Full Description
This is the first book to examine the body in training in the context of religion, sport and wider physical culture, offering important insight into the performative, social, cultural and gendered aspects of somatic discipline and exercise.
The book presents a series of fascinating thematic and case-study led chapters from around the world, examining topics including the martial discipline and symbolism of artistic gymnastics; religious interpretations of body vulnerability in the context of marathons; the religious language of corporeal training in sport and martial arts. Drawing on multi-disciplinary perspectives, from sport, religion, history and philosophy, the book explores the often contested and sometimes over-zealous application of training in both sport and religion and the ways in which this can cause harm to athletes or adherents.
This is fascinating reading for any advanced student or researcher with an interest in the body, physical cultural studies, the ethics and philosophy of sport, the sociology of sport, religious studies, Asian studies or philosophy.
Contents
Introduction, Part I: Personhood, 1. 'Giving the Best of Yourself' in Sports: The Catholic Church's Attention to Sports in Past and Present, 2. Holy Marathon - 'Running Religion'?: Religious Interpretations of Body Vulnerability in the Context of Marathons, 3. Gaining Balance in Religious Training: What Might Sports and Physical Culture Coaches Learn from This?, Part II: Virtue, 4. Corporeal Enhancement and Sport's Spiritual Dimension: A Virtue Ethics Proposal, 5. Training the Body (Stretching the Mind) and Moulding the Spirit: Sport, Christian Asceticism and Life as Self-Gift, 6. Towards an A to Z of Faith in Sport, Part III: Asceticism and Aesthetics, 7. Aesthetics and Symbolism in Artistic Gymnastics: From Martial Discipline to Ritual Practices Embodied in Performance, 8. The Metaphysical Framework of Transformational Combat in Eastern Religions and Martial Arts: Implications for Sports and Physical Culture Training, Part IV: Education, Gender and Mental Health, 9. On the Bodies of Children: The Troubling Messages of American Youth Sports, 10. Jewish Women and Physical Culture Training at Various Jewish Ys in Early Twentieth-Century American Culture, 11. Promoting Western sport and PE ideas in China: Lessons Learned and Future Directions, Concluding Remarks: Making Connections, Questions for Discussion and Reflection
