Most of us in this neck of the woods might think, Utah?
Um, no.
Ogden, The Inappropriate Yoga Guy.
Three major things come up for me with Ogden. One, I was truly mortified when I first saw his YouTube video a few weeks ago. I thought that while a true depiction of some “yoga guys” I’ve seen in yoga classes, he was just awful. And I felt he was mocking yoga. (Might I add that while teaching yoga class a few years ago, one of my male students actually drawled, “Oh…talk slower.” WHAT?!)
Two, due to my background in advertising I applaud Yoga Journal for having the savvy to hire this guy, based on his popularity on YouTube, to do a web series for yogajournal.com. Very good marketing value, that one.
Three, the yogi in me is worried, once again, that Yoga Journal is not just dipping their toes in, but jumping full monty into the waters of yoga over-commercialization. A few years ago, in fact, I dropped my subscription to YJ because I craved the roots of yoga, not just the western take of it. (Now I just sneak copies into my grocery basket.)
I have to admit, however, that I do have a wicked sense of humor, and he is funny! But I’m left feeling guilty. Am I betraying my inner yogini and doing the full monty thing? Or am I missing the point: to reach an audience out there who doesn’t connect with those who take their yogic selves too seriously?
What do you think?
P.S. To really “get” the ending of Episode #2, you have to read this article from Elephant Journal and peruse the accompanying pics. Now THAT’S funny.
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i love him. i think it shows that YJ has a sense of humor and can see how they might look from the “outside in” they are embracing this and mocking themselves potentially turning a “negative” into a positive.
Gooogiiii Berrrriiiieeesss! Funny!
Thanks for the shout out! You link to our site, but which article you referring to?
it’s the sex sells one. click on “article” to take you there.
While the Ogden spots are funny on some level, I find the entire idea troubling for a few reasons.
First, I dropped my subscription to YJ since as a yogi, I no longer feel welcome. Its become almost entirely aimed at yoginis with a few token dudes thrown in once in awhile. Every story, every drawing, every cover is aimed at women – obviously, they are trying to please advertisers who are targetting women, nevermind that yogis buy yoga mats, and such too. Can you remember the last time a man was on the cover of YJ?
Next, YJ has become increasingly shallow with more of an angle on outer beauty instead of getting to the heart of yoga. Its such a shame that Ascent has gone under but thankfully Yoga+ Joyful Living is still able to fill this niche.
Now, when they finally introduce a male personality back into the magazine, they decide to feature Ogden – a caricature which gives the impression every guy in a yoga class is ogling the yoginis, etc.
Come on – is this fair?
If YJ was not already so unbalanced, it would not be such a big deal but when the male face of YJ is Ogden – no thanks.
Don’t get me wrong, I think its great that yoginis have such a resource in YJ but let’s not pretend that they are trying to connect with yogis and yoginis alike.