YOGA: HOW IT BECAME WHAT IT IS – A Cultural History of a Global Phenomenon

  • A captivating cultural history that traces the evolution of yoga from ancient practice to global phenomenon.
  • Explore how yoga evolved and conquered the world!

A story of spirituality, colonialism, modernity, and capitalism – a story about us.

Yoga is now practiced everywhere – from Mumbai to Los Angeles and even in alpine huts. There is Yin Yoga, Power Yoga, Aerial Yoga, and even Beer and Wine Yoga. Yoga has long transcended its roots as a niche practice. It has evolved into a life philosophy, a healing journey, a form of exercise for some, and a highly lucrative industry. How did we get here? Does what we now call “yoga” – a series of poses, movement patterns, breathing techniques, and relaxation practices – still have anything in common with the yoga that originated thousands of years ago on the Indian subcontinent?

Cultural scientist and yoga teacher Gunda Windmüller traces the millennia-old history of yoga, detailing its transformation from a spiritual technique to a global phenomenon. It is a fascinating and surprising tale that encompasses distant lands, religion, politics, and money, along with the stories of individuals, charisma, suffering, and eventual liberation. 

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  • Publisher: Rowohlt Polaris
  • Release: 17.06.2025
  • ISBN: 978-3-499-01562-5
  • 304 Pages
  • Author: Gunda Windmüller

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Buchcover von YOGA: HOW IT BECAME WHAT IT IS – A Cultural History of a Global Phenomenon: Wie es wurde, was es ist. Kulturgeschichte eines globalen Phänomens
Gunda Windmüller YOGA: HOW IT BECAME WHAT IT IS – A Cultural History of a Global Phenomenon
Portrait von Gunda Windmüller
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Gunda Windmüller

Gunda Windmüller, born in 1980, is a PhD in literary studies and has worked as a journalist for publications including Zeit Online and Welt kompakt . She co-hosted and produced the podcast "Fix&Vierzig" with Katja Berlin. Her first non-fiction book, Weiblich, ledig, glücklich – sucht nicht , was published in 2019 by Rowohlt. She completed her training as a yoga teacher and has been teaching yoga in Berlin since 2021.