A video featuring an unconventional yoga practice has sparked outrage online. Posted by content creator Jen Zhang on Instagram, the clip showcases the unique session of “snake yoga” involving ball pythons, which has drawn criticism from social media users who have called the act as animal abuse. In the video, Zhang provides a detailed account of her experience at a yoga center where participants engage in yoga routines while handling ball pythons. She explains, “It is an hour-long yoga experience where you’re paired with your own snake and you do a snake incorporated yoga routine. I thought it sounded absolutely insane. So, I booked it immediately. When you get there, your instructor and snake handler will give a hands-on on how to handle the snakes properly. Then, you pick a gem randomly. Each one corresponds to one of their eight snakes and you get to keep it as a souvenir. These are non-toxic ball pythons.”
Despite her initial hesitation, Zhang shares her experience of overcoming her fear of snakes. “Definitely got comfy as the class went on. It helps that snakes are super slow. They are also under three pounds and are very smooth and gentle. Compared to snakeless yoga, I felt a lot more concentrated,” she adds.
“The ONLY place with SNAKE YOGA. What an insanely unique experience,” Zhang wrote in the caption.
The video was shared over three weeks ago and it has since garnered significant traction online, amassing over 8.5 lakh views. Many viewers took to the comment section to express their thoughts.
One user in frustration, commented, “Stop calling everything Yoga. This is not Yoga. Stop spoiling yoga’s name.”
Another added, “This is animal abuse and absolutely disturbing that people don’t realize that. Yikes y’all.”
“Stop treating animals like commodities or accessories. Stop bastardising yoga into an exotic and exclusionary fitness routine. This is not authentic yoga. This is cultural appropriation. Yoga is a Hindu philosophical system that offers multiple pathways for spiritual awareness and enlightenment,” someone criticised.
An individual expressed, “This is so wrong in many ways. First of all please leave animals alone and second this is not yoga, this is cultural appropriation at its best.”
Despite the backlash, some viewers were intrigued by the concept. One user exclaimed, “This is magical!! I’m definitely going to have to check you guys out!!”
Another enthusiastically added, “Wow I totally want to do snake yoga.”
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