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The Recent Popularization of Yoga in the United States
Introduction| UNC
Library Sources| Academic Library Sources
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Yoga is a kind of exercise/ meditation that has been practiced for a very long time in Eastern countries for religious purposes. However, more and more people in the United States have been practicing yoga for other reasons. It can help people achieve flexibility, balance, and peace of mind. The Beatles popularized yoga among many Americans in the 1960's. Now, yoga is more popular than ever among many celebrities and common people. Most gyms seem to offer yoga classes, and many stores sell yoga videos, books, and equipment. In my research, I would like to answer the following questions: What is the general history of yoga and its introduction to the United States? Why has it become so popular, i.e. how does it benefit and interest people?
I-b. Keywords
University Library catalog:
Exercise and video?
Yoga, Hatha - Therapeutic Use
Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis:
yoga popularity
Hatha Yoga
Search engine on Web http://www.google.com/.
Yoga
Yoga and fitness
II. Books and Videotape from UNC-CH Libraries
Ajaya, Swami, ed. Meditational Therapy. Glenview, IL: Himilayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of USA, 1977. BF637.M4.M43
Hewit, James. The Complete Yoga Book. New York: Schocken, 1978. RA781.7.H49
Fitness and Conditioning: Benefits for a Lifetime. (Pleasantville, NY: Human
Relations Media, 1990), videocassette. QT255VC1
III. Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis Sources
Stovsky, Renee. (1993, April, 10). Yoga with a Twist!; This Time Around It Soothes the Stresses of the 90s. Everyday Magazine [Online], 1240 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe [2001, May 26].
Droste, Therese. (2000, December, 12). A Stretch in the Right Direction: In a Knot over Which Yoga School is Right for You? We'll Set You Straight. Health [Online], 1757 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe [2001, May 26].
Smith, Colleen. (1998, May, 31). Yoga, the Yin and Yang Philosophy a Process of Awakening. The Denver Post [Online], 1288 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe [2001, May 26].
Cordileone, Elvira. (1997, November, 28). Hatha Yoga Benefits both Body and Mind: Routine of Postures Helps Devotees Deal with Physical and Emotional Stress. The Toronto Star [Online], 881 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe [2001, May 26].
(2000, February). Exercise Report: Stress Reduction Exercises. Consumer Reports [Online], 1418 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe [2001, May 26].
(1998, April). A Pose to Ease the Pressure. Essence [Online], 288 words. Available:
LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe [2001, May 26].
Title of Web page: Why Do Yoga?
Web address: http://www.yogasite.com/why.htm
Brief description: This article lists benefits of yoga that appeal to people
today, such as relief of anxiety and physical problems and good exercise. It
discusses yoga's history and original purposes as well.
Source of Web site: The Yoga Site
Title of Web page: Yoga and Yoga Therapy by Georg Feurestein
Web address: http://www.iaya.org/yogatherapy.html
Brief description: This article gives basic information about yoga of the past
and today. It discusses the different types of yoga that have evolved. Also,
it discusses recent medical research of how yoga can be therapeutic, one of
the reasons its popularity is growing.
Source of Web site: International Association of Yoga Therapists
Title of Web page: Yoga: Fitness from the Inside Out by Hacsi Horvath
Web address: http://mywebmd.com/content/article/1668.50062
Brief description: This story explains how yoga can benefit exercisers of all
ages and fitness levels. It also tells readers how they should get involved
in yoga.
Source of Web site: WebMD.com
Title of Web page: Take Care of Your Body, and Your Body Will Take Care of You
by John I. Prikopa
Web address: http://www.2626lakeview.com/newsandcalendar/newsletter/2001215/yoga.htm
Brief description: This article explains the recent popularity surge of yoga.
It says that overworked Americans enjoy the stress relief yoga provides. Also,
anyone can practice some level of yoga, and the preventative health benefits
are appealing.
Source of Web site: 2626 Lakeview
Title of Web page: Gaiam Helps Bring Yoga to the Masses by Lisa Elia
Web address: http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/010424/0205026212.html
Brief description: This story discusses how celebrities like Madonna and Ricky
Martin have influenced many people to begin yoga. On April 6, The Oprah show
devoted an entire show to yoga, featuring Gaiam products, and afterwards Gaiam
sales increased dramatically. The author attributes yoga's growing popularity
to the increasing interest of people, many of whom have learned about yoga through
celebrities and TV.
Source of Web site: Internet Wire, Yahoo.com
The Woman behind eBay: Margaret C. Whitman
Since Margaret C. Whitman has become the president and C.E.O. of eBay, Inc., the company has drastically grown. During her first 16 months, the number of eBay users grew from 750,000 to 5.6 million. EBay's success is attributed to Whitman's dynamic ideas and management. She has "helped legitimize the notion of negotiated pricing - making it one of the most powerful economic forces on the Internet." After eBay's introduction of the expansive auctioning it offers, many other companies have followed, such as airlines. (1)
Whitman has acquired experience in the corporate world through her high-level jobs for companies such as Disney, Stride Rite, and Florists Transworld Delivery (FTD) at which she became the C.E.O. in 1995. She has a B.A. in economics from Princeton and an M.B.A. from Harvard. Now, one of the only women to head a leading e-commerce site, she is valued at approximately $1.4 billion. Her contributions have helped eBay become the multi-billion-dollar corporation it now is, and they have shaped the way business is done on the Internet. As Whitman once said, "the Internet is going to change retail forever," and she has certainly made a lasting impact on the Internet. (2)
NOTES:
(1) "Margaret C. Whitman (Ebay Executive Key in Making Online Auctions Work),"
Business Week, 27 September 1999, pEB32. Also Available [Online]: General Business
File ASAP [Accessed 27 May 2001].
(2) "Q and A: Meg Whitman," Business Week, 31 May 1999, p134. Also Available
[Online]: General Business File ASAP [Accessed 27 May 2001].
Title of Web page: Meg Whitman: The New Auctioneer
Web address: http://www.time.com/time/digital/digital50/05.html
Brief Description: Analysis of Whitman's achievement as eBay C.E.O.: priorities,
responsibilities, successes.
Source of Web site: Time Magazine Online
Title of Web page: Ebay Profits Rise 12-Fold by Bloomberg News
Web address: http://yahoo.cnet.com/news/0,10000,0-1007-200-341698,00.html
Brief Description: Analysis of eBay's profit growth.
Source of Web site: CNETNews.com
Title of Web page: Profile - eBay Inc.
Web address: http://biz.yahoo.com/p/e/ebay.html
Brief Description: Corporate profile with business and financial summaries,
officers, and statistics.
Source of Web site: Yahoo! Finance