Yoga in the Modern World: Contemporary Perspectives (Routledge Hindu Studies): Contemporary Perspectives (Routledge Hindu Studies)

"This book is the first study to engage directly with the transformations and adaptations of yoga in the modern world. It addresses the dialectic and ideological exchange between yoga's ancient precursors and modern praxis, and the development and consolidation of yoga in global settings"--Provided by publisher. Today yoga is a thoroughly globalised phenomenon. Yoga has taken the world by storm and is even seeing renewed popularity in India. Both in India and abroad, adults, children and teenagers are practicing yoga in diverse settings; gyms, schools, home, work, yoga studios and temples. The yoga diaspora began well over a hundred years ago and we continue to see new manifestations and uses of Yoga in the modern world. As the first of its kind this collection draws together cutting edge scholarship in the field, focusing on the theory and practice of yoga in contemporary times. Offering a range of perspectives on yoga's contemporary manifestations, it maps the movement, development and consolidation of yoga in global settings. The collection features some of the most well-known authors within the field and newer voices. The contributions span a number of disciplines in the humanities, including, anthropology, Philosophy, Studies in Religion and Asian studies, offering a range of entry points to the issues involved in the study of the subject. As such, is of use to those involved in academic scholarship, as well as to the growing number of yoga practitioners who seek a deeper account of the origin and significance of the techniques and traditions they are engaging with. It will also-and perhaps most of all-speak to the growing numbers of 'scholar-practitioners' who straddle these two realms. Further resources and supporting material are available to view at (http://www.yogainthemodernworld.com) www.yogainthemodernworld.com

Today yoga is a thoroughly globalised phenomenon. Yoga has taken the world by storm and is even seeing renewed popularity in India. Both in India and abroad, adults, children and teenagers are practicing yoga in diverse settings; gyms, schools, home, work, yoga studios and temples. The yoga diaspora began well over a hundred years ago and we continue to see new manifestations and uses of Yoga in the modern world.

As the first of its kind this collection draws together cutting edge scholarship in the field, focusing on the theory and practice of yoga in contemporary times. Offering a range of perspectives on yoga's contemporary manifestations, it maps the movement, development and consolidation of yoga in global settings. The collection features some of the most well-known authors within the field and newer voices. The contributions span a number of disciplines in the humanities, including, anthropology, Philosophy, Studies in Religion and Asian studies, offering a range of entry points to the issues involved in the study of the subject. As such, is of use to those involved in academic scholarship, as well as to the growing number of yoga practitioners who seek a deeper account of the origin and significance of the techniques and traditions they are engaging with. It will also-and perhaps most of all-speak to the growing numbers of 'scholar-practitioners' who straddle these two realms.

Further resources and supporting material are available to view at www.yogainthemodernworld.com

Today yoga is a thoroughly globalised phenomenon. Yoga has taken the world by storm and is even seeing renewed popularity in India. Both in India and abroad, adults, children and teenagers are practicing yoga in diverse settings; gyms, schools, home, work, yoga studios and temples. The yoga diaspora began well over a hundred years ago and we continue to see new manifestations and uses of Yoga in the modern world.

As the first of its kind this collection draws together cutting edge scholarship in the field, focusing on the theory and practice of yoga in contemporary times. Offering a range of perspectives on yoga's contemporary manifestations, it maps the movement, development and consolidation of yoga in global settings. The collection features some of the most well-known authors within the field and newer voices. The contributions span a number of disciplines in the humanities, including, anthropology, Philosophy, Studies in Religion and Asian studies, offering a range of entry points to the issues involved in the study of the subject. As such, is of use to those involved in academic scholarship, as well as to the growing number of yoga practitioners who seek a deeper account of the origin and significance of the techniques and traditions they are engaging with. It will also-and perhaps most of all-speak to the growing numbers of 'scholar-practitioners' who straddle these two realms.

Further resources and supporting material are available to view at yogainthemodernworld.com

Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis -- Joseph S. Alter Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis -- Joseph S. Alter -- Sarah Strauss Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis -- Joseph S. Alter -- Sarah Strauss -- Mark Singleton Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis -- Joseph S. Alter -- Sarah Strauss -- Mark Singleton -- Kenneth Liberman Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis -- Joseph S. Alter -- Sarah Strauss -- Mark Singleton -- Kenneth Liberman -- Klas Nevrin Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis -- Joseph S. Alter -- Sarah Strauss -- Mark Singleton -- Kenneth Liberman -- Klas Nevrin -- Benjamin Richard Smith Introduction / -- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne -- Elizabeth De Michelis -- Joseph S. Alter -- Sarah Strauss -- Mark Singleton -- Kenneth Liberman -- Klas Nevrin -- Benjamin Richard Smith -- Stuart Ray Sarbacker Introduction /-- Mark Singleton and Jean Byrne-- Elizabeth De Michelis-- Joseph S. Alter-- Sarah Strauss-- Mark Singleton-- Kenneth Liberman-- Klas Nevrin-- Benjamin Richard Smith-- Stuart Ray Sarbacker-- Mikel Burley. Introduction (MARK SINGLETON AND JEAN BYRNE)Part I: Mapping the Terrain of Modern Yoga Studies1. Modern Yoga: History and Forms (ELIZABETH DE MICHELIS)2. Yoga Shivir: Methodological and Ethical Problems in the Study of Modern Yoga (JOSEPH S. ALTER)3. `Adapt, Adjust, Accommodate': The Production of Yoga in a Transnational World (SARAH STRAUSS)Part II: Posturing for Authenticity4. The Classical Reveries of Modern Yoga: Patanjali and Constructive Orientalism (MARK SINGLETON)5. The Reflexivity of the Authenticity of Hatha Yoga (KENNETH LIBERMAN)Part III: Spirituality, Sexuality & Authority: Understanding the Experience of Modern Yoga Practice6. Empowerment and Using the Body in Modern Postural Yoga (KLAS NEVRIN)7. `With heat even iron will bend': Discipline and authority in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (BENJAMIN RICHARD SMITH)8. The Numinous and Cessative in Modern Yoga (STUART RAY SARBACKER)9. From Fusion to Confusion: A Consideration of Sex and Sexuality in Traditional and Contemporary Yoga (MIKEL BURLEY) Humanities Book Cover 1 Title 3 Copyright 4 Contents 7 About the editors and contributors 9 Prefatory Note 11 Acknowledgements 12 Introduction 13 Part I Mapping the Terrain of Modern Yoga Studies 27 1 Modern Yoga: History and Forms 29 2 Yoga Shivir: Performativity and the Study of Modern Yoga 48 3 “Adapt, Adjust, Accommodate”: The Production of Yoga in a Transnational World 61 Part II Posturing for Authenticity 87 4 The Classical Reveries of Modern Yoga: Patañjali and Constructive Orientalism 89 5 The Reflexivity of the Authenticity of Hatha Yoga 112 Part III Spirituality, Sexuality, and Authority: Understanding the Experience of Contemporary Yoga Practice 129 6 Empowerment and Using the Body in Modern Postural Yoga 131 7 “With Heat Even Iron Will Bend”: Discipline and Authority in Ashtanga Yoga 152 8 The Numinous and Cessative in Modern Yoga 173 9 From Fusion to Confusion: A Consideration of Sex and Sexuality in Traditional and Contemporary Yoga 196 Index 216 Focuses on the theory and practice of yoga. This book offers perspectives on yoga's manifestations and maps the movement, development and consolidation of yoga in global settings. It features contributions from disciplines including anthropology and Philosophy. It is intended for those involved in academic scholarship, and yoga practitioners