http://www.namasteph.com/about/

Does it really matter what my body looks like? Should I only have the right to make a valid point if I am in shape? Do out-of-shape women not have the right to an opinion about body image issues?

“Have an open mind” is a convenient excuse for pornographers and the like. It’s meaningless, really.

As for your comment: “I’m quite motivated when watching those videos with the hopes of obtaining the physical shape that those women have.” There’s something a tad disturbing about a guy who wants to be in the shape of a woman…but…I ask you, if fitness is really your interest:

Would you likewise buy a yoga video that had three sexy hot young MEN in it, wearing skimpy clothes, with a breathy male voice and sex-filled overtones in the yoga class? Or would you find that annoying and possibly “gay.” Over 90% of the people on this blog getting ticked off about my criticisms of Namaste Yoga are guys, and I’ll bet you money not one of them would buy a similar video cast with the likes of Orlando Bloom.

I have much greater respect for the guys who at least admit they watch Namaste Yoga because they get off on the hot chicks. But those that angrily try to defend it over ideals such as “perfect bodies” and “inspiration” are being disingenuous at best.

Skinny and “quarter bounce” tight abs do not make a hot woman alone. Those women in the Namaste videos are in such perfect shape over every inch of their bodies that I am in awe. It is the human form at its most finally tuned athletic shape…not just skinny and not just young. I’m a male and athletic, and though I know men have lower body fat percentages and higher muscle mass and definition potential in general, I’m quite motivated when watching those videos with the hopes of obtaining the physical shape that those women have.

Try an open mind and lose the jealous chip on your shoulder.

That said, I happen to be a yoga teacher who has been practicing for close to 15 years and teaching for close to 10 of those 15. I agree with you Stephanie about the young teachers/former dancers. I have one of them in a place where I teach and she didn’t even know what Restorative yoga is. Mind you, this is the young woman who is running the mind/body studio of a high-end health club! I find that frightening.

Like you, I too was a pretty young thing who happens to be a little older now but still considered not too shabby by many.

I tried the practice and found it pretty easy ~ I didn’t work up a sweat at all. I agree that: 1) the poses are not held nearly long enough and moves way quicker than I would prefer, 2) the young women are beautiful young women but so what, 3) yes, they could definitely add some male eye candy, 4) Kate Potters voice-over didn’t bother me at all.

I REALLY liked the sequencing of the poses; I found it creative; I thought it flowed nicely. I liked it so much that I incorporated some of it into my own class and my students really like it as well … mind you a slower version and the students held the poses longer.

As for the comments from the guys, I see their point as well. The practices are short, which can be appealing when you’re very tight or short on time. And frankly, I always tell my students it’s better to practice 20-30 minutes each day rather than practice for an hour or two once or twice a week. I believe that consistency is far better and will yield results that could very well inspire these folks to explore yoga even further.

Though you don’t seem to think much of the series, I probably would continue to practice with it for more creative sequencing ideas and for those times when I’m too depleted from teaching to practice a long time.

Considering I gave up on the spinning/power yoga combination at my fancy gym in order to do more biking outdoors, I was looking for a yoga video with some variety to force me to stretch after 2 hour rides.

After checking out some of Rodney Yee’s DVDs and this awful Australian yoga video at the library, I came upon this series. I find it to be a good cool down after a ride, the videos are relatively short and there’s a good variety with the 13 episodes (granted some of them require some work if you’re not familiar with the poses).

I guess I take offense with your stereotyping of the typical consumer. I didn’t know I was some misogynist just because I don’t want to spend hours in a pricey gym listening to some yoga instructor drone on for the benefit of some clients that are 20-30 years older than me, but I wanted something faster paced.

That being said, my rock-climbing gym now offers yoga lessons so I might transition to that.

a 20 second shavasana is a bit short…

over all it’s a great series

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The covers of Yoga Journal are always the most difficult for me to relate to. I’m 49 years old and know that yoga isn’t about image. Even my teenage daughter said she could never look like the women on your covers. Be brave, be real, and treat us to a cover that we identify with.

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Of course this issue does feature a makeover story to balance it out. Somewhat.

Look at Shiva Rea. Very accomplished, sure, but that doesn’t stop her from posing in only panties in the June 2007 Vanity Fair.