Ep 272 Amanda Lucia – The Cultural Politics of Yoga

About this episode

Amanda Lucia discusses her book 'White Utopias' and the cultural politics surrounding modern yoga.

In this insightful interview, Amanda Lucia, Professor of Studies of Religion, discusses her book 'White Utopias' and explores the complex issues surrounding modern yoga, cultural appropriation, exoticism, and racial dynamics within the yoga community. The conversation delves into festival experiences, the impact of capitalism, and the importance of authentic cultural engagement. Main Topics: · Cultural appropriation in yoga · The role of festivals in modern yoga culture · Exoticism and orientalism in spiritual practices Websites: www.amandajeanlucia.com www.religionandsexualabuseproject.org Books: Reflections of Amma: Devotees in a Global Embrace (2014) White Utopias: The Religious Exoticism of Transformational Festivals (2020) A Cultural History of Hinduism: Age of Independence (1947-2017) (2024) SUPPORT KEEN ON YOGA Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/ Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf CONNECT WITH ADAM Website: www.keenonyoga.com Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga In person events: https://www.keenonyoga.com/all-events/ WATCH https://www.youtube.com/@keenonyoga

People in this episode

Host: Adam Keen

Guest: Amanda Lucia

Topics covered

• Cultural appropriation in yoga
• Modern yoga culture
• Exoticism and orientalism
• Racial dynamics in yoga
• Impact of capitalism
• Authentic cultural engagement

Keywords

• yoga
• cultural appropriation
• exoticism
• racial dynamics
• capitalism
• spiritual practices
• festivals

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Studies of Religion

Books & works: White Utopias, Reflections of Amma: Devotees in a Global Embrace, White Utopias: The Religious Exoticism of Transformational Festivals, A Cultural History of Hinduism: Age of Independence

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