Why Study Yoga? – Graham Burns

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ancientfutures.substack.com

What are the benefits of studying yoga academically? Is critical thinking a practical obstacle? Are the two ways of seeing complementary? Expanding on a recent essay, I talk about these questions – among many others – with Graham Burns.

Graham has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years. He holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, and wrote his thesis on the Vedic Upaniṣads. He also taught on the M.A. in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation, to which I contribute.

As I explain in the introduction, I never imagined that I’d find myself doing that when Graham and I spoke at the start of this year. Back then, I didn’t have a proper podcast, so I’m sharing it now for those who missed it. Among other topics, we discuss what we’ve learned from intellectual engagement with yoga, as well as from practice – and how to strike a balance between both perspectives.

If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!

Release date

Lydbog: 20. december 2023