Subscribe to RSS.
Become a Fan on Facebook
Follow on Twitter (Named #1 in US 4 Green)
Subscribe to Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Get on Elephant
Celebrity! And Yoga! Who Cares!
I mean, “who cares”…with a question mark.
Well, I have to admit that…I care.
Good god, why?
Well, if fame is simply one’s ability to spread a message, good or bad, happy or sad, to the masses…well, Jennifer Aniston’s new Yoga DVD, Yogalosophy, featuring her yoga teacher Mandy Ingber is a great good thing for yoga, and hopefully for Aniston’s many “friends” out there.
Click here to see Jen’s yoga spread, with Mandy, in SELF magazine a few years back.
Well, yes, the Yoga blogosphere's been a little quite lately. What a great time to re-ignite the epic Rainbeau Mars/ It's All Yoga Baby Yoga endorsement and authenticity debates! (Although I thought we finally put an end to that with Yobo/Ratra comprehensive solution.)
Anyway, in spite of my being a Ratra (Radical Traditional) Yoga practitioner, I'm with you all the way on celebrity endorsements. Like you I believe that the more popular Yoga becomes, the better it is for everyone involved, both because exercise Yoga is worthwhile in its own right, and because it's a feeder system for more traditional forms of Yoga. (At this point I always tell the story of how I began Yoga to improve my flexibility for tennis–it was offered right there at my club!)
Plus this particular popularization of Yoga is named "Yogalosophy", for Pete's sake, and Mandy's stuff is full of references to breathing and meditation and spirituality. She knows her stuff and wants everyone to at least know about the other aspects of Yoga. And Jennifer certainly seems sincere enough.
But here I am debating without an opponent. Let's see what others think.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Well, yes, the Yoga blogosphere's been a little quite lately. What a great time to re-ignite the epic Rainbeau Mars/ It's All Yoga Baby Yoga endorsement and authenticity debates! (Although I thought we finally put an end to that with Yobo/Ratra comprehensive solution.)
Anyway, in spite of my being a Ratra (Radical Traditional) Yoga practitioner, I'm with you all the way on celebrity endorsements. Like you I believe that the more popular Yoga becomes, the better it is for everyone involved, both because exercise Yoga is worthwhile in its own right, and because it's a feeder system for more traditional forms of Yoga. (At this point I always tell the story of how I began Yoga to improve my flexibility for tennis–it was offered right there at my club!)
Plus this particular popularization of Yoga is named "Yogalosophy", for Pete's sake, and Mandy's stuff is full of references to breathing and meditation and spirituality. She knows her stuff and wants everyone to at least know about the other aspects of Yoga. And Jennifer certainly seems sincere enough.
But here I am debating without an opponent. Let's see what others think.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Well, yes, the Yoga blogosphere's been a little quite lately. What a great time to re-ignite the epic Rainbeau Mars/ It's All Yoga Baby Yoga endorsement and authenticity debates! (Although I thought we finally put an end to that with Yobo/Ratra comprehensive solution.)
Anyway, in spite of my being a Ratra (Radical Traditional) Yoga practitioner, I'm with you all the way on celebrity endorsements. Like you I believe that the more popular Yoga becomes, the better it is for everyone involved, both because exercise Yoga is worthwhile in its own right, and because it's a feeder system for more traditional forms of Yoga. (At this point I always tell the story of how I began Yoga to improve my flexibility for tennis–it was offered right there at my club!)
Plus this particular popularization of Yoga is named "Yogalosophy", for Pete's sake, and Mandy's stuff is full of references to breathing and meditation and spirituality. She knows her stuff and wants everyone to at least know about the other aspects of Yoga. And Jennifer certainly seems sincere enough.
But here I am debating without an opponent. Let's see what others think.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Well, yes, the Yoga blogosphere's been a little quite lately. What a great time to re-ignite the epic Rainbeau Mars/ It's All Yoga Baby Yoga endorsement and authenticity debates! (Although I thought we finally put an end to that with Yobo/Ratra comprehensive solution.)
Anyway, in spite of my being a Ratra (Radical Traditional) Yoga practitioner, I'm with you all the way on celebrity endorsements. Like you I believe that the more popular Yoga becomes, the better it is for everyone involved, both because exercise Yoga is worthwhile in its own right, and because it's a feeder system for more traditional forms of Yoga. (At this point I always tell the story of how I began Yoga to improve my flexibility for tennis–it was offered right there at my club!)
Plus this particular popularization of Yoga is named "Yogalosophy", for Pete's sake, and Mandy's stuff is full of references to breathing and meditation and spirituality. She knows her stuff and wants everyone to at least know about the other aspects of Yoga. And Jennifer certainly seems sincere enough.
But here I am debating without an opponent. Let's see what others think.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Hmmmm…
My first impulse was to say that Jen A's entrance into the public yoga arena was a very bad thing for yoga-dom. When I think of Jen, I think of Star and National Enquirer magazine covers with associated stories of her dalliances with John Mayer, getting dumped by Brad, verbal fisticuffs with Angie, etc. (I'm not gonna apologize for my tabloid magazine habit – I balance reading the tabloids with intense study of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads – so there). Upon further reflection, however, I have to say the Jen connection is a good thing. After all, it's not Jen herself who made the video, it's her teacher, for Pete's sake. And she seems to be a very experienced, well-grounded teacher, to boot. Jen has apparently studied with Mandy for years now, so Mandy apparently has the shakti to inspire Jen to balance her chain-smoking Hollywood lifestyle with more sattvic pursuits.
to be cont'd
Let's face it, the American public – the one that buys Self magazine and gets into heated debates about Jen vs. Angelina – is going to be freaked out by chanting during a Jivamukti class or going to a yoga studio with a Nataraj and photos of gurus on the altar. And these folks are missing a great opportunity to incorporate yoga into their lives, whatever that means for them. So if Jen Aniston's lending her name and mug to her beloved teacher's yoga DVD is what it takes to bring yoga to the masses, then I say go for it. Yoga is a different path for every one of us. Not all of us are interested in going to India to experience the "real" yoga, or attending a ten day silent meditation retreat. Each of us has our own path to follow. And, for some of us, the trail marker to this path just may be a certain Hollywood starlet.
Hi, Angela. Thanks for your interesting comments! I make the following clarification not for you, because I'm sure you don't need it, but rather for other readers who might inadvertently misunderstand one aspect of what you wrote above.
I don't know anyone who is more into the principals of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutra than I am, but I too would be freaked out by chanting during a Jivamukti class or a Yoga studio with gurus on the altar. I think this is a matter of individual preference, even for serious devotees.
For me personally most Indian rituals would feel phony for me to practice myself, although certainly not so for many other serious Yoga students. (Although I have been known to chant "Om Namah Shivaya" while doing the dishes.)
I make this point only to reassure those who want to learn more about Yoga philosophy that it doesn't necessarily involve embracing any particular Indian external rituals or symbols. Certainly it does require meditation, breathing, study, and deep spirituality, but not necessarily gurus and altars and Hindu deities. That, in my opinion, is a matter of personal preference, and I've admired advanced Yoga teachers from all points on the spectrum.
I realize there may be other opinions about this out there, and I would love to hear them.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Hi, Angela. Thanks for your interesting comments! I make the following clarification not for you, because I'm sure you don't need it, but rather for other readers who might inadvertently misunderstand one aspect of what you wrote above.
I don't know anyone who is more into the principals of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutra than I am, but I too would be freaked out by chanting during a Jivamukti class or a Yoga studio with gurus on the altar. I think this is a matter of individual preference, even for serious devotees.
For me personally most Indian rituals would feel phony for me to practice myself, although certainly not so for many other serious Yoga students. (Although I have been known to chant "Om Namah Shivaya" while doing the dishes.)
I make this point only to reassure those who want to learn more about Yoga philosophy that it doesn't necessarily involve embracing any particular Indian external rituals or symbols. Certainly it does require meditation, breathing, study, and deep spirituality, but not necessarily gurus and altars and Hindu deities. That, in my opinion, is a matter of personal preference, and I've admired advanced Yoga teachers from all points on the spectrum.
I realize there may be other opinions about this out there, and I would love to hear them.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Hi, Angela. Thanks for your interesting comments! I make the following clarification not for you, because I'm sure you don't need it, but rather for other readers who might inadvertently misunderstand one aspect of what you wrote above.
I don't know anyone who is more into the principals of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutra than I am, but I too would be freaked out by chanting during a Jivamukti class or a Yoga studio with gurus on the altar. I think this is a matter of individual preference, even for serious devotees.
For me personally most Indian rituals would feel phony for me to practice myself, although certainly not so for many other serious Yoga students. (Although I have been known to chant "Om Namah Shivaya" while doing the dishes.)
I make this point only to reassure those who want to learn more about Yoga philosophy that it doesn't necessarily involve embracing any particular Indian external rituals or symbols. Certainly it does require meditation, breathing, study, and deep spirituality, but not necessarily gurus and altars and Hindu deities. That, in my opinion, is a matter of personal preference, and I've admired advanced Yoga teachers from all points on the spectrum.
I realize there may be other opinions about this out there, and I would love to hear them.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Hi, Angela. Thanks for your interesting comments! I make the following clarification not for you, because I'm sure you don't need it, but rather for other readers who might inadvertently misunderstand one aspect of what you wrote above.
I don't know anyone who is more into the principals of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutra than I am, but I too would be freaked out by chanting during a Jivamukti class or a Yoga studio with gurus on the altar. I think this is a matter of individual preference, even for serious devotees.
For me personally most Indian rituals would feel phony for me to practice myself, although certainly not so for many other serious Yoga students. (Although I have been known to chant "Om Namah Shivaya" while doing the dishes.)
I make this point only to reassure those who want to learn more about Yoga philosophy that it doesn't necessarily involve embracing any particular Indian external rituals or symbols. Certainly it does require meditation, breathing, study, and deep spirituality, but not necessarily gurus and altars and Hindu deities. That, in my opinion, is a matter of personal preference, and I've admired advanced Yoga teachers from all points on the spectrum.
I realize there may be other opinions about this out there, and I would love to hear them.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
I agree. And I love this pull-out quote:
"I balance reading the tabloids with intense study of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads – so there"
The world needs more yoga in it so if Hollywood starts spreading the word I'm all for it.
For the majority, yoga starts with the Asanas and most people start practicing for the physical benefits…although regular practitioners, yoga teachers and true yogis alike know that the yoga is so much more than the physical benefits. However, starting there is perfect and we all know there is something about yoga – once you get on your mat for the first time, something brings you back – we all know this something is much deeper then having a nice behind – that i just an added bonus of the practice!! If more people start practicing yoga maybe just maybe this world will become a more peaceful place. So I say – go Hollywood go – help us spread the word, even if it's focused around having a great body – at least it may get more people giving it a try, getting on their mat for the first time and hopefully they return over and over again and an inner evolution bubbles up within.
Yes, isn't that a great quote?
Well put, Dawn.
Well put, yes, but if the celebrity were, say, Paris Hilton, the comments would trend differently methinks. Spreading the word is great—as long as yoga maintains it's roots in the ground, the branches and leaves can and should wave in the wind. If "genuine" yoga, whatever that is, continues to be widely available and popular, then we're all good. If however everyone starts (and stops) attending yoga classes that emphasize yoga butts and music and that's it, well…what will yoga look like in even a generation or two?
That's the issue here, to my mind: yoga is "new" in the West, young, vulnerable to fads.
Thanks for clarifying, Bob! That's what I love about yoga here in the States – there's something for everyone. And, if you don't live in or near a big city that offers different options for practice, there are so many DVD's available, as well as workshops, that can provide a practice each person is comfy with. And… if any of you have questions regarding Jen Aniston's recent pronouncement regarding "no more [dating] immature boys," feel free to contact me for clarification. LOL!
I can see what you're saying, Waylon. I'm not sure I'd be so supportive if the Kardashians were hustling yoga DVD's, or Hulk Hogan and his dysfunctional family. I think we already have styles of yoga that emphasize "yoga butts" and abs of steel and such. I've recently come upon a treasure trove of old issues of "Yoga Journal," from the 90's and early 2000's. It's striking how much more in depth the articles were back then. There are very few photos of thin, attractive young women in "shazam" poses (as my pal Nancy calls them) and much more emphasis on learning about the nuts and bolts of yoga. So I do feel we've already seen a "dumbing down" of yoga, to a degree. But I think (hope!) this will be balanced out by serious practitioners as time goes on.
Now you see, Angela, those of us who aren't buried in the Star and National Inquier all day because we have our mind on higher pursuits (yuck yuck), have no idea what you're talking about re: "Jennifer Aniston's recent pronouncement.
And I believe that's perhaps the 3rd time I've ever Googled something and gotten absolutely nothing back.
Please do tell.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Bob Weisenberg
Now you see, Angela, those of us who aren't buried in the Star and National Inquier all day because we have our mind on higher pursuits (yuck yuck), have no idea what you're talking about re: "Jennifer Aniston's recent pronouncement.
And I believe that's perhaps the 3rd time I've ever Googled something and gotten absolutely nothing back.
Please do tell.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Bob Weisenberg
Now you see, Angela, those of us who aren't buried in the Star and National Inquier all day because we have our mind on higher pursuits (yuck yuck), have no idea what you're talking about re: "Jennifer Aniston's recent pronouncement.
And I believe that's perhaps the 3rd time I've ever Googled something and gotten absolutely nothing back.
Please do tell.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Bob Weisenberg
Now you see, Angela, those of us who aren't buried in the Star and National Inquier all day because we have our mind on higher pursuits (yuck yuck), have no idea what you're talking about re: "Jennifer Aniston's recent pronouncement.
And I believe that's perhaps the 3rd time I've ever Googled something and gotten absolutely nothing back.
Please do tell.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Bob Weisenberg
Waylon and Angela. I wish there were some way to prove it, but my observation and experience (particularly from editing "Yoga in America") tells me that all Yoga boats are rising with the popularization of Yoga. There is no reason to think of one type of Yoga taking away from another.
Indeed, I think the opposite is true because commercial Yoga feeds those who are interested into tradtional Yoga. It appears to me that all forms of Yoga, from exercise only, to the most traditional of Yoga centers, are thriving.
I actually did try to prove this by just tracking the growth of Yoga teachers over the last 10-20 years by type of Yoga. But the data doesn't seem to be available anywhere.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Waylon and Angela. I wish there were some way to prove it, but my observation and experience (particularly from editing "Yoga in America") tells me that all Yoga boats are rising with the popularization of Yoga. There is no reason to think of one type of Yoga taking away from another.
Indeed, I think the opposite is true because commercial Yoga feeds those who are interested into tradtional Yoga. It appears to me that all forms of Yoga, from exercise only, to the most traditional of Yoga centers, are thriving.
I actually did try to prove this by just tracking the growth of Yoga teachers over the last 10-20 years by type of Yoga. But the data doesn't seem to be available anywhere.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Waylon and Angela. I wish there were some way to prove it, but my observation and experience (particularly from editing "Yoga in America") tells me that all Yoga boats are rising with the popularization of Yoga. There is no reason to think of one type of Yoga taking away from another.
Indeed, I think the opposite is true because commercial Yoga feeds those who are interested into tradtional Yoga. It appears to me that all forms of Yoga, from exercise only, to the most traditional of Yoga centers, are thriving.
I actually did try to prove this by just tracking the growth of Yoga teachers over the last 10-20 years by type of Yoga. But the data doesn't seem to be available anywhere.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Waylon and Angela. I wish there were some way to prove it, but my observation and experience (particularly from editing "Yoga in America") tells me that all Yoga boats are rising with the popularization of Yoga. There is no reason to think of one type of Yoga taking away from another.
Indeed, I think the opposite is true because commercial Yoga feeds those who are interested into tradtional Yoga. It appears to me that all forms of Yoga, from exercise only, to the most traditional of Yoga centers, are thriving.
I actually did try to prove this by just tracking the growth of Yoga teachers over the last 10-20 years by type of Yoga. But the data doesn't seem to be available anywhere.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
[...] endorsement and the folks at elephant journal took it to task and asked the perennial question, “Celebs + Yoga, Who cares?” which then snowballed into a debate over “any publicity is good publicity” vs. ” [...]
I actually am continually impressed by YJ's featuring models that aren't conventional in weight, appearance, ethnicity, age…that said I have no idea about the depth of the articles. Shambhala Sun handled that challenge, I think, by publishing the more in depth, smaller Buddhadharma. Yoga Journal could do the same.
Here in Boulder, Corepower is packed and popular, and opening studios all over US. It has a good reputation, is clean, organized, etc. But however wonderful it is, it's not "traditional" yoga, and they'd be the first to admit that.
On the other hand Richard Freeman's Yoga Workshop is one big room, no mudroom, no staff hardly, and many classes (not Richard's) are sparsely attended. In fact, they're looking at changing the entire studio to focus more on teacher trainings.
Point being: old school yoga can't always compete with new school.
H, Waylon.
I never meant to imply that they can compete. but rather the opposite–that they should't even try to compete. Many devotees of more traditional Yoga prefer to practice alone or are teachers themselves.
Exercise Yoga has grown many times faster than traditional Yoga, so it's easy to miss that traditional Yoga has been growing as well, but at a much slower pace. Again, I wish I could come up with the numbers to prove this, or to learn that I am wrong! I would be the first to admit it if I am.
I admit that anecdotes like the Freeman example don't support my case. I would think he'd be growing or at least stable. But I'm not sure studio attendance tells the story. That's why I'm after teacher training data. We know some more traditional movements have been thriving. I'm still hoping to find someone who has studied Yoga growth by type.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
H, Waylon.
I never meant to imply that they can compete. but rather the opposite–that they should't even try to compete. Many devotees of more traditional Yoga prefer to practice alone or are teachers themselves.
Exercise Yoga has grown many times faster than traditional Yoga, so it's easy to miss that traditional Yoga has been growing as well, but at a much slower pace. Again, I wish I could come up with the numbers to prove this, or to learn that I am wrong! I would be the first to admit it if I am.
I admit that anecdotes like the Freeman example don't support my case. I would think he'd be growing or at least stable. But I'm not sure studio attendance tells the story. That's why I'm after teacher training data. We know some more traditional movements have been thriving. I'm still hoping to find someone who has studied Yoga growth by type.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
H, Waylon.
I never meant to imply that they can compete. but rather the opposite–that they should't even try to compete. Many devotees of more traditional Yoga prefer to practice alone or are teachers themselves.
Exercise Yoga has grown many times faster than traditional Yoga, so it's easy to miss that traditional Yoga has been growing as well, but at a much slower pace. Again, I wish I could come up with the numbers to prove this, or to learn that I am wrong! I would be the first to admit it if I am.
I admit that anecdotes like the Freeman example don't support my case. I would think he'd be growing or at least stable. But I'm not sure studio attendance tells the story. That's why I'm after teacher training data. We know some more traditional movements have been thriving. I'm still hoping to find someone who has studied Yoga growth by type.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
H, Waylon.
I never meant to imply that they can compete. but rather the opposite–that they should't even try to compete. Many devotees of more traditional Yoga prefer to practice alone or are teachers themselves.
Exercise Yoga has grown many times faster than traditional Yoga, so it's easy to miss that traditional Yoga has been growing as well, but at a much slower pace. Again, I wish I could come up with the numbers to prove this, or to learn that I am wrong! I would be the first to admit it if I am.
I admit that anecdotes like the Freeman example don't support my case. I would think he'd be growing or at least stable. But I'm not sure studio attendance tells the story. That's why I'm after teacher training data. We know some more traditional movements have been thriving. I'm still hoping to find someone who has studied Yoga growth by type.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
You'll have to check this week's People mag. That's all I can tell you without spoiling the surprise for everyone.
Just wanted to comment on what I've observed. To support my business (I make yoga props) I visit lots of yoga studios, all over. And because I primarily practice Iyengar (but I love 'em all!), and Iyengar peeps are big props users, I go to lots of Iyenar studios. It amazes me that many very experienced Iyengar teachers who are excellent teachers apparently customarily have classes with fewer than 10 students, while these giant power yoga studios have to put tape on the floors for mat placement because their classes are so big. I'm not saying that one style of yoga is "better" than the other, but this tells me that, to the mainstream yoga student, fitness may be more important than truly learning the basics of each pose. Just sayin'.
Nah, no thanks.
and that's a damn shame, because old school has so much more depth and intelligence behind it (having been practiced and passed down from teacher to student for generations). Americans are personality driven people (why Richard's classes are full and his teachers may not be. With my own classes I have more success with my for-credit university classes (where students sign up with few expectations) than with the "commercial" ones (where people have taken my class to test themselves out during free week but won't actually sign up for my class…)
As a yoga teacher who teaches from the heart and believes in the roots of yoga and the enlightening transformation that occurs I truly hope it doesn't turn into classes about getting good butts – it's tough cuz Hollywood does tend to spin things on the superficial side….however every student is different and come to their mat for varying reasons and sometimes they connect with the practice on a deeper level and want to dive more into the roots and philosophy of yoga and sometimes they don't, as a teacher we just hope we can help them on their journey some how…
Jennifer Aniston is a yogi … It probably is wise to let go of good or bad categories … and let awareness expand.
Namaste,
Steve