As Australia gears up for its second annual Yoga Championships [1] on November 27, the image of yoga [1] as serene and non-competitive takes another hit. Any tsk-tsks can be directed at yoga baron Bikram Choudhury [2] who exported (but did not start) the Indian championships that are spreading throughout the world.

For those of us who do yoga to focus internally, imagining an asana showdown is a bit of a stretch. So what do they judge at these things? In the down-under match, competitors (who pay $35 AUD for the privilege) must complete seven postures (five required, two of their own choosing) in three minutes. According to Bikram’s official rules [3], judges will be evaluating: 1) Proportion of the body 2) Steadiness of the posture execution and 3) Dress, style, and grace in asana execution. Winners will get a shot at competing in the Third Annual International Championship [4] in L.A. in February 2006––after paying that event’s $100 entry fee, of course.