Czy joga może być „sztuką życia”? Przegląd badań na temat jogi jako zjawiska społecznego
Can Yoga Be an “Art of Living”? A Review of Research on Yoga as a Social Phenomenon

Summary/Abstract: Yoga practice is an increasingly popular form of physical activity both in Poland and in the world. It has a positive effect on health, but it is also an element of personal development as well as, quite often, a spiritual practice. However, research on yoga practice is dominated by health sciences, while in social sciences it exists mainly through psychological research based on quantitative techniques, which often finds it difficult to grasp the nuanced mind-body relationship present in the experience of yoga practice. It is rare that attempts are made to examine the relationship between yoga practice and building social relationships by an individual. This article aims at familiarizing Polish readers with those research fields where yoga practice is being investigated as a social phenomenon. I consider yoga as a historical and social phenomenon. Most of all, however, I recognize research on the impact of yoga practice on an individual as well as that which offers a critical analysis of yoga communities. I then conclude with studies on the relationship between yoga practice and interpersonal relations. To complete my review, I also present recommendations for future research on yoga practice. The article might be an inspiration for future researchers interested in the practice of yoga as a social phenomenon, e.g. sociologists representing various fields of sociology, such as the sociology of family, intimacy and couples, as well as sports, medicine, and religion.

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