Letters to the Editor
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maybe, it depends?
I guess like in most things it helps to be able to choose the partner.
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Please let this not spread any further
I resent the forced intimacy of much of our modern culture--the team-building exercises, role-play, outward bound type experiences that crop up at school or work. I fervently hope that it stays away from my exercise class.
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Perhaps...
the imploding economy and the Iraq war might refocus you from the midst of your self-indulgence. It's really not quite Abu Graib...
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I hate it also!
I would like to do Yoga myself.
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You will not have to do this much longer...
When Swami Hukabi gets into the White House, Yoga will become illegal, because it is demon worship. Then you can get into a lovely celibate solo Christian square dancing class.
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Great article
Hilarious and insightful. I admire Price's pragmatic, Type A approach to solitude and relaxation, and her incredible courage to participate out of sheer curiosity in an activity she finds as repellant as I do.
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Does everyone from NY whine so much?
I thought about writing two pages about a whining NYC-to-SF transplants but I realized two sentences would work. Seriously, it took two pages to find out the simple solution of not participating in something you don't like. Genius!
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bummer
Now, now. This wouldn't be America if we didn't take a precious thing and screw it up, would it?
This partnered yoga reminds me of the difference between the bliss of silent massage work and the distraction of a chat-filled rubdown.
I'd say yoga and massage should be quiet, peaceful experiences that take you to places deep inside yourself not easily accessed, otherwise what's the point?
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Forced touching
Partner yoga sounds like a nightmare. Unfortunately, a lot of instructors and group leaders get this camp counselor mentality where they force you to share with strangers, or to touch strangers "for your own good."
These people are aware that many of us would rather not touch strangers -- yet they force us to do it anyway because they are confident we just don't realize that it's good for us.
For example: When the priest instructs everyone to shake hands in greeting or in "peace be with you" at church... All of a sudden, you have to touch germy strangers and you don't get to wash your hands before communion is placed into your palms for you to then put in your mouth.
And as another poster mentioned, the practice has infected the corporate world through team building exercises and other touchy feely group therapy attempts.
But I don't want to get sick! I don't want to touch strangers because a smug group leader thinks she is helping us by forcing us to touch people when we would rather not.
Maybe we are too uptight about personal space in this country, but it's still wrong to force people to engage in awkward, unwanted intimacy just because you're in charge of a group.
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I'm Thinking about Incorporating "Genu-Fitness, Inc."
I think an hour's worth of genuflecting, maybe with the help of those aerobic step things and some dynamic workout music, could be the Next Big Thing.
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The Lead? Really?
I don't mind the fluff stories on Salon. Sometimes I enjoy them, sometimes I just pass them by. But really, this is Salon's lead story today? With everything else that's going on?
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I love partner yoga!
Wow! I see your point, though I am impressed by the vehemence of it. It gives me some perspective on why everyone who I try to talk into trying acroyoga doesn't always want to do it.
Some of us who practice acroyoga think we are developing a community based on peace and trust and communication, all of which are valuable in the world today, I would say. And, unlike corporate teambuilding, you only have to do it if you want to.
And, it brings me joy. What is wrong with that? I feel like you're missing out, but to each her own. Namaste.
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Ok, I barely ever say this, but....
THIS is the lead story? today? really? partner yoga?
Come on, Salon. I'm usually one of your biggest defenders - I've bought several gift subscriptions in my time. But there is a time and a place for stories about partner yoga - and while that time might be today, that place is NOT as the lead story.
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There is no such thing as Ashtanga partner yoga
Dear Ms. Price,
I feel you are way off base when you say partner yoga has roots in Ashtanga/the teachings of Pattahbi Jois. As a daily practitioner of Ashtanga yoga and now a teacher myself, who has studied with Jois both in the U.S. and at his home in Mysore, India, I feel I am in a position to say that Ashtanga contains NO element of partner yoga. While many yoga studios around the country may offer classes labeled "Ashtanga", a true Ashtanga class is taught Mysore style, which is a supervised self practice guided by a trained teacher. The Ashtanga teacher and his/her assistants are the ONLY people who ever touch or adjust you. In Mysore style yoga, gaze is to be kept on the assigned drishti and contact with any other practioners in the room is discouraged. At least during practice! The reason being is Jois promotes yoga as a spiritual discipline, a lifestyle, and not just a way to burn calories or define your abs. Over and over, Jois stresses that breathing is the most important part of a vinyasa yoga practice; your gaze (or drishti) being the second most important element. Asana (postures) comes in at a distant third. To report that Jois puts emphasis on asana only is completely misinformed and misleading. Trust me, I have attended many talks with the man and have spoken and questioned him one-on-one. Asana is only one small part of the Ashtanga yoga method. Jois promotes the quieting of the fluctuations of the mind and the union of body and spirit; a practice to be taught and handed down from teacher to student. No way can this inner spiritual journey be accomplished with untrained students pushing and pulling on each other!
Ms. Price, might I suggest you familarize yourself better with the teachings of Pattahbi Jois before proclaiming his so-called views and approaches to yoga.
Best Regards,
Hilary Galanoy
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The headline made me laugh.
I have been doing Iyengar yoga for years and I, too, experience a bit of dread everytime my teacher announces we're going to do some partner yoga. Part of my hesitation is that my reaction feels a bit highschool-ish. Who am I going to work with? I scan the room, is anyone looking at me? Anyone specifically not looking at me? Oh, I got the very short person and I'm tall and well, that's going to be a bit awkward.
I like the author's decision at the end of the article. It's an authentic one.