A YOGA competition may sound like an oxymoron ? a contradiction in terms given the traditional perceptions on yoga, especially among non-practitioners.

Yoga, after all, evokes thoughts and feelings of calm and serenity, of solitude and introspection, searching for, and finding peace. And competition ? as contestants, their coaches, cheerers and the rest of their audiences know ? involves rivalry, combat, struggle end eventually, victory or defeat. Not a very peaceful outcome any which way.

Except it wasn?t so, as yoga practitioners and contenders discovered and explained, at the conclusion of the 2nd Philippine Yoga Asana Championship (PYAC), sponsored by PruLife UK and Bikram Yoga Manila last October 25. More than 300 people gathered at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza in Makati to witness 25 competitors contort, twist and compress into postures that were truly breathtaking.

For the 25 who chose to compete, the event was not simply about proving oneself better than another, or the best of the rest, but an inevitable step.

?Joining the competition seemed to be the natural next step in the growth of my practice,? said Noelle Co, a two-time competitor. Lital Isaacs, the 2008 women?s division champion, excitedly recalled that ?once I finished, I really felt that I had accomplished something for myself.?

Each one had a reason for joining: something to prove to themselves, wanting to overcome stage fright, a celebration of their practice or a means to deepen their practice.

A number came for the fun of it ? as certainly Tessa Valdes did, as ever. Having gotten the judge?s nod to perform first instead of second to last because of her hectic Sunday schedule, she came out in a beaded one-piece swimsuit by Ketty Estrella, complete with feathers in her hair. Never mind that feathers, bejeweled costumes and glitter are not prescribed wear for competitors, Tessa showed how combining yoga, competing in the Philippine Ironman and doing marathons have allowed her to be the energy dynamo that she is.

While yoga competition has a long history in India, its modern-day adaptation is more focused on demonstrating one?s physical mastery of various postures. Since the PYAC is recognized by the International Yoga Asana Championship Bishnu Ghosh Cup Organizing Committee in Los Angeles, our local competition follows the format it has outlined. Each competitor is given three minutes to complete a sequence of five compulsory postures, followed by two optional postures of the competitor?s choice. Competitors are judged on the technical merits of each posture, stability, grace and overall movement.

In this year?s event, 22 women and 3 men vied for the chance to represent the Philippines at the Bishnu Ghosh Cup in Los Angeles on Feb. 14, 2010. Some were nervous in their routines while quite a number elicited gasps from the audience as they got into postures that defied reason and gravity.

In the women?s division, Mae Evangelista emerged as the champion; Star Querubin, 2nd; Rieko Umemura, 3rd; Marie Ty, 4th; and Kiara Tesoro, 5th. For the men, Al Jarreau Galang took 1st; Dax Cobarrubias, 2nd; and Gerard Sison, 3rd.

Aside from Noelle, the competitors who joined for a second straight year were Mabelle Toledo-Ramirez, Tessa Valdes, and Kay Villarica. First time contenders were Enola Gay Aninion, Lorrie Bendicion, Jenilee Chan, Marilet de Guzman, Kimberly de Leon, Joy Geronca, Rinna Gotay, Aisa Locsin, Irene Lui, Emma Maglaque, Andrea Ocier, Raquel Ramchand and Winnie Wong.

The objective of the ?yoga competition? was simple: to increase awareness of the many benefits ? mental, physical and emotional ?of practicing yoga. Many of the first timers came away raving about the amazing experience: the dedication they built in the hours of training, the deepening friendships established with fellow competitors, how they dealt with body aches and pains, their performance anxiety, and the bliss of finally completing their routine and being able to say ?I did it!?

But as in most competitive events, winning is not the ultimate end. The goal of the PYAC is to keep growing. So far, all competition participants are practitioners of Bikram yoga. But the Association aims to encourage students of all styles ? from ashtanga and vinyasa to Iyengar and Sivananda ? to share their practice and perhaps inspire a generation of people who are looking for an alternative to going to the gym every week.

It would also be ideal to have practitioners from outside Metro Manila join the competition next year. Those interested to do just that may write to info@philippineyogachampionship. com, and we?ll find a way to get you the coaching you need.

George Bernard Shaw once said ?The purpose of life is a life of purpose.? For whatever purpose these women and men were on that stage that Sunday, they certainly touched those of us in the audience with their courage, determination, and sense of self. As they continue on in their yoga practice, it is inevitable that their example will encourage others to explore yoga in their own way and time. And that?s what the yoga competition is all about: to grow our yoga community one yogini and one yogi at a time. ?

The author is the studio director of Bikram Yoga Manila (www.bikramyogamanila.com).