Yoga in Theory and Practice Print

Call for Proposals

This Group seeks paper and panel proposals on the topic of yoga in theory and practice from a variety of perspectives, including sociology, anthropology, history of religions, philosophy, theology, and cultural studies. Themes proposed for the 2012 meeting, with contact members of the steering committee identified in parentheses are below. Please contact listed organizers if you wish to take part in any proposed session. Suggested themes are:

  • The commodification of yoga — Andrea Jain, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Gender, race, and yoga — Susanne Scholz, Southern Methodist University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • The material culture of yoga — Patricia Evans, Queen’s University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Meditative yoga — Lloyd Pflueger, Truman State University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Encounters with yogis — Jason Reddoch, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Jain yoga, for a cosponsored session with the Jain Studies Group — Christopher Key Chapple, Loyola Marymount University, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Bauls and yoga — Frederick M. Smith, University of Iowa, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mission

This Group seeks to elucidate the religious and sectarian representations of yoga in South Asian history and the profoundly fascinating contemporary yoga culture that has emerged in the past century. Among other topics that are addressed in our Group is the emergence of modern yoga out of the encounter between Indian and European cultures in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. In connection with this, it examines the relative pervasiveness of spiritual and religious ideologies in manifest or latent forms within the contemporary yoga scene, and the overarching sociological relevance of yoga within global culture. We also examine changing paradigms with respect to the nature and function of yoga in the larger South Asian religious context. Our goal is to provide a venue in which the body of scholars working in this area can collectively evaluate this extremely timely material. We actively pursue scholars from Europe, Asia, and other areas that have worked at length on these issues, so as to bring an important international component to the Group.

Anonymity of Review Process

Proposals are anonymous to Chairs and steering committee members until after final acceptance/rejection.

Questions?

Andrew J. Nicholson
Stony Brook University
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Stuart Ray Sarbacker
Oregon State University
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Method of Submission