Status Updates From B.K.S Iyengar Yoga byIyengar

6th asana done today, the downward-facing dog stretch. I've added it to my morning routine and I will put reading on hold for some days while I practise these asanas which takes several minutes in the morning.

4th and 5th asana added today (read and now in my morning routine): Extended Side Strech and Intense Chest Stretch - I cannot bring my palms together in the latter. Instead of adding many more asanas. I might put a brake on this book while I I practice these asanas first.

A third asana Virabhadrasana 2 / Warrior Pose 2

First two asanas: Tadasana / Mountain Posture and Utthita Trikonasana / Extended Triangle Pose. Even doing the simple Mountain Posture I feel my body wavering and once during Extended Triangle Pose I lost balance entirely. I will work on both.

Chapter on classic poses with explanations what to focus on and what benefits the different kind of asanas have.

Chapter Chakras describes 7 of the 11 chakras as being crucial. All are invisible and their effects can only be accessed once all eight aspects of yoga have been achieved. To achieve self-actualisation with practise you can overcome the 6 main obstacles to happiness - desire, anger, greed, infatuation, pride and envy.
Chapter The Guru and the Yogi.

Chapters 'States of Mind', 'Eight Limbs' and 'Pranayama'. I especially appreciate Eight Limbs with it's explanation of the 8 steps to attain self-realisation. The initial steps seem very basic and sound (the later are harder to understand) and I would like to add all to my B Torch app to guide people who want to go on this journey.

Note: Pranayama shouldn't be done, before asanas are mastered.

In Chapter 3, Philosophy of Yoga, many aspects are discussed so briefly that I don't give it any particular thought. (Another book which I am reading presently Upanishades allows for more reflexion and understanding of the same topics.)

Read the chapters "Benefits of Poses", "Yoga & Stress" and "Yoga & Fitness". Especially the last two chapters resonate with me - these are the insights I have had after attending yoga sessions and especially comparing these to my most recent Crossfit experiences. Yoga is calming and regenerates energy without the wear and tear of, for example, Crossfit.