N.Y.Times Yoga Talk About Sex

Feb 28, 2012 | Humour, Yoga Media | 2 comments

Maybe it had to happen. Yoga has been on such a great roll. In recent weeks, though, the N.Y.Times has published a couple of articles, both by the same writer, that have stirred the opinions, angst, and ire of worldwide yogis.
The first yoga article by William Broad added promotional currency to his newly-ly published book, The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards. The piece was titled “How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body.” There was a storm of activity on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and on the New York newspaper’s on-line forum. Some yoga teachers felt they had to defend themselves to their students and even on YouTube videos.
That might have been enough brouhaha for this calendar year, but, no….
John Friend, creator and leader of the Anasura yoga movement, has messed up pretty badly. Friend’s personal ethics have been called into question, and it’s given the journo an opportunity to zoom in on sexual peccadillos of several other yoga gurus in his article, “Yoga and Sex Scandals: No Surprise Here”.
Broad takes the position of “what can you expect?” He claims that yoga, from its Tantric origins, was always going to be about arousing sexual energy. This explains why there are so many “sexual philanderers.” He even cites research being done that indicates yoga creates states not unlike those of orgasms: “Over the decades, many have discovered from personal experience that the practice can fan the sexual flames. Pelvic regions can feel more sensitive and orgasms more intense. Gee, I just want to say, “I’ll have what’s she’s having.”
If that were absolutely true, the global popularity of yoga would certainly be off the charts by now, and only ascetics and celibates would choose to stay off the bandwagon.

- N.Y.Times Yoga Talk About Sex

Kama Sutra


 
 

2 Comments

  1. Very interesting article, demonstrating just another place in the world (in this case yoga) where mis use of power and trust for sex is commonplace. However we must remember such abuse has been widespread in other institutions throughout the ages. Isn’t this what the catholic church amongst other churches also did – more so to children, and as well as adults? Not only institutions but work places, community groups, within neighbourhoods and families.
    The bigger question is about abuse of power and trust for sexual expolitation. It is especially hippocritical when some one talks of celibacy and love for one another in an absolute way!
    This however does not negate the wonderful benefits and transformations that are supported with a study and practice of yoga, or for that matter Tantra. My recommendation before venturing into any sensual liason is connect with your authentic heart, thought and body before opening yourself to another.

    Reply
    • Thanks for taking the time to think through my post and offer some comments, Diane.
      You are more than well-qualified to speak about the kind of sexual relating that connects us through our hearts, thoughts and bodies, being the author of Sexy & Sacred: Sexual Secrets for Women.
      Since sexual expression is so often suppressed and sometimes abused in our society, I think we all need to learn how to bring cultivate the sacred as well as the erotic in our sexual selves.
      Love,
      Eve

      Reply

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