Publicação
Stretching the peace: the role of kundalini yoga in lives of youth in a township of Alexandra, South Africa
| Resumo: | Conflicts in the world have become increasingly complex, chronic, and violent, causing enormous humanitarian and economical costs. The peacebuilding paradigm has attempted to address the issue but has struggled to build peace. Some alternatives, such as yoga, have been implemented with promising results. The research has shown regular yoga practice to increase mental wellbeing, emotional control, improve relationships, and increase feelings of belonging. Kundalini yoga has presented similar outcomes, but there is no previous evaluation in peace context. In this research, I studied how youth in the township of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa experience Kundalini yoga practice, and if Kundalini yoga could be used as a peacebuilding tool. The mixed-methods single case study was analysed using Reflexive thematic analysis and discussed according to transrational peace philosophy. Findings show that Kundalini yoga played an important role in the yogi’s lives creating personal transformation, restored relationships, new opportunities, and overall improved wellbeing. Implications to society were lower, but they existed. The role of Yoga4Alex was significant as a community builder, offering a safer place for the yogis, and as a provider of socio-economical help. Thus, Kundalini yoga might be a potential peacebuilding tool, because of its positive effects on individual lives and society. |
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| Autores principais: | Kahkonen, Sauli |
| Assunto: | Kundalini yoga Peacebuilding Transrational peace philosophy Filosofia da paz transracional |
| Ano: | 2021 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | ISCTE |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório ISCTE |
| Resumo: | Conflicts in the world have become increasingly complex, chronic, and violent, causing enormous humanitarian and economical costs. The peacebuilding paradigm has attempted to address the issue but has struggled to build peace. Some alternatives, such as yoga, have been implemented with promising results. The research has shown regular yoga practice to increase mental wellbeing, emotional control, improve relationships, and increase feelings of belonging. Kundalini yoga has presented similar outcomes, but there is no previous evaluation in peace context. In this research, I studied how youth in the township of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa experience Kundalini yoga practice, and if Kundalini yoga could be used as a peacebuilding tool. The mixed-methods single case study was analysed using Reflexive thematic analysis and discussed according to transrational peace philosophy. Findings show that Kundalini yoga played an important role in the yogi’s lives creating personal transformation, restored relationships, new opportunities, and overall improved wellbeing. Implications to society were lower, but they existed. The role of Yoga4Alex was significant as a community builder, offering a safer place for the yogis, and as a provider of socio-economical help. Thus, Kundalini yoga might be a potential peacebuilding tool, because of its positive effects on individual lives and society. |
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