Do you feel the stress of multitasking in modern life? Do need a break from your hectic life? Do you suffer from chronic pain because of your sedentary job? Do you always want to do the right thing—exercising and living a healthy life? If you answer “yes” to most of the questions, yoga should be the first thing on your to-do-list.
The word ‘yoga’ derives from the Sanskrit “yuj” meaning “to join or yoke” (1-3). There are six principle branches of yoga: Jnana, Karma, Bhakti, Mantra, Raja, and Hartha. While other branches of yoga are mainly meditative and more directly aimed at unification of the body with the whole of mind and spirit, Hatha yoga involves breathing controls (or “pranayama”) and many postures (or “asanas”) (2,4). Hatha yoga is the most widely practiced yoga in the West. Yoga is not necessarily viewed as a religion or philosophy; it has been recognized as a way to “promote fitness, flexibility, and relaxation” (5).
Click here for a list of references cited above.
What is included?
Mutli-format materials, such as books, journals, DVDs, websites, and databases, are categorized by content.
Browers' Guide provides users the call numbers and subject headings to browse yoga related materials.
Yoga at a Glance lists dictionaries, encyclopedias, and websites for users with little or no background knowledge on yoga.
Yoga History and Philosophy lists books with in-depth coverage on yoga history and philosophy.
Yogi Biography & Autobiography lists books on the personal life of yoga practitioners.
Yoga Health Benefits lists databases for users to search both consumer health information and scholar research on yoga.
Practicing Yoga lists a variety of sources to provide detailed instruction on yoga practice and therapy.
Yoga Directory provides information on where to find yoga studios, yoga school, or local yoga therapists.
Local Yoga Classes lists available local yoga classes to help users get started.
Who can use this pathfinder?
This pathfinder is designed for adult users who fall under one or any combinations of the following categories.
1) Those who need general information on yoga
2) Advanced readers who want to know more about the history and philosophy of yoga and the biography/autobiography of yoga practitioners
3) Those who want to start practicing yoga
4) Yoga practitioners who is interested in learning more about yoga
5) Health professionals who need technical information on yoga health benefits
6) General readers who need consumer information on yoga health benefits
Where to find the sources listed here?
The sources in this pathfinder are either freely available online or held by the Academic Affairs Libraries and the Health Sciences Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The pathfinder was created by Xiaomei Gu in November 2008. Special thanks go to Smythe Lai for her inspiring pathfinder. Many thanks also go to Ms. Cassidy Sugimoto, Drs. Claudia Gollop and Joanne Marshall for their guidance.
Questions or comments can be esmailed to: xmgu@email.unc.edu
Last updated: January 15, 2009