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Punk Rock For Inner Peace

MONDAY OCTOBER 11 2004 12:00 PM

Submitted by SquidProQuo. Edited By SquidProQuo.

Some people like stretching and quiet reflection. Some people like liberty spikes and slam dancing. And now, some people not only like both, but have found a way to combine the two. That's right, punk rock yoga has come to Seattle. But before you show up expecting to downward dog to the sounds of The Exploited, realize that in this case, punk rock really is more of an attitude.

It's the whole do-it-yourself ethic," said [instructor Kimberlee] Jensen, 34. "Punk is democratic, nonhierarchical -- that's definitely the way I like to approach it. It shouldn't be a thing that just skinny people do. That's not what yoga should be."

Jensen holds her free session once a week in an all-ages nightclub, and caters more towards teenagers and young adults who don't have the time, money, or desire to join a regular healthclub. Gone are the pastel rows of yoga mats and the sounds of Enya. Here, Jensen brings her students into a circle while electric guitarist Christopher Hydinger plays music that is peaceful and low-key but still "raw and organic" like punk rock.

The live music in her classes doesn't sound anything like punk. It has ranged from Arabic drumming to a saxophone and flute to the current house band.

One of [Jensen's] favorite music moments was when an acoustic guitar duo performed easy-listening versions of punk classics such as "God Save the Queen." The class and instructor broke out in giggles.

The easygoing setting of Punk Rock Yoga has drawn much praise from students.

Erik Englund, 28, has been attending Jensen's classes for about a year. He said the nightclub setting intrigued him, and the health benefits and relaxed atmosphere kept him coming back.

"This felt very unpretentious," he said. His wife, Amy Wyland, 27, said she likes how she feels after a session of punk rock yoga.

"I feel really relaxed," Wyland said. "And I'm getting stronger."

9 Comments

waxangel

Baltimore, MD

May 2003

OCT 11, 2004 12:08 PM

Meh. We've had Punk Rock Aerobics in NYC for years. Sounds like you guys just wussified it out there.

pb

Iraq

December 2003

OCT 11, 2004 12:42 PM

benizdead

United Kingdom

February 2003

OCT 11, 2004 12:43 PM

wait a minute.....hhhhhhmmmmm, KRISHNACORE amyone? there's been buddhism in hardocre n punk for years. try shelter/youth of tomorrow, etc.

[Edited on Oct 11, 2004 12:44PM]

waxangel

Baltimore, MD

May 2003

OCT 11, 2004 12:48 PM

Yeah, phony superficial "Buddhism" that actually involves few to none of the tenets of the philosophy. If the guys in Shelter do yoga, I'll eat my Adidas.

benizdead

United Kingdom

February 2003

OCT 11, 2004 12:53 PM

ooooohhh, don't be so picky. just trying to make the point that suggesting punk & alternative religion/lifestyles (wow! what a connection!) are a whole new deal is a bit late in the day.

[Edited on Oct 11, 2004 12:54PM]

alpha_hazard

Fort Collins, CO

April 2004

OCT 11, 2004 01:44 PM

I got your alternative hanging right here!

Directly above my ear under by armpit, between my toes and around my back.

MrStitches

Sag Harbor, NY

November 2003

OCT 11, 2004 06:01 PM

For some reason, whenever I see a person walking around with a yoga mat, I get angry.

cthav

Bridgeville, PA

August 2004

OCT 12, 2004 02:50 AM

I get the remote idea that most westerners don't have the slightest idea of what yoga is, and what it entails, let alone actually do it. And this goes for the teachers too.