anyone read this article?

Hi bunni,

Thanks for posting the link. It surely is a “media beat up” seeking to sensationalize and dramatize the sexual aspects (notice the adjectives used in the beginning of the article). But that’s journalism for you!

In my opinion, Bikram seems to love exaggerating his claims and being deliberately provocative … but really who cares? So as far as I am aware, there is much truth in the reporting of the Bikram’s Teacher Training culture (I was never interested in attending for that reason, since I have been by trade an adult education specialist and I find this treatment demeaning and nothing to do with a learning environment. But I’m sure Gabrielle has her views … not sure if she’d come out in public with them though).

As you say, when it comes down to the day-to-day experience of any decent studio, no-one would dream to behave in such an abusive way … and it’s not what we recommend.

There are however, those who seem to be attracted to that!

Makes for a fun, if very misleading read doesn’t it 😉

Robert

Just from the first few sentences, this article made me laugh. I mean – not that the Bikram instructors (or the students for that matter) in my studio aren’t all beautiful in their own way, but they are certainly not all blessed with perfect bodies, perfect breasts, etc. One of the things that I like is that there are always a variety of people in the studio – young and old, thin, muscular, overweight, you name it.

And maybe it’s just because I live in a fairly conservative area – but I’ve NEVER heard any sort of sexually oriented comment from an instructor, another student or anyone else. Never. I can’t even imagine…

I’ve certainly read plenty of comments where Bikram himself sounds like kind of a crazy guy, but that doesn’t cancel out the benefits of the practice in general. It sounds like this article is nothing but a way to create a sex scandal where there is none.

I will say – I’ve gotten comments from people who have never done Bikram yoga that it’s “all about parading around in a bikini”. Obviously, you can wear as much clothing as you want, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt – when I first went, I had no idea that it was even possible for me to sweat like I do in class. So maybe if they went to a class, they would have a change of heart about what appropriate clothing is in the heat. And to me – one of the best parts of the practice is learning to focus – to stop paying attention to the people around you and what they are doing (or wearing). If you are going to check out and/or judge other students wardrobes, or to show off your own, you are missing the point, I think.

Though, I get the same thing and even worse when I talk about doing anti-gravity yoga. It’s not very common and as soon as I explain that it involves a hammock swing so you can hang in inversons and how amazing it feels on your spine I get nothing but wide eyed looks and comments about how it’s a sex swing. Yeesh. It’s such the opposite – and makes you feel like a little kid on a swingset. It’s fun and lighthearted and has nothing at all to do with sex, but some people certainly have a one-track mind.

This is your own blog right?

Anyway, I did read the article and the thing that came to mind is when I went to beauty school and all the guys that were attending just to “hook-up”. It’s not as if Bikram TT is the only place it happens.

I am not really concerned about Bikram the man. The hair playing and foot massaging is weird if you ask me. What I am concerned with is Bikram the practice. So people can think what they want. The yoga I practice has been great for me and what people think of the man, Bikram, doesn’t matter to me.