The yoga community is far-flung and varied. I’m in no way a purist so, to me, variety is good – healthy even.
I attended a yoga class the other day in Napa, California, which was located in an unusual position, that is, above an eating and wine tasting establishment. The for-sale, chi-chi yoga clothing was wedged between wine, food and diners, and these striking statues you see here were exhibited in the middle of the restaurant:

I don’t know quite to make of these creations, especially weighed against the ethos of the Ubuntu establishment, which I found on the restaurant’s website, as expressed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He defined the expression “ubuntu” in 2008:
“One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu – the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity.
“We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.”
The yoga class was rather unusual, too, and consisted of:
Utthanasana, hands down
Adho Mukha Svanasana, multiple and long timings, variations with belt and with partner
Achilles Stretch, half virasana, half marichyasana, leaning into knee, 2-3 minutes each side
Supta Padangusthasana 1, about 2-3 minutes each side
Uttitha Padangusthasana, with partner, 2-3 minutes each side
Arm/Shoulder Stretch, with clasped from behind hands, assisted by partner, 2-3 minutes
Utthanasana, hands down
Seated, Knees bent, feet on floor, arms on legs, head resting on hands (subs. for Savasana?)
That’s not a big program, is it? Perhaps I left something out. I don’t think so. Somehow it still took 1.5 hrs.
The result? Hamstrings at least 5 mm. longer than when I walked into the class….