#47 Childless Yoga Instructors Are More Successful

Another yoga-related article caught my eye today. The Coles Notes version is the author believes there's something behind the success of childless female yoga instructors. Her impression is when a woman teacher doesn't have children, she's better able to focus on her practice, further her spiritual development, and hence become a better teacher. Whether this choice to remain childless is by choice or circumstance is anyone's guess.

And what of the whole female-male discrepancy? The author mentions male teachers don't seem to have the same child-free lifestyle. How does it all fit together?

Here's one thought: Being female and a yoga teacher means to be a success you have to have less children than your male counterparts or no children at all. So by deduction, success means you can't be in a relationship of any kind or else it clouds you're focus. Maybe what we female yoga teachers need is a partner who is whiling to take on the supportive, parenting role in the relationship generally held by woman. Generally, men don't want this role solely and hence woman don't have the support they need to be exceptionally successful yoga teachers.

Or, you could argue people (aka men) prefer their limber, pretty yoga teachers to be single and available. Once they bring the kids and spouse to workshops, the fantasy is gone and interest wains.

What do you think? Let me know below.

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#46 There's politics in yoga (Part 2)

I read an article today that grabbed my attention. The post was written by the Editor in Chief of Yoga Journal, Kaitlin Quistgaard responding to concerns about her magazine allowing nude adversizing to sell yoga. This was the first I'd heard of the debate, one that has seemingly been a hot topic since last year. Frankly, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about.

The ToeSox advertizements Kaitlin refers to are tasteful and artistic. I've included a few examples here so you can be the judge. I have strong feelings about woman's rights, but I don't think this fire warrants any more fuel. In my opinion, the shots are strong depictions of a confident woman whose message is be proud of your body and all it can do for you. We're the ones who make nudity a sinful thing and perpetuate the ongoing loathing many woman for their bodies. "Cover up girls, no one wants to see those love handles".

I can also assure you the subject, yoga instructor Kathryn Budig wasn't forced to take the shots and in no way was exploited. Of course, not everyone looks like Kathryn but everyone should feel confident enough to take similar photograhs as she did for the ToeSox ads. I applaud Kathryn for posing for the shots.

Since starting my yoga practice over a decade ago, I've learned that our 'yogic philosophy' is often at odds with our 'personal philosophies'. On one hand we yogis preach oneness, quiet mind, serenity, ignore distractions, etc; on the other we get upset with nudity. So which is it?

The next time we want to debate the trials of woman, we should pick something trully exploitive, like FGM. A drastic comparision but one which makes my point that our energies could be better spent elsewhere.

Read Kaitlin's full response here: Yoga Journal Responds to “Nudity to Sell Yoga”

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#45 Hockey bags are heavy

I don't know how hockey players do it. I recently had to fill a hockey bag full of yoga mats to transport them to a special event. I consider myself a fit person but I'll admit I was dying of breath after only a few seconds of lugging the bag around (this is embarrasing). I almost resorted to dragging it - there's no one around to see me do it, right??

If I ever come back as a hockey player in another life, I'm being a goalie. Goalies use bags with wheels because of all their extra equipment. They're the only smart ones in my opinion. Dishing out rediculous amounts of money on gear and risking the potential of spending my entire career warming the bench sounds better to me then breaking my back somewhere between the car and the dressing room.

Lesson learned: Date a goalie, yogis!

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