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Gurus of Modern Yoga
Within most pre-modern, Indian traditions of yoga, the role of the guru is absolutely central. Indeed, it was often understood that yoga would simply not work without the grace of the guru. The modern period saw the dawn of new, democratic, scientific modes of yoga practice and teaching. While teachings and gurus have always adapted to the times and circumstances, the sheer pace of cultural change ushered in by modernity has led to some unprecedented innovations in the way gurus present themselves and their teachings, and the way they are received by their students.
Gurus of Modern Yoga explores the contributions of individual gurus to the formation of the practices and discourses of yoga today. The focus is not limited to India, but also extends to the teachings of yoga gurus in the modern, transnational world, and within the Hindu diaspora. Each section deals with a different aspect of the guru within modern yoga. Included are extensive considerations of the transnational tantric guru; the teachings of modern yoga's best-known guru, T. Krishnamacharya, and those of his principal disciples; the place of technology, business and politics in the work of global yoga gurus; and the role of science and medicine. As a whole, the book represents an extensive and diverse picture of the place of the guru, both past and present, in contemporary yoga practice.
Gurus of Modern Yoga explores the contributions of individual gurus to the formation of the practices and discourses of yoga today. The focus is not limited to India, but also extends to the teachings of yoga gurus in the modern, transnational world, and within the Hindu diaspora. Each section deals with a different aspect of the guru within modern yoga. Included are extensive considerations of the transnational tantric guru; the teachings of modern yoga's best-known guru, T. Krishnamacharya, and those of his principal disciples; the place of technology, business and politics in the work of global yoga gurus; and the role of science and medicine. As a whole, the book represents an extensive and diverse picture of the place of the guru, both past and present, in contemporary yoga practice.
- GenresNonfiction
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 15, 2014
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. FTC guidelines: check!
This book reads like an encyclopedia. Each essay about every guru is well-written, meticulously annotated and referenced, and very thorough. Unfortunately, it was about as fun to read as an encyclopedia. I suppose some people might find encyclopedias fun to read, so no offense meant to any encyclopedia lovers out there, that is just not me.
At first, I was excited to have won this book through the giveaway because I had just recently read a book about a spiritual seeker and his guru (The Invisible Hand by David Green) and I realized that I didn't know that much about them as in what they did or represented. This book was information overload in that respect. As I read it, I didn't know the names of any of these gurus, was unaware of their impact on society, and really hadn't heard of any of the traditions that they, in some cases, founded or continued. So, with name after name and tradition after tradition that I didn't recognize, I found it difficult to connect with the text. I guess I learned that I didn't know a thing about gurus or really yoga, beyond my own practice, but I knew that going into the experience.
This book could be incredibly useful as a reference tool. If you're looking for a more approachable book about the guru/student relationship, read Green's The Invisible Hand. If you're looking for extensive histories, a multitude of spiritual paths, and an enormous amount of scholarly material for your research or for your encyclopedic reading pleasure- this is the book for you.
This book reads like an encyclopedia. Each essay about every guru is well-written, meticulously annotated and referenced, and very thorough. Unfortunately, it was about as fun to read as an encyclopedia. I suppose some people might find encyclopedias fun to read, so no offense meant to any encyclopedia lovers out there, that is just not me.
At first, I was excited to have won this book through the giveaway because I had just recently read a book about a spiritual seeker and his guru (The Invisible Hand by David Green) and I realized that I didn't know that much about them as in what they did or represented. This book was information overload in that respect. As I read it, I didn't know the names of any of these gurus, was unaware of their impact on society, and really hadn't heard of any of the traditions that they, in some cases, founded or continued. So, with name after name and tradition after tradition that I didn't recognize, I found it difficult to connect with the text. I guess I learned that I didn't know a thing about gurus or really yoga, beyond my own practice, but I knew that going into the experience.
This book could be incredibly useful as a reference tool. If you're looking for a more approachable book about the guru/student relationship, read Green's The Invisible Hand. If you're looking for extensive histories, a multitude of spiritual paths, and an enormous amount of scholarly material for your research or for your encyclopedic reading pleasure- this is the book for you.
December 18, 2013
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Wow, this was not an easy read. a lot of information so it is a wonderful reference but I would not consider it for reading pleasure.
August 19, 2015
A collection of academically written essays, the books definitely feels more like a textbook than something designed to foster and encourage an interest in the history of yoga.
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February 22, 2018Within most pre-modern, Indian traditions of yoga, the role of the guru is absolutely central. Indeed, it was often understood that yoga would simply not work without the grace of the guru. The modern period saw the dawn of new, democratic, scientific modes of yoga practice and teaching. While teachings and gurus have always adapted to the times and circumstances, the sheer pace of cultural change ushered in by modernity has led to some unprecedented innovations in the way gurus present themselves and their teachings, and the way they are received by their students.
Gurus of Modern Yoga explores the contributions of individual gurus to the formation of the practices and discourses of yoga today. The focus is not limited to India, but also extends to the teachings of yoga gurus in the modern, transnational world, and within the Hindu diaspora. Each section deals with a different aspect of the guru within modern yoga. Included are extensive considerations of the transnational tantric guru; the teachings of modern yoga's best-known guru, T. Krishnamacharya, and those of his principal disciples; the place of technology, business and politics in the work of global yoga gurus; and the role of science and medicine. As a whole, the book represents an extensive and diverse picture of the place of the guru, both past and present, in contemporary yoga practice.
Gurus of Modern Yoga explores the contributions of individual gurus to the formation of the practices and discourses of yoga today. The focus is not limited to India, but also extends to the teachings of yoga gurus in the modern, transnational world, and within the Hindu diaspora. Each section deals with a different aspect of the guru within modern yoga. Included are extensive considerations of the transnational tantric guru; the teachings of modern yoga's best-known guru, T. Krishnamacharya, and those of his principal disciples; the place of technology, business and politics in the work of global yoga gurus; and the role of science and medicine. As a whole, the book represents an extensive and diverse picture of the place of the guru, both past and present, in contemporary yoga practice.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews