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| YJ contestant Geri Girardin |
The yoga community is all a-flutter about Yoga Journal’s Talent Search model contest. In case you don’t follow the on-goings of YJ, they asked their readers to submit pictures of themselves to be voted on to determine a winner, who will get to fly to California for a photo shoot.
Needless to say, there has been a lot of controversy about the contest. The lovely Anna Guest-Jelly from Curvy Yoga encouraged all the curvy yogis out there submit their pictures in an effort to show the editors that beauty can come in all shapes and sizes. Nancy Alder from Flying Yogi and Core Power teacher Sadie Nardini took exception to the “tighty brighty” wardrobe mentality and protested to the focus on external appearances by submitting their picture in seated meditation with their backs to the camera. Meanwhile, Yoga Dork is hosting a photo contest of her own in response: “For our version, it’s not so much a contest as a declaration of satya (truth): We ask you send a photo of who you are, as a yogi, a real person, in any shape, size, age, gender or color/clinginess of clothing. We’re not selling magazines. No fancy poses required, but by all means go for what speaks YOU.”
Now that the photos have been submitted and the voting has begun, my inbox has been flooded with emails and Facebook messages (all from ladies who are more than deserving to be in a magazine) urging me to vote for them.
Whether they want to win this competition to challenge the status quo or just think it would be really cool to live the glamorous life of a yoga model for a day… everyone wants to be a yoga model — or at the very least to feel represented in the yoga community!
Last week, I posted a status update on my Facebook page about how conflicted I am about voting–torn between so many deserving people who I also consider friends. Within seconds a teacher I really admire posted a response, “because yoga is all about being beautiful and modeling.” He deleted his comment before I could reply, but it made me think… Is yoga about being beautiful? No, of course not! But is feeling beautiful, accepted, and validated a part of the practice? I think it is! I know I always feel great when a teacher tells me one of my poses is beautiful.
I don’t love the competition aspect of YJ’s contest (because I don’t think that’s very aligned with yoga philosophy)… But I’m thrilled that I can look through all the gorgeous photographs that were submitted and rate every one of them as highly as I possibly can. Because seeing beauty in each other (no matter how precise the pose) IS what yoga is all about as far as I’m concerned.
I love looking at all the entries sent in, so many people celebrating yoga, I am however turned off by all the outside, backstage politics. Geeze can't we just have the YJ's cover search without making it into something evil.
Too many people looking for the 'bad' in everything, just the opposite of what yoga is about.
Nice job YJ, alot of people I can see are thrilled to have themselves out there showing their devotion to yoga and some creativity
Love this! I agree that despite the icky aspects of the competition and rating, it's cool to see all the different folks.
p.s. Thanks for the shout out: the curvy yogis gallery is going up on my site tomorrow!
Fantastic post! I think the Cover Model Contest is a good marketing ploy by Yoga Journal to get yogis aligned with their hierarchical status :/ and buy more unecessary yoga items (yoga socks, gloves sprays etc…)
But it works as an interactive way to show the range of yogis that exist around the world.
I still think this further perpetuates the western health stereotype of the white thin, flawless beauty. Now bodies are instruments of capitalization. What about yogis from India (birthplace of yoga), of African decent, disabled or men?
Yoga is not about perfection, but about process.
Anacostia Yogi
anacostiayogi.blogspot.com
I just found your blog and I'm so happy I did- it's wonderful. I am a 17 year old yoga teacher who became certified at 16. I agree with you that sometimes people view yoga in a way that may not be what yoga is about. I don't think {and it's my personal opinion} that yoga should be rated. I don't mind the cover contest- I think for a lot of people it's a fun form of self expression! But I can never fully grasp the idea of why there are Bikram yoga competitions. Since when did yoga become a competition? Isn't the point of yoga for it to be a personal journey? I was just watching a documentary about that when i found this post- so thank you! xo
I love how the YJ contest is opening doors for people. However, other than voting for friends, I have stayed away from the contest since I've always tried to steer clear of placing too much of an emphasis on the physical aspect of yoga.
I think feeling beautiful and accepted is part of the practice but I think that comes from within and really doesn't have anything to do with the way a person looks. I don't look or dress like the typical yogi so for me if a teacher said my practice was beautiful, I would hope they were talking about my spirit or joy shining through in the practice more than merely just my physicality.
@Lissabliss, I agree! And I think a beautiful spirit and joy shining through is a HUGE part of beauty!
@jackiek, I'm glad you found it, too! Welcome! And I don't get the competition, either.. but to each his/her own, I guess.
@AnacostiaYogi, You're so right! It's about the process not perfection. That's a great way to put it!
@Anna, I can't wait to see the gallery!
@Frenzy, I'm neutral. I definitely can see both sides … ultimately, it's good that it opened up the dialogue, right?
I've been giving everyone 5 stars. I'm sure that wasn't what YJ intended, but I think they are all brave enough to submit and all yoga is beautiful.
I love the contest, and I love seeing the pictures. I love seeing the same poses interpreted by different people. Too bad there is all the drama.
My teacher tells me my practice is beautiful, and I know she's not talking about the outside (30 pounds overweight with large breasts that get in the way of poses). She's talking about my dedication, studentship and progress that I've made over the last year to become happier and more me in yoga and life.