Posturing

Again, as many have written, it's not body-judgement. She's not talking about being of a certain body type, but being active and working on flexibility. It has zero to do with body type.

Chuck Dee

You know, May's being pretty body-judgemental for someone whose ass was falling off not long ado.

Sleepy John

I don't recall May's toes ever being specifically pointed out, but I do know she got one of the fanciest body available.

SilverbackRon

FUck doctors disbelieving patient reports of pain.

Am Queue

I thought AI chassis eschewed toes, e.g. #3567. Are May's toes indicative of her body being particularly fancy?

Richard

Immobile Suit Gundam

Jax

As someone who does yoga rather intensively and has had several episodes of back spasms literally on the mat: I hear what you say, but I also just want to point out that "yoga teacher teaching" as we know it is a sham. 200 hours of learning poses and anatomy and ayurvedic medicine and cueing and whatever else isn't going to make you competent *enough* to teach safely and knowledgeably right after. Currently my lower back is *finally* but slowly decompressing after an annus horribilis of pain, but that's because I've 1) started working with someone who's been doing this job for 20 years and had other movement-related background to boot and 2) picked up a lot more humility along the way thanks to the pain. Yoga when taught by experienced, knowledgeable teachers who spend the time to get the fundamentals right with their students is beneficial for the kind of physical distortions modern life gifts us. But it's a long road, and the seduction of getting challenging, Insta-wow poses can be a real obstacle as well. That yoga teachers are also "service providers" in the modern economy is another spanner in the works.

I feel like people should point out more that yoga isn't for everyone. It's good for most people, but there are health conditions that contraindicate it. There's also a larger set of health conditions that don't exactly contraindicate it, but do require specific adaptations to avoid hurting onesself. My ex studied yoga, and seemed to be a natural at it. She then went on to take yoga teacher training, and between her studious nature and natural flexibility, quickly proceeded through the material. Pretty much every established yoga instructor she met in that process had multiple law suits filed against them (not all at once) for negligence due to injuries their customers suffered doing yoga under their direction. A couple of them had markedly fewer per year, because they actually did study what the contraindications were and talked with their new students about them, rather than at most acknowledging that people might need to adjust their form for their contraindications. She also found out that her connective tissue disorder was a general contraindication for yoga, and her first instructor should have mentioned this, since she'd said her interest in it was due to her connective tissue disorder. This doesn't mean that all people with connective tissue disorders need to avoid exercise, as there are exercise modalities that are safe for people with connective tissue disorders, which vary based on ones specific disorder. There are apparently even some connective tissue disorders for which yoga is actually fine and recommended, but my ex does not have one of those.

Some Ed

Was the back thing before or after the fillings? Because, if it was after, it's possible the earlier pain set you up for the later pain. Our bodies do all kinds of maladaptive things in response to pain, which can lead to more pain later. Spasms are frequently entirely this, though sometimes they can also be protecting you from nerve damage, which in the long term would be even more painful. If it was *during* the fillings, then the back pain was almost certainly caused by the pain from the fillings. Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, I'm just a patient who listened to their doctors' explanations about things a bunch. They sounded like they were generally applicable, but it's possible they were being more specific than I realized.

Some Ed

That's not something to feel better about. That's something to see a professional about. At least, if you're one of the lucky ones with health insurance. If you don't have health insurance... you have my condolences. Also, I'm sorry. Not that it's my fault, but I don't know of a better system that we can get to from the system we're in, not even by revolution. We'd need better rich people to get there... and the better people won't get rich in the first place.

Some Ed

That depends on whether or not yoga is contraindicated for you. I mean, if it's all you can safely do, absolutely - in that case, it's even better than. Otherwise, probably not.

Some Ed

Yeah, you and those punks who were telling me I was too old for telling them that only people who are hard of hearing need their music up that damned loud. This was me sometime back before high school. I wasn't old.

Some Ed

I'd try yoga, but with my luck, that'd be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back - with me as the proverbial camel.

awgiedawgie

"Pick up that can..."

Dancing on the Edge of Sanity

Tai Chi was the right answer for me, FWIW.

Doug DeJulio

if you see pictures of anyone with a body like May's, rest assured they're photoshopped!

Ashe C. Addams

I should do yoga, I pick stuff up just like her and already feel like an old man.

I am the captian now

Between heredity and injury, I have multiple bad discs, arthritis in my SI joints, bursitis in both hips and tendonitis in nearly everything. I can still lay my hands flat on the floor from standing, which makes doctors think I'm faking my pain levels - but it's because I have long arms. I'm 42, and this started nearly 20 years ago.

Melissa

Not strictly, but yoga does help with strength and balance, as well as burn calories. Some practices are more energetic than others. Goal should be get fit, not so much lose weight. Muscle is denser than fat, so it's still a win if the weight's the same but redistributed.

Scott Link

tbh as a fat person who has back pain for a variety of factors, including too much gaming and what I suspect was an injury when I was a teen, I appreciate this page a lot. given Marigold's general insecurity (which she previously has been shown improving on, but weight talk can be a big trigger for that sort of thing), I'd say it's completely understandable that she would jump to this conclusion. maybe not beneficial or accurate, but definitely understandable. as far as I know, yoga isn't a weight loss exercise anyway, so props to May for looking at the actual problem, as well!

Logan Nix

as a fat 31 year old, i would highly recommend yoga

real talk, I'm 33 and my back constantly hurts. I should probabaly do something about that. ...another day.

How much would a May-type person cost in the real world?

Chris Warren

Marigold isn't fat in the first place tho. look at that hourglass figure. she's got a tiny bit of pudge that's only noticeable because she spends so much time hanging out with super skinny types like Hannelore and Marten

Ashe C. Addams

Of course you're going have issues Marigold.... you should lift such heavy weights w/ your legs.

Shawn K. Younkin

Yeah, I feel this in my bones (literally). Not sure it's just age catching up or the past year of working from home being especially sedentary, but I've actually started looking for Yoga classes because this doesn't feel sustainable. Just the other day I managed to dislocate or pinch *something*, apparently from ... I don't know, *breathing* wrong? That was the same day I got 3 fillings done without anesthetics and the back thing was by *far* the most painful thing that happened to me that day.

Peter Jensen

[nixon on laugh in voice]Sock it to me, baby![/nixon on laugh in voice]

Hugh Eckert

Totally agree. About 5min of stretching each morning keeps the spasms much less frequent and severe.

Hugh Eckert

I injured my back when I was eight. Been living with issues since then... didn't really start getting bad until my 30's, but then OW. Chiro, a yoga-like stretching routine, and other practices have helped a lot. Tai chi also. "Lift from the knees, Rogar." Of course, my knees are starting to complain these days, too...

Hugh Eckert

May couldn't be easily repaired or easily switch chassis. There was a whole story arc about it.

Seth Aaron Hershman has they she pronouns

The good news is that you don't have to go all the way and do yoga, a few simple stretching exercises every day can really help, especially if you've never exercised your lower back muscles, this IS from experience.

SpookyPenguin

The health and longevity effects of obesity are tediously well documented. Ifsomeone in her twenties is completely sedentary, out of breath and in pain after picking up a sock she needs to cut way down on the sugar, and start a program of cardio-friendly exercise which will also help her regain range of motion. Good for May starting her gently on this.

Todd Ellner

Which is why I have grabber reachers aka extended grippers, in the workshop, garage and house. When you drop that nut under the workbench and would end up on the floor anyway, grab the gripper and easy peasy pickup. Also handy in stores for those items on the top shelf. Yoga won't help that, MAY!

allanfranta

You can be healthy or unhealthy at any weight. I know super unhealthy skinny folks, and there are some fat folks that are fit as fuck. Doing things that can help you have less pain doesn't have to equate to losing weight.

Weight may affect feet, knees, and lower back, but upper back, neck, arms, shoulders, elbows, and hands are all about the joints themselves. Congrats Jeph, you have me seriously considering looking for a yoga class.

OldGoat

Might not help with her weight but improved flexibility will make a major difference.

OldGoat

While I'm rather fitter than Marigold, I'm not that flexible, and have gotten quite good at picking things off the floor with my feet, usually if I'm throwing them away anyway and really don't want to have to wash my hands AGAIN.

Mark

Chill, hon. Yoga won't do anything about your weight anyway. [eyeroll]

Angie Penrose

Oww.

Joseph Houk

Is Jeph using subliminal messaging to turn us into better people?

David Durant

I feel attacked.

As I get older, I can relate to this more. Not quite to the same level as May...yet.

Jeremy Helton

May would be the largest Navi I’ve ever seen.

Miyaa

What really made me do regular exercises and start watching my diet more closely this year is my new fit band. Constantly seeing (not great) heart rate numbers and being nagged "You are sitting for too long!" was really effective, actually. Not May level effective, but still.

Evgeniy Semyonov

Next one-panel: Marigold and May doing yoga in a jacuzzi while wearing Zelda cosplay!

Mad Marie

So, you just drew Marigold doing the *exact* same thing I do at work when I have to pick anything up, which is often since I'm a machinist, and my boss who is 20 years my senior just walks by shakes his head and touches his toes. The accuracy is stunning, the only thing missing is her breathing heavy from all that bending, like I do.

Steamin' cup o' nut-wet, now with double the orcus chunks!

Yep. My girlfriend is now on disability for that exact reason.

Brian Mann

I hear ya. I've had my back seize up twice on the mat this year alone.

My least favorite "gang gang" I've ever typed.

"I'm saying you fleshy meat-humans aren't perfect, immortal goddesses like me who can easily repair and switch chassis forever! Your meat machine needs maintenance!" "GNNUUURRRRG"

Shane Wegner

Comic's been oddly personal. Must be a coincidence.

Cley Faye

I'm in front of a computer all day and my back has been killing my today. This is really prescient advice for me. Also get the f out of my house Jeph. Also also May's serious eyebrows are SO serious.

Rob

See, I'd have been able to pick it up fine... But putting it on, that's where the problems begin!

Ste Saunders

Same. That's my read on this as well, and it makes me like May even more than I always have.

FeyOne

I feel attacked. :-)

Jason Doege

I feel that this concern fits May. She has had to deal with a crappy body, and respects the one she is in now, and she knows that human’s cannot go out and buy a new body, so they have to look after themselves. I feel she’s doing this out of concern for her friend and boss, and to pay back the kindness they showed her, not just the donation, but also just letting her live there.

Thisguy

As someone with a triple compression fracture from 12 years ago: mood. I had to stop doing yoga and switched to taiji, much more back injuries friendly.

Forgettable

I just went back to work doing delivery after quarantining for the past 2 years. That first week was absolute hell

CalmWeaver27

Or Kanye?

Leak

Combining gaming gear with water doesn't seem safe

Bagge

I'm in this photo and I don't like it

Christovski

You forgot the snap, crackle, pop of every joint making that effort

It me

Murbella

Jeph knows his audience. IS HE A MIND-READER?!

SilverbackRon

Having just started back to work after being out for a couple weeks because of my back problems (this time I extended and bent down to pick a sticker off a chair), this is all too familiar.

I feel personally attacked lol

AshGarnet

Frankly, anything is better than sitting for hours doing tech support (that is / was her day job, right?) and then sitting for more hours streaming video games. Even 10 - 15 minutes a day will make a big difference in her everyday life

Nicolas Demers

Now PUT ON that sock 😬

Magic Chopstick Games

First of all how dare you.

Mister Cletus

The secret is to start building the yoga skill tree early. That way getting it at higher ranks when you level up is easier.

Scott Vogel

I felt every moment of that. Augh.

Maurice Kessler

I am fortunate enough to not have a bad back (yet), but I'm 31 and have had a horrific knee for about 4 years now.

Mandy Hoskins

Conveniently this is Marigold, so it's a given that the space is messy enough that there's a sock available for this little demonstration.

Lisa

Ow. I feel personally attacked by this relatable content.

Amy Cheuka

I’m definitely in the target audience

Pete Hanson

Cool I feel targeted as well.

Melvin Miller

As someone who recently had to do physical and mental preparations to get under my desk to run a new cable, I think I might need to look into this yoga thing.

Likeablejerk

My yoga instructor would tell us, "everybody has a 6 pack, some of us are more modest about it." Can confirm that yoga is not about getting fit, at least in the traditional sense. My instructor had a bit of a gut but his flexibility was something else.

Stray

You can't get ye sock.

Adam Friedlander

damn. I feel a lot better about my knees clicking whenever I squat, now.

Elberik

Should have had her knees pop on the way down. Not that I'm speaking from experience at only 29.

Daniel S

I love large, round numbers, and oddly placed celebrations. Congrats on comic 4,600!

Levi

Joke's on you. I can pick it up with my toes.

Crushogre

The ONLY comment I can make now is one that gives my age away... SOCK IT TO ME SOCK IT TO ME SOCK IT TO ME!

Joseph Bonnar

Nah that sock wasn't... Crunchy.

gatherer818

At 30 my dr told me that I have arthritis in both knees. I feel your pain

Bradley Richard

Ah they have been telling me that about the arthritis in my ankle since I was 16.... Just wait 60 years through the pain...

Aleeza Brown

She would have replied with: “So make Dale do yoga!”

Matthew Van Gangelen

Ah yes, my nemesis: the sock-up

Kinda Squirrely

SO called out! (my bigger problems are the knees but still).

Jeremy

Now put it in the trash can

Keisi

I have several bulging discs in my spine that sometimes decide to be stabby for no discernible reason. I feel her pain 😹

Nicole Widrig

I am laying in bed with my back killing me as I read this.

Todd Misiewicz

Awwww..... I'm in this comic and I don't like it. Great job.

Erinnyes

Biweekly chiro appointments crew count?

Having destroyed my back on an ambulance for the last 19 years, moving roughly a ton of dead weight on a daily basis.....I feel this on both a spiritual level...and a lumbar level.

Anthony Gaglianese

She could've just pointed out that the extra flexibility would help with sex.

Dave Van Domelen

That commenter from yesterday talking about how his wife is a yoga instructor and she keeps telling him he should do yoga… the wife is like getting nearly free motivational posters about why do yoga.

Miyaa

May's right. Even the light yoga beginner app stuff helps a little, tbh. Massage therapist recommended it to me. I think it's the rib that keeps getting dislocated that nudged her....

Katrina Urmson

Double Meaning: The ABSOLUTELY SICK burn from May, and the burn from Marigolds workout.

My back still is a lil sore from yesterday dragging a trailer. You are calling out alot of readers with this.

Slashplane

Dude just call me out by name next time

Nutjob

Now, it would have been no problem if it were pocky on the floor.

BobC

I literally just went to the Osteo because working from home has fucked up my back

Chelsea Watson

This is my back at 32!

Oof, I feel that way sometimes too. Too much sitting around, too little moving around.

Andrew Mitchell

Ugh, back injuries. I’ve gotten to the age where people start telling me, “Just wait, it gets worse.” It’s been like this since I was 14 and it ain’t changing. 🙄

Caroline Thornton

I'm in this picture and I don't like it.

This hits home with knee surgeries.

Steve H

Picking up cat toys and scooping litterboxes keeps me limber at 50.

Max Kaehn

Oh no Marigold

Miyaa

MY SOCK!

Yelling Bird

Not about the sexy. All about the not able to do simple physical tasks.

Michael Boettger

I can feel the burn from over here.

Chris Weigert

I ain't calling you fat. I'm calling you old. There's a difference.

Petsinwinter

When did I become 39 and how did I not know this was going to be my back at 39.