Yoga - Philosophy for Everyone Bending Mind and Body

by Allhoff, Fritz; Swan, Liz Stillwaggon; Friend, John

• ISBN13: 9780470658802
• ISBN10: 0470658800
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-11-15
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Stimulates thoughts and expands awareness of the philosophical dimensions of yoga in its many forms and practices Yoga -- Philosophy for Everyone presents a wide array of perspectives by people whose lives have been touched by yoga. Addressing myriad aspects of yoga's divergent paths, topics include body image for men and women; the religious and spiritual aspects of yoga; and issues relating to ethics, personal growth, and the teaching of yoga. Written by philosophers and non-philosophers alike, with contributions from professional yoga instructors, lifelong practitioners, and first-timers, Yoga -- Philosophy for Everyone offers a wealth of material for both enjoyment and deep reflection.

Author Biography

Liz Stillwaggon Swan has a PhD in philosophy and is a certified yoga instructor. Her niche in the world is helping people exercise their brains and their bodies. Her recent publications in the emerging field of biosemiotics explore how we use our brains and bodies to make sense of the world. She is also a new mother and delights in watching her son practice happy baby pose.

Series Editor:

Fritz Allhoff is an associate professor in the philosophy department at Western Michigan University, as well as a senior research fellow at the Australian National University's Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics. In addition to editing the Philosophy for Everyone series, he is also the volume editor or co-editor for several titles, including Wine & Philosophy (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007), Whiskey & Philosophy (with Marcus P. Adams, Wiley, 2009), and Food & Philosophy (with Dave Monroe, Wiley-Blackwell, 2007).  His academic research interests engage various facets of applied ethics, ethical theory, and the history and philosophy of science.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Editor’s Introduction	p. xiv
Acknowledgments	p. xxvi
Coming Into The Space: What Is Yoga?	p. 1
How Yoga Won the West	p. 3
Will I Find My Guru in India?	p. 15
The Seeker: How Yoga is Meeting Changing Western Spiritual Needs	p. 24
Men, Sports, and Yoga	p. 36
Standing on Your Head, Seeing Things Right Side Up	p. 47
The Asanas: Yoga And The Body	p. 59
Help! My Philosophy Teacher Made Me Touch My Toes!	p. 61
Man a Machine, Man a Yogi: Why Yoga’s Critics will Come Around	p. 73
Yoga for Women? The Problem of Beautiful Bodies	p. 84
The Feeling of Beauty: A Yoga Project	p. 94
Picturing Yoga: Yoga Journal and the Perfect Form	p. 106
Prana: Yoga’s Vital Energy	p. 117
My Guidance Counselor Always Said I’d be a Great Yoga Student	p. 119
Balance in Yoga and Aristotle	p. 129
Healing the Western Mind through Yoga	p. 139
The Path to Happiness Begins with a Journey Inside	p. 149
Yamas And Niyamas: Ethics and Yoga	p. 159
Get Out of My Way! I’m Late for Yoga!	p. 161
Yoga Off the Mat	p. 166
Becoming-Frog: Yoga as Environmentalism	p. 178
Yoga and Ethics: The Importance of Practice	p. 187
Why are You Standing on my Yoga Mat?!	p. 200
Notes on Contributors	p. 212
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