Nude/Sexualized Women in Yoga Ads

Recently Ms. Magazine‘s blog had an interesting post on the sexualization of women in yoga advertisements, entitled, “Yoga’s Feminist Awakening.”

So do a Google search for “yoga” and you’re going to find a lotta pictures of women.  Some naked.  Many in bounded, contorted, sexualized positions.  Don’t believe me?

Hmm, something tells me that more than yoga and goodwill is being sold here.

After seeing the following ads which sell socks (how sexy can you get?),

Yoga Journal Co-founder Judith Hansen Lasater responded:

“I’m concerned about ads that have stimulated both confusion and sadness in me about where the magazine is now and where it is headed. I am confused because I do not understand how photos of naked or half-naked women are connected with the sale of practice products for asana, an important part of yoga. These pictures do not teach the viewer about yoga practice or themselves. They aren’t even about the celebration of the beauty of the human body or the beauty of the poses, which I support. These ads are just about selling a product. This approach is something I thought belonged (unfortunately) to the larger culture, but not in Yoga Journal.”

And many people have responded to the hoopla with a resounding “who-gives-a-shit.”  Which is sad.

In the words of Monica Shores via Ms. Magazine: “Looks like some otherwise enlightened yogis could do with a course in Women’s Studies 101.”