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The Illustrated Light on Yoga
Major illustrated guide, one of best available, with full glossary
162 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1993
44 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
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 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 6, 2020
Very good to to understand yoga. If you have ever heard Swamy's talking about nirvaan, budhi, samsara, samadhi like those words and wonder that he is some sort of big man I would recommend you to read this as it explains many things and phrases like those in the practical manner and not in the fanatic way.
December 11, 2009
The introduction on what yoga is and its parts are fantastic and full of content you don't get all in one place very often. It is also a good reference books (with pics and explenations) of many yoga poses.
Remember, yoga without yama and niyama is just acrobatics.
Remember, yoga without yama and niyama is just acrobatics.
September 22, 2019
Good resource of all yoga asanas with step by step instructions. The most valuable part is the part where he explains the effect each particular Asana has on our body and what it's good for after the instructions. It makes you more motivated to do the asanas when you know why it's good for you.
November 8, 2017
Not everything in this book is believable and with solid scientific foundation.
However the treatment of the Yoga postures is thoroughly detailed along with the benefits. One can use this as a reference manual and perfect a posture by self discipline and learning. Also the essence and root of Yoga are well captured.
However the treatment of the Yoga postures is thoroughly detailed along with the benefits. One can use this as a reference manual and perfect a posture by self discipline and learning. Also the essence and root of Yoga are well captured.
December 9, 2019
Read it in preparation for YTT. Extremely useful, teaches all the alignment steps & pictures are good. Philosophy was really concise & interesting.
May 24, 2020
This book has detailed and week wise plan for beginners which helped me to learn and practice yoga in correct way.
November 28, 2022
"There are different paths (margas) by which a man travels to his Maker. The active man finds realization through Karma Marga, in which a man realizes his own divinity through work and duty. The emotional man finds it through Bhakti Marga, where there is realization through devotion to and love of a personal God. The intellectual man pursues [fiana, Marga, where realization comes through knowledge. The meditative or reflective man follows Yoga.Marga, and realizes his own divinity
through control of the mind."
through control of the mind."
July 16, 2020
Must have manual for all practitioners.
November 11, 2020
the treatment of the Yoga postures is thoroughly detailed along with the benefits.
November 13, 2020
Very good to to understand yoga.
June 23, 2015
I can't help but find the pictures super disturbing. But the book's full of useful information otherwise!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews