US magazine slammed for oversexualization of yoga - Daily News & Analysis

The 'oversexualization' of yoga in a US magazine has received criticism, as not everyone is happy to see the practice portrayed in a sexy, commercial context.

The October issue of Yoga Journal has a black and white Toesox ad featuring well-known yoga teacher Kathryn Budig in a variation on a handstand, reports the Globe and Mail.

Apart from a pair of the organic-cotton non-slip yoga socks, she's naked, strategically positioned to reveal no body parts that would be considered scandalous on Sesame Street.

Respected fitness photographer Jasper Johal has shot the image.

Judith Hanson Lasater, one of the founding editors of Yoga Journal 35 years ago, wrote a letter to the magazine that ran in its September issue.

In it, she expressed her sadness and confusion over the "photos of naked or half-naked women" and how they relate to the practice of yoga.

Yoga blogs and message boards jumped on her response, mostly in agreement.

"Hats off to Judith for having the courage to speak out against sexualized yoga advertising!" wrote Montrealer Roseanne Harvey on itsallyogababy.com.

"Everyone thinks they know what yoga is and it's become just about asana [poses] and body," said Hanson Lasater, the former Yoga Journal editor.

"[Nudity] is a natural thing and not a bad thing.

I love beauty in all its forms, but is this objectification what we want to combine with yoga? ," she added.

Kaitlin Quistgaard, Yoga Journal's editor-in-chief, doesn't think readers are necessarily prudish or unaware of the way advertising works.

"It's that they're protective of yoga," she said.

"They might subscribe to Yoga Journal and also to Vogue ... and have different expectations," she added.

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New yoga club aims to relieve students' stress - RU Daily Targum

Not Just Yoga, a campus organization catering to students interested in yoga and meditation, seeks to provide students a refuge from the chaos of campus life.

Bhaskar Mitra, a School of Engineering postdoctoral associate, founded the club early last year.

"[Not Just Yoga is] an organization dedicated to relieving stress via healthy methods," said club President Justine D'Souza.

At a standard club meeting, members engage in meditation, practice breathing techniques and hold discussions.

"It's also a good outlet for people interested in peace and spirituality," D'Souza said.

But as the name suggests, Not Just Yoga goes beyond the realm of yoga mats and breathing exercises. Members also volunteer and give back to the community.

"[Not Just Yoga] offers members the opportunities to participate in community service initiatives throughout the semester," club administrator Najuk Mehta said. "Whether it's tutoring elementary school children after hours or spreading smiles across the campus with the ‘RU Smiling' campaign."

Club leaders also host "De-Stress" events for students in the University's residence halls with other campus organizations.

"Any student would benefit from this organization," D'Souza said. "Everyone endures tension and experiences difficulty in managing it single-handedly."

D'Souza spoke from experience.

"There was one meeting where I was really tense, because I had so many things to do after the meeting," she said. "After participating in the meeting's meditation, however, I felt great. I thought to myself, ‘If I can bring this to others, I can't wait to do so.'"

Mehta elaborated on the club's benefits. Unlike everyday activities, programs at Not Just Yoga put members in tune with themselves and bring them to a new level of understanding, she said.

"It's amazing what we don't notice about ourselves day in and day out," Mehta said. "We get stuck in the same patterns, and we often miss simple truths. But with a little awareness and wisdom, we can look deeper into these patterns of the mind and can be much more free and relaxed, enjoying the present far more."

School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Emily Chou expressed interest in joining Not Just Yoga.

"I currently take yoga classes at the College Avenue Gym," Chou said. "It's really relaxing and calming because it makes you forget your stress. A club about yoga would be beneficial to all the students, especially during exam time. I'd definitely like to attend."

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