if anyone here is familiar with the Alexander Technique...

in my opinion the safety of these extreme poses depends entirely on 'use'. use of the self in the AT refers to a coordinated patterning of physical habits that maintains the primary control (balance of the head and pelvis) which moves toward lightness and ease of movement. we're looking to counteract gravity and compression of the spine with direction. injuries occur from misuse, not range. I am sure that many people develop certain injuries by going into extreme poses, but I would be willing to bet that just as many people develop injuries through far less extreme poses. again, it is not a question of range, but rather of physical use. if our use of the self is compromised, we're in trouble.

as far as benefits, I think they're the same as the less extreme variation. some bodies do need that extra range in order to receive said benefits. the issues here I suppose have to be ego related. there is a fine line between a healthy challenge that is appropriate to ones genetic makeup and narcissistic impulses. another term we use in the AT is 'end-gaining'. you see a pose you want to do and you approach it from a top-down perspective, you try to produce the shape without consideration of proper direction, proper use. I imagine a class of people blindfolded being 'directed' through the practice, experiencing postures as opposed to mimicking them.

all of this said, I'm finding it so important in my own practice to not drop my direction while attempting an extreme pose and to keep a sense of humor while I'm there. I'm trying to forgo expectations while at the same time realizing that I'm my own biggest obstacle. the body is capable of so so much, but only if we tell it that it is so.

I think that language can carry tricky connotations. [I am sure this is not your intent] but by pitting conclusions of these traditions at polar ends of a spectrum an implication of dualism enters in which yoga offers connection with the universe and buddhism offers separateness. And in that context a cosmic joke becomes nihilism instead of a sense of humor at our constant identification and attachment. Regardless of gaping differences, each tradition and the traditions that follow those attempt to form a path to liberation. same-same :D

I agree with you that I may have overstepped a bit with 'artistic masturbation' I forget the connotation it may carry in different circles. I do not need to see a list of credentials, I do not doubt that everyone on stage is a wonderful yogi or beautiful person at that. And I also agree that doing long division can be yoga as well as taking a shit, what I question then is the necessity to employ actual yoga postures to tell a narrative. You have a group of talented bodies that seem to be capable of so much more possibility. I suppose than that this enters a dialogue about values. I feel like any set of codified steps, movements, postures , etc. put on a concert stage is lacking.

That said, if you have an audience, and you're committed to the process, then more power to you. If you've found your artistic niche, that's wonderful. We need more art. It's simply not my cup of tea. I do apologize if I came off as confrontational, it's sometimes easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and not to simply applaud that these people are expressing their art, however, I do feel as though it's conversations like these that push art to new places.

let me try again. yoga postures in a theatrical setting appear shallow and even a bit degrading to yoga practitioners and artists alike. intrinsically, yoga postures do possess beauty and fluidity, but on a stage we're left with contortionists who can manipulate their bodies in a semi-interesting way at best. this type of work feels completely contradictory to me both as an artist and yoga practitioner. our codified ways of training (ie ballet and/or yoga) are intended to act as a form of latin, offering the artist the means to create something with a bit craft, but in no way compromising the integrity of our humanity. this work says nothing to me other than 'look at the cool poses I can do" if we're talking ethics, it does seem a bit hypocritical to marvel at our wonderful asanas.

that said, I will regretfully not be sending a check.

I'm sorry everyone but this is artistic masturbation. It's a spectacle.