33. Why do Yogis Meditate?
Yoga Studies in Five Minutes - Theodora Wildcroft
Matylda Ciołkosz [+]
Jagiellonian University, Kraków
Matylda Ciołkosz is scholar of religions and an Assistant Professor at the Institute for the Study of Religions, Jagiellonian University in Kraków. In her research, she explores how religious concepts and doctrines are formed under the influence of different biological and sociocultural factors. As a longtime yoga practitioner, rock climber, and musician, she is especially interested in the significance of movement practices as one of these factors. In her studies- so far focused mainly on modern yoga- she applies the methodologies of cognitive science and lingustics.
Description
Premodern meditating yogis might have had ultimate aims, such as experiencing the true character of reality, and unifying with or embodying gods, although their goals could be more temporary and pragmatic. Interestingly, while modern, transnational yoga may be associated primarily with āsana practice, in fact the first modern forms of yoga practice introduced to non-Indian audiences were of a contemplative nature.