Iyengar Yoga for Women: A Practising Tradition in the Making

This article explores women-oriented Iyengar Yoga (IY) practices through a historical, textual and ethnographical analysis. These practices were inaugurated by the teachings of B. K. S. Iyengar and Geeta Iyengar and globally expanded by IY teachers. The research focuses on how these pioneering pract...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Religions of South Asia
Main Author: Wittich, Agi (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Equinox 2017
In: Religions of South Asia
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Iyengar, B. K. S. 1918-2014 / Yoga / Practice / Woman
RelBib Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
BK Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism
Further subjects:B Women
B Cultural Studies
B Tradition
B physical culture
B Gender Studies
B Yoga
B Qualitative Research
B Iyengar Yoga
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This article explores women-oriented Iyengar Yoga (IY) practices through a historical, textual and ethnographical analysis. These practices were inaugurated by the teachings of B. K. S. Iyengar and Geeta Iyengar and globally expanded by IY teachers. The research focuses on how these pioneering practices where formed, the way they are perceived with respect to the ancient yoga tradition, and the way they are implemented among IY teachers. Drawing on Iyengar literature and interviews with IY teachers, the article suggests that womenoriented practices are considered by Iyengar members as rooted in ancient knowledge which was illuminated by the Iyengars. Also, women-oriented IY practices manifest what might be considered as the distinct attributes of IY teachings. Women-oriented practices are perceived as a distinct, yet inseparable segment of IY practices. While Iyengar teachers express diverse standpoints regarding specialized practices' necessity and usage, they are an inherent element of the contemporary Iyengar teaching tradition.
ISSN:1751-2697
Contains:Enthalten in: Religions of South Asia
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1558/rosa.37025