When Yoga
Journal published it's 35th Anniversary issue in 2010, the online
gallery of covers
provided a unique view of modern, popular yoga in America dating back to
1975. It was cool to see those early issues with their varied and
sometimes esoteric articles, but I was struck by a marked change in YJ's
look and approach in 1999 when the new normal for their cover art
became photos of pretty people in striking asanas (February), and when
the subhead of "For Health and Conscious Living" began to disappear
(November). I'm not here to critique Yoga Journal or publishing. However
I'm troubled by this shift, primarily because I think yoga's benefits
are for all people, and this prettying up and cookie-cuttering acts as a
barrier (unintentionally so, I'm sure) to someone who may not
fit into this published ideal. But more than this, I fear this is one of
the things leading to the birth of the yoga superstar, and the
beginning of an industry that has fame and money as its driving forces.
