Bikram Yoga consists of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. It's designed for everyone, any body shape or type, any age and all levels of practice. There is also an advanced series for experienced practitioners with 84 postures. From the beginners and the advanced series, yoga competitors choose 6 postures and during a 3 minute routine, they demonstrate their practice. Over the years I've heard people for and against the competitions, but each year more competitors sign up and it's still going strong, with the goal of reaching the olympics one day.
Competition first started when Bikram wanted more people to see what yoga was about. It created a public forum in which people who didn't practice could see what the body is capable of and be inspired to practice. It was a great way of getting the word out there that yoga is for everyone. Yoga competition aren't limited to those who are contortionists or very flexible, it's designed for everyone. There is a youth division, adult and then a seniors, so that people from all age groups are represented.
The goal of the competitions are to show and demonstrate a persons' practice. Scores are based on strength, flexibility and balance. I've seen extremely flexible practitioners fall out of postures, or over extend their alignment and score less than someone with less flexibility but are able to hold still. The great thing about competition is the inspiration it instills in people, I remember in Mexico one year, more than 50 competitors of all ages get up on stage, because they loved their practice and wanted to show the crowd what yoga meant to them. This year a competitor had only one arm and still performed his routine. That's the beauty about competition being shown on an international platform, anyone can do it.
Of course the other extreme are those competitors that train to the extreme and some have even injured themselves in the process. However if you truly are a yogi, then in that process one learns that it's not about the ego, but rather about organically allowing things to happen. Training hard but not pushing to the breaking point, because the body is something to be valued and taken care of, rather than abused.
The goal of the competitions are to show and demonstrate a persons' practice. Scores are based on strength, flexibility and balance. I've seen extremely flexible practitioners fall out of postures, or over extend their alignment and score less than someone with less flexibility but are able to hold still. The great thing about competition is the inspiration it instills in people, I remember in Mexico one year, more than 50 competitors of all ages get up on stage, because they loved their practice and wanted to show the crowd what yoga meant to them. This year a competitor had only one arm and still performed his routine. That's the beauty about competition being shown on an international platform, anyone can do it.
Of course the other extreme are those competitors that train to the extreme and some have even injured themselves in the process. However if you truly are a yogi, then in that process one learns that it's not about the ego, but rather about organically allowing things to happen. Training hard but not pushing to the breaking point, because the body is something to be valued and taken care of, rather than abused.
"It's not just about what you do, it's how you do it..."
"...We're looking at technique. If a yogi's alignment is off, we'll hold it against them,
but we're also watching for balance and control of the breath...
We've had athletes and contortionists come to compete and they think they're going to kill it,
but then they get jittery and fall. Yoga is about catching the stillness."
"...We're looking at technique. If a yogi's alignment is off, we'll hold it against them,
but we're also watching for balance and control of the breath...
We've had athletes and contortionists come to compete and they think they're going to kill it,
but then they get jittery and fall. Yoga is about catching the stillness."
Two years ago in Perth, one studio owner organised the first competitions held locally. It brought all the studios together and a crowd gathered to watch. Everyone walked away saying how wonderful the day had been and seeing all the bodies on stage and their dedication to their practice. The competitors also went through training, adjusting their lives to fit in extra practice and it really showed their level of love for this yoga. All in all, it was just a great experience for everyone.
My husband competed for California in 2014, below is his routine. He had been practicing for 7 months and was inspired to compete after a fellow trainee who had tied for number one told him he had what it took. He placed 12th nationally that year and it transformed his yoga practice as well as renew his love for Bikram yoga. Eventually he's hoping to compete and represent Australia in the future.
I hope one day yoga competition becomes worldwide and all kinds of people get up on stage. Not for the scores or ranking, but to show that something this restorative and healing is for everyone, and the yogis getting up on stage to demonstrate this will be celebrated and admired to inspire.
My husband competed for California in 2014, below is his routine. He had been practicing for 7 months and was inspired to compete after a fellow trainee who had tied for number one told him he had what it took. He placed 12th nationally that year and it transformed his yoga practice as well as renew his love for Bikram yoga. Eventually he's hoping to compete and represent Australia in the future.
I hope one day yoga competition becomes worldwide and all kinds of people get up on stage. Not for the scores or ranking, but to show that something this restorative and healing is for everyone, and the yogis getting up on stage to demonstrate this will be celebrated and admired to inspire.
