New Books in Sociology Patrick McCartney, "Authenticity, Legitimacy and the Transglobal Yoga Industry: A Sociological Analysis of Shanti Mandir" (Routledge, 2025)
Jun 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Patrick McCartney, a sociology professor at Hiroshima University and author of a comprehensive analysis of yoga culture, shares his insights on the transglobal yoga industry. He explores the balance of authenticity and legitimacy within communities like Shanti Mandir, detailing his personal journey from yoga novice to immersed insider. Listeners will find fascinating reflections on the dynamics of ashram life, the impact of cultural exchanges on identity, and the interplay between tradition and modern marketing in yoga practices.
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Path to Studying Shanti Mandir
- Patrick McCartney discovered Shanti Mandir through a sweat lodge linked to Siddha Yoga devotees.
- He conducted fieldwork there, including sociolinguistic studies, despite not being a devotee himself.
Implicit Social Hierarchies Exist
- Shanti Mandir has distinct social groupings with implicit hierarchies that shape access to yogic knowledge.
- Entry into these groups is assigned, revealing complex social dynamics contrary to claims of no hierarchy.
Knowledge Access Tied to Group
- Access to different types of knowledge at Shanti Mandir depends on which social group you belong to.
- The community values various capitals: knowledge, renunciation, and economic, each contributing differently to status.