Hindus upset over Playboy's usage of yoga as erotica

Nevada (US), Oct 21 (ANI): Hindus are upset over what they say as the misuse of age old and revered system of yoga by Playboy for mercantile greed and have urged it to withdraw all its yoga related products.

Eminent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, criticizing Playboy's depiction of yoga as erotica, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that yoga, referred as "a living fossil", was one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosophy and was highly revered in Hinduism. It was actually a serious mental and physical discipline by means of which the human-soul (jivatman) united with universal-soul (parmatman).

Playboy.com shows a "Playboy's Naked Yoga" free video depicting Playmate of the Year Sara Jean Underwood doing various yoga poses on a yoga mat totally naked. It says: "...Sara Jean Underwood wants you to gain an intimate understanding of her asanas, the various postures and positions practiced in yoga. The next best thing to doing so in person is watching these sexy nude videos that are designed to raise your heart rate".

It is also selling DVD titled "Erotic Nude Yoga" which shows full nudity, besides "Totally Nude Yoga Tai Chi" video, and "Erotic Yoga for Couples" (Intimate Routines for great sex) DVD, which it says "is sure to bring plenty of fresh excitement to your erotic arsenal". Each of these sell for US$14.98. On its website, model Missy Tarrington says in an article that yoga is a "great way to meet girls".

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further says that some sages have described yoga as the silencing of all mental transformations, which leads to the total realization of the Supreme Self. Some have used yoga attempting to gain liberation by removing all sensory barriers. According to Patanjali, author of the basic text, the Yoga Sutra, yoga is a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

Rajan Zed pointed out that just for plain mercantile greed, Playboy should not attempt to distort the esteemed yoga tradition as it would hurt the devotees.

Adult entertainment and lifestyle company Playboy Enterprises is known for its magazine for men "Playboy" with 26 international editions and a global readership over 18 million. Playboy brand appears on a wide range of consumer products in over 150 countries. The Company also has a range of adult-movie channels; its television programming is available in more than 100 countries and, in the United States alone, is accessible in more than 65 million households. Twenty-four hour satellite Playboy Radio, with over 20 million subscribers, offers a sexy listening alternative nationwide. It publishes about 25 special thematic pictorial editions annually with titles as Playboy's Lingerie, College Girls, and Fresh Faces. Playboy.com is one of the world's most popular men's websites, with more than five million unique global visitors and nearly 45 million page views monthly. Hugh M. Hefner launched the first issue of Playboy in December 1953 with $600 that he borrowed plus approximately $8000 received from stock in his new corporation sold to about 40 acquaintances. Hefner is still Editor-in-Chief and Chief Creative Officer, while Scott N. Flanders is Chief Executive Officer and David I.

Chemerow is Chairman of its Board of Directors. Headquartered in Chicago, Playboy's website tagline on search engines is: Nude Girls, Naked Women, Hot Girls, Nude Pics, Sexy Women, Hot ...(ANI)