aah, back when i was about 160 lbs i could do pretty much all these. but after years of heavy lifting (245 lbs now), i can barely touch my hands behind my back!
The gentleman is amazing. His asanas are beautiful to watch. But there is something very wrong about a yoga competition. Ooohs and aahs from the crowd, people snapping pictures - just isn't yoga anymore. If you want to be on a stage and compete, become a gymnast.
Very good bending of the limbs indeed! But I do not agree with competition for these kind of things. Especially not if it's put on display asif for visual pleasure of spectator. It's very 'Western' to mainly focus on the physical aspect of yoga and give most respect to who can bend body the most. Which doesn't mean that the person on display is or is not practising it well, who knows:) But it's always OK, to disagree ofcourse!
@arturonichols agreed, obviously there are requirments for postures and if can reach maximum degree then let us marvel at the human body, people are not so foolish to equate flexibilty with enlightenment and liberation, thanks for posting this nice video after all with so much pornography and violence and video games on computers let us enjoy satvic music and movements
It is really good to see so many people around the world embracing Yoga! I'm not entirely sure about the competition but props to the ones that are performing so well....
Although I don´t like Bikram, and practice Ashtanga Yoga myself, I have come to understand that Yoga in India almost entirely consists of money making and fake guru worshipping(yes, Indians are just as money and fame hungry as the rest of us). There are real teachers in India and ofcourse the rest of the world, and to me, being honest is one of the first requirements of being one.
And, although he has been suing people on idiotic grounds- he has always been honest about wanting to make money. And that honesty makes him better than all the "treat me like a god and I will comfort you and give you hope until you get tired and skip to the next flavor of the year"-gurus, which accounts for 99 percent of the gurus out there.
This competitive idea of yoga did not exist in the-Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- the second sutra says-Chitta Vritti Nirodha- basically when the unborn mind is revealed or.. mind without thought is realized... this is yoga in practice...Yes, lets take care of our bodies and minds and integrate all of our human potentials... but the whole idea of becoming enlightened by stretching or competition in the name of yoga- is far removed from true realization- which has nothing to do with stretching or comp
Yoga competition is part of a rich history in India. Yoga originated in India over 5000 years ago and yoga competition has been around for the last 2000 years. Today, it is estimated that one yoga competition takes place each day in India. Yoga competition exists as an integral part of yoga tradition.
Everyone's got an opinion on the competition. But it's all about admiring and respecting the hard work and dedication the athlete put into his craft! And what beautiful postures he has. Takes a lot of hard work, definitely deserves some recognition.
@HexAlos Well one has the right to voice what the believe yoga is, and that is what it is to them. What yoga was for Swami Pantanjali isn't what yoga is it is what it is to Swami Pantanjali and nothing more.
The video title is incorrect, many of the postures performed in this clip are NOT included in the Bikram series of asanas. Also, this room is not heated which is one of the signatures of Bikram Yoga. This is regular Hatha Yoga, and I agree, there is no place for competition in yoga, its literal meaning is "to join" "to unite" "union", none of which apply to using it as a spectator sport.
wow! somebody finally put in words what I had always suspected: it´s a personal practice, your limit is within yourself, so there is no sense in "competing".
Like many things in life, you never know what the human body can accomplish until you see it in action. Yoga competition allows us to see what's possible in a forum that gets enough publicity to be shown to the entire world. Some people see Olympic events as a competition, some see it as an art form, and others see it as a means to show the world that we CAN do anything when we struggle to reach our goals. Yoga is no different and has as much a place in competition as, say, Ice Skating.
Like many things in life, you never know what the human body can accomplish until you see it in action. Yoga competition allows us to see what's possible in a forum that gets enough publicity to be shown to the entire world. Some people see Olympic events as a competition, some see it as an art form, and others see it as a means to show the world that we CAN do anything when we struggle to reach our goals. Yoga is no different and has as much a place in competition as, say, Ice Skating.
Yoga is about doing your best, some do it better because they've put the time and energy into it and they deserve to be acknowledged for their physical control I think it's beautiful and inspiring! Competition should be reserved for those who have earned the right to compete, those that can't compete at this level shouldn't judge and are better to keep practicing at their own speed for their own reasons. Namaste.
@denisedubarry Yoga is about purification of the body so that you may learn to control your mind. Asana is but a single limb of yoga. This is exactly the problem with competition, people say yoga when they mean asana. i suggest you read patanjali's yoga sutras as a start. To have competition there must be a winner, and to declare a winner you only inflate the ego of that person, completely contradictory to what yoga is. If people want to only practice asana for fitness they miss the point.
@agilchri123 it would be rather better to judge how the ego was when he was pronounced the winner to see if one gets puffed up or not. it is better not to make a negative out of a positive though, i mean by saying this if one person gets inspired by a yoga clip to dealve more deeply and understand that flexibility dosent mean one will achieve liberation.
If this is a championship, I see Esak performs as if he is an artist. It is so great to see all of his moves, asanas,... All are pleasant to look and admire.
could something be more ridiculous than this ? This has nothing with yoga ... yoga is not show anything, it a way inside to one's real nature. This is just a comedy ...
@violinoamore I suppose Bikram is a modern 'westernised' style of yoga, it's more about the fitness than the spiritual aspect. I agree though, it is ridiculous, amazing showcase of fitness though.
to all those who look laugh at the fact that there is "yoga championship" why does it take away any spiritual integrity? as long as you are detached in your competition... why not see it as a celebration of life and the physical beauty of yoga postures? how does it violate any of the yamas or niyamas? if anything that's yet another path toward self-study, isn't it?
instead of calling it "yoga championship", would calling it "asana championship" appease the critics?
@marcbauchet It goes agains Aparigraha (avoidance of unnecessary acquisition of objects not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study) and Isvara pranidhana (Acknowledgement that there is a higher principle in the universe than one's own small self. Modesty, not showing off, or competing. Humility.) Otherwise, it is just acrobatics.
True, it's not possible to have a nirvana competition unless we find a way to hook up people's skulls to elaborated machines and see who comes the closest to the cession of the mind. But if you pay attention, you would see how yoga brings out our true selves, and some people will never cease to inspire me.
Esak used to teach at Funky Door Yoga in Berkeley / San Francisco. He is like the nicest teacher. Yes! Yoga is NOT about competition. But it's rare to see a yogi whose practice is so advanced, beautiful, and humble at the same time.
It is a competition because he is pretty darn close to doing each asana exactly as Bikram Choudury would probably instruct a student himself. Also, he is one of few people authorized to provide seminars. He is the real deal, folks. He is so beautiful, his body is art because of Bikram Yoga. Great vid! *namaste*
i see it as inspiration... i look at this guy and i wanna be able to do what he's worked for. its nice to see what the human body can achieve if u stick to it, and appreciate its beauty on display.
Totally agree that this is about competition and not about the true meaning of Yoga. Yoga is the union of body, mind and spirit. This is about competition and ego. Not to take away from this man's poses they are truly wonderful. But let's keep it in prospective and call it posing competition instead of YOGA.
Real yoga is all about respecting your body for what it can do and appreciating your own body's history. There is no place in yoga for competition or judgement.
@sabine45102 The whole point of yoga, as you said, is about appreciating and trying to improve your own body, mind and spirit. It also teaches to be humble and not boastful. Just by getting on that stage, these contestants are showing off what they can do, which is completely against the yoga practice. They should go compete in gymnastics.
@sabine45102 : You are right..but this is not exactly yoga. This is Hatha Yoga, a buddhist derivative and one of its variants..So this is about Physical, material improvements. I suppose a competition is not out of the order for this branch of Yoga. Of course as you are stressing, Yoga in its entirety is a way of life and a way to beyond life.
@tagert24 i totally agree with you. yoga is a term to explain different type of workouts in this genre of yoga.
first comes the name of the specific type and then yoga to explain which one youu´re performing. it´s like saying i´m doing sports, and you follow up with a question which one. the same with yoga.
@tzfpmy Um... they ARE obviously incredibly present. It would be impossible to do what they are doing, physically, if they weren't present for the experience of every class, and of the competition itself.
@sabine45102 Real yoga? You are not informed. In India, competitions are commonplace and have always been. And it's NOT a "yoga" (with all 8 limbs/philosophies implied) or "enlightenment" competition. It's a yoga asana or posing competition, to display the feats of the body accomplished via the beautiful, honored act of meditative, consistent practice. This is extreme mind-body focus. This is very much "real yoga." And it's beautiful to see what the body and mind are capable of. Thumbs up.
@sabine45102 just so you know in India they have yoga competitions and championships all the time. This is the birth place of yoga. In-fact Bikram's Wife won her first yoga championship in India when she was only 15.
@sabine45102 As a professional sportsperson I know all too well that the journey in sport is the fierce competition with one's mind before anyone else judges you.
@shravana- yes, and thats why this is nonsense. how do you practice for such a competition? and its more to do with the mind than external acrobatics. next they should have a meditation competition and judges can look at the meditating faces and judge the winner. also they should have a prayer competition.
I'll tell you what. That is the most impressive display you will see as far as flexibility in yoga for men is concerned. His form is without a doubt flawless. Anybody who has to criticize the competition should be concerned with whether the yogi in the contest is doing HIS yoga practice. You can't say what alright for this man. He looked quite pleased with himself at the finish. Also, he is practicing sense with drawl. by doing his sadhana with so many distractions.
Yes, impressive, but not the most impressive display of yoga flexibility for men. I've seen many male ashtanga performers go far beyond what this guy can do.
3:56 looks awesome! The posters below are way too serious about yoga. The important thing is that it looks good and reduces muscle tears while running.
This gymnastics has very little to do with yoga (as described in the classical yoga texts). "Competition" in yoga is something yet more absurd ... it is against the very essence of yoga. What these people show here, is just a mere gymnastics a superficial body acrobacy. Real yoga is an inner activity, not a show for public.
the point of this competition (stated by Bikram) is to attempt to share his type of yoga with as many people as possible. The 'champions' of this competition tour the world as inspirations to other practitioners. You are correct that yoga is also an inner activity, but the word 'yoga' means union... union of the heart, body, mind, soul, etc. Don't bash it until you try it, because I know from experience, that this particular yoga can lead to a very spiritual journey.
Yes, it is good to give some exercise to the body, but to falsely mistaken it for yoga (as done largely today) is a bit strange. Yoga is NOT some supergymnastics. "Yoga chitta vritti nirodha" (first of the Panjali Yoga Sutras). Yoga in its essence is a total opposite to any "competition". You can compete in gymnastics, in football but not in yoga ... That's a complete nonsense ... What about a competition in meditation, pranayama or say mula bandha ? :)) Yoga is the way towards one's own essence
It is a journey of inner discovery and improving your quality of life and you cannot possibly compete with anyone in that, if you do, you have no idea about yoga. All these "modern" yogas like power yoga, bikram yoga and what not are you money making systems ... and have nothing to do with a real yoga, just to attract the popular masses ... What about a prayer competition ?
You think that this is not showing the 'big picture' but your own self-righteousness limits you from understanding the purpose of this practice and demonstration. I won't try to explain further because your closed mind needs to open first.
Well, the private message you sent me saying "Who the fuck are you moron?" shows a lot about your open mind :) You really don't need to explain anything further ...
yogis practiced yoga as a way of life, they used to live a well secluded life of a hermit.yoga was way of spiritual attainment for them.but everybody cant do that, can we?? we ve got to live our life, so to bring a little bit of sanity and balance(and for good health of course) ppl will practice yoga, i guess this is the main purpose (other than watching a sexy yoga instructor in full flow) to practice yoga nowadays..
As for the nature of the competition, there's been yoga competitions in India for a long, long time now.
I quote:
Life is competition and Sri Aurobindo teaches: all of Life is Yoga and Yoga is Competition. Sports is any game where you have competitons and we can teach about emotions because this is yoga. Sports is Health and health is Yoga.
I'm unable to post the supporting links I want to back this statement up, but yoga competition has been in India for over 2000 years now, and is a rich part of it's history. Here's another quote.
Yoga competition is part of Indias rich history [...] Competitions have been taking place for 2,000 years now, albeit in a more philosophical form.
[...]
In asana competition, yogis (male yoga practitioners) and yoginis (female practitioners) inspire others in the community to learn more about yoga.
49511mic, do you know *anything* about yoga? How is this not yoga? I'd like to see you do anything he's doing in this video without practicing yoga on a daily basis. Even the postures that appear easy are not.
*Ahem* I actually believe that Bikram Choudhury himself (the developer of Bikram Yoga, for those who can't put 2 and 2 together) competed and won several yoga championships during his teen years. Perhaps he should be burnt at the stake as well? Seriously, get over yourselves. It's an art. Art is exhibited. It's not an act of exploitation; if anything it's an inspiration to those of us who are aiming to perhaps one day achieve that level of amazing ability.
aah, back when i was about 160 lbs i could do pretty much all these. but after years of heavy lifting (245 lbs now), i can barely touch my hands behind my back!
secutorclaudius 3 weeks ago
Some of these movements are seen in gymnastics.
Osuitea 1 month ago
Bikram fits so well in a time of importance for outer apearance and inner emptyness. Bravo to the winner of this beautiful championship.
antoninprochazka 3 months ago
The gentleman is amazing. His asanas are beautiful to watch. But there is something very wrong about a yoga competition. Ooohs and aahs from the crowd, people snapping pictures - just isn't yoga anymore. If you want to be on a stage and compete, become a gymnast.
bipolarbobby 4 months ago
lenig ofzo?
ylene1996 4 months ago
Very good bending of the limbs indeed! But I do not agree with competition for these kind of things. Especially not if it's put on display asif for visual pleasure of spectator. It's very 'Western' to mainly focus on the physical aspect of yoga and give most respect to who can bend body the most. Which doesn't mean that the person on display is or is not practising it well, who knows:) But it's always OK, to disagree ofcourse!
TheSolarChild 4 months ago
Comment removed
TheSolarChild 4 months ago
Wow-- beautifully done. The world is big enough for everyone. Can we appreciate another's practice without being so judgmental?
Obviously, great care has been taken to achieve these asanas. Lets celebrate!!!!
arturonichols 5 months ago
@arturonichols agreed, obviously there are requirments for postures and if can reach maximum degree then let us marvel at the human body, people are not so foolish to equate flexibilty with enlightenment and liberation, thanks for posting this nice video after all with so much pornography and violence and video games on computers let us enjoy satvic music and movements
ironbuddha1008 4 months ago
คุณพระคุณเจัา เทพมั่กๆ !
siamelite 6 months ago
concentration, dedication.....Respect!
ameshabyebye 6 months ago
It is really good to see so many people around the world embracing Yoga! I'm not entirely sure about the competition but props to the ones that are performing so well....
XxMiSsDUcKyXx 7 months ago
who is enough inreasonable to put Yoga in competition ??
franckgers 7 months ago
@franckgers Compitition has been a tradition in india for decades
Sanfupaw 1 month ago
Disgusting
HermeticAlchemy 8 months ago
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Esak is so awesome!!!
taichirobby 8 months ago
Freak show.
0123880 8 months ago
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"the revelation of the genius" is excellent book on elightenment,
I have read it, well the language is little wierd though...
TheIgorthebest 9 months ago
a ballet dancer can do that too, a gymnast can do that too!! Show me your personal power, your mind, your spirit in life.
The only thing that I can say is VEEEERY GOOOOD!!!!! Like Dora the Explorer would say!
ENAIRAMA1 10 months ago
Crap! Yoga and Championships doesn't work!
sadaka201 10 months ago
this is gayer then 8 guys fucking 9 guys.
unholyfarter 10 months ago
@unholyfarter How do you know?
Djinnmeister 9 months ago
Although I don´t like Bikram, and practice Ashtanga Yoga myself, I have come to understand that Yoga in India almost entirely consists of money making and fake guru worshipping(yes, Indians are just as money and fame hungry as the rest of us). There are real teachers in India and ofcourse the rest of the world, and to me, being honest is one of the first requirements of being one.
Monkeyeyes1 10 months ago 3
And, although he has been suing people on idiotic grounds- he has always been honest about wanting to make money. And that honesty makes him better than all the "treat me like a god and I will comfort you and give you hope until you get tired and skip to the next flavor of the year"-gurus, which accounts for 99 percent of the gurus out there.
Monkeyeyes1 10 months ago
OMG!!!
miffy25 11 months ago
Amazing.
banditzz1011 11 months ago
traigan un chino y veran
sansalka 11 months ago
is it just me or is it a little out of place to say WHOO at a yoga championship lol
alluria1 11 months ago 3
yoga chapionship?
hahahahahahaha
What next?
Putting a man on the moon?
Scolecite 1 year ago
This competitive idea of yoga did not exist in the-Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- the second sutra says-Chitta Vritti Nirodha- basically when the unborn mind is revealed or.. mind without thought is realized... this is yoga in practice...Yes, lets take care of our bodies and minds and integrate all of our human potentials... but the whole idea of becoming enlightened by stretching or competition in the name of yoga- is far removed from true realization- which has nothing to do with stretching or comp
Johnnybeak 1 year ago
Yoga competition is part of a rich history in India. Yoga originated in India over 5000 years ago and yoga competition has been around for the last 2000 years. Today, it is estimated that one yoga competition takes place each day in India. Yoga competition exists as an integral part of yoga tradition.
snatum 1 year ago
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healthnut4life48 1 year ago
Everyone's got an opinion on the competition. But it's all about admiring and respecting the hard work and dedication the athlete put into his craft! And what beautiful postures he has. Takes a lot of hard work, definitely deserves some recognition.
maphiagrrl 1 year ago 2
Oh God!! Soooo strong...
pim9991 1 year ago
Honestly, who are we to say what yoga is and isn't?
We havent any authority to comment on the works of Swami Pantanjali as the sutras transcribed more than 3000 years ago.
Tantra teaches to find ecstasy and joy in the moment, who knows what that moment might be?
HexAlos 1 year ago 6
@HexAlos Well one has the right to voice what the believe yoga is, and that is what it is to them. What yoga was for Swami Pantanjali isn't what yoga is it is what it is to Swami Pantanjali and nothing more.
RedTailedTuna 2 months ago
The video title is incorrect, many of the postures performed in this clip are NOT included in the Bikram series of asanas. Also, this room is not heated which is one of the signatures of Bikram Yoga. This is regular Hatha Yoga, and I agree, there is no place for competition in yoga, its literal meaning is "to join" "to unite" "union", none of which apply to using it as a spectator sport.
bradenfjones 1 year ago
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healthnut4life48 1 year ago
what is the move at 1:45? please i'm creating my own yoga routine with a great cd mix and 1o:45 would go great
anelphabet 1 year ago
Comment removed
reenafuerte7 1 year ago
man you need a pussy to do that...jesus
darkchater 1 year ago
@darkchater
Thats a really thought out response, LOL
Im pretty sure you would not even have the strenth and flexibility to touch your toes.
osummer 1 year ago
Bikram is a piece of vile rat sh*t that is against everything yoga is really about. What a joke!
laithinous 1 year ago
@laithinous
why is Bikram against yoga is about?
wannaknowit 1 year ago
@laithinous who made the rules, and how
anelphabet 1 year ago
wow! somebody finally put in words what I had always suspected: it´s a personal practice, your limit is within yourself, so there is no sense in "competing".
tequilabauch 1 year ago
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healthnut4life48 1 year ago
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Like many things in life, you never know what the human body can accomplish until you see it in action. Yoga competition allows us to see what's possible in a forum that gets enough publicity to be shown to the entire world. Some people see Olympic events as a competition, some see it as an art form, and others see it as a means to show the world that we CAN do anything when we struggle to reach our goals. Yoga is no different and has as much a place in competition as, say, Ice Skating.
xandert72 1 year ago
Like many things in life, you never know what the human body can accomplish until you see it in action. Yoga competition allows us to see what's possible in a forum that gets enough publicity to be shown to the entire world. Some people see Olympic events as a competition, some see it as an art form, and others see it as a means to show the world that we CAN do anything when we struggle to reach our goals. Yoga is no different and has as much a place in competition as, say, Ice Skating.
xandert72 1 year ago 3
Comment removed
xandert72 1 year ago
stop patronizing and appreciate this amazing piece of work
shereenraks 1 year ago
to me, total body control´s very sensual.
airasweetie 1 year ago
Yoga is about doing your best, some do it better because they've put the time and energy into it and they deserve to be acknowledged for their physical control I think it's beautiful and inspiring! Competition should be reserved for those who have earned the right to compete, those that can't compete at this level shouldn't judge and are better to keep practicing at their own speed for their own reasons. Namaste.
denisedubarry 1 year ago
@denisedubarry Yoga is about purification of the body so that you may learn to control your mind. Asana is but a single limb of yoga. This is exactly the problem with competition, people say yoga when they mean asana. i suggest you read patanjali's yoga sutras as a start. To have competition there must be a winner, and to declare a winner you only inflate the ego of that person, completely contradictory to what yoga is. If people want to only practice asana for fitness they miss the point.
agilchri123 1 year ago 10
@agilchri123 it would be rather better to judge how the ego was when he was pronounced the winner to see if one gets puffed up or not. it is better not to make a negative out of a positive though, i mean by saying this if one person gets inspired by a yoga clip to dealve more deeply and understand that flexibility dosent mean one will achieve liberation.
ironbuddha1008 4 months ago
Oh My God that really is yoga!!
LovePowerWisdom 1 year ago
If this is a championship, I see Esak performs as if he is an artist. It is so great to see all of his moves, asanas,... All are pleasant to look and admire.
Yenverydieu 1 year ago
What is the name of the song that is playing?
HighHeelShoes 1 year ago
could something be more ridiculous than this ? This has nothing with yoga ... yoga is not show anything, it a way inside to one's real nature. This is just a comedy ...
violinoamore 1 year ago
@violinoamore I suppose Bikram is a modern 'westernised' style of yoga, it's more about the fitness than the spiritual aspect. I agree though, it is ridiculous, amazing showcase of fitness though.
mutzigmorzine 1 year ago
Whats the name of this song? BEAUTIFUL.
MushroomKingdom602 1 year ago
When yoga is "performed" in this way it is not yoga, it's contortion an nothing more. That said...he is quite a good contortionist.
Fyredanz 1 year ago
He must be really happy
123ecs 1 year ago
thats truely beyond any other impossible poses
anyee123 1 year ago
lol fail u sais u am 10 P, its k tho u can has my fmj ebr in ur brains n00b. lol i r 1337 haxz0rz and i can has ur soul n00b
TyPatSmith 1 year ago
i can do that i just dont wanna...
lol
party6panda 1 year ago
to all those who look laugh at the fact that there is "yoga championship" why does it take away any spiritual integrity? as long as you are detached in your competition... why not see it as a celebration of life and the physical beauty of yoga postures? how does it violate any of the yamas or niyamas? if anything that's yet another path toward self-study, isn't it?
instead of calling it "yoga championship", would calling it "asana championship" appease the critics?
marcbauchet 1 year ago
@marcbauchet It goes agains Aparigraha (avoidance of unnecessary acquisition of objects not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study) and Isvara pranidhana (Acknowledgement that there is a higher principle in the universe than one's own small self. Modesty, not showing off, or competing. Humility.) Otherwise, it is just acrobatics.
buutich 1 year ago 2
Would love to see a siddhis competition
emilehf 1 year ago
i love seeing esak demonstrate (asana competition is basically just a demonstration, after all) his mind-body connection. bravo.
mishelitasteffania 1 year ago
True, it's not possible to have a nirvana competition unless we find a way to hook up people's skulls to elaborated machines and see who comes the closest to the cession of the mind. But if you pay attention, you would see how yoga brings out our true selves, and some people will never cease to inspire me.
picasso3724 1 year ago
Esak used to teach at Funky Door Yoga in Berkeley / San Francisco. He is like the nicest teacher. Yes! Yoga is NOT about competition. But it's rare to see a yogi whose practice is so advanced, beautiful, and humble at the same time.
picasso3724 1 year ago
It is a competition because he is pretty darn close to doing each asana exactly as Bikram Choudury would probably instruct a student himself. Also, he is one of few people authorized to provide seminars. He is the real deal, folks. He is so beautiful, his body is art because of Bikram Yoga. Great vid! *namaste*
cremebruleec 1 year ago
I can't wait for Most Enlightened World Championships this year!!! ;)
NateMaingard 1 year ago
i see it as inspiration... i look at this guy and i wanna be able to do what he's worked for. its nice to see what the human body can achieve if u stick to it, and appreciate its beauty on display.
pussycatdoll020 1 year ago 6
get off all of the judgments, a 'competition' like this serves to inspire and further the art, and it's a beautiful thing worth doing
000piper000 1 year ago
it depends on your ability to see the beauty of things after all....
we might say .....
SagaSudaka 1 year ago
wow....
N10100 1 year ago
lol nirvana championships. Some dude actually gets excited like some sporting event at :46. What a dumb ass!lol
indian8606 2 years ago
yoga championship?
hahahahahahhaha
What next?
Nirvana competition?
sonofthedestroyer 2 years ago 61
Yoga competitions have been going on for thousands of years. I do agree with you, the concept takes away from the spiritual integrity of the asanas.
snatum 2 years ago 2
no such thing as a spiritual asana, its just used to strenthen the body and nervous sytem, nervous intregity sure.
kaiwanmak 1 year ago
@kaiwanmak Exactly! Each asana is for physical purpose, spirituality is not really encouraged at all..
cremebruleec 1 year ago
@sonofthedestroyer LOL!!! to true. I Fart
gotmyfingerrscrowsed 1 year ago
@sonofthedestroyer ahhahahahaha Genius.
Paralellolax 1 year ago
@sonofthedestroyer youtube watching contest
jokerface 10 months ago
@sonofthedestroyer It's not an "enlightenment" competition. It's an "asana" or "posing" championship.
TooBusy45 10 months ago
whoa!
nthesunbythewater 2 years ago
O rapaz é muito talentoso! parabéns!
pegaso1956 2 years ago
c'est jolis mais ce n'est pas du yoga!!c'est de la gym.....
osmosis69 2 years ago
hey .. yoga olympics..
my spine is more flexible than yours .. yay ..
and now my ego is also bigger than yours ..
... wankers !!!
kundaliniairport 2 years ago
This is weird, people watching people do yoga, this is totally against yoga!
flinzz78 2 years ago 6
wow!!!
quazipop 2 years ago
Totally agree that this is about competition and not about the true meaning of Yoga. Yoga is the union of body, mind and spirit. This is about competition and ego. Not to take away from this man's poses they are truly wonderful. But let's keep it in prospective and call it posing competition instead of YOGA.
bobbi1132 2 years ago 11
@bobbi1132
contortion on exhibition. tell us how it is.
UpasanaKaDasi 2 years ago 2
Real yoga is all about respecting your body for what it can do and appreciating your own body's history. There is no place in yoga for competition or judgement.
sabine45102 2 years ago 110
@sabine45102 lol u sound total n00b riet naow. i comes to ur hawse an pwns u n00b
TyPatSmith 1 year ago
@sabine45102 I agree with you. also with sonofthedestroyer
blackmetalhippy666 1 year ago
@sabine45102 The whole point of yoga, as you said, is about appreciating and trying to improve your own body, mind and spirit. It also teaches to be humble and not boastful. Just by getting on that stage, these contestants are showing off what they can do, which is completely against the yoga practice. They should go compete in gymnastics.
alicet88 1 year ago 6
@sabine45102 : You are right..but this is not exactly yoga. This is Hatha Yoga, a buddhist derivative and one of its variants..So this is about Physical, material improvements. I suppose a competition is not out of the order for this branch of Yoga. Of course as you are stressing, Yoga in its entirety is a way of life and a way to beyond life.
0musing 1 year ago
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tagert24 1 year ago
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tagert24 1 year ago
@sabine45102 who are you to say what 'real' yoga is about?
tagert24 1 year ago 2
@tagert24 i totally agree with you. yoga is a term to explain different type of workouts in this genre of yoga.
first comes the name of the specific type and then yoga to explain which one youu´re performing. it´s like saying i´m doing sports, and you follow up with a question which one. the same with yoga.
airasweetie 1 year ago
@sabine45102 , there's a place in yoga for EVERYTHING
solargazing69 1 year ago
@sabine45102 yeah sure there is
Why not??? Don't you feel good
when the instructor says NICE!!!
stedyplotn 1 year ago
@sabine45102 Leave it to Bikram to distort the real meaning of Yoga: The Practice of Being Present for Experience.
tzfpmy 1 year ago
@tzfpmy Um... they ARE obviously incredibly present. It would be impossible to do what they are doing, physically, if they weren't present for the experience of every class, and of the competition itself.
TooBusy45 10 months ago
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TooBusy45 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@sabine45102 Real yoga? You are not informed. In India, competitions are commonplace and have always been. And it's NOT a "yoga" (with all 8 limbs/philosophies implied) or "enlightenment" competition. It's a yoga asana or posing competition, to display the feats of the body accomplished via the beautiful, honored act of meditative, consistent practice. This is extreme mind-body focus. This is very much "real yoga." And it's beautiful to see what the body and mind are capable of. Thumbs up.
TooBusy45 10 months ago 2
@sabine45102 just so you know in India they have yoga competitions and championships all the time. This is the birth place of yoga. In-fact Bikram's Wife won her first yoga championship in India when she was only 15.
tiffpitt27 9 months ago
@sabine45102 As a professional sportsperson I know all too well that the journey in sport is the fierce competition with one's mind before anyone else judges you.
ramzevans 8 months ago
Amazing!
Epulaeryu 2 years ago
Wow...I practice Bikram...this is sooooo beautiful
soilofk 2 years ago 3
I always thought yoga was about transcending the ego (and competetiveness)
shravana108 2 years ago 2
@shravana- yes, and thats why this is nonsense. how do you practice for such a competition? and its more to do with the mind than external acrobatics. next they should have a meditation competition and judges can look at the meditating faces and judge the winner. also they should have a prayer competition.
killintymm 2 years ago
hes so graceful!!
dzdncnfzd3 2 years ago
yoga = unlimited possibilities!
Garethtkd 2 years ago
So strong and beautiful! was the music added afterwards?
asakokuboki 2 years ago
Is that Mr Richards from the Fantastic Four??
Damn that guy is elastic and strong very cool stuff here.
kaosmonger73 2 years ago
OK.....so this guy will live to about 120......
Taurus8763 2 years ago
I'll tell you what. That is the most impressive display you will see as far as flexibility in yoga for men is concerned. His form is without a doubt flawless. Anybody who has to criticize the competition should be concerned with whether the yogi in the contest is doing HIS yoga practice. You can't say what alright for this man. He looked quite pleased with himself at the finish. Also, he is practicing sense with drawl. by doing his sadhana with so many distractions.
trextrudel 2 years ago 2
Yes, impressive, but not the most impressive display of yoga flexibility for men. I've seen many male ashtanga performers go far beyond what this guy can do.
mag2kus 2 years ago
will this type of yoga teach me how to go down on myself?
manbanger1 2 years ago
What an amazing yogi! He was so graceful in getting into and out of these postures. This is truly mindblowing!
tigerwiggle 2 years ago
amazing standing bow pose!
chickarie9 2 years ago
That was awesome! His standing back bend was ridiculous!
wigaz 2 years ago 3
Amazing!
fabolishus 2 years ago
what is ths music?
SchneiderSchneide 2 years ago
3:56 looks awesome! The posters below are way too serious about yoga. The important thing is that it looks good and reduces muscle tears while running.
JohnMichaelReed1 2 years ago
That's FAKE Bikram !
virgowarrior 2 years ago
I'll tell you what it is: Hard as hell, LOL!!!!
naycrash 2 years ago
This gymnastics has very little to do with yoga (as described in the classical yoga texts). "Competition" in yoga is something yet more absurd ... it is against the very essence of yoga. What these people show here, is just a mere gymnastics a superficial body acrobacy. Real yoga is an inner activity, not a show for public.
cenolbaj 2 years ago 8
the point of this competition (stated by Bikram) is to attempt to share his type of yoga with as many people as possible. The 'champions' of this competition tour the world as inspirations to other practitioners. You are correct that yoga is also an inner activity, but the word 'yoga' means union... union of the heart, body, mind, soul, etc. Don't bash it until you try it, because I know from experience, that this particular yoga can lead to a very spiritual journey.
alynninboston 2 years ago
Yes, it is good to give some exercise to the body, but to falsely mistaken it for yoga (as done largely today) is a bit strange. Yoga is NOT some supergymnastics. "Yoga chitta vritti nirodha" (first of the Panjali Yoga Sutras). Yoga in its essence is a total opposite to any "competition". You can compete in gymnastics, in football but not in yoga ... That's a complete nonsense ... What about a competition in meditation, pranayama or say mula bandha ? :)) Yoga is the way towards one's own essence
cenolbaj 2 years ago 3
It is a journey of inner discovery and improving your quality of life and you cannot possibly compete with anyone in that, if you do, you have no idea about yoga. All these "modern" yogas like power yoga, bikram yoga and what not are you money making systems ... and have nothing to do with a real yoga, just to attract the popular masses ... What about a prayer competition ?
cenolbaj 2 years ago
You think that this is not showing the 'big picture' but your own self-righteousness limits you from understanding the purpose of this practice and demonstration. I won't try to explain further because your closed mind needs to open first.
ReallyDehydrated 2 years ago 2
If you have nothing to say, maybe better not to say it ?
violinoamore 2 years ago
violin, yes your addition is spectacular.
ReallyDehydrated 2 years ago
Well, the private message you sent me saying "Who the fuck are you moron?" shows a lot about your open mind :) You really don't need to explain anything further ...
violinoamore 2 years ago
You Douche viol,
That message wasn't private. It was for all to see. You think that you are exposing what I did? Oh no. You're just another nimrod.
ReallyDehydrated 2 years ago
well who the fuck are you? (not a private message)
tomassocannavaro 2 years ago
lol@prayer competition. i think the muslims will demand victory.
killintymm 2 years ago
cenolbaj: I'd give your post 1000 thumbs up!!
slackdave 2 years ago
these are beautiful postures :) thank you for the beautiful expression
earthsaylove 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
jesus
christ...............
googlejerry 2 years ago
incredible!!!
gadulka 2 years ago
Calling this Yoga, or calling it not Yoga are both wrong. It is what it is in the eye of the beholder and the beheld
bendybruce 2 years ago
lol
arriscado13 2 years ago
wow. so beautiful.
looley90 2 years ago
This is so beautifull it made me cry when i saw it for the first time...
Its a shame that it is so hard for a lot of people to see an ability in someone else and being able to enjoy it...its called jealousy or envy...
grapedevine 2 years ago
This looks impossible....
BuddhaWhisper 2 years ago
yogis practiced yoga as a way of life, they used to live a well secluded life of a hermit.yoga was way of spiritual attainment for them.but everybody cant do that, can we?? we ve got to live our life, so to bring a little bit of sanity and balance(and for good health of course) ppl will practice yoga, i guess this is the main purpose (other than watching a sexy yoga instructor in full flow) to practice yoga nowadays..
dudistz 2 years ago
1 MC YOGA competition pls..fail
silvy711 2 years ago
As for the nature of the competition, there's been yoga competitions in India for a long, long time now.
I quote:
Life is competition and Sri Aurobindo teaches: all of Life is Yoga and Yoga is Competition. Sports is any game where you have competitons and we can teach about emotions because this is yoga. Sports is Health and health is Yoga.
kissamew1983 2 years ago
I'm unable to post the supporting links I want to back this statement up, but yoga competition has been in India for over 2000 years now, and is a rich part of it's history. Here's another quote.
Yoga competition is part of Indias rich history [...] Competitions have been taking place for 2,000 years now, albeit in a more philosophical form.
[...]
In asana competition, yogis (male yoga practitioners) and yoginis (female practitioners) inspire others in the community to learn more about yoga.
kissamew1983 2 years ago
49511mic, do you know *anything* about yoga? How is this not yoga? I'd like to see you do anything he's doing in this video without practicing yoga on a daily basis. Even the postures that appear easy are not.
kissamew1983 2 years ago 3
This is not yoga
49511mic 2 years ago
so ein eitler scheiss!!! nicht zum aushalten!
Igelmaedchen 2 years ago
I agree, it kind of takes the whole point out of yoga.
SynerJetics 2 years ago
indeed! such a shame tbh
sinibaa 2 years ago
he is amazing!!! just saw his demo and took classes with him in BYM Mexico...
Howvere his trainning style is touhg.. my back is soared!!!!!11 looooooooool
princesskarly00 2 years ago
I just did my third Bikram yoga session tonight, man, this guy makes it look so easy...try keep your forhead on your knee for 20 seconds.
Shan1015 2 years ago
next up, competitive yoga in the olympics!!!
MrookeBiller 2 years ago 2
next up, competitive meditation!
davidyow 2 years ago 4
lmao!
mcboypower 2 years ago
Yoga isnt a contest...but good work anyway
alexandralochore 2 years ago 3
Hatha yog champ, that's great stuff.
darkmuladar 2 years ago
This is nothing to do with yoga.
sarantakis 2 years ago
*Ahem* I actually believe that Bikram Choudhury himself (the developer of Bikram Yoga, for those who can't put 2 and 2 together) competed and won several yoga championships during his teen years. Perhaps he should be burnt at the stake as well? Seriously, get over yourselves. It's an art. Art is exhibited. It's not an act of exploitation; if anything it's an inspiration to those of us who are aiming to perhaps one day achieve that level of amazing ability.
feliciamarieeee 2 years ago 5