Mar 29, 2012 - brahmacharya (retaining vitality or sexual fluids, abstinence or continence) and aparigraha (moderation)); 2. Niyama (containing shauca ...
Lars Jørun Langøien
“Pay attention – Listen to your heart!” Unfolding practice, changing realities and awareness of the embodied self in Ashtanga yoga
Thesis for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor Trondheim, June 2013 Norwegian University of Science and Technology Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology Management Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU
NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology Thesis for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology Management Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU © Lars Jørun Langøien ISBN 978-82-471-4439-8 (printed ver.) ISBN 978-82-471-4440-4 (electronic ver.) ISSN 1503-8181 Doctoral theses at NTNU, 2013:165 Printed by NTNU-trykk
Practice: it is said that where there is no effort there is no benefit. Strength, stamina and sweat are unique aspects of this traditional Yoga, seemingly contrary to western perception of Yoga. This demanding practice requires considerable effort to purify the nervous system. The mind then becomes lucid, clear and precise: and according to Śri K. Pattabhi Jois “Wherever you look you will see God”. Only through practice will we realize the truth of what our Guru often says. “Everything is God” (Miele 2007: 3)
The brain is only a part of the body of a Human being, and a brain without a body cannot work. The Human being is only a part of the Environment, and a Human being without an environment cannot exist. The environment is all that exists on earth, in the solar system and in the Universe. The development of a Human being is only possible if there is a set of other Human beings, the whole is the Humanity, with Human societies. (Dubois 2010: 244)
Introduction
' This PhD. project has been a long and arduous journey that started with me being totally exhausted, and actually thinking I might die when I tried yoga for the first time at the students’ sports centre in Trondheim, in 2004. I felt overwhelmed as we went through the sun salutations, but throughout the class something must have happened because I continued going to the classes and finished the course. And as the exhaustion receded as the number of classes increased, I started noticing not just how my body felt, but also how the teacher and fellow yoga students were talking about body, the practice and themselves. The seed of this thesis was born there. First, I would like to thank all my yoga teachers (in more or less chronological order). So, Ingvild, Marianne, Hilde, Tatiana, Elin, Nille, Michael, David, Inga, Sharath, Saraswathi, Alex, Kajsa, Astrid, Matt, Brett, Eddie, Lucia and Tiffany. I appreciate all adjustments, help, instructions, hints, insights, encouragement and guidance you have given me in my practice. Also, I would like to offer big thanks to all my fellow students, both in anthropology and yoga. Without you, this project would have been (even more) lonesome! In both endeavours, it has been a pleasure to have your companionship. I especially want to show my gratitude to all the yoga practitioners I met in Mysore and elsewhere, as you have not only been fellow students, but you also have been gracious enough to share your thoughts and insights with me. Without you, this project would not have been possible. Much appreciation also goes to all my colleagues at NTNU, especially all the PhD fellows. Although I have been living and writing in Oslo the last couple of years, you have, in many different ways, been inspirational and have given feedback on my work. Living in Oslo, the Museum of Cultural History (KHM) has been kind enough to lend me a desk at the library. Without this workspace, I would have had to work at home, and I am pretty sure madness would have been lurking rather close. So, thanks to all
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Exhale
”Pay attention – Listen to your heart!”
of you for including me at seminars and accepting me as a fellow anthropologist. And a big thanks to the librarians, Frøydis and Berit-Sonja, for all the help. I am grateful to my supervisor, Dr. philos. Stein E. Johansen, for, on the one hand, supporting my ideas, and, on the other hand, encouraging and challenging me to think beyond the usually trodden paths of anthropological thought. This has made the work with my thesis more interesting. I also need to thank my family and my friends who have been partial in making me who I am. Most of all, I want to thank my field assistant, reviewer, confidante, batman, muse, warden and wife, Elin. Thank you for kicking me in the butt when necessary, but also for all your encouragement and just believing that I could do this when I have been uncertain. This thesis is dedicated to the memory of our friend Thomasine. Lars Jørun Langøien Oslo, December 2012
Inhale
IV
Introduction
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