SOAS University of London and the British Wheel of Yoga are joining forces to present a one-day summit on October 31st, titled “The Energy Body: Yoga between Evidence and Experience.” The summit aims to delve into the centuries-old energetic frameworks of yoga and their impact on modern medical knowledge.
Held at SOAS University of London and available for streaming online, the event will bring together renowned yoga scholars, historians, and practitioners to explore the subtle body system described in various traditions of yoga. This includes concepts such as chakras, prāṇa, and kuṇḍalinī, which are believed to be energy centers, life force, and dormant spiritual energy respectively. While modern yoga practice focuses on physical postures, the summit will examine the potential transformation of yoga experience by engaging with these subtler dimensions.
The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Shaman Hatley from Boston University, who will discuss the chakra system’s historical origins and the tension between medical understanding, visionary practice, and embodied experience. A panel discussion with Dr. Ruth Westoby and Dr. Marleen Thaler will explore the movement of dormant energy in the body, known as kuṇḍalinī, and its roots in traditions of the feminine divine. Additionally, a second panel featuring Dr. Magdalena Kraler and Dr. Marissa Clarke will examine the potential of breath cultivation practices to open states of bliss and how breath, sound, and movement are being reimagined through philosophy and deep listening practices.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience these concepts firsthand through a chakra meditation and an immersive energy healing practice led by Swami Saradananda, as well as Tsa Lung, a vital energy practice from the Buddhist tradition led by BWY Tutor, Sarah O’Connor.
Professor Ulrich Pagel from SOAS University of London expresses excitement about collaborating with the British Wheel of Yoga, stating, “This summit provides a unique space for scholarship and lived yoga practice to engage in meaningful dialogue. By bringing together historians, researchers, and experienced yoga teachers, we can explore complex and challenging questions about yoga and the subtle body while remaining mindful of how these traditions continue to shape and transform people’s lives.”
Diana O’Reilly, Chair of the British Wheel of Yoga, also shares her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This summit is a fantastic opportunity for yoga teachers and students to delve deeper into the dimensions of yoga in a safe, informed, and inclusive manner. It reflects our dedication to preserving yoga’s rich heritage while making it accessible and meaningful for modern practitioners.”
Tickets for the event are priced at £75 for in-person attendance and £45 for online access. For more information and to secure your spot, please visit the event’s website.
