As reported by Michael Valpy in this morning's paper, it appears Ignatieff's adherence to the practice of yoga will propel him to Canada's top job. Valpy writes of Iggy, "The former journalist and academic, who turns 62 next month, has also impressed people with his intensity, energy and his ability to shut off everything extraneous around him and focus on priorities. He does yoga as a counter-balance."
At the risk of unsettling many a gastrointestinal tract I must admit I have from time to time "practiced" yoga. Certainly, I can confirm it's zen-like restorative powers. But little did I know it was the precursor to political success. Again, Iggy shows us he is ahead of the curve.
His adherence to the "downward dog" might also serve as some sort of foreshadowing as to what his economic policy inclinations might be. Until now the only "planks" in Iggy's life were those torturous abdominal ones done in yoga class.
Clearly, he is hoping that this open admission about yoga will spawn a consumer buying spree. Canadian retailer Lululemon will set knew retail sales marks. Pure genius by the Liberals, really, to stimulate spending this way. GST reductions being what they are, yoga mats will be flying off the shelves as rapidly as the Natural Law Party flew off the Canadian political landscape.
Not since Iggy revealed to Valpy some years ago that he scraped his knees in a gravel pit in an early romantic encounter have we had such insight into the character of the man who would be prime minister.
