Bikram Yoga is Bull$$$$

So, I heard this report on NPR, about Competitive Yoga vying to become an Olympic sport. As someone who had dabbled with Yoga in the past, I was shocked to hear about this.

Yoga, from my understanding, is about relaxation. It's about flexibility. It's about discipline and control. It's about accepting any person, with any shape, and giving them an opportunity to stretch out and get fit. It's certainly NOT about competitiveness. If anything, I would view Yoga as an ESCAPE from the competitive mindset.

As the report started, a lady who was similarly skeptical came on, and said that after seeing the event her mind was changed. She thought competitive Yoga was beautiful, and that it captured the essence of the activity.

I continued listening, and after a few seconds, the TRUTH was revealed.

Apparently, Competitive Yoga was inspired by Bikram Yoga, which is a FRANCHISE Yoga studio that has people performing poses in 100 degree temperature rooms. What a racket -- turn off the A/C and charge people to sweat and bend quickly.

The narrator explained that the sport of Competitive Yoga was helped by the fact that Bikram has franchises around the country.

So, basically Yoga has been Americanized. It's been three'd. It's gotten the Vince McMahon treatment.

I promptly turned off my car and walked to the mailbox, thankful I wasn't caught up in that bull$$$$.