Yoga Breath

Rewriting the History of Modern Yoga: Exploring Modern Pra and Pryma in Depth

A central practice to both premodern and modern yoga, pryma (lit. breath control) is practised in yoga classes worldwide. Just like pryma, the notion of pra (lit. breath, vitality) has a longstanding history in South Asia. From 1850 onwards, pra and pryma are reinterpreted in light of the Hindu reform, nineteenth-century occultism, science, medicine, and hygiene. Transnational players of modern yoga and physical culture shape the history of the practices. Pra and pryma are crucial ingredients for understanding modern yoga's praxeological, philosophical, political, and religious thrust. This book provides deep insights into the various practices, functions, and interpretations of pra and pryma, and their overall impact and dissemination.

Auteur
Magdalena Kraler holds a PhD in Religious Studies (University of Vienna) and an MA in Music and Dance Education (University Mozarteum Salzburg). She currently teaches in Graz.

Texte du rabat

Rewriting the History of Modern Yoga: Exploring Modern Pr a and Pr y ma in Depth