Peloton: Suffering is Optional

I am struck by the reaction to the new Peloton ad, especially from yogis, because they are not supposed to have any reaction at all if they are truly practicing yoga. Right?

Look, I don’t care if you buy a Peloton or not, but I do need to state that I own the bike and I ride it like a madwoman. Peloton isn’t giving me a kickback, so you do what you want to do.

My husband gave it to me around Mother’s Day, and in return I gave him something I can’t say in public, but he was very, very happy.

The reaction to the ad was enormous and still on-going. NBC ran a segment on both the evening news and the Today Show. TMZ covered the story just this week. The stock went down 10%. Lastly, just about everyone I met had an opinion on the ad.

Hence (my fave word), if you practice yoga, or if you think you practice yoga, you might want to take note of this philosophic construct: suffering is optional. You did this to you. Not Peloton. Furthermore, you are not supposed to be triggered if you are truly practicing yoga. You should strive for a witness consciousness – more equanimity and less bitching. But whatever.

There is also Ahimsa – which translated loosely is shut up if you feel judgy.

Here’s what I mean, and I did not have to make any of this up.

The Complaint and The Reality

That woman did not need to lose weight. Her husband is an ass.

Exercise is not just about weight; it’s about health. There is a chance that woman, who is shown with a child, wanted to have more energy to take better care of her youngster. If you have ever been the sole caretaker of young children, you would know that finding the time to go to a gym is freaking impossible. So, hopping on a bike at home is a huge gift, until the baby wakes up.

Now her husband may be an ass, but he gave her a nice gift and the ad isn’t clear on this point.

A thin woman would never feel anxiety about exercising. Peloton should know better.

Everyone knows that thin women never experience anxiety (this was very sarcastic). Maybe she is shy? Maybe she doesn’t exercise? Maybe she has a heart condition? What do you know?

Peloton is only for rich, white and privileged people. And probably thin, young ones too.

Well, maybe. But my favorite Peloton instructors are all people of color and people who are openly gay and people who celebrate our uniqueness and differences. Furthermore, one of my faves is a little heavy. I think we might want to give up blaming the RWandP people for all our problems. Maybe.

Only the rich can afford to exercise.

This complaint is very true. There are millions of people in our country right now who are working three jobs and can’t afford healthcare or proper nutrition. They don’t have the time to watch this ad, never mind complain about it on social media. So, count your blessings that you have the time to whine.

Now back to yoga, which is my wheelhouse. I was really surprised not by the hate (because hey, I’ve been in this business a long time), but by how many yogis do not exercise!

OMG people. If you do not want to ride a bike that’s okay. What is not okay is that you still feel that meditation alone is going to keep you alive for another 50 years. Have you not paid attention to any of the data about aging? Have you not read the book, Fearless After Fifty, now available on Audible?

Go ahead, hate on me all you want if you don’t want to exercise. I’ll be on my bike, so I’ll respond with kindness when I can.

Michelle Marchildon is the Yogi Muse. She’s the author of four books on yoga and advocates doing the best you can to stay healthy after 50. www.YogiMuse.com