Against the Grain Volume 29 Issue 5 Article 35 2017 Wandering the Web-YOGA Websites Webliography Roxanne Myers Spencer Western Kentucky University Libraries, [email protected] Lucretia T. Dye Western Kentucky University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/atg Part of the Library and Information Science Commons Recommended Citation Spencer, Roxanne Myers and Dye, Lucretia T. (2017) "Wandering the Web-YOGA Websites Webliography," Against the Grain: Vol. 29: Iss. 5, Article 35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/2380-176X.7863 This document has been made available through Purdue e-Pubs, a service of the Purdue University Libraries. Please contact [email protected] for additional information. Get help More than with every 1500 case step of the studies show SAGE Research Methods supports research how methods Search more process are used in research at all levels by providing than 1000 full- real world material to guide users through every text books, contexts reference step of the research process, from works, videos a quick dictionary definition, a case and journal articles study example from a researcher in the field, a downloadable teaching dataset, a full-text title from the Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences series, or a video tutorial showing research in action. Research methods Use teaching come alive datasets sageresearchmethods.com in hundreds to master of streaming analytical videos techniques Wandering the Web — YOGA Websites Webliography Compiled by Dr. Lacretia T. Dye (Counseling and Student Affairs, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Western Kentucky University) <[email protected]> and Ms. Roxanne Myers Spencer (Educational Resources Center, Western Kentucky University Libraries) <[email protected]> Column Editor: Jack G. Montgomery (Professor, Coordinator, Collection Services, Western Kentucky University Libraries) <[email protected]> oga has become a program offering at The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit keep-it-gentle-with-these-poses) of a study many libraries: Public libraries often root word “yuj,” meaning to join, to yoke, to done at Boston Medical Center, and published Yprogram free or low-cost yoga classes unite. The “aim of Yoga is Self-realization, in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2017. for their communities; academic libraries may to overcome all kinds of sufferings leading to In an opinion piece by Arundhati Bait- offer yoga sessions to help ease stress during ‘the state of liberation’ (Moksha) or ‘freedom’ mangalkar, posted on the Seattle News website final exams. Some yoga practices are tailored (Kaivalya). Living with freedom in all walks of (http://seattleyoganews.com/yoga-in-india-yo- to mothers and young children who enjoy life, health and harmony shall be the main ob- ga-in-america/), yoga is more accessible and learning poses called “Downward-Facing jectives of Yoga practice” (Basavaraddi, 2012). commercial in America than in India. Teaching Dog,” “Eagle,” and “Frog.” In American culture, the explosion of yoga styles and the relationships between students Yoga is an ancient spiritual discipline studios and practices attests to its widespread and teachers differ from yoga practices in In- intended to bring harmony between mind acceptance in the West. As a series of poses dia, where a reverence for the teacher or “the and body. Modern yoga practice is rooted in that provides stretching and flexibility to ancient concept of Guru-shishya parampara ancient Indian practice (http://www.mea.gov. those who practice it for its strengthening and (teacher-disciple traditions) is a strong part in/in-focus-article.htm?25096/Yoga+Its+- relaxing effects, yoga is a tremendous boon of the culture, both in and outside of yoga” Origin+History+and+Development), but to a healthy lifestyle. It is accessible to many (Baitmangalkar, 2014). In America, students recently, other sources have proposed its ori- with disabilities, via modified poses and props. may have their favorite teacher in a yoga studio, gins and history to be rooted in Africa (https:// Recent medical reports have shown that but the relationship is usually less formalized. www.yogaskills.com/about-yirser-ra-hotep/), gentle yoga practice may be as effective as In the West, yoga has also become a bil- according to Yirser Ra Hotep (https://www. physical therapy for low back pain, accord- lion-dollar industry (See the HuffPost blog yogaskills.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ ing to a report on NPR (http://www.npr.org/ article, “Yoga in America: Where Bowing KemeticYogaArticle.pdf), founder of Kemetic sections/health-shots/2017/06/20/533505211/ to God is Not a Religion”: http://www.huff- Yoga (http://www.kemeticyoga.com/). study-finds-yoga-can-help-back-pain-but- continued on page 82 Against the Grain / November 2017 <http://www.against-the-grain.com> 81 site offers a chance to book yoga retreats from Registered Yoga Schools, and Yoga Alliance Wandering the Web selection of more than 600 groups and loca- Continuing Education Providers. The initial from page 81 tions. Locations as varied as Bali, Thailand, yoga teacher certification is 200 hours of South Africa, Nepal, and Pennsylvania are training and teaching experience that meet ingtonpost.com/jill-lawson/yoga-and-reli- listed. Prices for retreats vary greatly as well, Yoga Alliance Registry Standards at a Yoga gion_b_4230240.html). It is practiced as an with some retreats only advertised for less than Alliance-registered yoga school. Yoga teachers elite exercise program in high-end health clubs, $100 and others going for more than $3000. promote their accredited standing as 200 RYT complete with hundred-dollar-plus Lycra yoga Think of this site as the Airbnb of yoga retreats. (registered yoga teacher) or for more advanced outfits and designer yoga mats. Completely Do Yoga with Me — https://www.doyo- yoga teachers, 500 RYT, indicating training and Westernized yoga practice is a far cry from gawithme.com/ — For those ready to begin teaching at the 500-hour level. the spiritual meditation and healthful practice yoga practice, this site provides online access developed thousands of years ago in India. Yoga Calm — http://www.yogacalm.org/ to many types of yoga videos: beginner, inter- — is yoga for kids and teens that goes beyond Librarians need to be aware that some of mediate, advanced; yoga challenges. Includes the usual yoga site. This site includes trainings, their religious patrons may have questions a blog, and most of the site’s content is free, classes, workshops and blogs for adults who about practicing yoga. There are some concerns with a small subscription cost for other videos. love/work with children and teens. Tips and among more conservative religious traditions Exhale to Inhale — http://exhaletoinhale. techniques shared through the blog range from that practicing yoga may go against more ortho- org/ — This site was created to use yoga to body based therapies for stress and trauma to dox Christian, Jewish, or Muslim beliefs (http:// support women who have experienced intimate how political rhetoric affects our kids. The site www.bbc.com/news/magazine-25006926; partner violence and sexual assault. Although also includes course and certification options http://www.christianspracticingyoga.com/ the resources are currently only available as well as international retreats. Members is-yoga-a-religion/). Yoga has also become throughout New York City, the Hudson Valley, have access to an online yoga calm lesson plan politicized: There is strong sentiment between Connecticut, and Los Angeles; the founders library with over 800 lesson plans and a video extreme Left and Right positions that yoga in hope to expand to other locations. library with over 70 training videos. the West is unacceptable cultural appropria- tion (http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/05/ Kathmandu Yogi — https://kathmanduyo- Yoga for Everyone — https://www.ny- yoga-cultural-appropriation/). In The Atlan- gi.com/ — is more than a yoga site. This social times.com/guides/well/beginner-yoga — the tic article “Who Owns Yoga,” (https://www. enterprise produces limited edition yoga and New York Times has created a website to theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/01/ meditation accessories ethically made by arti- encourage those unfamiliar with, or perhaps who-owns-yoga/384350/) questions arise about sans living in Nepal. Through this site viewers intimidated by recent media yoga hype, to yoga’s status. Is it a form of Eastern exercise, can participate in free yoga challenges as well learn more about yoga, its history and varied cultural appropriation, or another spiritual prac- as purchase accessories to support. Addition- practices. This site is an excellent introduction tice that has spread worldwide? The Atlantic ally, the yogis at Kathmandu provide blogs and and jumping-off point for those who are curi- piece explores the controversy over who yoga inspiration to support your yoga practice. One ous about exploring a personal yoga practice. “belongs to.” India appointed a Minister for example of these blogs is a top 15 yoga website Yoga Journal — http://www.yogajournal. Yoga as part of a larger “Make in India” cam- blog created to offer readers quality yoga sites. com — the premier Western magazine of yoga paign; yoga and its associated products are a Mind Body Solutions — http://www. practice is available as a print subscription, but multibillion dollar industry in the United States. mindbodysolutions.org/ — is a nonprofit orga- the website contains a wealth of free resources, Despite the controversies surrounding the nization founded by Matthew Sanford (http:// including Yoga 101 (http://www.yogajournal. evolution and practice of yoga, it remains a www.matthewsanford.com/). Sanford was com/yoga-101), a history of yoga (See “A Be- healthy practice promoting deeper breathing, paralyzed from the chest down, yet continues ginner’s Guide to the History of Yoga”: http:// increased strength and flexibility, and relax- to teach yoga and other healing techniques to www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/the-roots-of- ation.