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Aussie Yoga Championship

Have you ever heard of a Yoga championship? Is Yoga can even be regarded as a competitive sport? Apparently it is. Sydney will be hosting the second Australian Yoga Asana Championships, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday November 27, 2005. Australia?s most skilled yoga practitioners will be fighting for the chance to represent their country in the World Championships, to be held in Los Angeles in February, 2006. Alex Stone, who competed in the European titles for Australia last year says, ?Competitors have to take their practice out of its usual context and hold composure and poise in a stressful environment. I?m sure most people would consider being up on stage, semi-naked, in front of hundreds of people stressful?. Stone also added, ?Essentially, the ability to remain calm in the face of stress is one of the main aims of yoga practice?. Each of the contestants will complete a 3-minute routine, with 5 compulsory and two optional poses before a panel of expert judges. The judging panel features Jason Winn, a leading practitioner from LA. Winn will also be a guest speaker on the day, and lead a demonstration of advanced postures from what is known as Bikram?s Advanced Series.