James Mallinson is a distinguished British Indologist, writer, and translator, currently holding the position of Boden Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Oxford. He is widely recognized as a preeminent global authority on the historical development of medieval Hatha Yoga. His academic journey was sparked by Rudyard Kipling's novel 'Kim', leading him to study Sanskrit and Old Iranian at Oxford, followed by South Asian ethnography at SOAS, University of London. Mallinson's scholarly work includes extensive translations and critical editions of Sanskrit texts, particularly those concerning yoga. He has authored numerous papers and book chapters focusing on the early history of Hatha Yoga, and his research has been supported by significant grants, including a €1.85 million European Research Council grant. He also founded the SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies. Beyond academia, Mallinson has a deep personal connection to India, having spent time living as a sadhu and being initiated into the Ramanandi Sampradaya. His life also includes a passion for paragliding, earning him the nickname 'flying yogi'.

James Mallinson is internationally acclaimed for his expertise in the history of Hatha Yoga. His doctoral research at Oxford, under Alexis Sanderson, involved a critical edition and translation of the Khecarīvidyā, examining its place within Hatha Yoga traditions. He has served as a principal translator for the Clay Sanskrit Library and has authored nine translations and editions of Sanskrit texts related to yoga, epic tales, and poetry. His extensive publications delve into the early evolution of physical yoga practices. Mallinson's significant contributions have been recognized with substantial research funding, including a major grant from the European Research Council to support a five-year project on Hatha Yoga's history. He also established the SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies, further cementing his influence in the field.

Mallinson's deep engagement with India began in his youth, influenced by Rudyard Kipling's 'Kim'. This fascination led to extensive travel and a profound personal connection with the subcontinent. He has lived for extended periods as a sadhu, embracing a minimalist lifestyle. His spiritual journey includes initiation into the Ramanandi Sampradaya at the Ujjain Kumbh Mela in 1992, and he later received the honorific title of Mahant (Abbot) of the Terah Bhai Tyagi suborder, a rare distinction for a Westerner. His personal life also features a passion for paragliding, leading to the moniker 'flying yogi', and he has competed internationally in the sport. A documentary, 'West Meets East', explored his connection with actor Dominic West and their visit to the Kumbh Mela.

One of Mallinson's most accessible works is 'Roots of Yoga', co-edited with Mark Singleton. This anthology presents a wide array of yoga texts from antiquity to the 19th century, offering core teachings to both academic and public audiences. Praised for its scholarly depth and neutrality, the book provides new critical translations of over 100 lesser-known yoga texts. Reviewers highlight its value in enhancing historical understanding among yoga practitioners and scholars alike. The collection is noted for its diverse sources and clear commentary, with some suggesting it could become a standard text for yoga teacher training programs. Its inclusion in the Penguin Classics series underscores its significance as a monumental compilation of primary Sanskrit sources.