Have you ever noticed how many angry people there are at peace rallies? Social action arouses righteousness-Ram Dass
In the name of making sure that all of humanity is represented in the yoga community, many well intentioned people have started reverse shaming.
Making someone feel bad because they can't do so called advanced yoga poses is just as bad as making someone who can do so called advanced yoga poses feel bad that they can.
Making someone with an average body or someone who is overweight feel bad because they are not skinny is just as bad as making someone who is skinny feel bad because they are.
Making someone feel bad who cannot afford Lululemon is just as bad as making people who can afford Lululemon feel bad about it because they can.
These are just a few examples but, shaming in any direction, is not cool.
I riff on the shame culture that arises in social media settings, especially for those with a knowledge-level entitlement here:
http://michaeljoelhall.com/dont-hater-selfies-radical-self-acceptance-yoga-internet/
Posted by: michael joel hall | July 28, 2014 at 05:07 PM
Is this shaming something what happens in America, because in Europe ashtanga community is very supportive? I have never heard of this shaming before. Hopefully "this too shall pass".
Posted by: Sari | July 28, 2014 at 09:54 PM
Your article was amazing
Posted by: Shanna Small | July 29, 2014 at 04:02 AM
It rarely happens in the Ashtanga communities that I have been in. It is prevalent more in other forms of yoga.
Posted by: Shanna Small | July 29, 2014 at 04:03 AM
Thank you Shanna for your answer :-) It's sad to hear there is shaming in other yoga communities. Hopefully facing the issue and discussing openly about it would bring the healing change, love and light to the situation. :-)
Posted by: Sari | July 29, 2014 at 08:44 AM
Hi Shanna,
You are so right.. there are way too many angry people in the world because they are not happy with themselves and blame other things, situations, and more ... people remember how you made them feel ... so embracing Yoga, embracing life and all the magic it has to offer is the way to go ...
Posted by: Lesly Federici | July 31, 2014 at 04:48 AM