LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[November 22nd, 2006] WORKING OUR ASANAS OFF

Your recent article about the Yoga Asana Championship ["Competitive Yoga Shakes Up Portland," a Web-only story in wweek.com's new WWire section posted Nov. 12, 2006, which reported on the controversy over yoga competitions] was a great disappointment. I expected more insight from your publication.

As a practitioner of Bikram Yoga, I can tell you that the format of the competition does not pretend to capture what is at the heart of the practice of the yoga. The very fact that it is conducted in a gym and not a yoga studio accentuates that it is a different and clearly distinct occasion. It may be comforting to your readers to know that, at its core, Bikram Yoga is true to the altruistic principles of yoga enumerated in your article. Furthermore, practitioners come from every walk of life, age group and body proportion—all are accepted openly, and all are given the opportunity to benefit in countless ways.

I have little to no personal relationship with the remainder of the participants in the event, but I can tell you that none of the seven participants who practice at the studio I attend were motivated by a desire to exhibit their "scantily clad anatomy" or to win. They worked very, very hard to expand and deepen the physical aspect of their yoga practices, often spending long hours after the already demanding 90-minute basic class. Their reward was in participation, self-challenge and the satisfaction of working collaboratively. I applaud their efforts, and it was my privilege to watch them at the competition.

Ron Blaj
Via wweek.com

GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD RIDDANCE

He's not an undocumented immigrant! Carlos ["Illegal Scholar," WW, Nov. 15, 2006] is an ILLEGAL ALIEN. He and his family broke the laws of MY country! They drive illegally, they probably vote illegally, they have fake Social Security numbers, he's "stolen" money from our educational system paid for by hardworking American taxpayers.

Why would any college want to encourage this illegal activity? Where will this end? Are we to just let everyone come to America? Toss away all our laws?

This has got to stop now. Carlos and his parents should be sent back to their OWN country. I promise not to enter their country illegally.

B.J. Anderson
Southwest Edgewood Road

MUDDYING THE WATERS

I just have to say that Lars Larson's quote [in "Illegal Scholar"] in which he compares hardworking illegal immigrant parents to meth heads and burglars is one of the most ignorant analogies I have ever heard in my life. Mr. Larson is entitled to his opinions on immigrants and surrounding issues, but this kind of comparison is childish and flat-out wrong.

What drug addicts and burglars engage in is toxic behavior that destroys lives. Illegal immigrants making an honest living enhance businesses, communities and all-around growth. This is a simple fact to which Mr. Larson's debate has no comeback, and he knows it.

In the face of this, the best he could come up with was to throw in the words "meth heads" and "burglars"—good old-fashioned mud-slinging.

I find it appalling, and again, unbelievably childish.

Delilah Anderson
Via wweek.com

CORRECTION: WW's Nov. 8, 2006, cover story ("Hoop Schemes") incorrectly reported that Barry Adams is the second-winningest boys' high-school basketball coach in Oregon history. In fact, Adams is third behind Oregon City's Mike Doherty and former Beaverton coach Nick Robertson.

WW regrets the error but appreciates the opportunity to use the word "winningest" again.