When I came into Sunrise Yoga wearing a leather jacket, tight studded pants, a bandana, and a fake beard, I expected dirty looks, I expected laughs and snickers, and I even expected the teacher to draw attention to me in the form of a pithy remark. It comes with the territory.
What I never expected was that I’d be asked to leave the class. I’m sure you were doing what you thought was best for the studio, but how much time was wasted by pausing the class to question my intent, and ultimately ask me to leave? On top of that, how much time was wasted on my subsequent outburst? (laden with the “n” word [nincompoop], but well warranted)
Again, I understand that my outfit, especially the fake beard, is not the usual dress for a yoga class, especially a hot yoga class, but I thought my $20 gift card was as good as anyone else’s. It sure as hell wasn’t my technique or enthusiasm that got me kicked out! Did you see Dianne’s warrior pose? (I think her name was Dianne, anyway). She could barely keep her balance.
Is the stench of tightening leather any worse than the collective stench of men and women in a hot yoga studio? The answer is simply yes. But I don’t think this was about my unbearable stench or my loud humming of “Bad to the Bone” (which helps me concentrate). This was blatant discrimination based on appearance.
I have the right to sue, but I won’t be taking my hog down that long, winding, legal road. Instead we can simply make up for this if you hand out these coupons for free mustache rides to all your patrons.
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