Stretching Tradition. Physical Activity, Body and Health in Modern and Classical Yoga

Abstract

In this paper we develop a contrastive analysis of some aspects of Modern and Classical yoga. With this purpose we first provide a brief discussion of what has been labelled ‘modern postural yoga,’ addressing the transformation that, according to specialists, yoga has undergone in the last century and a half. This process, scholars argue, led to an emphasis in postural exercise and health, and located the focus of the practice on the body. We then analyse, in the second part of the work, Patañjali’s Yogasūtras, its relation to āyurvedic ancient literature, and concentrate our attention on the elements related to health, the body, and the physical activity we will propose are present in Patañjali’s treatise. In the third part, we discuss the respects in which the contemporary transnational yoga phenomenon represents a continuation of the ancient tradition of which Patañjali’s text is an expression. This contrastive analysis provides us an excellent opportunity to examine aspects of the classical yoga treatise that have yet to play a significant role in the discussion regarding the relationship between Modern and Classical yoga.