Yogini

'Yogini' in South Asia

In different stages in the history of South Asian religions, the term yoginī has been used in various contexts to designate various things: a female adept of yoga, a female tantric practitioner, a sorceress, a woman dedicated to a deity, or a certain category of female deities. This book brings together recent interdisciplinary perspectives on the medieval South Asian cults of the Yoginis, such as textual-philological, historical, art historical, indological, anthropological, ritual and terminological. The book discusses the medieval yoginī cult, as illustrated in early Śaiva tantric texts, and their representations in South Asian temple iconography. It looks at the roles and hypostases of yoginīs in contemporary religious traditions, as well as the transformations of yoginī-related ritual practices. In addition, this book systematizes the multiple meanings, and proposes definitions of the concept and models for integrating the semantic fields of ‘yoginī.’ Highlighting the importance of research from complementary disciplines for the exploration of complex themes in South Asian studies, this book is of interest to scholars of South Asian Studies and Religious Studies.

Yogini

Shakti is the Sanskrit term for the feminine energy of the Divine. Yogini is created for, and by, women, and all who have a passion for yoga as a path and a way of life. There is no other yoga book which addresses women’s issues and concerns; while 90% of yoga students are women, the majority of yoga leaders have been men. Yogini traces the rise of women teachers in modern yoga and offers women stories and ideas for what can be done off the mat to integrate yoga practice into daily life. Here is an inspirational guide for the modern yogini offering a fresh perspective for everyone’s yoga or spiritual practice. The candid photos and personal stories of intention, intuition and devotion of many of today’s leading yoga teachers; Angela Farmer, Nischala Joy, Sarah Powers, Shiva Rae, Donna Farhi, Anna Forest, Rama Jyoti Vernon, and Tenzin Palmo. Contributing essayist Linda Sparrowe is the author of many bestselling yoga titles and is the former managing editor of Yoga Journal.

Indian Gods and Goddesses