Is Yoga Sport?

The annual  yoga world championships is coming up in February. Around the world people are competing in 20 national championship competitions for a place in the final in LA  with the American champions.

We are of course talking about Bikram Yoga

Here’s how it works,  competitors must perform a three-minute sequence, of five compulsory postures followed by two freestyle "advanced" postures before a panel of judges. Contestants are awarded marks out of 10 for their technique, including movement, performance and gracefulness.

Obviously those entering this competition must train for it with  some serious dedication. Most of them, like Bikram himself, want yoga to become and Olympic sport.

 Personally I find the whole idea of this ridiculous. It seems to me to yoga has already drifted very far from its roots as a spiritual science, towards being merely an exercise and fitness practice. In yoga isn’t stretching   I said  that if yoga was just about strength and flexibility then gymnasts and ballerinas, would be yogis and yoginis. Mr Bikram and his followers seem to think they are. What do you think?

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