BKS Iyengar Dies and This Is What Is On The Front of Yoga Journal?

 

Like I said before, the Yoga Journal is not about yoga. BKS Iyengar, one of the most prolific yogis of all time dies, and there is not one mention of it on the cover. I am sure they have a little snippet in the book. But if this is a magazine that educates people about yoga, it should be up front and  center. The whole magazine should be about him and his contributions to yoga. But it isn't. It is a yoga flavored fashion/fitness magazine. It is in the same category as Shape and Fitness Magazine.

I understand that people are all excited because Kathrine Budig is on the cover with very little photo shopping but this is just smoke and mirrors. They are trying to keep their current base and draw in some of the people who were threatening to leave. However, Kathryn, who is probably crazy awesome and amazing, is still a yoga celebrity and all the content is still the same.

I believe that yoga is at a crossroads. The energy of change is here. We can continue on this road of materialism and body focus and continue to reduce yoga down to a set of alignment rules or a fitness exercise akin to Tae Bo or Cross Fit or we can reintegrate its spiritual aspects and positively change not just the body but the world. 

We the students and teachers of yoga have to make that choice. It is not up to Yoga Journal. It is up to us.

Comments

[yogibattle]

Thank you for recognizing this misstep.

[W]

Might this issue have already been put to bed before his death?

[[email protected]]

My first thought as well. It would be appropriate to commemorate his passing in the next issue.

[Shanna Small]

I doubt it. This issue looks like it is a direct response to last months issue. Anyway, Pattabhi Jois died 5 years ago and he never made it on the cover. We shall see.