The docile body as defined by Foucault is one that can be molded to achieve maximum functionality. Through the use of disciplinary power, a body can be “manipulated, shaped, trained, which obeys, responds, becomes skillful and increases its forces” (Foucault, 136). The method that is employed to make an individual body docile begins with the manipulation of the “parts”. Considering the body in terms of its separate parts allows for focus and control of each specific part. This control over the components ultimately will allow for the manipulation of the body as a whole. This individualized manipulation of the parts requires “exercise” conducted repeatedly. The repetition is key because it forces the parts to naturalize behavior. The third requirement is “uninterrupted supervision.” This supervision provides an element of consequence and external motivation to continue the “exercise.”
According to the Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda, there are particular requisite traits that make one most capable of achieving harmony through yoga. These are described in his Five Principles of Yoga:
1. Proper relaxation/Savasana
2. Proper exercise/Asanas
3. Proper breathing/Pranayama
4. Proper diet
5. Positive thinking and meditation/Dhyana
(Complete Overview of the History of Yoga, 2013)
Like Foucault’s description of what traits are best for molding the most efficient soldier, these are the characteristics that would allow the body to achieve a harmonious state through yoga practice.
The practice of yoga has been in existence for thousands of years. Yoga is intended to be an integration of the body, mind and spirit. Through different postures, the body is forced to isolate its different parts. Breathing with intention is also a significant part of the practice. Yogis and yoginis practice daily by assuming specific postures while incorporating intentional breathing into their movements and focusing their minds through meditation. The desired result is the unification of the body’s parts with the spirit or breath and clarity of the mind. Many people find it easier to practice yoga in a class. However, once the postures have become internalized, yoga can be practiced anywhere.
The three disciplines that are involved in creating a docile body, according to Foucault, are scale of control, object of control, and modality. With yoga, practitioners strive to isolate individual parts of the person: each body part, breath/spirit, thought /mind. Through this isolation of the component parts can be influenced internally and externally to act in a specific manner. These exercises seek to ultimately create an efficient and harmonious body. To fully maximize this process, a practitioner usually will attend a class or even spend time at an ashram. This “uninterrupted” supervision ensures that the individual body performs the prescribed postures and breathing. Once the body has accepted the poses, breathing, and meditation as natural, then it is no longer necessary to have constant supervision.
The concept of a docile body of Foucault and the harmonious body achieved through yoga share many of the same qualities. Not only do they require a specific disposition to be effective but also both seek to improve the body to perform particular tasks most efficiently. Each requires internal acceptance of the process to work. It could even be said that externally there is an element of consequence or punishment when the body does not perform the prescribed elements of yoga. Avid practitioners of yoga would say they experience stiffness, irritability, and other symptoms that could deter one from slacking on their yoga practice. No one could fail to acknowledge that yogis and yoginis have definitely “manipulated, shaped, trained…” their bodies.
(http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp)
According to the Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda, there are particular requisite traits that make one most capable of achieving harmony through yoga. These are described in his Five Principles of Yoga:
1. Proper relaxation/Savasana
2. Proper exercise/Asanas
3. Proper breathing/Pranayama
4. Proper diet
5. Positive thinking and meditation/Dhyana
(Complete Overview of the History of Yoga, 2013)
Like Foucault’s description of what traits are best for molding the most efficient soldier, these are the characteristics that would allow the body to achieve a harmonious state through yoga practice.
The practice of yoga has been in existence for thousands of years. Yoga is intended to be an integration of the body, mind and spirit. Through different postures, the body is forced to isolate its different parts. Breathing with intention is also a significant part of the practice. Yogis and yoginis practice daily by assuming specific postures while incorporating intentional breathing into their movements and focusing their minds through meditation. The desired result is the unification of the body’s parts with the spirit or breath and clarity of the mind. Many people find it easier to practice yoga in a class. However, once the postures have become internalized, yoga can be practiced anywhere.
The three disciplines that are involved in creating a docile body, according to Foucault, are scale of control, object of control, and modality. With yoga, practitioners strive to isolate individual parts of the person: each body part, breath/spirit, thought /mind. Through this isolation of the component parts can be influenced internally and externally to act in a specific manner. These exercises seek to ultimately create an efficient and harmonious body. To fully maximize this process, a practitioner usually will attend a class or even spend time at an ashram. This “uninterrupted” supervision ensures that the individual body performs the prescribed postures and breathing. Once the body has accepted the poses, breathing, and meditation as natural, then it is no longer necessary to have constant supervision.
The concept of a docile body of Foucault and the harmonious body achieved through yoga share many of the same qualities. Not only do they require a specific disposition to be effective but also both seek to improve the body to perform particular tasks most efficiently. Each requires internal acceptance of the process to work. It could even be said that externally there is an element of consequence or punishment when the body does not perform the prescribed elements of yoga. Avid practitioners of yoga would say they experience stiffness, irritability, and other symptoms that could deter one from slacking on their yoga practice. No one could fail to acknowledge that yogis and yoginis have definitely “manipulated, shaped, trained…” their bodies.
(http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp)