As Australia gears up for its second annual Yoga Championships on November 27, the image of yoga as serene and non-competitive takes another hit. Any tsk-tsks can be directed at yoga baron Bikram Choudhury 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, 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 in L.A. in February 2006––after paying that event’s $100 entry fee, of course.