A growing trend of public yoga displays - often involving women dressed in tight-fitting attire and performing complex poses in public spaces such as highways, tourist sites, and even royal palaces - has sparked controversy on social media, with many users expressing disapproval.

Yoga, known for its benefits in building flexibility, endurance, and relieving stress, has become a beloved activity, especially among women. Typically, yoga practitioners train in quiet, private settings, wearing fitted clothing to facilitate movement and concentration. However, recent months have seen a surge of yoga performances in public areas, drawing significant criticism.

In early November 2024, social media was abuzz with images of a woman performing yoga poses outside the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea.

The woman, dressed in tight athletic wear, executed challenging poses such as handstands and backbends, which many deemed inappropriate for a sacred, historical site. As Gyeongbokgung Palace is a prominent cultural landmark, revered for its historical significance, onlookers found the yoga display disrespectful, with numerous users leaving critical comments under the images.

Similarly, a late October 2024 video showing two female tourists doing yoga atop Fansipan Mountain in Lao Cai sparked additional debate. The video, recorded by a foreign tourist, shows the women in fitted yoga wear, striking various poses, including handstands. Their extended photo session blocked access to the scenic spot, inconveniencing other visitors waiting to capture their own photos.

A couple visiting Da Lat also shared their disappointment after heading up a mountain to "chase clouds" for memorable photos, only to find a group of women fully absorbed in yoga poses, monopolizing the space until the clouds dissipated.

The trend has led to heated online discussions. While some admire the dedication to fitness, the majority view public yoga performances as inappropriate, noting the lack of consideration for shared spaces and other visitors.

In May 2024, a particularly controversial incident took place in Thai Binh, where around 14 women were photographed performing yoga poses on a main road in Kien Xuong District. The women, clad in yoga outfits and using mats spread across the road, obstructed traffic to capture photos. This action was deemed a public disturbance and posed potential traffic hazards, leading the local authorities to issue fines.

Later that month, 16 members of a yoga club faced administrative penalties for holding another session in the middle of the road in Thai Binh to photograph themselves among blooming flowers. This incident also attracted substantial criticism, with online commenters condemning the group's actions as reckless and disruptive.

Thanh Minh