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http://www.eyeweekly.com/blog/post/39692--bend-it-unlike-bikram
Thoughts???
Freia
Edited by freiamaya 2009-08-30 12:31 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 243
 
| I've often envied men for being able to have no shirt on. If it's permitted in Toronto, and allowed at the studio, I don't see why not. You wouldn't have to go if you didn't like it.
The rest of the article is quite interesting as well, and pertinent to the discussions around the franchise. |
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| Great idea if the ladies are manageable. Mine, on the other hand, benefit from a bit of tethering...TMI I know...
Freia |
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| Can you hear the applause from South Texas? Studio owners not putting up with crap--rah, rah, rah////oh, was it the female topless thing the main point of the article? Still applause! |
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| I thought this was particularly of interest because of the reaction of Bikram as described in the article to those not doing exactly what he says. Kind of tied in to the whole franchising thing. Thought it was interesting. I'm surprised they aren't using green mats in a green hot room too! 
Friea
Edited by freiamaya 2009-08-30 3:58 PM
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | Where is the like/dislike button for this thread,  |
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| I would like to do it nude. |
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Veteran
Posts: 243
| which would be your choice Cyndi? :-) |
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Veteran
Posts: 168
| The article seems to be more about Bikram's restrictions rather than being topless but toplessness seems to be is issue so far in this post, so I would like to address that issue.
I've lived in France for almost 20 years, so, have been exposed to European attitudes about nudity for at least that long. Many Europeans (Sasha and Ananka are from Eastern Europe) have a far more casual acceptance of nudity than many Americans. We Americans often seem to be torn amidst modesty, prudery and hypocrisy. The writer of the article, (a Canadian) seemed taken aback that Ananka was topless, she seemed to have felt perfectly natural.
I would think that in the US a topless yoga teacher and class would cause a great deal of disruption, in class and perhaps legally. This is certainly not the point of Yoga. If such were legal I think the semi- nudity should be made perfectly clear in the class description and restricted to women who wish to do yoga while topless.
Elizabeth
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| Live & let live.
They have their own vision of how to run their studio, it's no longer officially a Bikram site, no one is being forced to participate.
I like the idea of the silent class (wish my studio offered that) and kind of admire their policy prohibiting scent in the room, as I know people who are intolerant of perfumes, colognes, etc.
Used to know a guy who ran a naked mens' yoga class in Vancouver. Certain postures I'd just rather not think about. Talk about needing to focus on your own practice. |
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| Actually, I linked to their site and I am surprised at the current affiliation with Bikram:
http://www.hotyoga.ca/
On their front page, they say their studio is the home of the Bikram Yoga Annex, and there is no mention of top-optional practicing. I wonder if they'd "adjusted" after the article in question was posted? Perhaps the non-conformists have indeed decided to conform???
Freia |
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| I'm from Toronto, and though I've never been to this school I have considered it and have visited the site. It's the same as ever; I never saw mention of topless classes.
What led me to choose another studio was the apparently strict no scent policy (which I agree with, but I was afraid to be turned away because of my choice of shampoo or laundry detergent).
For what it's worth, I think a topless class would be rather nice. The studio owners seem to be doing it for personal reasons and not as a marketing gimmick or draw. Of course, as a lifelong member of the itty bitty titty committee, I have it easy in this regard... I realize it wouldn't be for everyone!
Edited by melissabest 2009-09-01 1:22 PM
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| No mention specifically of topless classes, but the schedule includes "Women Only" classes - maybe it is only topless in those ones? http://www.hotyoga.ca/schedule.htm |
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| LOL! "itty bitty titty committee"! You'll never hear a guy say he belongs to the 'puny pawltry popo club" And of COURSE, I don't. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Oregon | I'd love it if an all male class was offered at my studio. In general, I'd appreciate more modesty with no mirrors and silent or minimal dialogue. |
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| Andre, I had an all-guy class for about a month here--started to take on a bathhouse atmosphere and didn't work out. |
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| "itty bitty titty committee"--love it!
I'd love to see the day finally arrive when I'm not so freaking self-conscious and could even consider practicing topless. It's distracting when your top feels like a billion layers of wet plastic wrap trying to strangle you.  |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Oregon | Bruce: Andre, I had an all-guy class for about a month here--started to take on a bathhouse atmosphere and didn't work out.
Can you explain that more, Bruce? (No idea what you mean by bathhouse atmosphere.) I've thought to teach an all guys class out in the community if/when I get certified. But, I'm not sure there's a demand for it. |
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| Andre, it became a place for guys intending to hook up/ I'd get emails asking "is there a plce we can play if we find somebody interesting?" Stuff like that--in short, it wasn't about the yoga. |
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| AAAAAAAHAHA - Bruce! Oh no!!!! Yeah, that doesn't really "work out." This thread is freaking GREAT.
Chatoyancy - What ARE you wearing, that you feel like you are being eaten by your shirts? Find yourself a nice little sports bra top! Doesn't have to be fancy. Target and Old Navy both have great stuff, for cheap. You can wear clothing and still be comfortable.... |
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| I'm frequently the only male in class and teachers always make comments like "aren't you lucky?" or "you must really love this." Uh...no...I think my being gay may have something to do with it. I've often thought oh ladies, take your tops off and be comfortable, I don't care. On second thought, it might not be all that great. Oh well. |
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| Veggiepose's comment reminded me--frequently when I sub for somebody and I need to escape from my day job, all I have to tell the boss is "Gotta go teach bendy sweaty girls" and there's no problem being supported in leaving. |
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| thedancingj - Right now my Target tops are banished to the drawer! I have two little sports-bra tops someone made out of swimsuit material and they're the only thing I can stand. I've been trying to find some new ones but everything I find is made out of heavy, thick material, even though they're supposedly for "hot yoga". I just returned some "hot yoga" tops to Athleta. I tried to get some Shakti stuff but everything was out of stock. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Oregon | Oy. I hadn't really thought of that angle Bruce. We don't have a large gay male population in my town. I'm thinking mostly about the guys I've played ball with for 15-20 years. The types of guys who might try Yoga if there weren't so many beautiful women in the room. |
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| The beautiful women are keeping the straight guys OUT of the room?!
This is a problem that has never occurred to me.
Chatoyancy - Bummer, girl! Maybe try the swimsuit section for real? You know those "tankinis" that were popular a while ago, that are two pieces but with a fuller top piece? I have an old tankini top that I wear for class all the time that's really light (and people always wanna know where I got it... ) |
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Topless Bikram's????
