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RELG 237: Yoga, Religion, History, and Practice

Professor Kristin Bloomer--spring 2022

Starting Your Research

Class goals:

1. Understand how to use Catalyst to begin your research

2. Identify primary and secondary sources related to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism

3. Understand what citation style is needed for this assignment as well as understanding the important of using Zotero

4. Be able to determine when to transition your research to one of three databases

 

In order to understand the modern practice of Yoga, it is important to first understand its religious and spiritual origins.

The beginning of our research will focus on searching our discovery tool, Catalyst, to find primary and secondary sources. We will then transition our searches toward some major Religion related databases to conduct further research.

During our library session, we will learn to use the advanced search tool to conduct "subject" searches in Catalyst that will point us to very specific resources on our subject.

What is Catalyst?

Catalyst is a simple way to search across the library catalog and nearly a billion articles, videos, reference books and more at once. You can search for articles and books at the same time, across all subjects. 

Start with Catalyst when you are beginning your research, doing interdisciplinary searching, or looking for a specific book or article by title.

The Catalyst search box is front and center on the library homepage.

info_outline Search Catalyst for CDs, DVDs, LPs, and streaming audio and video held by St. Olaf and Carleton.
info_outline Search or browse research and how-to guides curated by your librarians.

Catalyst subject searches

Using Catalyst, go to the "advanced search" and conduct a subject search for any of these phrases to view relevant literature.
 
Yoga history
Buddhism yoga
Hinduism yoga
Yoga Philosophy
Classical yoga
Vinaya literature
Buddhist meditation
Buddhist philosophy 
 
 
Religions associated with Yoga:

Try a subject search for any of these three religions to learn more:

Buddhism

Hinduism

Jainism

 

NOTE: You might not be able to find asanas (yoga poses) by their modern names using Catalyst. Rather, acquainting yourself with the historical and religious concepts will help you arrive at the potential/possible meaning of various asanas.