Earlier today, I finally caved in to popular blogosphere pressure, and violated my blogging drishti... I went and watched that Equinox Yoga Video! You probably know what I'm talking about: Most of you have probably already seen it, so there's no point pretending it doesn't exist. Here it is. Enjoy.
I guess I may as well say a couple of things about it, while I'm at it. When I was watching it, the very first thought that struck me (I swear!) was: Hmm, she has a very impressive practice. My handstand isn't half as effortless as hers, and I'm nowhere close to getting Urdhva Kukkutasana.
But I really don't get those close-up shots of her... crotch and butt. Nor do I get the rear shots. I wonder if this might be an Iyengar influence? I went to an Iyengar workshop several years ago, and the teacher kept telling us to "feel the skin peeling away from your buttocks, and moving towards your heels." Or at least that's what I think he said. So maybe the close up butt shots are a nod to the Iyengar people out there who are watching this video? But then again, what do I know about Iyengar? Iyengar people out there, please forgive me if what I just said blasphemes your lineage and guru. I will perform a couple of extra Surya Namaskars tomorrow morning by way of apology.
But of course, you must have noticed that I have said nothing so far about the alleged sexual objectification/leeriness of this video (which, I take it, is what has been getting so many cyber-yogis up in arms lately), or the fact that said yogini is practicing while her significant other/lover/roommate (?) remains sound asleep. I guess he must not be all that into yoga, no? :-)
Anyway, a lot has been said about the alleged sexual objectification/leeriness in this video, so it probably won't serve any purpose for me to add my voice to the fray here. Instead, I'll just leave you with a question: Assuming that the video indeed sexually objectifies (at least one) women, can it still be a good yoga video? In other words, should the sexual objectification/leeriness content of the video (assuming that it has such content) take away from the quality of the asana practice depicted in the video?
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