Have you heard the big news in the world of yoga? The founder of Bikram Yoga, Bikram Choudhury, lost a court appeal to copyright a sequence of 26 poses and two breathing exercises. The court ruled that the sequence, performed in a heated room more than 100 degrees, is a process intended to improve people’s health, so copyright law does not cover it. To top it off, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that “a copyright on yoga would be akin to giving a surgeon the exclusive right to perform a complicated surgery.” Can you imagine that?! Hooray for yoga!!!! Not so good for Bikram himself!
It flabbergasts me that anyone would try to copyright poses that have been around for more than 5,000 years, originally performed by Indian sages living in Northern India and in the Himalayas. Why would you need to copyright something that is for everyone and is designed to promote good health? I took a ton of law classes in college and I understand why the court says that copyright protects only the expression of this idea-the words and pictures used to describe the sequence-and not the sequence itself.
If copyrighting sequences and poses were the case I’m sure big names like Pattabhi Jois, Iyengar and Ana Forrest, and styles like Jivamukti, Core Power and Baptiste yoga would already have a copyright in place. But the fact that they don’t speaks volumes for the respect that they have for the tradition of yoga. Usually after something is copyrighted, the restrictions set in and in the case of yoga, the tradition could end if people are turned away. I’ll be the first to say that Bikram has ben responsible for spreading the power of yoga to millions of people but that doesn’t give him the right to claim ownership over poses or asanas that have been around since before his time. There’s already enough drama and politics in the business of yoga and we don’t need anymore with this type of shenanigan. I find it selfish, ego-driven and disrespectful to asana!
Here’s my little rant on Bikram: Personally, I have always felt that Bikram yoga gives one a false sense of security, especially living through cold winters in Chicago. Here are these people walking off the street and out of the cold (think really cold here people, like one degree) and into the equivalent of a wood stove. How do you know if your body is really warmed up and ready to go? Sure the rooms feels warm, but is your body warm? I get it. The heat feels really good for those of you injured or living in cold climates but it scares me… Even though it’s not for me, if you’re into it, I’m happy for you and that you’ve found yoga one way or another. Namaste!
Speaking of cold weather, I heard someone on NPR say that it is “an especially chilly afternoon” here on the Central Coast…. ummmmmm…..it’s 68 degrees out!!!!! Wimps. I need no excuse though to cook a yummy, warm meal for dinner when…. oh no! It may get down to 55 degrees! What shall I do? Enjoy this Stuffed Acorn Squash, totally vegetarian!!! It’s healthy, easy to make and the ingredients are all clean. I love a meal I feel good about making and eating… because who likes to feel guilty after a delicious meal?!
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Stuffed Acorn Squash- serves 1-2 people
Ingredients:
-1 acorn squash
-3 carrots
-3 stalks of celery
-4 cloves garlic
-1/2 red onion
-1 apple
-1 egg
-salt and pepper
-2 tsp. Herbs Provence
-cilantro for garnish
-olive oil
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400. Cut the acorn squash in half and de-seed. Place on tin foil on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until soft.
2. Chop up the veggies and fruit and sauté with olive oil in a large pan until the onions are brown. Add the spices and salt and pepper.
3. When the squash and veggies are cooked, stuff the veggies into the squash.
4. Crack an egg on top and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the egg is cooked and white, not runny. Cut in half.
5. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
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Before I go, I want to tell you about the book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, I just finished reading! I’m not really a Science Fiction person… up until now! This whimsical story about a boy surrounded by myths was brilliant and magical. It looks as though it’s a Young Adult novel because it’s short in length, but packed with fantasy!
This Sunday is the last chance to catch me at lululemon in SLO for FREE yoga!!!! The class is from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and beginners are welcome! Come see what the tradition has to offer!
And check out my Ashtanga yoga girls in Garbha Pindasana! Come try this tradition with me at SLO Yoga Center or at Yoga Shine in Nipomo. You move your body in ways you never thought possible!
