When I think of yoga, images of peace and harmony spring into my head. I think of slow, intricate postures performed with the goal of unifying my body and spirit. I think of serenity.  What I don’t think of is competition – but that may soon change.

Oregon-based website OPB recently posted an article on “competitive yoga,” which has apparently been gaining in popularity in Oregon and around the world. Competitive yoga seems to be rooted in the unorthodox Bikram style, which is performed in a room heated to 105 degrees! Bikram, or “hot yoga” is also more aggressive than other yoga styles.

Competitive yoga finds its practitioner performing a series of seven compulsory and elective asanas (postures) within a three minute period.  Scoring is based upon technique, gracefulness and overall performance. A quick search on YouTube will produce several videos of yoga competition. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this “competitive yoga” is that there is a push for it to become an Olympic sport in 2012.

Personally, I’m not sure I’ll be Oming for the gold anytime soon, but if you want to, start with these yoga videos today!