Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj," which means to yoke or unite. The practice of yoga involves physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and ethical principles aimed at promoting overall health and wellbeing. Yoga has gained popularity worldwide as a form of exercise that promotes flexibility, strength, and balance. It can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing stress, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing mental clarity. In addition to physical benefits, yoga is also viewed as a path to spiritual enlightenment and self-realization. Many practitioners use yoga as a means of developing a deeper connection with themselves and with the universe. There are many different styles and traditions of yoga, each with its own unique approach and focus. Some of the most popular styles include Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Bikram yoga.
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj," which means to yoke or unite. The practice of yoga involves physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and ethical principles aimed at promoting overall health and wellbeing. Yoga has gained popularity worldwide as a form of exercise that promotes flexibility, strength, and balance. It can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing stress, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing mental clarity. In addition to physical benefits, yoga is also viewed as a path to spiritual enlightenment and self-realization. Many practitioners use yoga as a means of developing a deeper connection with themselves and with the universe. There are many different styles and traditions of yoga, each with its own unique approach and focus. Some of the most popular styles include Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Bikram yoga.
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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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Highlight is the asana course at the end of the book. A double bonus is the asanas to focus on for specific ailments.
The author has so much experience teaching millions around the world that his recommendations on sequencing for people with health conditions like high or low BP are spot on.
Not only does this book provide the Asanas (Hatha Yoga poses) preformed perfectly by the author, but BKS also does an excellent job explaining the Yogic philosophy (which is a must if you are looking to receive the full benefit of Hatha Yoga).
If you fully apply the teachings in this book daily you will become far more than just a flexible body (:
Apply as much or as little as youd like but rest assured that this book and the Master that wrote it knows what he's talking about and has made a convenient map for you to follow that even includes an 'Asana Courses' in the appendix that map out your entire 300 week Hatha Yoga regimen. Give the book a try, you will be glad you did.
K. Kris Loomis is the author of How to Sneak More Yoga Into Your Life and several short fiction collections.
in a compact type book that ok... good to carry along
asana programs in the back
concise, explanations, wordy in the best sense,
top notch...
for beginner to professional i guess
im not professional but im not a beginner, and I learned so much already, just got the book
Excellent!!!
People who have criticized this book saying it's not for the beginners, should note my point #2 above. I think these people have not paid attention to ALL the sections in the book, and hence have felt discouraged.
The only thing I wish was there was categorization of Asanas according to their focus muscle or organ groups, e.g., "back-bending", "forward bending", "side twisting", "inverted poses" etc.
But apart from this, the book is gold and a must have possession for anyone who's serious about following Yoga! Two thumbs up!
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced yogi, this book is a fantastic reference. Mr. Iyengar was a master.
For me, this book is a great balance of the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga (a balance between yoga as a "workout" and yoga as a religion or spiritual practice involving gods, chanting, etc).
I have read other yoga/ stretching books, and this one comes out on top for the most clear directions into and out of pose and while holding.
excellent to add to the collections of books on how to improve your body, if you don't have it, your missing out and some key information. the choice is yours.
This is not to say yoga is a religion. It's not. It's a science of all religions. Or to put more clearly it is a way of living, thinking and behaving. If you're interested in deepening your practice or looking for a way of improving your life this is an inspiring guide.
Light on Yoga is written by B.K.S. Iyengar, who is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world.
His purpose is to "describe as simply as possible the asanas (postures) and pranayamas (breathing disciplines) in the new light of our own era." And it explains 592 photographs and 200 asanas with clear instructions and the benefits of each pose.
It also outlines the eight limbs or stages for yoga for the quest for the soul.
1. Yama (universal moral commandments)
2. Niyama (self purification)
3. Asana (posture)
4. Pranayama (rhythmic control of the breath)
5. Pratyahara (emancipation of the mind...)
6. Dharana (concentration)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (state of super consciousness...)
Yoga can be transform your life by just practicing regularly. Your views on food and health and spirituality will begin to change for the better. It's not a surprise that yoga has exploded in the United States.
This is an amazing reference for your body, mind and soul.
There are plenty of them that'll take a life time for an average person like me to even practise even once thoroughly. I wish I had ordered a hardcover edition.
Particularly useful are the appendices. One gives programs to teach yourself yoga: "First week, do postures A, C, D, G, I & J," etc. Another prescribes postures for various ills and to strengthen various body parts.
In Appendix I you will discover how he feels the asanas should be divided into primary, intermediate and advanced. If you follow the 3 courses as suggested you will cover 300 weeks of yoga. The difficult part with that section is that he list the asana work for each week in sanskrit.
Appendix II is titled "Curative Asanas for Various Diseases". This could be helpful in cases of sciatica, headaches, nervousness, flatulence. Be sure to take a look at it too. Some will be helpful.
The Glossary of sanskrit terms is also helpful.
Don't worry about it being written by Iyengar himself if you intend on practicing other branches of yoga - this book was recommended to me by a well known and respected Vinyasa instructor, Marco Rojas. I work mostly in Ashtanga and Yin/Yan yoga. Seriously, this book will set you on your way regardless of how you ultimately choose to practice.
This book is not a replacement for a qualified yoga teacher. However, the level of understanding of hatha yoga this book provides make it indepsensible. This is a great spiritual book for the modern age.