Modern Transnational Yoga: The Transmission of Posture Practice

Description

This is the first book to address the social organisation of modern yoga practice as a primary focus of investigation and to undertake a comparative analysis to explore why certain styles of yoga have successfully transcended geographical boundaries and endured over time, whilst others have dwindled and failed. Using fresh empirical data of the different ways in which posture practice was disseminated transnationally by Krishnamacharya, Sivananda and their leading disciples, the book provides an original perspective. The author draws upon extensive archival research and numerous fieldwork interviews in India and the UK to consider how the field of yoga we experience today was shaped by historic decisions about how it was transmitted. The book examines the specific ways in which a small group of yogis organised their practices and practitioners to popularise their styles of yoga to mainstream audiences outside of India. It suggests that one of the most overlooked contributions has been that of Sivananda Saraswati (1887-1963) for whom this study finds his early example acted as a cornerstone for the growth of posture practice. Outlining how yoga practice is organised today on the world stage, how leading brands fit into the wider field of modern yoga practice and how historical developments led to a mainstream globalised practice, this book will be of interest to researchers in the field of Yoga Studies, Religious Studies, Hindu Studies, South Asian History, Sociology and Organisational Studies. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Acknowledgements Note on transliteration List of abbreviations List of illustrations Chapter 1: Introduction The study Framework for analysis Sources Key terms Organising modern yoga Notes Chapter 2: Sivananda and The Divine Life Society A brief history of Sivananda Building a divine enterprise The systematisation of posture practice Dissemination of teachings Tours and promotion in India Letter writing and supporters abroad Initiation and recruiting labour The supportive role of seva Being a member Institutionalisation and stability Weaknesses of organisation Weak branch structure Failings of leadership Unsupportive organisational environment Summary Notes Chapter 3: Divine EmissariesSivananda’s famous disciples A brief history of disciplic departure Proliferation of new yoga organisations Motivations for independence The aftermath of separation Vishnudevananda’s training powerhouse The training model Governance Reaching far and wide Summary Notes Chapter 4: Satyananda and the Bihar School of Yoga A brief history of Satyananda Establishing a home for Satyananda Yoga Dissemination of teachings Touring far and wide Educating yogis A university of yoga Building a global yoga organisation Two sites, two leaders Navigating succession Recruiting Indians and non-Indians Reinterpreting Dashanami membership Questions of authenticity Enhancing appeal Exportation of yoga practice Problems of organisation Governance and the Australian ashram Summary Notes Chapter 5: Krishnamacharya and Viniyoga A brief history of Krishnamacharya Systematisation of posture practice Local dissemination: Krishnamacharya phase Krishnamacharya’s disciples Reaching out: Viniyoga phase of TKV Desikachar The retreat: Post-Viniyoga phase Phase of transnational institutionalisation Appeal Handing over power Fragmentation of the global network Summary Notes Chapter 6: The Yoga of BKS Iyengar A brief history of BKS Iyengar Systematisation of posture practice Global dissemination of Iyengar yoga Promoting the practices Recruitment Setting up an HQ in India Grassroots institutionalisation Centre-periphery communication Growth of the network Membership Authority Bureaucratisation of Iyengar Yoga Constraints on dissemination High standards Unflagged succession Harm Summary Notes Chapter 7: Pattabhi Jois and Ashtanga Yoga A brief history of Pattabhi Jois Systematisation of posture practice Dissemination of teachings Local visitors Touring abroad Building a central institution Protecting Ashtanga Yoga The role of mis-communication The appeal of something different Open access to the Mysuru centre Targeting an elite audience The importance of being recognised Glorification of teacher certification Teachers reaching across the world The (dis)organisation of Ashtanga Yoga Problems of leadership Plugging the gaps The cohesive force of organisational culture Succeeding Pattabhi Jois Things fall apart Summary Notes Chapter 8: Conclusion The role of organisation The case of weak and ‘non-organisation’ Measuring success Summary and synthesis of empirical data Studying social organisation in modern yoga Notes Bibliography Index