Usa Yoga Federation Announces 2010 Yoga Asana Championship

From Seattle to Miami and everywhere in between more than 100 yogis and yoginis to compete in the sport’s most prestigious event from February 12-14
 
Feb. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES (February 8, 2010) --- The U.S. Yoga Federation (www.usayoga.org) announces today more than 100 participants who advanced from 25 U.S. regional competitions will come together to determine the U.S. champion for male/female and boys/girls at the 2010 U.S. Yoga Asana Championship.

The 2010 U.S. Yoga Asana Championship is analogous to the Ironman Triathlon, in Kona, HI, in that it exemplifies the beauty of athletic competition with tremendous diversity, dedication, tenacity, endurance and demands unyielding personal strength.  Next week, competitors will descend upon Los Angeles with legitimate aspirations for a gold medal.

Yoga sport competitions are now seen across the globe, and have been occurring in India for more than 2,000 years.  The focus of the 2010 U.S. Yoga Asana Championship is physically demanding – similar to a gymnastics floor exercise – and competitors are judged on the perfection of the pose, its difficulty, their poise and composure, and the grace of movement both into and out of the position.  

“As yoga continues to increase in popularity in the United States, we are very excited to bring the 2010 Yoga Asana Championship to new people who haven’t been introduced to the practice yet,” said Rajashree Choudhury, founder and president of USA Yoga Federation.  

Unlike other sports where an athlete often possesses an unwavering determination to win at all costs, yoga participants remain focused on selflessness, compassion, dignity, balance, humility and respect where the focus is not all in the name of winning.
Over the past decade, yoga has grown from a niche market into the hottest sector of America's health and fitness industry.  According to Yoga Journal, 25 million people practice yoga from beginner to advanced practitioners, and Americans spend $2.95 billion a year on yoga classes and products.  

“The purpose of the competition is not to beat your opponent, but to improve yourself,” said Choudhury, a 5-time winner of the All-India Yoga Championship.  “Yoga, and each asana posture, drives you to get precise and focus on the form and execution of each posture.”

The contestants will strive to achieve their own perfect poses while the judges are well aware that different body types complete the pose differently.  Points are awarded not only for completion of the pose, but for flowing movement, steadiness, alignment, and serenity.  

“The competition is very easy to watch, but not easy to judge when nearly every participant is almost perfect,” added Choudhury.  “However, it is a tremendous spectator sport as fans marvel at the composure and strength men and women use to perform the postures.”

The 2010 U.S. Yoga Asana Championship is only the beginning for Choudhury.  She is at the forefront of the push to get yoga into the Olympics, a movement that continues to receive global support and momentum.  

“Yoga has been a traditional sport in India for more than 1,200 years, and once yoga is in the Olympics it will legitimize the practice for people all over the world.”

The 2010 USA Yoga Championship is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on February 12-14 at the Westin LAX.  Cost is $10.

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USA Yoga is a non-profit organization formed to promote development of Yoga Asana (yoga postures) as a sport. USA Yoga is introducing the spirit of healthy competition to more than 25 million who practice yoga, according to Yoga Journal, in the U.S.
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