Also, it is because it is submissive: you are “ordered” to take off your clothes and then do various poses often in the middle of a group of people. You may be in agony from the pose or from fighting an erection as some models do but you aren’t allowed to move.

Then there is the possibility of erection, which I agree with above. Some men fear that this will happen, though some artists and groups expect it to happen.

Finally I think there is the fear that some or even many men have about whether their penis is “big enough.” when you model, it’s all there for people to see and especially when you get hard.

I hope those answers help.

I also want to say that physiologically it is not always possible to mentally subdue a wild boner. Especially once the blood is flowing, from a series of quick gesture poses, and then going into a long standing contour pose. Excess blood naturally will flow into lower extremities first, and the end result will be a naturally occurring physiological male response.

So yeah, that art instructor was a whacko — but how embarrassing for you to have to put up with his abuse.

>”By the way, I fully agree that a male model should not only be permitted to pose nude with an erection, but it should also be an expectation. Given that he should allow the artists the opportunity to draw from the male body in all of it’s physiological states. Hey they paid for it, so give the people what they want.

>”Yet,one further comment/question – You state you posed for 11 men and women probably in 40s-60s. What is the response (from faculty/students) when you sport an erection modeling for a college/university class of 20 or so young women/men?”

RESPONSE:
i have had mostly good or indifferent responses. i modeled several times, and you probably wont believe this, for a class that was all college women. there were five in the class and instructor was older male. this was my first time modeling and no one said anything about my physiological changes. i admit i was worried because i already had it when i was up there in my robe and the instructor said very matter of factly to remove the robe and i hesitated then did and, well, things finished rising, fast, but no one said anything. it was quite a surge of energy and i did some awesome croquis after that! i got asked back and i got calls from groups that the instructor referred me to. i had same reaction from female instructor at that same school. second time i posed for her class they gave me some photos of artists models posing to give me pose ideas which needless to say affected my physiologically and part of me wondered if that was by design! i since have moved away from there.

at a school last year i noticed that the only male in the class just drew my feet. i don’t think he wanted to look at the rest of me. once a female instructor had me “close my legs” when i was sitting in a chair which i wondered if was a result of an erection earlier that no one had commented on. i am asked back there all the time.

ok, the one bad story: one time three years ago a male instructor did get freaked out and told me to “get it under control” and “go to the bathroom to take care of it if you have to.” that was the only negative reaction ever and it seemed extreme and was disruptive (he got me off the stand and took me to hallway to yell at me) i almost quit modeling. students seemed surprised at reaction. i knew from other schools and groups that HE was the one with the problem, so i didnt quit.

i have done private sessions where i was asked to pose this way, or more accurately to “keep that pose, it’s great.”

When you state, “I find it interesting that many “Christians” will cut down other Christian beliefs, as a whole, if they don’t agree with one or more aspects of said belief. Sounds like many yogis (many of whom are not Christian) are actually more Christlike then those who profess to follow Christ.” I must conclude that this is a very negative concept targeted at a generalized response of Christianity toward other faiths. Hence my response regarding “looking for the negative”.

Though I inquire politely regarding your statements, “will cut down other Christian beliefs, as a whole, if they don’t agree with one or more aspects of said belief” I also never claim that you are directing anything at me; though a telling conclusion on your part, taking into consideration my accounting of the mistakes in the BofM on other threads.

My comment “Have you stopped to consider . . .”, is interesting only as an inquiry of your understanding of Yoga’s foundations. You’ve indicated to me that you are quite familiar with Eastern Mysticism (when you refer to a “higher power” and not God – an accurate statement given the topic), and I am satisfied (not paranoid) with your response.

Playing coy is not a difficult tact to assume or attack Mary.

It seems to me you are the one looking at the negative. I was expounding on my thoughts, not directing anything at you (or at least not much. My thoughts were on how people I have met through yoga aren’t so anti-LDS, even though they don’t believe the way I do). No need to be paranoid. I answered your question, and then put down more of what came to my mind.

I see much positive. I was commenting on the positive nature of yoga, how peaceful it can make one.

As well, your comment “have you stopped to consider…” seems a bit interesting. I have been doing yoga for several years, so, uh, yeah, I have.

I should stick to my original plan and just not respond to you. You seem to take the majority of my comments in a strangely abrasive manner. I’ll let you get back to your regular order of business.

Perhaps, if they are as bold as you claim, we might find someone to take them up on it (a male willing to pose nude (with an erection) at the Bowman Arts Centre, for the general public to view).

I also never cut it down (if that is what you are implying when you branch off on that tangent). I merely asked you how you incorporate it into your life.

Remember Mary, quit looking for the negative in comments – it is not always there!

Thanx!

“Mary, I know you are talking about Yoga as an excersice regime, but have you stopped to consider that it is also a Eastern religious practice most commonly associated with Hinduism and Buddhism?! I imagine Mary that, in keeping with the doctrine of your own beliefs, you are discarding the religious beliefs (of Yoga) while maintaining your flexible state?!”

Having studied yoga for several years, I know it is an Eastern spiritual practice, however it is not a religion. I know many Latter day Saints who practice the physical aspects of yoga. I don’t practice the spiritual parts of yoga (for example, believing in Indian deities) but I do practice the pranayama (breathing) and meditation (well I should, though I haven’t had time to do so for the last while) and mostly the asanas (physical postures). I also respect the spiritual beliefs and understand (to a degree) the chakras and believe in them from a physical perspective.

There are many people who believe yoga is a religion, but it is not. It incorporates and encourages spiritual living, which I do. It is something that is compatible with any good religion as it encorporates the belief in a Higher Power and encourages focussing on that. Yoga is something I do for my health, it isn’t something I worship.

Something of interest, the Canadian Yoga Institute, where I used to take classes, sold books on yoga and other aspects of healthy living, physical, emotional and spiritual and they sold a book by our President, Gordon B. Hinckley. I don’t know if they still do, but many people who practice yoga are so respectful of other religions, able to accept them with kindness and see the good in them. I find it interesting that many “Christians” will cut down other Christian beliefs, as a whole, if they don’t agree with one or more aspects of said belief. Sounds like many yogis (many of whom are not Christian) are actually more Christlike then those who profess to follow Christ.

does anyone really think the Bowman Arts Centre would have permitted the same piece of work to be presented by a male

Based on my experience with Suzanne Lint while serving as a director with the Allied Arts Council, I would not be surprised if they would permit such.

Model, we got into this whole debacle over nude modeling because of an installation piece titled “The Human Body Project” performed/presented by model/artist Tasha Diamant (a Soutnern, Alberta Resident). Essentially she stood naked, on display for the general public to view herself, in a room at the Bowman Arts Centre and at another venue in Calgary, Alberta. I personally am in support of her show and its stated objectives (to remove the taboo the public has of seeing or being seen nude & remove the sexuality component), as posted on her website. Information at her site informs that a female undercover police officer was sent by the Lethbridge police to investigate for possible lewdness. After viewing the show the police officer stated that she found no reason to charge Ms. Diamant with lewdness (or other sexually related).

My point was that there exists a double standard in our patriarchal (read Bible belt) society (which expects more of men than women) and that had a male presented the same piece of installation work, would it then still be considered artistic by the officer, and he too not be charged with public lewdness. Or does anyone really think the Bowman Arts Centre would have permitted the same piece of work to be presented by a male. Do you think the public (not the regular artists – having paid for the model and art patrons – familiar with nudity in art), would’ve accepted it by a male given that male nudity quite often provokes involuntary physiological responses in the male (erections)?

See my post # 21 & 25 for longer explanations of what I am trying to say concisely here.

By the way, I fully agree that a male model should not only be permitted to pose nude with an erection, but it should also be an expectation. Given that he should allow the artists the opportunity to draw from the male body in all of it’s physiological states. Hey they paid for it, so give the people what they want.

Yet,one further comment/question – You state you posed for 11 men and women probably in 40s-60s. What is the response (from faculty/students) when you sport an erection modeling for a college/university class of 20 or so young women/men?