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The Concise Light on Yoga
Discusses the fundamental beliefs of the Indian religious philosophy of yoga and describes how to perform yoga postures and breathing exercises
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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About the author
B.K.S. Iyengar
175 books511 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 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 7, 2009
6/12/09
Some notes I have taken so far:
From the chapter "What is yoga?"
Eat to live not live to eat
"A mind that is not content cannot concentrate."
"Tapas...means a burning effort under all circumstances to achieve a definite goal in life. It involves purification, self-discipline and austerity. The whole science of character building may be regarded as a practice of tapas."
"A worthy aim makes life illumined, pure and divine."
"Speaking the truth without regard for the consequences to oneself and not speaking ill of others are tapas of speech."
"Developing a mental attitude whereby one remains tranquil and balanced in joy and sorrow and retains self-control are tapas of the mind."
"Education is the drawing out of the best that is within a person."
* * *
I got into yoga for its physical benefits which are tremendous and unending. I thought it was deeply important for me to learn about yoga in its entirety and so with that in mind I borrowed this book from the library that is by one of the renowned yoga masters of our time. The philosophy is amazing. I am only 29 pages in and have been reading this book for about two months. I really have to read it slowly and then spend a few days contemplating what I am reading.
I am beginning to believe that the practice of yoga is the greatest secret of mankind and that the west would do well to pay close attention.
The second section of this book is full of photographs of various poses as well as a discussion of proper form, how to execute them, how many breaths to hold them for, and other helpful information. The beauty of this is that one can study these poses, and then practice them at their own pace. It may sound hokey to say this practice can and will improve EVERY aspect of your life, but I, and countless others, are living proof of that.
I intend to get the full version, not the concise version, at some point. That's the one I meant to get in the first place, but I am reading this one because there is plenty of information in here alone. Like I said, it has taken me several months to get 30 pages in. It's not a light read, but it is a rewarding one.
Some notes I have taken so far:
From the chapter "What is yoga?"
Eat to live not live to eat
"A mind that is not content cannot concentrate."
"Tapas...means a burning effort under all circumstances to achieve a definite goal in life. It involves purification, self-discipline and austerity. The whole science of character building may be regarded as a practice of tapas."
"A worthy aim makes life illumined, pure and divine."
"Speaking the truth without regard for the consequences to oneself and not speaking ill of others are tapas of speech."
"Developing a mental attitude whereby one remains tranquil and balanced in joy and sorrow and retains self-control are tapas of the mind."
"Education is the drawing out of the best that is within a person."
* * *
I got into yoga for its physical benefits which are tremendous and unending. I thought it was deeply important for me to learn about yoga in its entirety and so with that in mind I borrowed this book from the library that is by one of the renowned yoga masters of our time. The philosophy is amazing. I am only 29 pages in and have been reading this book for about two months. I really have to read it slowly and then spend a few days contemplating what I am reading.
I am beginning to believe that the practice of yoga is the greatest secret of mankind and that the west would do well to pay close attention.
The second section of this book is full of photographs of various poses as well as a discussion of proper form, how to execute them, how many breaths to hold them for, and other helpful information. The beauty of this is that one can study these poses, and then practice them at their own pace. It may sound hokey to say this practice can and will improve EVERY aspect of your life, but I, and countless others, are living proof of that.
I intend to get the full version, not the concise version, at some point. That's the one I meant to get in the first place, but I am reading this one because there is plenty of information in here alone. Like I said, it has taken me several months to get 30 pages in. It's not a light read, but it is a rewarding one.
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November 23, 2024my 30 year old copy is definitely past it's best, but still worth checking out from time to time. i'd say i've got value for money from it
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews