Every Crinkle Counts: Reflections on Going Public with My Yoga Story

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I wasn’t planning to go viral on Reddit.

I wasn’t even sure I should post at all. I just wanted to tell the truth—to say, “Hey, I do yoga in diapers and plastic baby pants, and I’m still figuring out how to show up confidently in short shorts or leggings without feeling like I don’t belong.”

And then I hit “post.”
And what came back?

Love. Kindness. Humor. Vulnerability. Encouragement. Over 64,000 views, more than 430 upvotes, and dozens and dozens of comments—some from people who live with incontinence too, others from yoga teachers, fellow students, people with prosthetics, people who’ve dealt with body shame, and even a few beautiful souls who just wanted to say, “You’re valid.”

I’ve cried. I’ve laughed (someone literally threw her prosthetic boob in her gym bag mid-class—legend). I’ve felt so held by people I’ve never even met.

And now that I’ve had time to sit with it, I want to reflect on a few things I’ve learned:

1. Yoga really is for every body.
Whether you’re wearing a pad, a prosthesis, an ostomy bag, or yes—even thick diapers and plastic baby pants—you belong on the mat. Not because you’re “overcoming” something… but because you showed up.

2. The right outfit doesn’t erase my condition—but it supports my confidence.
I’m still experimenting with what to wear over my protection: dark yoga pants, high-rise leggings, short athletic shorts for hot classes, even breezy harem pants when I want more flow.
What matters isn’t hiding the crinkle—it’s feeling secure and graceful, padded and proud. If you’re working through this too, trust your comfort first—and let style follow.

3. Some people will notice. But most… don’t care.
One comment said, “If I heard crinkles, I’d feel nothing but admiration.” Another? “Yoga class isn’t a fashion show—it’s a human experience.” And that’s the truth. The right people aren’t judging. They’re inspired.

4. I’m still showing up as Alice—thick diapers, plastic pants, short shorts or leggings and all—just doing my best to find balance on the mat.
That line, which I added in a follow-up comment, really captures where I’m at right now. I’m not hiding anymore. I’m not apologizing. I’m just being… me. And letting that be enough.

5. Every crinkle counts.
That’s the phrase that stuck. It’s silly and sweet and totally true. Every step I take into that studio, every shift into child’s pose, every little squeak of plastic under my shorts—it all counts. It’s all part of the practice. Not in the way I expected… but in the way that matters.

If you’re reading this and you’ve been scared to go to class—maybe because of incontinence, or body shame, or just feeling like yoga isn’t “for people like me”—please hear this:

It is for you.
You are welcome.
And your softness is your strength.

I’ll keep showing up. One crinkle at a time. 💗

Want to read the original thread?
I shared a version of this story on Reddit, and the response was… overwhelming in the most beautiful way. If you’re curious or want to join the conversation, you can find it here. Every Crinkle Counts: Reflections on Going Public with My Yoga Story

—Alice
Proudly padded. Softly confident.

#AliceInYogaPants #ProudlyPadded #SoftlyConfident #SelfAcceptance #OutfitDiary #ToteBagDiaries #VisibleHealing #SoftnessIsStrength 


Location: Southern Pines, NC, USA

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