Being at Bikram Yoga once a weekend allows me to focus my energy and my mind. It forces me to be still and really pull everything together for a minimum of 90 minutes a week. To some of you, that may not seem like a lot, but to someone like your WebMistress, that is an excruciating amount of stand-still time.
Unfortunately, that allowance has recently been raped by The Man Who Wears A Speedo To Class.
That’s right, ladies & gentlemen, he actually wears a Speedo to Bikram Yoga.
Look. I get it. I get that it’s insanely hot and that you sweat your a** off. I also ‘get’ that Speedos are made for water, but so are ducks and fish and last I checked no one was wearing either to my yoga class.
I’ve managed to ignore the idiot men who think it’s acceptable for them to display their hairy backs and chests, their big bloated bellies and unnaturally large nipples. BUT THE SPEEDO IS KILLING ME.
IT’S KILLING ME. And not even softly.
This past weekend, I was next to The Man Who Wears A Speedo To Class…and when we had to bend over, I didn’t really much appreciate the free-flow of information provided by his Speedo. Imagine if I’d slipped and went tumbling forward? I’d have had to scrape my face off to recover.
(It took every ounce of self control for me to not start sobbing WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR SENSE OF SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR AND WEAR, MAN? I’m not even entirely certain I know how I made it through that class without strangling him in his own little hammock or forcing the teacher who didn’t say anything to bend over behind The Man Who Wears A Speedo To Class.)
I sent the centre an email asking if they’ll consider having an ‘at minimum shorts’ policy. I don’t think they’ll take me seriously and I expect they’ll send me a “the body is beautiful” email. If they do, I’m donning a fat and hairy suit and going in with a tanga and a string bikini top. As a man.
17 Comments:
fathima said…
and what was the most genius part of this post? the title.
Mon Jan 28, 02:30:00 PM
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Sami said…
LOL that is funny.
We want pictures otherwise it did not happen ๐
Mon Jan 28, 03:23:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
as a proud friend for many years mahi, you don’t shock me often – but that was perhaps the funniest thing i have ever read of yours.
i vote that you give him a wedgie.
xo
baby j.
Mon Jan 28, 08:49:00 PM
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Maria Calvo said…
Oh my god, this has to be one of the FUNNIEST things I’ve ever fucking read, Maha! I fall in love withy ou more every day ๐
Maria
Mon Jan 28, 09:02:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
“Imagine if I’d slipped and went tumbling forward? I’d have to scrape my face off to recover.”
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How do you manage to stay funny??? -lily
Mon Jan 28, 10:29:00 PM
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Still.Searching said…
Maha .. I second the motion for a wedgie but I would hope that the story then goes into a book of short stories including Sailing with Siedo, A Childhood Story and others.. Just to nudge you in that direction, visit
http://www.lulu.com
You can actually publish your book there and they will print copies only as they are odered at no upfront cost. With the number of people reading your blog, My guess is quite a few will buy your bood ๐
“Your soon-to-be publishing agent” ๐
Mon Jan 28, 10:34:00 PM
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momosanla said…
It’s KILLING ME. And not even softly.
Do you think he’d be offended if you brought him a pair of pantaloons?
Mon Jan 28, 11:55:00 PM
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Warrior Two said…
Oh geez. That’s always the guy next to me when the teacher says “Partner up!”
Tue Jan 29, 03:36:00 AM
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Fifi said…
dearest, maha, we have a tv advert here in NZ that sympathises with your cause:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Lx2ihpGbc
FYI:
togs = speedos
undies = underwear
enjoy!
Fifi
Tue Jan 29, 05:32:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
This entry made me wet myself. Thank you!
Tue Jan 29, 06:32:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
Next time please warm people not to be drinking fizzy sodas while reading your blog. Mine just went everywhere.
Bwhahahahahahahahah!
Thu Feb 07, 09:58:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
Why the sexism? What is the aversion to the male form? I see many women wearing form fitting clothing in my Bikram Yoga class — why can not a man? Why the double standard? Doesn’t your attitude seem sexist, unfair?
Mon Dec 29, 08:18:00 PM
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just a girl said…
If I had to bend over and stick my face in a woman’s bikini clad hairy ass, I would write the exact same entry…only about her.
But my bikram class never had females undressed as such.
Trust me – no aversion to the male form, whatsoever…no sexism, either.
Mon Dec 29, 09:30:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
To: “Just a Girl”
Thank you for your comments.
I hope I have not made anyone in my Bikram yoga class uncomfortable by me wearing just a speedo. (Although I am fit and have little body hair.)
I do not see the difference between women wearing form fitting clothing (sports bra and short, tight shorts) to men wearing a speedo. I see it as a double standard to accept one but not the other.
Thank you for sharing your perspective and allowing me to do the same.
Tue Dec 30, 12:39:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
I do bikram in modest bike type shorts and have been trying to get 6 pack better formed. It don’t get the perv glance but I am not fat either.
I am repulsed by a tummy roll under a clearly underwear sports bra. I think to my self no other man on earth look at that on an off for 90 minutes by choice.
Just to let you know it goes both ways.
Sat Dec 12, 06:12:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
You very cute! I am being serious! I’d do Bikram all the time if you were in my class.
But seriously, Bikram is about confronting yourself. If your too fat you get skinny, if your too skinny you put on weight. If your a jerk you become less of one. It is about confronting yourself.
Wearing less clothes is part of the process. Less if better unless it is obscene.
That being said, I would wear a training speedo but no one else does so I wear next best thing as running shorts. Less is really better. I can’t believe how much clothing some women wear to these classes, but I never notice after 10 minutes anyway.
Tue Dec 29, 03:44:00 PM
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Anonymous said…
I happened on this tread while searching to see if I could purchase speedos for my own Bikram practice. Yup, it’s true.
So your humor is funny, but there’s a more interesting dimension to this question. For an old hairy guy to wear a speedo, there has to be either a disconnect with reality or an open act of rebellion going on. I think in most cases, it’s the latter.
My suggested answer is prosaic: that they’re just setting a goal way above their present level. This may be an overcompensation for thinking that they’re suffering more than others for getting through the class.
Sun Feb 07, 09:17:00 PM
I do bikram in modest bike type shorts and have been trying to get 6 pack better formed. It don't get the perv glance but I am not fat either.
I am repulsed by a tummy roll under a clearly underwear sports bra. I think to my self no other man on earth look at that on an off for 90 minutes by choice.
Just to let you know it goes both ways.
I happened on this tread while searching to see if I could purchase speedos for my own Bikram practice. Yup, it's true.
So your humor is funny, but there's a more interesting dimension to this question. For an old hairy guy to wear a speedo, there has to be either a disconnect with reality or an open act of rebellion going on. I think in most cases, it's the latter.
My suggested answer is prosaic: that they're just setting a goal way above their present level. This may be an overcompensation for thinking that they're suffering more than others for getting through the class.
I wear them swimming in early AM and no one is ashamed, horrified, or tramatized.
May I ask what your religion is and background that makes a naked man so offensive?
I am not at all interested in Bikram as I think little of the man, but love physical fitness.
It’s nothing to do with baing ashamed of the male body. It’s to do with not wanting a stranger’s hairy and sweat dripping ass and chest in my face when in a tightly fitting yoga space.
How prudish. Surely, my culture and religion are oppressive.
As a male. Keeping clean and not being offensive to others in the room should always be observed. Keeping a shaved body and keeping fit is good. I always use to wear TYR brand swim briefs to the sessions. None of the women cared and we talked before and after the hot workout. Some of the more advance poses; I do relize now that wearing this type of brief is not good and is accually uncomfortable. I opt for a longer fitted short to works better.
I found it kind of one dimensional once I adjusted to heat. I am European so never mind my concerns. Hope you keep exercising!
Thanks, Iggy. I will definitely keep exercising ๐
I must say that bikram is one of my most treasured means of relaxing, especially when I am already exhausted and my spirits need lifting. Else, I am a traditional boxing girl — you should give that a shot, as it is anything but one dimensional ๐
Thanks for the comment and clarification!
How did you get started in boxing?
Hi Iggy. A colleague recommended it years back and I have been hooked ever since. Cheers.
Ok OK since my speedo may offend someone..
I will take your suggestion and stop wearing speedos.
Personally, when I am in Yoga, If I do not wear my eyeglasses, I am I blind so all I can do is concentrate on my practice than checking out who is wearing what.
I use to be narrow mind and hated speedos. on my last trip to Brasil, I was the joke of my brasilian friends and all new I was a foreingner wearing shorts because I had no speedo. fat, male or femail all wear them proudly regarless of their shape.
Same happen in Spain in barcelona. I used to say, me wearing speedo never…
It was not until I started swimming a mile daily that I was force to wear speedos since shorts made it difficult.
When I ended up doing yoga, the first few classes I was timid and wear shorts. however, they were falling off after sweating a lot that I decide to bring my swimming speedos. it has been the best thing do.
Unfortunately, as humans we have a morbid mind and many times do things without realizing we offend others.
I need new shorts anyways.
In the mean time, I will do speed and shorts. until I find good shorts for Bickram.
Any suggestion on whichs work best for bickram please post