Yoga Journal Blog: Samadhi & the City


Ancient Wisdom, Modern Life
Exploring the tradition in these times

Teacher Tells All
Insights into a teacher's life

Yoga Journal Conferences
Join us for yoga immersion

Archive Blogs

Cambodia Seva Challenge
Off the Mat and Into the World with Seane Corn

Samadhi & the City
Archive of our city blogs

Yoga Journal Makeover
Soulful transformations through yoga

Yoga Mom on the Move
Parenting yoga blog

Outtakes from India
Join Seane Corn and Ashley Judd virtually as they travel throughout India with YouthAIDS

Live from Estes Park
Once in a lifetime visit by BKS Iyengar


Subscribe to Yoga Journal
Blogs by RSS or by Email

 Yoga Buzz
Email Yoga Buzz

 Yoga Diary
Email Yoga Diary

Subscribe to Yoga Diary by Email
Archives

« San Francisco: My Trip to the Yoga Farm | Blog HomePage | New York: Make the Bird Happy—Train to Teach Yoga in NYC »

Los Angeles: Inappropriate Yoga Guy

Avi Rothman aka The Inappropriate Yoga Guy first came to my attention after I read about his You Tube sensation short on one of my favorite L.A. yoga blogs, The Accidental Yogist. In fact, Rothman’s comedic sketch about a lecherous yoga enthusiast who cruises classes for dates inspired an article in the New York Times about yoga pick-ups.

So I called Rothman and found out he is neither a lech, nor has he ever asked anyone out from yoga class. Instead, he has a Yoga Works annual pass and practices flow or ashtanga almost every day – a nice respite from the stresses of being an actor/writer who spends his working hours navigating traffic to auditions and meetings.

His inspiration for The Inappropriate Yoga Guy was an exaggerated composite of real-life characters he’s witnessed in his own yoga classes. “Yoga happens in hot rooms where people are wearing practically nothing. Whether you want to admit it or not, yoga is sensual so of course, you’ll be attracted to people there,” he says. And since he’s a comic, he found the funny in the situation. “I knew I might offend someone but I had to get over that. Besides, sometimes I feel like people are too scared to laugh at yoga, that they think you have to take it so seriously. I just wanted to bring to light the humor.”

When he’s not doing yoga, writing or acting, Rothman, who is 29 and single, can be found at the bulk food bin at the Santa Monica Coop stocking up on Goji berries and dreaming up Inappropriate Yoga Guy II. What can we expect from the sequel? “I’m not at liberty to say,” he teases. I guess we’ll have to stay tuned.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://blogs.yogajournal.com/blognew/mt-tb.cgi/154

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.

By submitting your comments, you indicate your acceptance of Yoga Journal's general Online Privacy Policy and the Blog Comment Registration Policy. )




Subscribe and
Get 2 Free Issues
+ 2 Free Gifts!

Give a Gift »

Join Yoga Journal's Benefits Plus

Join Yoga Journal's Benefits Plus Liability insurance and benefits to support teachers and studios.

Learn More »

Enter to Win Great Prizes!

Enter to Win Great Prizes! Prizes include a spa vacation in Vermont, a stained-glass window depicting the seven energy centers of the body, Yoga DVDs, a yoga vacation in San Francisco and more...

Enter Now »
Full Name:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Email (req):

If I like it and decide to continue, I'll pay just $15.95, and receive a full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 64% savings off the newsstand price!

Offer valid in US only.
Canadian subscriptions | International subscriptions

Your subscription includes
2 FREE GIFTS:

Yoga to the Rescue:
Poses for Stress

The next time you find your nerves frazzled, use this rejuvenating flow sequence to relieve the effects of stress.

Yoga to the Rescue:
Poses for a Headache

Got a pounding headache? This sequence of supported poses can send it packing.