4. Is there a Role for Faith in Yoga?
Yoga Studies in Five Minutes - Theodora Wildcroft
Jens U. Augspurger [+]
Jens U. Augspurger is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Religions and Philosophies at SOAS, University of London. His research and teaching focus on modern transnational yoga and spiritual movements, as well as their respective intersections with politics. Jens is also a recovering yoga teacher and the co-founder of Project SATYA, a community movement that supports survivors of sexualised violence and advocates for accountability and truth in the yoga industry. Considering spiritual tourism as a journey for self-discovery, Jens’ ethnographic dissertation project explores yoga tourism in India and the complex
relationships the yoga tourist builds while journeying (towards) the destination.
Description
Many yoga practitioners may have faith in the practice for its ability to improve wellbeing or physical health, or for other personal purposes. At the same time, faith or belief can have religious dimensions. In the case of yoga, a religiously connotated faith might involve seeking for liberation, (samādhi), enlightenment (mokṣa), or union with the Divine.