Why Yoga: A Cultural History of Yoga
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This book is about yoga culture, yoga's role in society. About how people use yoga to find a place within society and culture. It is a critical book examining our often cherished perceptions of yoga. The purpose is to generate debate and self-reflection: what is the hidden motives driving our involvement with yoga? |
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“We all have some vague ideas about yogic poses, the accompanying breathing and meditation. We also all understand that yoga can have an amazing effect on the individual. People seem to love it. Many books explain the principles of yoga. But A Cultural History of Yoga zooms in on yoga culture instead of yoga principles. The result is a totally different picture from that with which we are usually presented. It has encouraged me to rethink why ancient Indians and we today are captivated by yoga. Reading this book has been a very interesting and astonishing journey into ancient cultures, Indian history, colonialism, the function of symbols, the role of religion and the social fabric of modern and ancient society. This is not just a book for people interested in yoga. It is for anyone interested in understanding culture and what role culture has in an individual’s life and in society. Yoga becomes a lens through which we experience history and culture. For those yogis who decide to study this book I can only say that after reading it you most probably will ask yourself why you actually are practising. Things (and your motives) might not be what they appear to be.” Peter Schär, Yoga Instructor
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Yoga classics introducing yoga to a Western audience: 
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