Yoga has come to be an icon of Indian culture and civilization; and it is widely regarded as being timeless and unchanging. Based on extensive ethnographic research and an analysis of both ancient and modern texts; Yoga in Modern India challenges this popular view by examining the history of yoga; focusing on its emergence in modern India and its dramatically changing form and significance in the twentieth century. Joseph Alter argues that yoga's transformation into a popular activity idolized for its health value is based on modern ideas about science and medicine.Alter centers his analysis on an interpretation of the seminal work of Swami Kuvalayananda; one of the chief architects of the Yoga Renaissance in the early twentieth century. From this point of orientation he explores current interpretations of yoga and considers how practitioners of yogic medicine and fitness combine the ideas of biology; physiology; and anatomy with those of metaphysics; transcendence; and magical power.The first serious ethnographic history of modern yoga in India; this fluently written book is must reading not only for students and scholars but also practitioners who seek a deeper understanding of how yoga developed over time into the exceedingly popular phenomenon it is today.
#303013 in Books 1969-12-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.50 x 9.25 x 2.00l; 4.18 #File Name: 0691035032735 pages
Review
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful. A Valuable ResourceBy CustomerPrichard's ANET is a standard reference for those examining the cultural setting of the Bible. It contains translations of many important inscriptions which shed light on otherwise mysterious Bible customs.Generally regarded as a scholarly work; it's worth checking out for the layperson as well. Some of the jargon may be a little tricky; but there's no substitute for original source material; which makes up the majority of the book. Besides; some of the stories are just a plain old (very old) good read.Included are such things as the Epic of Gilgamesh (containing our oldest Flood parallels); the Nuzi Texts (which help us understand the life of Jacob; among others); and various of the ancient law codes which have parallels to the biblical code.Tremendously useful for study!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. really fun to read and think aboutBy Educated ConsumerHuge book; tiny type! That said; really fun to read and think about. It's fascinating to learn what other cultures/times thought. Makes one stop and truly discern what is truth.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Extra-biblical texts from the Ancient Near EastBy Joseph F WimmerFor teachers of the Bible; this book is absolutely essential. It contains translations of all the ancient near eastern extra-biblical texts that are relevant towards an adequate understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures; which themselves were written in an ancient near eastern culture that it mirrors in so many ways. Simply compare the texts about slavery or goring oxen in Exodus chapter 21 and very similar texts in the Code of Hammurabi; or the Flood Narrative in Genesis 5-9 and the story of Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
