[Long Format Note]

A few days ago, I was hired as a photographer to cover a yoga class. The students needed a photographic record to advertise on social media, and I attended and took this photos.

The first two photos I took were while the students were preparing for the class; many did some stretches.

The next photo was when the yoga class officially started, everyone was in their respective place:

Many people associate yoga with meditation practices or flexibility exercises, but the truth is that yoga also involves a lot of strength exercise. Many yoga poses require great control of your body, and that is obtained through strength, so with yoga classes, you end up developing strength and flexibility.

The students did their yoga class normally while I documented everything without interfering in the class. I was like a fly on the wall, trying to be as non-invasive as possible.

The truth is that I usually do this type of exercise with body weight at home; I do yoga, mobility, and Pilates, and in this class, I saw many movements that I already knew!

For all these photos, I used my Canon RP camera with a 50mm 1.8f lens. I took many more photos that day, but I only shared the best ones with you.

I hope you liked the photos as much as we did; thank you for everything!

#photostr #photography #artstr #plebchain

Conservative Christians in Alabama Canceled Yoga for Nearly 30 Years: Ban Finally Lifted in 2021—But Don't Say Namaste

Nearly four years ago, Alabama ended a nearly 30-year "moral panic" by lifting its ban on yoga in public schools—though with bizarre restrictions. While students can now practice yoga poses (parents' written permission required), they are still prohibited from chanting mantras, saying "namaste," using Sanskrit terms, or practicing meditation in 2025.

The 1993 ban was pushed by conservative Christian groups because—get ready for it—

that would promote Hinduism.

Despite yoga being more popular in America than in its birthplace of India, with most practitioners viewing it primarily as exercise rather than religion, and the fact that Hinduism is not evangelical and has no conversion process.

And for those arguing "religion doesn't belong in schools"—these are the same schools where, by law in 47 states, from age five, students are required—with varying exemptions for students or staff who wish to opt out—to participate in the daily ritual of standing, facing the flag, hands over hearts, to pledge allegiance to the flag and to the Republic, "one nation under God."

Apparently, nothing strikes fear into the heart of conservative Christians quite like stretching and deep breathing.

#IKITAO

Making mondays suck less 🧘‍♀️

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