My comment to the “is yoga bad” argument that’s been happening lately: I have my issues with yoga – and the “superstar” hoopla – but what it really boils down to is my personal practice and my teaching practice. If I am more at peace with myself, then I am more at peace in the world – and hopefully that peace has a ripple effect.

And when students walk into a classroom at the end of the day looking tense and harried and fearful and then leave relaxed and calm and grateful for the relief, there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe just for that night, they won’t go home and berate themselves or abuse their children, maybe they won’t fight with their partner, maybe they won’t have that drink after all, or maybe they’ll be polite to the cashier at the Circle K.

So what if a few people get arrogant about how they practice yoga, or how long they can hold a headstand, or how great they look in spandex? Really, who cares? The majority of the people that I know who are drawn to yoga are sweet, kind, caring, generous and compassionate people who care about what happens in the world – and who give so much to others that the couple of hours a week that they take for themselves to practice yoga keeps them strong enough to continue giving.