Shaming In the Yoga Community, In Any Direction, Is Hurtful

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Demystifying Hip Openers and Tight Hips

Should You Walk Out On A Yoga Teacher?

Comments

[michael joel hall]

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/

[Sari]

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".

[Shanna Small]

Your article was amazing

[Shanna Small]

It rarely happens in the Ashtanga communities that I have been in. It is prevalent more in other forms of yoga.

[Sari]

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. :-)

[Lesly Federici]

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 ...