EARLY TIMES OF YOGA IN BRAZIL, c. 1910-1920

Abstract

Despite the relative social relevance of yoga in Brazil, there are few academic works on its history. Most of the material available was produced by practitioners, often dispersed and from a memorialistic approach. In this context, this work analyzes the history of yoga in Brazil through newspapers and magazines available in the collection of Rio de Janeiro’s National Library. These sources indicate that the spread and practice of yoga in the country began before 1950, a period often seen as a milestone in that process. In addition, the ambiguities that mark the meanings of this practice in Brazil, as happens in several other countries, are products of the way in which the process of spread and reception evolved historically.

Keywords:
History; Yoga; Brazil