As a follow-up to my last post, while I am willing to admit that I cannot for see myself ever enjoying “forced intimacy” with a stranger, it does occur to me that partner yoga may indeed be a way to strengthen my relationship with my significant other. We’ve tried it before, although our experience has been little more than dabbling. I feel some sort of NY resolution coming on[*]…

[*] – Except I am not fond of New Years Resolutions, per se. I would rather state it as something wonderful and healthy to do, and then follow through on the inclination, rather than resolve to do it.

I have wondered on occasion: am I the only person in the world who dislikes, nay detests, partner yoga? Unless I am going to a partner-specific class where I am prepared ahead of time, being required to partner up with a stranger – and forced into a certain intimacy with them – is extremely unappealing to me. If we’re friends, fine. If we are dating, (of course) fine. But someone I’ve never met? I don’t want to press my dirty feel against your equally dirty feet, or hold up your sweaty ankles while you attempt to do a handstand – especially if you’re of the opposite gender. I googled “hate partner yoga” to see if I was alone in this, or if there were other souls in the world who looked up yoga practice as a time of solitude or to share intimacy with a special and chosen person.

• Why I hate partner yoga (salon life)
• Thoughts on the previous link
• Yoga Journal: Pressure of Partnering
• The Yoga Class
• Another partner yoga rant

Clearly, I’m not the only one. I suppose I should alter my opening remarks somewhat. I detest partner yoga when it’s not of my own choice and volition.