Hell-Bent

01What's competitive yoga all about?

The room is heated to a sweltering 105 degrees. Sweat drips from every pore, muscles strain and shake, and the air is thick with the scent of determination. Welcome to the world of competitive yoga, a realm where the serene practice of traditional yoga meets the fiery spirit of competition. Competitive yoga, as the name suggests, is a blend of traditional yoga, physical exertion, mental focus, and a competitive spirit. It's a relatively new phenomenon, born out of the desire to push the boundaries of what yoga can be. It's not just about flexibility and balance anymore; it's about strength, endurance, and the will to win. But what sets competitive yoga apart from other forms of exercise is not just the physical challenge. It's the mental and spiritual aspects that make it truly unique. Practitioners often speak of the clarity and focus they gain from the intense concentration required during a competition. The stress of everyday life melts away, replaced by a singular focus on the task at hand. And then there's the spiritual aspect. Many practitioners are drawn to competitive yoga in their search for something more, something beyond the physical. They seek transcendence, a state of heightened awareness and inner peace. The competitive element adds an extra layer of motivation and challenge, pushing them to exceed their limits and perhaps, in the process, find that elusive state of transcendence. Benjamin Lorr, the author of "Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the Search for Something Like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga," offers a firsthand account of this journey. Lorr was not a natural yogi. He struggled with the poses, the heat, and the intensity of the competition. But he persevered, driven by a desire to understand the allure of this unique form of yoga. His journey is a testament to the power of competitive yoga to transform not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well. Transcendence, in the context of competitive yoga, is not about escaping reality. It's about fully engaging with the present moment, pushing past physical and mental boundaries to reach a state of heightened awareness. It's a tantalizing prospect, and one that draws many to the practice. The rigorous training and competition serve as a crucible, a test of will and determination that can lead to a profound sense of inner peace and fulfillment. So, what's competitive yoga all about? It's about strength and flexibility, focus and clarity, competition and transcendence. It's about pushing the boundaries of what yoga can be and what we can be. And as more and more people discover the allure of this unique practice, the future of competitive yoga looks brighter than ever.