industry send across a conflicting one. The fact that anorexic looking models are the ‘ideal’ constantly reinforces the message to young people today, that this is what one has to look like – this is beauty, this is what one should aspire to.

So clearly, skinny, anorexic models are responsible for at least some of the body image and self esteem issues that young girls face today?

My own personal hall of fame consists of famous and beautiful women – both current and past. They are confident Hollywood celebrities who've inspired us to look and feel "sexy at any size" …  My top 10 famous plus size models / celebrities are –

1.       Anna Nicole Smith, former legendary Guess Model, Playboy's Playmate of the Year 1993 and pop sex culture icon.

2.       Kristie Alley TV personality and film star – star of Showtime TV Show "Fat Actress" detailing life of overweight actress in Hollywood and former Jenny Craig spokeswoman.

3.       Tocarra Jones, starred in "America's Next Top Model" and "Celebrity Fit Club" episode "telling off the judge" about her weight.

4.       Beyonce, American R&B singer-song writer, record producer, actress and pop culture icon also famous for her "curvy" body and coining the term "bootylicious."

5.       Jennifer Lopez aka J. Lo, singer, actress, designer, producer is the richest person of Latin American decent in Hollywood according to Forbes made her claim to fame movie "Selena" and her notorious "sexy big butt."

6.       Laila Ali, professional female boxer and daughter of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, new host on revival of NBC TV Show "American Gladiators" and is an image of a woman with a strong, fit and toned body.

7.       Marilyn Monroe, legendary sex symbol considered large in her time. She wore a size 12 dress, lifted weights regularly, which meant she was more muscular than waiflike.

8.       Serena Williams, former World No. 1 ranked American female tennis player won eight Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal.

9.       Mae West, performed vaudeville at  age five, burlesque under name "The Baby Vamp" raising eyebrows of the lascivious "shimmy" dance.

10.   Tyra Banks, host of hit show America's Next Top Model and WB's Tyra Banks Show, recently spoke out about People Magazine claiming she's FAT, has always stressed the importance of body confidence.