Yoga in Transition

Exploring the Rise of Yoga in Peacebuilding

Authors

  • Mayme Lefurgey Western University, Canada Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.37026

Keywords:

elicitive peacebuilding, modern postural yoga, peacebuilding, transrational peace studies, Yogaśāstra

Abstract

This article draws connections between the complexities of modern postural yoga practices and global peacebuilding efforts, exploring both tensions and possibilities. First, the article engages key yogic texts--such as Patanjali's Yogasastra, which demonstrates how yoga is historically rooted in social justice work and peacebuilding--in order to link yoga philosophy and peacebuilding theories. This is followed by an analysis of contemporary practice-based examples, which consider the theoretical tools of elicitive peacework and transrational peace research. Through an exploration of yoga as elicitive peacebuilding and conflict transformation, this article considers if yoga has the potential to shift societal notions of peacebuilding and questions the implications of this for peace theory and practice.

Author Biography

  • Mayme Lefurgey, Western University, Canada

    Mayme Lefurgey is a PhD candidate at the University of Western Onatario where she is pursuing a collaborative degree in Women's Studies and Feminist Research, and Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction. Her research explores yoga as a method of peacebuilding, specifically looking at community rehabilitation and conflict transformation efforts in post-conflict settings.

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Published

2018-09-06

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Lefurgey, M. (2018). Yoga in Transition: Exploring the Rise of Yoga in Peacebuilding. Religions of South Asia, 11(2-3), 254-273. https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.37026