Indian Gurus Uproot Yoga Alexandra Bright Department of

Indian Gurus Uproot Yoga Alexandra Bright Department of Geography Marshall University Capstone 2017 Mentors: Anita Walz & Jeffrey Ruff

Yoga? “yuj” (to yoke, unify) 2000+ years old, Indian subcontinent Rāja, “Classical”, Ethical/Moral Tantra, Hat hayoga, Kula Samādhi/Moks a (Enlightenment/Liberation)

Objective Did the Indian gurus that brought yoga to the U. S. reinterpret yoga and modernize the practice to fit the needs and lifestyle of the average American? Did these gurus cause the reinterpretation of yoga, this American modernization?

Yoga Lands in the U. S. Vivekananda • 1893 Chicago Parliament of Religion • Rāja • Yoga not accepted • LA Times 1911, yoga is “white slavery” • 1950 s, yoga becomes popular

Tirumalai Krishnamacharya B. K. S. Iyengar • Yoga Celebrity • Light on Yoga • Time’s 100 K. Pattabhi Jois • • “Father of Modern Yoga” Hat hayoga – Vinyasa Guru of Iyengar & Jois “de-Indianize” yoga • Aṣṭāṅga • Mysore • Guru-Shishya Paramparā

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi • TM • International Meditation Society • Neuroscience • Beatles Sri Swami Rama • Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science & Philosophy • Studied by Western Scientists

Bikram Choudhury • Hot yoga • Sexual harassment lawsuits • Copyright yoga Bhagawan Shree Rajnesh (Osho) • • “The Sex Guru” Tantra Cult/Commune in Oregon Homicide Scandal

India vs. America • • Exclusive Kula / Men Guru-Shishya Paramparā Śaivism/divine • • Inclusive Middle-class Women Class Structure Posture based

Absence of Tradition Initiations & Rituals Guru Worship/”God” “yoga is perfection found” -Bhagavadgītā Photography by Agnieszka Angelika Mach

The Gurus & Their Missionary Work • • uprooted repackaged to fit needs of America ever-changing & evolving practice Yoga Alliance & 2010 Census Data

Conclusion / Discussion These gurus globalized, capitalized and modernized yoga. Why the need to globalize yoga? Photography by Agnieszka Angelika Mach

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