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Comment on The Stress Trap [VIDEO] by Letty

Letty — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:30:24 +0000

Just find things that can make you feel at ease while dealing with stress for theres no course on fighting this stress as they become part of our lives. It’s just that don’t get by it and find effective ways to get rid of this.

Comment on Featured Teacher – Lia Pardy by http.jhoncarlosmonterroza.blogsprlosot.com

http.jhoncarlosmonterroza.blogsprlosot.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:21:03 +0000

por fin di

Comment on Yoga, Scantily Clad by jay s. gertz

jay s. gertz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:29:30 +0000

As a liberated feminist male, albeit a red-blooded one in a mostly female dominated practice, I am acutely aware of my “male gaze” in the yoga studio and my ecstatic dance practice. I have come to be amazed in what an unlimited array of sizes and mixes, our body frames, ages, sexual orientations, hair colors and skin tones that we yogis and yoginis arrive in. But our culture is driven by commercial marketing, and it places a tremendous emphasis on youth and some idealized sort of slender beauty. This objectification of a young woman as a advertising tool in our media is nothing more than that, a way to sell products. Hopefully the model receives due recompense and the company she represents makes money. At some point a line is crossed when objectification becomes blatant exploitation and a woman is used without due regard for personal or emotional welfare. Or when this idealized fantasy of beauty becomes a life threatening physical or psychological struggle as one strives for that elusive goal. Young women destroy themselves seeking an unobtainable look, image or mythic figure.

There is also that element of provocation, what the model is trying to promote or elicit. There is a huge gulf between what an Victoria’s Secret ad is supposed to be selling and whatever product Briohny Smyth may be selling. I saw no sexism or sensationalism. When I see the Smyth sadhana, I see a beautiful woman with tremendous power, single minded focus, strength and animal grace. Her practice is a personal art form and an exquisite elevated spiritual meditation on the body. I see poetry in motion and am amazed.

Our bodies and minds are our only vessels and our only creative tools. We can do with our own bodies as we feel fit. We can mold them to a degree, but we are always limited in what we may be given. I am sure there are yoga studios oriented to the athleticism of yoga or pandering to a singles type scene. Our yoga community here in Asheville nurtures our hearts, our minds and our bodies. May we fill these vessels with peace, with focus, with strength and a compassionate unity.

Comment on Yoga, Scantily Clad by leslie renay

leslie renay — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:08:58 +0000

ps…lol re the guy vid! love it.

Comment on Yoga, Scantily Clad by leslie renay

leslie renay — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:06:12 +0000

i hear people say so often, women, that they would try a yoga class but are intimidated and alienated (in so many words) by the images that our community has created. i do a lot of damage control in this regard. perhaps a lot of teachers do.

Comment on Yoga, Scantily Clad by leslie renay

leslie renay — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:04:44 +0000

i thought all of those things too (except never having done yoga in my undies…done that many times! ), and in large part agree with you that there are better things to be focused on with regards to female oppression, objectification and misogyny. however, i also thought some other things, which i do often. where are the pics/vids of women who are not slender, not “advanced”, not in a posh setting, not so white? do we not admire and respect the strenghth, grace, and consistency of such a woman? apparently, it is does not sell yoga. which makes yoga now, like most any other commodity….this is not necessarily the fault of equinox or any other seller. it is larger and deeper than that and shows that the beauty myths are present in yoga as well as everywhere else. there is no supply without demand, although the supply also informs the demand. sick cycle. and interwoven with the larger issues you mentioned. i don’t think it can be teased out so simply.

Comment on Kapalabhati Breathing by Keri

Keri — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:49:33 +0000

Great explanation of Kapalabhati breathing! Thanks for sharing

Comment on Featured Teacher – Jakub Holy by LEWIS

LEWIS — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:19:34 +0000

superior article, added you to my RSS reader.

Comment on Get Happy in just 3 short steps! And other empty promises of pop-culture yoga. by cheryl

cheryl — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:18:10 +0000

Love the cover and the message. I like using humor to look at what we don’t like about ourselves and others.

I meditate and some days are tougher than others. Yoga is a helpful portal for me to find the quiet place inside of me. I also just like yoga!

Comment on Get Happy in just 3 short steps! And other empty promises of pop-culture yoga. by KB

KB — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:52:45 +0000

Very inspiring article! Meditation is just so dang tough though. :/