Archive for May, 2009
r.i.p. pattabhi jois (1915-2009)
Sri Pattabhi Jois, founder of the Ashtanga Yoga system, passed away today at the age of 93. I don’t practice Ashtanga, but I have respect for the system and for Pattabhi Jois. I just watched a documentary about him teaching yoga in NYC, and he’s just so adorable and likable. I would have loved the opportunity to study in his beaming presence.
[via Elephant Journal,]
In my yoga teaching practice, my ideal is to offer classes that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming. I intentionally offer classes for people who may be intimidated by traditional studios because of their age, size or socio-economic status.
An article in yesterday’s New York Times looks at the growing trend of yoga classes for “plus-size” people (I’m never sure of the proper terminology – sometimes “plus-size,” “heavyset,” etc sound too condescending – I’m a fan of “fat,” but am not sure how others interpret it and don’t want to appear insensitive… anyway, I guess I’ll just settle for “plus-size” until I get around to inventing my own language).
Typically, yoga studios are not havens for the plus-size set. The ancient practice might be based on philosophies that stress self-acceptance and noncompetitiveness, but that can be hard to consider when entering a studio filled with lithe, limber bodies twisting like taffy and gliding effortlessly into handstands and backbends.
“I go to those classes and I walk out feeling horrible,” said Ms. Ayers, a 35-year-old massage therapist. “When you are a larger person, there are certain things your body is not going to do, no matter how skilled you are. I’m actually fairly flexible. But I go into a regular class and it becomes clear that no one is going to help me modify a stretch to help my body. You either do it or you don’t.” [NY Times]
Nobody should not leave yoga class feeling horrible, but I suspect that it happens more often than people are willing to admit. It’s amazing and inspiring to see classes specifically tailored to the physical needs of people who aren’t young, lithe and limber. But I have to agree with the comment by Kelly McGonigal, the editor in chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, who points out there’s something wrong in the yoga community if plus-size people are being segregated into their own classes. She would prefer to see studios work harder to attract a broader cross-section of students.
It’s going to be a long journey, which would involve making some systemic changes in how yoga is marketed in North America.
Montreal’s Mile End neigbourhood will be welcoming the arrival of Naada Yoga, a yoga space which will be opening its doors on May 16. The studio is just up the street from my house, so I’ve been watching the developments over the past few months. I was intrigued by the simple sign hanging on the front of the building: ‘naada: yoga, sound, tea.’
Last weekend, I took a pre-opening class to experience the space, and it was all the sign promised. And there are a number of things which set this space apart from other studios.
“Naada is the English transliteration of the sanskrit word nada, meaning sound,” said co-founder and yoga teacher, Elizabeth Emberly. “We chose this word because of our emphasis on sound as an accompaniment to the asana practice.” Continue Reading
McNamaste, yo.
Oooh, I love a good yoga debate! Recently, CBC Radio’s Q featured a really interesting discussion on the corporatization of yoga. The fabulous Jian Ghomeshi moderated a conversation between Ted Grand, founder of Moksha Yoga, and John Philp, filmmaker and author of the newly released Yoga, Inc (he’s also made a documentary of the same name). I was excited about the opportunity to hear these two duke it on the airwaves, and think they both have a lot to say about this topic. They are good representations of both sides of the argument, as Ted has founded a yoga franchise (Moksha has studios in 30 locations around the world ) and John has spent years researching the yoga industry. Both men have integrity, are articulate and really know their stuff.
The commercialization of yoga is a topic that I am particularly fascinated by and have spent a lot of time thinking about. I spent 3 years working in and observing the yoga business, and straddling the worlds of yoga and media. While I never got rich (not even close) from it, I was involved in co-creating a yoga “product” and having to sell it. So I really enjoyed the depth and knowledge that both guests brought to the subject. Continue Reading
In these times of recession, it’s important to remember the other words that start with ‘R’: reduce, reuse, recycle. Get the most out of your dirty old yoga mat by recreating it into some stylish flip flops!
[via Beliefnet]
