The internet is buzzing with the Rachele Brooke Smith video where she does yoga on the ledge of a building in Times Square. Some people thought she was fearless, cool and bold while others thought her behavior was totally unyogic. People are also upset over the yoga teacher reality show that Sadie Nardini and YAMA are cooking up. All I could think was, I am fresh out of haterade.
Everyone's opinions on it are valid, and indeed, I side with one of these camps but it does not matter. I wouldn't do it, but I don't blame her. We have created a yoga culture where if you are young, beautiful, half naked, and can do handstand, you can become famous and your classes are packed.
Instead of riding around town all day in a beat up Kia teaching 20 classes a week so you can make enough to pay rent on a hood adjacent studio apartment that you share with 3 people, you can pretty yourself up, go viral on the internet and make $100.000 a year.
As Gandhi says, we have to be the change we want to see in the world. We have to get out and support the people that we feel represent the type of yoga we want to see. Whether that is Sadie Nardini, Sharath Jois or your local yoga teacher, you speak with your feet. Take it to the street.
Thank you! I don't understand the trendy thinking in that "extremes" in fitness represents success. I have partaken in CrossFit, distance running, and more recently body building and have seen similar risky behavior in those arenas. The desire to "top" the latest athlete is superficial and contradicts the goal (at least mine) to achieve optimum fitness, mental and physical balance without compromise.
Posted by: Lexa | September 29, 2014 at 08:19 AM
love this shanna... thanks for coming to class yesterday morning. always inspires me to have you there.
Posted by: jen | September 29, 2014 at 08:37 AM
Girl, don't make me cry. Thank you!
Posted by: Shanna Small | September 29, 2014 at 11:34 AM
I practice Ashtanga yoga I.in Toronto with David Robson. I love all your articles and think that you are amazing! ACF beautiful!
Alice Fava
Posted by: [email protected] | September 30, 2014 at 04:13 AM