I can relate. To some extent the teachers merely reflect the values of the people who can (mostly) afford their classes and who have the figures to look good in them. I studied yoga (unwillingly) when training to be a classical dancer because our school felt it would help us stretch and relax. I hated doing it, but it made my body feel better. In middle age, I tried to take it up again because it CAN help one relax and is good for physical health.
However, where I live, anorexic trophy brides and 50 year old anorexics dominate the classes. The cheerleader teachers cater to them. I would leave seething. Also, the classes are more geared towards athleticism and weight loss. But appearance rules and a kind of vapid talk about gratitude and non-attachment that really reflects narcissism and the desire to please men. There was an article recently on just how many high powered CEOS now have former yoga teacher wives....
Having said all that, I live in hopes of finding a "real" yoga class. It IS good for your physical and mental health in this frazzled, vicious world if you can find a good teacher. Kripalu in the Berkshires is a yoga retreat centre (retreaded former Jesuit seminary--vocations dried up so the yoga business got it) that I like. Yes, there are trendies and some namaste bitches types, but most of the people who go there and all the teachers I have had there have been kind, genuinely accepting and it's great escape. I'd rather go there than some dreary Christian retreat centre where you pray and confess and your body atrophies. Yes, it bothers me that they do yoga in a former chapel, but that reflects the body-denying aspects of Christianity.
As someone in a lot of physical pain a lot of the time (old running injuries, and having trained to be a professional dance) I am grateful to any practice that helps relieve that pain. Christianity essentially ignores or tells one to distract from or deny the body. IMHO, yoga, done adequately can help relieve much suffering.
Incidentally, tho trendy and extravagant, some of the yoga clothes are great for normal wear. Comfortable, lightweight, good for travelling light. Yes, I wear Lulemon sometimes....
YES, you TOO can get a job in the fast-paced, highly competitive world of yoga teaching!
ReplyDeleteI can relate. To some extent the teachers merely reflect the values of the people who can (mostly) afford their classes and who have the figures to look good in them. I studied yoga (unwillingly) when training to be a classical dancer because our school felt it would help us stretch and relax. I hated doing it, but it made my body feel better. In middle age, I tried to take it up again because it CAN help one relax and is good for physical health.
ReplyDeleteHowever, where I live, anorexic trophy brides and 50 year old anorexics dominate the classes. The cheerleader teachers cater to them. I would leave seething. Also, the classes are more geared towards athleticism and weight loss. But appearance rules and a kind of vapid talk about gratitude and non-attachment that really reflects narcissism and the desire to please men. There was an article recently on just how many high powered CEOS now have former yoga teacher wives....
Having said all that, I live in hopes of finding a "real" yoga class. It IS good for your physical and mental health in this frazzled, vicious world if you can find a good teacher. Kripalu in the Berkshires is a yoga retreat centre (retreaded former Jesuit seminary--vocations dried up so the yoga business got it) that I like. Yes, there are trendies and some namaste bitches types, but most of the people who go there and all the teachers I have had there have been kind, genuinely accepting and it's great escape. I'd rather go there than some dreary Christian retreat centre where you pray and confess and your body atrophies. Yes, it bothers me that they do yoga in a former chapel, but that reflects the body-denying aspects of Christianity.
As someone in a lot of physical pain a lot of the time (old running injuries, and having trained to be a professional dance) I am grateful to any practice that helps relieve that pain. Christianity essentially ignores or tells one to distract from or deny the body. IMHO, yoga, done adequately can help relieve much suffering.
Incidentally, tho trendy and extravagant, some of the yoga clothes are great for normal wear. Comfortable, lightweight, good for travelling light. Yes, I wear Lulemon sometimes....
So Namaste, guys.... :)
I'm off to watch the first couple of episodes immediately.
ReplyDelete