ABSTRACT
The Conclusion describes how all the chapters in this book have discussed ways in which the body in training has been of central significance for religion, sport and physical culture. It suggests that although this might not be a surprise for those involved in the latter two disciplines, it is less apparent for those who are associated with religion since the emphasis here seems to be given to the spiritual and the transcendent rather than the somatic and the earthly. It outlines how the contributors have attempted to demonstrate how this thinking is misguided and have sought to illuminate how all three areas give considerable attention to the corporeal as the site for personal growth, well-being and transformation. It divides the chapters into four main sections – personhood, virtue, asceticism/aesthetics and education/ gender/mental health and offers a summary of each chapter which reflects these themes.
