RADIANT PAIN?

As a yoga student and instructor for the past 12 years, I find Eve Babitz’s approach to Ashtanga-style yoga negative and biased (“The Path to Radiant Pain,” March 6). The article stressed how much work was involved and that one feels he must keep pace with the rest of the class, when, in fact, yoga is noncompetitive. To represent it as such puts it in the class of mere sport rather than the ancient art that it is.

I am concerned that this article will negatively affect those who might have shown some interest in learning yoga. There are many styles of yoga, from meditative to active. No matter which style of yoga a student chooses, the end result will be an enhanced sense of well-being.

VICTORIA NICHOLS

Woodland Hills