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Light on Pranayama: The Definitive Guide to the Art of Breathing
The definitive guide to yogic breathing from B.K.S. Iyengar, the world's most respected yoga teacher. B.K.S. Iyengar has devoted his life to the practice and study of yoga. It was B.K.S. Iyengar's unique teaching style, bringing precision and clarity to the practice, as well as a mindset of 'yoga for all', which has made it into a worldwide phenomenon. His seminal book, 'Light on Yoga', is widely called 'the bible of yoga' and has served as the source book for generations of yoga students around they world. In 'Light on Pranayama', he establishes the same definitive level of authority on the art of breathing. For the serious yoga practitioner, the study of Pranayama is an essential. This work, from the most respected yoga teacher in the world, B.K.S. Iyengar, offers the most comprehensive and instructive work available in the world. With 190 photos of B.K.S. Iyengar himself, the book highlights a progressive 200-week practice, highlighting the best techniques and the common errors in them.
369 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
238 people are currently reading
2920 people want to read
About the author
B.K.S. Iyengar
174 books508 followersBellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar (Kannada: ಬೆಳ್ಳೂರ್ ಕೃಷ್ಣಮಾಚಾರ್ ಸುಂದರರಾಜ ಐಯಂಗಾರ್), (also known as Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar) (Born December 14, 1918 in Bellur, Kolar District, Karnataka, India) is the founder of Iyengar Yoga. He is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and has been practicing and teaching yoga for more than 75 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.
B.K.S. Iyengar was born into a poor Hebbar Iyengar family. He had a difficult childhood. Iyengar's home village of Belur, Karnataka, India, was in the grips of the influenza pandemic at the time of his birth, leaving him sickly and weak. Iyengar's father died when he was 9 years old, and he continued to suffer from a variety of maladies in childhood, including malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and general malnutrition.
At the age of 15 Iyengar went to live with his brother-in-law, the well-known yogi, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in Mysore. There, Iyengar began to learn asana practice, which steadily improved his health. Soon he overcame his childhood weaknesses.
With the encouragement of Krishnamacharya, Iyengar moved to Pune to teach yoga in 1937. There his practice developed as he spent many hours each day learning and experimenting in various techniques. As his methods improved, the number of students at his classes increased and his fame spread. In Pune, his brothers introduced him to Ramamani, whom he married in 1943.
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. The popularity of yoga in the West can in large part be attributed to Iyengar.
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,”[citation needed] 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.
Iyengar has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Bhushan in 2002.
B.K.S. Iyengar was born into a poor Hebbar Iyengar family. He had a difficult childhood. Iyengar's home village of Belur, Karnataka, India, was in the grips of the influenza pandemic at the time of his birth, leaving him sickly and weak. Iyengar's father died when he was 9 years old, and he continued to suffer from a variety of maladies in childhood, including malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and general malnutrition.
At the age of 15 Iyengar went to live with his brother-in-law, the well-known yogi, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in Mysore. There, Iyengar began to learn asana practice, which steadily improved his health. Soon he overcame his childhood weaknesses.
With the encouragement of Krishnamacharya, Iyengar moved to Pune to teach yoga in 1937. There his practice developed as he spent many hours each day learning and experimenting in various techniques. As his methods improved, the number of students at his classes increased and his fame spread. In Pune, his brothers introduced him to Ramamani, whom he married in 1943.
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. The popularity of yoga in the West can in large part be attributed to Iyengar.
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,”[citation needed] 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.
Iyengar has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 25, 2016
Review to come. (If I can find it.) As I recall having read this many years ago...it is worth reading as is anything from B.K.S. Iyengar one of the great teachers of yoga.
Random recall: There is a movie by the great French director Louis Malle called "Phantom India" from 1969 in which he films the not yet famous Iyengar teaching yoga.
Random recall: There is a movie by the great French director Louis Malle called "Phantom India" from 1969 in which he films the not yet famous Iyengar teaching yoga.
February 6, 2017
This is B.K.S. Iyengar’s A-Z guide to breath and breathing exercises (pranayama.) It’s meant to do for pranayama practice what “Light on Yoga” did for asana (postural) practice. That is, it presents all the classic techniques, offers variants to meet individual needs, and provides the background necessary to put pranayama into the context of a balanced yoga practice.
Let me begin by discussing the book’s organization, and this book is organized to the n-th degree. There are parts, sections, chapters, and even the paragraphs are numbered (though--near as I can tell--the latter serves no purpose for a typical reader and may be more for the help of the writer and his assistants. It does create a somewhat biblical scheme, so maybe it was assumed there would be a need to quote this guide “chapter and verse,” as they say in Bible study.)
The bulk of the book consists of the first of two parts, and Part I is divided into three sections. The first of those sections is “The Theory of Pranayama,” and it puts pranayama in the context of yoga’s entirety. If you’ve read other B.K.S. Iyengar titles, much in these nine chapters will be familiar (e.g. discussion of the eight limbs.) However, chapter 4 offers a nice description of the anatomy and physiology of respiration. There are many anatomical drawings and diagrams in it to help convey the complex information. There’s also additional information about the traditional Indian notions of breath encapsulated in the concepts of prana, nadis, and chakras.
Section II is entitled “The Art of Pranayama” and it covers those topics necessary regardless of what technique of breath exercise one is practicing. It includes seated postures, mudras, bandhas, inhalation, exhalation, retention, etc. This section, too, has nine chapters. The final section of Part I describes the various techniques of pranayama. The chapters of this section are arrayed in lists, and they systematically build from the basic technique towards more advanced variations (e.g. by inserting retentions.)
Part II covers meditation (dhyana) and the corpse pose (savasana.) With respect to the former, it suggests how one’s body, mind, and sense organs should be conducted in the act of meditation. In the case of the chapter on corpse pose (after cross-legged seating position, this being the most common position for practice) there’s an extensive look at the details of that pose.
There are a number of helpful features incorporated into the book. In addition to the drawings mentioned in Chapter 4, there are black-and-white photos throughout to clarify the textual instructions. There is also a glossary of Sanskrit terms and an Appendix of courses of pranayama (i.e. recommendations as to how to sequence breathing techniques for optimal results with guidance as to how many sets or repetitions of each to use.)
My major criticism is one I’ve offered about previous books from this author and others. There’s a muddle of science and mythology that makes it hard to know how much weight to give particular instructions. It may be that a given piece of advice (e.g. a contraindication) is based on repeated observations of the physical or mental effects, or on a sound understanding of anatomy & physiology. In which case, it makes sense to heed such advice. However, advice can also be based on myths and the desire to preserve a way of thinking about the human body which is wholly unsupported by evidence. In which case, if one has no dog in the fight to preserve egos, it makes sense to disregard said advice. I suspect the vast majority of statements of what to do (or not to) fall into the first category, but some may fall in the latter, and it’s not easy to tell which is which.
I would recommend this book for students and teachers of yoga. It’s a good reference for one’s pranayama practice.
Let me begin by discussing the book’s organization, and this book is organized to the n-th degree. There are parts, sections, chapters, and even the paragraphs are numbered (though--near as I can tell--the latter serves no purpose for a typical reader and may be more for the help of the writer and his assistants. It does create a somewhat biblical scheme, so maybe it was assumed there would be a need to quote this guide “chapter and verse,” as they say in Bible study.)
The bulk of the book consists of the first of two parts, and Part I is divided into three sections. The first of those sections is “The Theory of Pranayama,” and it puts pranayama in the context of yoga’s entirety. If you’ve read other B.K.S. Iyengar titles, much in these nine chapters will be familiar (e.g. discussion of the eight limbs.) However, chapter 4 offers a nice description of the anatomy and physiology of respiration. There are many anatomical drawings and diagrams in it to help convey the complex information. There’s also additional information about the traditional Indian notions of breath encapsulated in the concepts of prana, nadis, and chakras.
Section II is entitled “The Art of Pranayama” and it covers those topics necessary regardless of what technique of breath exercise one is practicing. It includes seated postures, mudras, bandhas, inhalation, exhalation, retention, etc. This section, too, has nine chapters. The final section of Part I describes the various techniques of pranayama. The chapters of this section are arrayed in lists, and they systematically build from the basic technique towards more advanced variations (e.g. by inserting retentions.)
Part II covers meditation (dhyana) and the corpse pose (savasana.) With respect to the former, it suggests how one’s body, mind, and sense organs should be conducted in the act of meditation. In the case of the chapter on corpse pose (after cross-legged seating position, this being the most common position for practice) there’s an extensive look at the details of that pose.
There are a number of helpful features incorporated into the book. In addition to the drawings mentioned in Chapter 4, there are black-and-white photos throughout to clarify the textual instructions. There is also a glossary of Sanskrit terms and an Appendix of courses of pranayama (i.e. recommendations as to how to sequence breathing techniques for optimal results with guidance as to how many sets or repetitions of each to use.)
My major criticism is one I’ve offered about previous books from this author and others. There’s a muddle of science and mythology that makes it hard to know how much weight to give particular instructions. It may be that a given piece of advice (e.g. a contraindication) is based on repeated observations of the physical or mental effects, or on a sound understanding of anatomy & physiology. In which case, it makes sense to heed such advice. However, advice can also be based on myths and the desire to preserve a way of thinking about the human body which is wholly unsupported by evidence. In which case, if one has no dog in the fight to preserve egos, it makes sense to disregard said advice. I suspect the vast majority of statements of what to do (or not to) fall into the first category, but some may fall in the latter, and it’s not easy to tell which is which.
I would recommend this book for students and teachers of yoga. It’s a good reference for one’s pranayama practice.
May 2, 2013
Outstanding read! Another example of why one should not judge a book by its cover or by flipping through the pages. I read this first of two required readings on the subject of pranayama thinking it would be the hardest to digest. It was surprisingly very easy to read. Great review of yoga philosophy. Anatomy and physiology is explained in easy to understand terminology and I was amazed at the things I did not know about the human body, specific to the respiratory system, and again reminded of what a complex machine the human body is. Wonderfully written in a step by step format to help the reader practice what is being explained. Beautiful analogies used throughout to further help the reader understand the essence of what is being communicated. Excellent glossary in the back of the book to help with Sanskrit terms.
June 26, 2007
thee book on pranayama. WIll be on the reading shelf for years. it is so dense and thorough. a must for anyone interested in yoga.
June 19, 2018
Of the loads of useless literature on the field of yoga certainly a recommendable work with a whole 200-week breathing course, described in detail. Something to be practiced, to be sure.
April 4, 2018
This is a heavy book, defiantly not for beginners as will discourage anybody to try getting into pranayama practice. But if you are serious about what you want from your yoga practice and pranayama especially, use it as a study material rather than just a book to read. This is an educational manual with serious information.
November 3, 2021
What can I say, besides thanking Guru Iyengar for this monumental work that describes the essential Pranayama techniques and key postures in such detail and clarity, that there's little chance of wrong practice.
It's an essential book for every person that is serious about their Sadhana.
I will be coming back to this book for a long time.
It's an essential book for every person that is serious about their Sadhana.
I will be coming back to this book for a long time.
April 23, 2011
took me a long while, but i finally finished reading Iyengar's guide to pranayama practice. exceptionally detailed and full of examples and metaphors to describe experiences. it's a fairly practical guide, and a good resource.
December 13, 2017
One of the greatest books on pranayama! Sri Iyengar explained various pranayama in such a detailed way, that it should be easy for everyone to understand and introduce this beautiful practice to their daily lives.
December 31, 2010
Awesome! coming from a traditional Yoga guru.
November 16, 2015
Great book on Pranayama if you want a lot of detail and a breathing plan.
It can be a little tedious. I'm not sure all the information is necessary.
Makes a great reference.
It can be a little tedious. I'm not sure all the information is necessary.
Makes a great reference.
Read
September 25, 2025doesn't lend itself to a rating but want the statistics of another book on the shelf... left inspired.
February 8, 2025
This is a comprehensive reference book on pranayama and goes into great detail about specific methods. Hence the near 2 years to finish reading this book. I have decided to not take my pranayama practice beyond nadi shodana and to avoid kombacha in general, (due to my high blood pressure) and so will
Not use the many techniques outlines in this book. However I do think highly of pranayama for some people and it can be a great aid and support for an established asana practice, strengthening the nervous system in other complementary ways.
Not use the many techniques outlines in this book. However I do think highly of pranayama for some people and it can be a great aid and support for an established asana practice, strengthening the nervous system in other complementary ways.
March 3, 2008
You would not believe what a struggle it’s been to get through this book. It’s way over-due and the fines are racking up. :S
I would say I hated it and rate it poorly if it were not packed with so much valuable information… but that is part of the problem. The subject of Yoga is so vast and integrated that it would be difficult to learn in depth just one of the eight limbs such as Pranayama without at least some mention of the others.
The first half of the book attempts to nutshell much information quoting many treatises by chapter line and verse using English and Sanskrit terms (some defined within the text, some not). I thought it would be good to read over all of this material in hopes to broaden my understanding of the subjects and advance my Sanskrit studies. As it turns out, it’s about as much fun to read as a stereo manual… a shame for such a fascinating subject.
I’m finally (after weeks) starting the section on techniques beginning with Ujjayi (ocean sounding breath) that BKS Iyengar has broken down into thirteen stages.
THIRTEEN stages? The first four of which are spent in savasana as preparatory stages and it’s suggested that 10 to 15 minutes is spent practicing each stage… okay, now I’m asleep!
I’ve come to two very important conclusions from studying this book:
1. With all due respect, I don’t care for Iyengar’s writing style or necessarily subscribe to his particular philosophy on Yoga.
2. Pranayama is just not a subject to be studied without a mentor.
I would say I hated it and rate it poorly if it were not packed with so much valuable information… but that is part of the problem. The subject of Yoga is so vast and integrated that it would be difficult to learn in depth just one of the eight limbs such as Pranayama without at least some mention of the others.
The first half of the book attempts to nutshell much information quoting many treatises by chapter line and verse using English and Sanskrit terms (some defined within the text, some not). I thought it would be good to read over all of this material in hopes to broaden my understanding of the subjects and advance my Sanskrit studies. As it turns out, it’s about as much fun to read as a stereo manual… a shame for such a fascinating subject.
I’m finally (after weeks) starting the section on techniques beginning with Ujjayi (ocean sounding breath) that BKS Iyengar has broken down into thirteen stages.
THIRTEEN stages? The first four of which are spent in savasana as preparatory stages and it’s suggested that 10 to 15 minutes is spent practicing each stage… okay, now I’m asleep!
I’ve come to two very important conclusions from studying this book:
1. With all due respect, I don’t care for Iyengar’s writing style or necessarily subscribe to his particular philosophy on Yoga.
2. Pranayama is just not a subject to be studied without a mentor.
incomplete
March 17, 2011I didn't read all of the information on the techniques, only the introduction to pranayama and yoga. That had nothing to do with Iyengar, and more to do with me changing the topic of my final paper and focusing on other reading.
April 28, 2008
This book is the best bathtub reading ever! For short baths.
August 18, 2008
This is one I read and re-read.
August 25, 2013
Of all Iyengar's books I've found this one most useful in my yoga training and development
October 3, 2016
A very thorough look at pranayama from the master himself; super detailed instructions, lots of photos, a must for any super serious pranayama student.
August 10, 2025
Hard to make sense of.
Iyengar just word flows a bunch of advice with no way to tell whats important or whats not, no way to tell whats an admonition about a particular technique or whats a general rule.
Every now and then he says "you must absolutely obey this rule" but it comes at the end of a list of nine other pieces of direction about a particular technique... does he mean the rule is general or is it about this technique only? And since he's said the entire edifice of breathing exercises hinges on this one weird trick that you should either always or never do... it kinda feels like you need that information.
This sounds like a nit pick but happens so often that after a few chapters you have no idea how to comply with B.S'. instructions.
Iyengar just word flows a bunch of advice with no way to tell whats important or whats not, no way to tell whats an admonition about a particular technique or whats a general rule.
Every now and then he says "you must absolutely obey this rule" but it comes at the end of a list of nine other pieces of direction about a particular technique... does he mean the rule is general or is it about this technique only? And since he's said the entire edifice of breathing exercises hinges on this one weird trick that you should either always or never do... it kinda feels like you need that information.
This sounds like a nit pick but happens so often that after a few chapters you have no idea how to comply with B.S'. instructions.
March 3, 2021
This book reiterates that Pranayama is a practice that ought to be followed in the 8 Limbs of Yoga in order. It explains exactly why it shouldn't be attempted by the newbie (see specifically Nadi Sodhana), but only after Asana is firmly established. Until then, only slow deep breathing should be performed - without retention. This is a must read for every yoga practitioner who wants to learn Pranayama, but also to every yogi who disagrees that the 8 Limbs should be practiced in order, and who believes that pranayama should be learned right from the get-go. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received is, "If you feel strongly against something, learn more about it."
July 23, 2021
Finally a book that intricately explains the ideology behind Yoga. The language is succinct and yet very adept at explaining the depth of the matter. The pictures are as integral as the beautifully written text, leaving no doubts about the procedure. I must recommend this to any and all who would like to understand the very essence of Yoga and why it is one of the most brilliant spiritual ideologies to come out of India. A great accompaniment to this book would be 'Light on Yoga' by the same author. Happy reading!
February 27, 2019
Un libro muy completo sobre las técnicas del pranayama desde un punto de vista teórico y práctico.
La parte práctica me parece un tanto difícil de seguir, desde el punto de vista de un principiante en la materia. La parte teórica, en cambio, aporta información útil e interesante en la práctica de yoga y pranayama y aborda el tema desde puntos de vista diferentes (filosofía del yoga, anatomía...).
La parte práctica me parece un tanto difícil de seguir, desde el punto de vista de un principiante en la materia. La parte teórica, en cambio, aporta información útil e interesante en la práctica de yoga y pranayama y aborda el tema desde puntos de vista diferentes (filosofía del yoga, anatomía...).
January 13, 2021
Best book about breathing/pranayama ever!!!! You can keep it next to the bed and use it for ever!!
El mejor libro hasta ahora sobre respiración/pranayama!!! Es un libro de cabecera, para la vida entera!
El mejor libro hasta ahora sobre respiración/pranayama!!! Es un libro de cabecera, para la vida entera!
December 13, 2022
Another great classic that should be read and kept in the library of any yoga enthusiast.
Very detailed explanations both in terms of theory of prana and pranayama and how to apply the different techniques. I am a yoga teacher myself and I found great inspration in the pages of this book.
Very detailed explanations both in terms of theory of prana and pranayama and how to apply the different techniques. I am a yoga teacher myself and I found great inspration in the pages of this book.
August 26, 2018
the authoritative reference for any yogini to expand, improve and even start their breathing techniques journey.
September 14, 2018
This book is very in depth, helpful for anyone struggling with pranayama.
June 5, 2019
Absolute Authority to speak about pranayam...
May 3, 2020
A classic yoga text. The pictures are rather old fashioned but much of the teaching remains relevant and useful
September 3, 2020
A great resource for pranayama practices. I highly recommend for anyone who wants to deepen their pranayama practice and understand the benefits.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews