Yoga studio apologizes for 9/11 sale

Yahoo News
Yoga studio apologizes for 9/11 sale

While we never forget, it seems some never learn.

A Virginia yoga studio has apologized for using the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to promote a sale.

"9+11 = 20% OFF! PATRIOT DAY SALE!" Bikram Arlington announced on its Twitter feed.

Bikram Arlington offered a 9/11 sale, then bristled when followers complained. (Twitter/Neetzan Zimmerman)
Bikram Arlington offered a 9/11 sale, then bristled when followers complained. (Twitter/Neetzan Zimmerman)


When several Twitter users called the studio out for its insensitivity, the company bristled.

"The goal was to point out what date it was and associate to patriotism and to remember it," the studio tweeted. "[It's] a shame some of you go to the negative."

"Our apologies to anyone who is upset by it!" Bikram Arlington tweeted, adding: "If you want to be upset, research the term '911 building 7' and check the news because they are hearing "chatter" about us getting hit again."

The studio later deleted those tweets.

"So, I've made a horrible mistake that was unintended by sending a badly worded promotion today, so again I apologize," Frank Machnick, who runs the studio with his wife, Zahra Vaezi, wrote. "I wrote that stupid post at 1am with yoga brain. I'm sure some of you know what I mean. Z fought against it don't blame her!"

The couple continued their apology on the studio's Facebook page:

We would like to extend a sincere apology to anybody we have offended with our previous promotion. The intention of the sale was to honor the memory of the many members of our family, community and our nation that we lost. Please accept our sincerest apologies, we did not mean to cause any harm to anyone.


The company is certainly not the first to exhibit poor taste while attempting to honor 9/11 victims.

Last year, AT&T was forced to apologize for a photo it published on Twitter and Facebook showing the World Trade Center memorial lights through an AT&T-enabled smartphone with the message, "Never Forget."

AT&T's deleted tweet (Twitter/ABC)
AT&T's deleted tweet (Twitter/ABC)


"We apologize to anyone who felt our post was in poor taste," the company said in a statement posted to Twitter after deleting the photo. "The image was solely meant to pay respect to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy."

The same day, Marriott admonished one of its hotels in San Diego for offering "complimentary coffee and mini muffins" in its lobby from 8:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. "in remembrance of those we lost on 9/11."


And a Wisconsin golf course came under fire for offering nine holes (with cart) for $9.11 on Sept. 11, 2013.


Vaezi said she was surprised by the backlash to Bikram Arlington's promotion, comparing it to the furor surrounding the video of ex-Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee inside an elevator.

“I didn’t realize people would be so ‘roar,’ you know?” Vaezi told the Washington Post. “It’s like that man who punched his wife. I mean, that’s upsetting. But I think it kind of gets blown out of proportion.”