News

Lululemon pulling out of #OmTheBridge event on International Day of Yoga

by Stephen Hui on June 12th, 2015 at 11:30 AM
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      First, Premier Christy Clark said that she won't attend the much-criticized International Day of Yoga celebration on the Burrard Bridge that she was "thrilled" to announce just a week ago.

      Now, yoga-wear company Lululemon Athletica has tweeted that it has "decided not to participate" in the #OmTheBridge event.

      You'll recall that Lululemon was announced as a partner alongside YYoga and Altagas for the event on June 21, which is also National Aboriginal Day.

      The June 5 news release heralding the event states:

      As integral parts of the yoga community around the Lower Mainland, lululemon athletica and YYoga are thrilled to partner in this inaugural event. lululemon is leading the marketing of the event and will have its knowledgeable staff on hand to guide and advise participants. YYoga will be reaching out to the network of yoga studios and practitioners around the province to promote IDY participation, and will engage four expert instructors from the Vancouver yoga community to lead participants through an hour-long yoga session. 

      But that was before the hashtags #ShunTheBridge and #DrumTheBridge sprung up, Clark took aim at "Yoga Haters", and NDP Leader John Horgan called the whole thing "offensive".

      Update (11:50 a.m.): Sounds like YYoga is pulling out too. YYoga has posted the following statement from CEO Terry McBride on its website:

      International Day of Yoga is about celebrating something very positive, and it has become anything but that. 

      Our intention to provide yoga to the city in celebration was purely formed. We hoped that our intentions would shine through, but that has not been the case. We have had the opportunity to connect with our very passionate community over the last several days and have done a lot of listening. We have heard that the event that was presented was not what they wanted.

      The importance of celebrating the tradition of yoga still rings true for us. We are working with our partners from the community to deliver something that serves them in a more meaningful way. 

      Please stay tuned for something that will reflect the tradition of yoga, and the wishes of our community...in a park. 

      Warm regards,

      Terry

      Update 2 (12 p.m.): #OmTheBridge has been cancelled.

      Comments

      4 Comments

      Mark558

      Jun 12, 2015 at 12:29pm

      People don't have anything against the event, they simply don't understand why we have to close a bridge for it. There are plenty of places for the event to take place.

      It still seems dumb that the event will still go on. Move it to someplace where it doesn't disturb people.

      I think this is the epitome of Vancouver stupidity.

      Squamptonite

      Jun 12, 2015 at 12:44pm

      There is already an international yoga event at the Plaza of Nations! Why would we need another one? And sponsored by a gas company? ???? Christy needs to go, fast, now. What an embarrassment she is.

      TammyN

      Jun 12, 2015 at 12:49pm

      Stanley Park would have been an awesome venue and there is even a free pool for people to go for a post-yoga dip in afterwards.

      jankiiahir

      Jun 13, 2015 at 11:03pm

      Our intention to provide yoga to the city in celebration was purely formed. We hoped that our intentions would shine through, but that has not been the case. <a href="http://internationaldayofyoga.freenaukrialerts.com/" rel="home">International Yoga Day</a> We have had the opportunity to connect with our very passionate community over the last several days and have done a lot of listening. We have heard that the event that was presented was not what they wanted.

      The importance of celebrating the tradition of yoga still rings true for us. We are working with our partners from the community to deliver something that serves them in a more meaningful way.

      Please stay tuned for something that will reflect the tradition of yoga, and the wishes of our community...in a park.