Comments on: Gym Yoga

By: A.M.

A.M. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:54:41 +0000

Yes I’m Indian as well, and it does bother me when yoga teachers can’t even pronounce the word hatha, let alone any of the mantras that they chant…

But for me, yoga is a concept that’s open to everybody, and I feel that people should be able to modify and take aspects of it that they feel are right for them, whether they mispronounce words or not!

For this reason I also feel that gym yoga is no worse than studio yoga. Both are commercialized & there are certainly Indian gurus who do the same thing — commercialize aspects of Indian religions. I’m not even that bothered by those who try to trademark sequences, etc.

What really bothers me, ultimately, is when teachers pronounce on certain subjects as if their beliefs and methods are the only authentic form of yoga, the only form of yoga that is connected to a pure, ideal Indian past, etc. This can happen implicitly or explicitly, and I think this is really when Oriental stereotypes enter into the picture.

By: Samyukta

Samyukta — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:58:03 +0000

I actually think studio yoga is not spiritual. Most of the time I feel it is some faux spiritual yoga. Most of the teachers cannot say “hatta huttta” yoga to start with and all the chanting is wrong. Almost all sanskrit asana names are wrong. I cannot tolerate gayatri mantra being butchered. It simply hurts me. Being Indian, I really prefer teachers that don’t chant and make a mess of things. I have finally found a couple of teachers in SF that I like who don’t chant, but have a deep practice and that suits me. Although I *love* sanskrit and chanting, I am not a fan of over the top almost hindu type yoga classes without any depth.

I am of the opinion, if the teachers really are serious about yoga, it should show, in every aspect of the class in the studio. How is the yoga in a studio yoga better when there are crunches being done for 10 straight minutes? 10, 9, 8,…Where did that come from? Sounds very “my belly and my butt gotta look hot” not spiritual!

I have not taken a gym yoga class, but that sounds better to me without any pretensions.

By: Ravi

Ravi — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:49:36 +0000

There are some great teachers that teach/practice yoga in gyms…so definitely worth giving gym yoga shot…in my book, any yoga is good yoga.

Ravi

By: Kara-Leah

Kara-Leah — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:32:50 +0000

Great article. I think you pretty accurately described the differences (in general) between gym yoga and studio yoga. I too have taught at both, but teach mainly in gyms at the moment. As my own practice has grown and evolved into more and more pranayama, meditation and the spiritual elements of yoga, I do find myself champing at the bit to share these things with my gym yoga students. Yet I’m also mindful of the fact that while I may want to teach these elements, my students may not be ready to hear it. So it’s a balance – I play the edge with my students the same way you might play the edge in asana. In this way, I view gym yoga as an awesome entry point for people who wouldn’t otherwise try yoga. IN fact, when I was last teaching at both a gym and a studio, my students began to migrate over from the gym to the studio. And that was fantastic!

So bring it on I say, yoga everywhere, reaching everyone.

Thanks from me too for kick starting a wonderful discussion

Namaste,
Kara-Leah

By: shiny

shiny — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:35:23 +0000

Interesting post – and as someone who has taught predominantly in gyms, I wanted to give you some input.

I think yr last paragraph sums it up – not all yoga classes are the same and good yoga can be found everywhere. I have practiced yoga for many years (over a decade) and have taught in both studios and gyms, but my timetable now is more suited to the classes I teach at the gym.

I chant in class, I have meditation in class, I light candles in my classes. Some students like this – some don’t, but the room and the space don’t need to make or break a class.

I think a lot of students are fearful of going to a yoga studio and feel much safer trying out a ‘gym’ yoga class first. I know a lot of my students also love yoga and joined the gym I teach at because it offered yoga as well as other classes and equipment. It can be really expensive going to the gym and then having to pay around $20 for a one off yoga class as well.

Lots to consider! Thanks for starting this discussion : )