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Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga... (Paperback)
by B. K. S. Iyengar , Yehudi Menuhin (Foreword)
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Yoga, Health & fitness |
| Market price: ¥ 198.00
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¥ 178.00
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| MSL Pointer Review:
This amazing book is a wealth of information - the more you explore, experience and learn about yoga, the more this book has to offer. |
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Author: B. K. S. Iyengar , Yehudi Menuhin (Foreword)
Publisher: Schocken
Pub. in: January, 1995
ISBN: 0805210318
Pages: 544
Measurements: 7.7 x 5.2 x 1 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA01001
Other information: Revised edition
ISBN-13: 978-0805210316
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- MSL Picks -
"Food, the supporting yet consuming substance of all life is regarded as a phase of Brahman. It should be eaten with the feeling that with each morsel one can gain strength to serve the Lord... Whether or not to be a vegetarian is a purely personal matter as each person is influenced by the tradition and habits of the country in which he was born and bred."
This is the definitive text on Hatha yoga. This is the book you want if you are serious about beginning your yoga practice. This is also a text of reference for professional teachers used throughout the world. It is no exaggeration to say that all yoga instructors in the United States know this book, and most of them own a copy and refer to it regularly.
Iyengar's text is characterized by a thoroughness of content, a detailed, precise, step-by-step "how to" for instruction in asana and pranayama. There are 602 photos of Iyengar himself demonstrating the poses with extraordinary flexibility and precision.
The 34-page Introduction entitled, "What is Yoga?" is a concise overview of the nature, aim and extent of yoga as gleaned from the ancient texts, in particular Pantajali's Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and Swatmarama's Hatha Yoga Pradipika (from which Iyengar gets his Sanskrit title, Yoga Dipika). These are the three great texts of yoga and Iyengar knows them well. This Introduction rewards patient study, and is the kind of pithy text that needs to be returned to again and again, and yet it is written in an accessible, inspired, and inspirational style.
Even though detailed instruction is given in only three pranayamas, the subject is nonetheless thoroughly introduced and explained in the twenty-five elegant and succinct pages that constitute Part III of this book. Included and noteworthy is Iyengar's well-know warning: "Pneumatic tools can cut through the hardest rock. In Pranayama the yogi uses his lungs as pneumatic tools. If they are not used properly, they destroy both the tool and the person using it."
Iyengar's is preeminently a practical approach seeped in the ancient traditions of India. As such there is a distinctive, but unavoidable Hindu cast to his instruction. Nonetheless Iyengar strives for a universal approach and does an excellent job of achieving it.
- From quoting Dennis
Target readers:
Yoga lovers
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B. K. S. Iyengar, (aka Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar) born Belur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, December 14, 1918, in India, is the founder of Iyengar Yoga. He is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world[citation needed] and has been practicing and teaching yoga for more than 60 years. He has written many books on yogic practice and philosophy, and is best known for his books "Light on Yoga," "Light on Pranayama," and "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali." He has also written several definitive yoga texts. Iyengar yoga centers are located throughout the world, and it is believed that millions of students practice Iyengar Yoga.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Bhushan in 2002.
In 1952, Iyengar met and befriended the famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin arranged for Iyengar to teach abroad in London, Switzerland, Paris and elsewhere. This was the first time that many Westerners had been exposed to yoga, and the practice slowly became well known.
In 1966, "Light on Yoga," was published. It gradually became an international best-seller and was translated into 17 languages. Often called "the bible of yoga," it succeeded in making yoga well known throughout the globe. This was later followed by titles on pranayama and various aspects of yoga philosophy. Mr. Iyengar has authored 14 books.
In 1975, Iyengar opened the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, in memory of his departed wife. He officially retired from teaching in 1984, but continues to be active in the world of Iyengar Yoga, teaching special classes and writing books. Iyengar's daughter Geeta and son Prashant have gained international acclaim as teachers.
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From the publisher
The definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of Yoga - the ancient healing discipline for body and mind - by its greatest living teacher. Light on Yoga provides complete descriptions and illustrations of all the positions and breathing exercises. Features a foreword by Yehudi Menuhin. Illustrations throughout.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-02 00:00>
Whether you are looking for a physical improvement or a mental one, Light on Yoga will give you what you need. Each asana is accompanied by at least one (usually more) photographs to illustrate the proper technique, a synopsis on the effects, and details instructions that anyone can follow. Breathing, focus, position of each limb and which muscles to focus on are all covered thoroughly. When applicable, there are even variations that can be applied, depending on the student's comfort and skill level, so that no one need skip an important technique just because he or she is starting out and has no outside help.
Iyengar then further assists the beginning student with a list of which poses to start with and add each week, for a comprehensive schedule that will keep you improving for years. Also included is a list of common ailments and asanas that can relieve these ailments.
Anyone interested in strength, flexibility, balance, and inner peace should have at least this one book. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-02 00:00>
Guru Iyengar's book cant be missed for whoever is interested in yoga/spirtual stuff or the like. After reading the introduction, you will have a new insight into life and I personally read the introduction many times. And the instructions for the asanas, pranayama, and the banda are indispensible for every yoga student. I bought this book 8 years ago and I was amazed and started learning how to do yoga. In the book, Guru Iyengar said you need a teacher or a guru and its true. I tried to do it without a teacher for 6 years and got very little improvement and even hurt myself. It is very important you have a teacher because the book doesnt convey those minor details which is critical in every asana poses. I now go to local Iyengar Yoga class weekly and practice daily by myself and I feel I learn much much more and benefit much much more. It takes time, but doing yoga(Hatha Yoga, asana, pranayama) will equip you with good health and you will feel you start integrating your body, mind and spirit. Its just wonderful. I dont know what else to say. Go to a local Iyengar yoga center and start go to class and practice it! |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-02 00:00>
During early 1980s there weren't many books on Yoga and it was easy to spot this book. I was amazed by the number of photographs as well as the depth of asanas covered in this book. From a simple Standing posture to the most complex asana ever performed, Mr. Iyengar shares his experience in a way that even beginners can start practising Yoga w/o a teacher.
What I like most of this book is not that asanas, but the great, concise introduction to the philosophy of Yoga. In a nutshell his whole understanding of it has been condensed to a great advantage for the reader.
Another unique aspect of the book is the layout of the asanas, or groups thereof, for practise for a student - weekly progression can be accomplished by following the schedule. The asanas according to the category of physical ailments is another plus for either a student or a teacher.
Even a great book will have to have something missing? The posture photographs depicts the steps, but from another book (Yoga Self-Taught by Andre Van Lysbeth) I found it immensely helpful to look at photographs of common mistakes one can make/avoid while performing an asana.
While I have had this book for more than 20 years, it is only now that I refer to it more often - i.e., after I have passed the intermediate stage. That is because the sheer number of asanas covered as well as the precision with which Mr. Iyengar illustrates could more of daunting for the beginner; a beginner may think this is too much. |
Anna (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-02 00:00>
I'm a yoga fan, and I bought this book a few years ago when I was going through a new phase in my practice. It now holds a cherished spot on my bookshelf. One of the reviewers said it was for beginners and they are oh, so wrong. It's a kind of reference guide to Iyengar method of yoga. So if you even know what that means, you are obviously not a beginner, and I'm not being tough, I'm just saying that the other reviewer who was grossed out, that also makes sense to me. For serious yoga folks, this is a definitive guide to all the positions and how they should be done. So if you want to work on a few poses that you've never been good at in class, or you want a home practice that is more scholarly, this is the book for you.
What I like about it is that it's no nonsense (one reviewer says 'blunt'). If you can decode the shorthand of yogaspeak, it's a very useful manual. The photos are somewhat useful but in reality you know most of the poses from class so it's not really helpful to look at this incredibly flexible teacher doing them. The photos in a way give it a historical point-in-time feeling.
Far from other yoga books, this is a very practical one and doesn't go into the theory or religion much (as Iyengar is a more practical practice). This is what I like about it, it is a great catalog of definitive poses. |
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