Yoga isn't quite what is used to be. On a seemingly endless ascent into the fitness trendosphere, the practice now stretches into countless variations, from flows to holding poses while balancing on a floating paddleboard[1] to holding a handstand while naked and breastfeeding[2] . But all seemed well in the land of yoga twists, that is until one yoga studio in Santa Barbara took its downward dog a little too low.
Power of Your Om Yoga, located on Santa Barbara's bustling State Street, decided to switch up their Saturday schedule with a little something they called "a ghetto fabulous yoga event." The 90-minute class promised "serious attitude, guaranteed belly laughs and various costumes" and invited yogis to do the following: "Please come dressed in your favorite ghetto fabulous outfit, snap-back caps, corn rows, heavy lip liner or whatever you can dream up." The event flier[3] even came complete with a "N.W.A" stamp, only the "N" stood for "Namaste."
And just in case the Santa Barbara city community, which is roughly[4] 75 percent white and 1.6 percent black, drew a blank over their getup, the invite pointed yogis to a wikiHow article entitled, "How to Be Ghetto Fabulous."
The event posting on Facebook offended just a few dozen people, prompting a flurry of comments accusing the studio of racism—many of which the studio deleted. Jaimie Baron wrote, "Please cancel this racist event." Cecilia Aldarondo posted the original event copy, which read, "Each month we will be featuring a new funky class...this month let's get ghetto fabulous! You sport the white tank, roll up one leg of your tight black pants, and we'll make sure to have a rockin' playlist bring the bling, lip liner and bandanas....seriously. This class has no extra charge. Just a chance to do something a little whacky."
Whoever runs the Facebook page referred to members as "hOMies" and typed in his or her best "ghetto fabulous" speak:
Yoga instructor Adrienne Hengels soon changed the name of the class to "Hip Hop Yoga" and promised commenters that the studio "didn't mean for it to be offensive." But that hardly put a stop in the flow of comments—also given the fact that the class was never cancelled. Aldarondo suggested the following: "You should cancel this class and issue a public apology. Or use the class time to have a discussion about racism. Changing the name is, pardon the pun, a form of white-washing. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves." Many people also reveled in Jezebel's[10] attention to the matter.
However, not every yogi found the concept offensive. Emily Chiang thanked Hengels "for the super FUN class." Jezebel noted, "There are public photos all over Facebook of girls in yoga gear excitedly primping with their grills and flashing gang signs. Whacky!" New York Daily News[11] also picked up the story, adding, " Photos show blond, ponytailed yoginis sporting fake grills and throwing gang signs on brightly-colored mats."
Several commenters jabbed at the massive fail, jesting, "Just wait for their next event: Yoga Minstrels in blackface!" A few more ribs included, "I can't wait until next week, 'Let's get Sari!' where you guys put Bindi's on your forehead and appropriate South Asian culture. Good times!" "Next you can have a WWII themed class and wear striped pajamas and talk about how hungry and cold you are!" and "Hey when are you gonna start Wetback Wednesdays?"
One commenter, Nicole Grigg, nailed it: "You make a mockery of yoga..."
The studio posted another apology in the comments section Sunday:
Thank you all for the eye-opening discussion and I do apologize for offending anyone - those of you that commented, emailed, and anyone else for that matter. The class happened and we are doing other themed classes in the future that may include various types of music/genres and we have made note to focus on the music versus singling out any group of human beings that has the potential to offend others as that was not the intention. I can see how it could be offensive and we do apologize for offending you or anyone.
We have a suggestion, Power of Your Om Yoga Studio: Stick to the basics.
References
- ^ paddleboard (laist.com)
- ^ while naked and breastfeeding (blogs.babycenter.com)
- ^ event flier (myemail.constantcontact.com)
- ^ roughly (quickfacts.census.gov)
- ^ Facebook (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Post (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Power of Your Om Yoga Studio - Santa Barbara (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Post (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Power of Your Om Yoga Studio - Santa Barbara (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Jezebel's (jezebel.com)
- ^ New York Daily News (www.nydailynews.com)
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