Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga

It’s rare that a book can have as much relevance decades after its debut than at first printing, but Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga is not just any book. This is still one of the most important books on yoga available, written by the yogic master credited for introducing yoga to the Western world, B.K.S. Iyengar.

Who is B.K.S. Iyengar?

Traditionally, Hatha yoga is the physical foundation of most styles of yoga and the most familiar form of yoga in North America. At this writing, the octogenarian Iyengar is considered one of the premiere international yoga gurus. The Iyengar method of Hatha yoga is one of the most reliable and widely practiced yoga styles.

Born in India in 1918, Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar began to study yoga at the age of 16 under the guidance of Guru Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Iyengar needed relief from tuberculosis, and practicing yoga opened a new door not only health, but also a life’s mission to bring thousands closer to mind, body and spirit wellness and enlightment.

Confirmed as a Yoga Raja in 1948, Iyengar and his teachings spread throughout the world. He wrote Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga in 1966, about the time that more Westerners were awakening to the benefits of yoga.

Iynegar’s philosophy of proper yoga alignment, aided by the use of props, enables people of all levels to understand and practice yoga. After grasping the physical concept of yoga, practitioners often move on to pursue more challenging paths or become teachers of the Iyengar method.

Now, Iyengar has instructors furthering his method in more than 40 countries, and four institutes dedicated to instruction and charitable work.

Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga

First published in 1966, Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga has become a standard teaching tool for many yoga instructors. The work is an intense focus on asanas: how to ease in and out of a posture, the way the body will respond during the pose and the effects of each pose. There are more than 600 photographs and illustrations detailing asanas and approximately 200 asanas featured, enough for any solid practice.

Iyengar also explains the practice and benefits of pranayama, yoga meditative approaches, mudras (symbolic hand movements), kriyas (cleansing exercises) and other yogic principles.

You can find a variety of copies of Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga here. Reviews are very positive for the book, although many state that it is probably speaking to yogis at a more intermediate or advanced level of practice.

Other Books by B.K.S. Iyengar

During Iyengar’s decades of teaching, he has published 14 books, some in India and others available internationally. For those interested in taking their yoga practice to the next level, here are more of Iyengar’s works:

• Light On Pranayama: The Yogic Art of Breathing In accordance with the practice of Pranayama, Iyengar provides in-depth instruction of breathing techniques as they relate to the philosophy and practice of yoga.
• Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, And Ultimate Freedom Written in 2005, Iyengar seeks to console and guide everyone along a nurturing and productive yoga path to his or her best life. Each chapter expands on the total mind/body/spirit/energy unity of yoga. This is definitely a great book for those more advanced in yoga practice and beliefs. The audio version is narrated by famed Iyengar yoga instructor Patricia Walden.
• Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Patajali was the first individual to transcribe the ancient teachings of yoga for others to follow. Iyengar, in turn, translates Patajali’s text.
• The Tree of Yoga This is Iyengar’s more philosophical approach to life itself and how we manage love, family, health and other aspects of life.
• Yoga: The Path To Holistic Health Written with Daphne Razazan, this book is packed with pictures and methodology as to how performing certain asanas aid health.

For more on B.K.S. Iyengar, visit his Web site.

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