When I think of yoga, images of peace and harmony spring into my head. I think of slow, intricate postures performed with the goal of unifying my body and spirit. I think of serenity. What I don’t think of is competition—but that may soon change.

Oregon-based Website OPB [1] recently posted an article on competitive yoga, which has apparently been gaining in popularity in Oregon and around the world. Competitive yoga seems to be rooted in the unorthodox Bikram [2] style, which is performed in a room heated to 105 degrees. Bikram, or “hot yoga,” is also more aggressive than other yoga styles.

Competitive yoga finds its practitioner performing a series of seven compulsory and elective asanas (postures) within a three minute period. Scoring is based upon technique, gracefulness, and overall performance. A quick search on YouTube will produce several videos [3] of yoga competition. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this competitive yoga is that there is a push for it to become an Olympic sport in 2012.

Personally, I’m not sure I’ll be om-ing for the gold anytime soon, but if you want to, start with these yoga videos today!