Light on Yoga  (English, Paperback, Iyengar B. K. S.)

Light On Yoga is a classic text on the philosophy and practice of Yoga.

Summary Of The Book

Light On Yoga is a definitive guide about Yoga, a rigorous discipline for attaining physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is aimed at beginners as well as advanced practitioners of Yoga.

The book begins a foreword by Yehudi Menhuin, a famous violinist and a friend of the author. It is divided into three parts. The first part contains an introduction to Yoga, tracing its historical origin to ancient India.

The second part is dedicated to yogasanas, bandhas, and kriyas. It covers numerous asanas or poses in great detail. Each asana is illustrated by a photograph. This is followed by step-by-step instructions that will help with perfecting the asana. The benefits of each pose, the ailments it cures, and the precautions it requires are also included.

The third part of the book is dedicated to the concept of Pranayama, a form of yogic breathing. It covers the technique of pranayama, its precautions, its effects, and its types.

The book ends with two appendices. The first one provides the sequence in which the asanas are to be performed. The second appendix recommends specific asanas for targeting and curing specific diseases.

Light On Yoga was first published in 1966. Since then, it has been considered to be a must-have for serious practitioners of Yoga. It has been translated into sixteen languages including German, Hebrew, Korean, and Italian. This particular edition is a 2004 reprint by Thorsons. It has been updated to bring a cleaner and more structured look to the original classic.

About B. K. S. Iyengar

B. K. S. Iyengar is a celebrated Indian yoga teacher.

He has written books like Light On Pranayama: The Yogic Art Of Breathing, Light On Yoga, The Tree Of Yoga, Yoga Wisdom And Practice, and The Art Of Yoga.

His writing focuses on the philosophy and practice of Yoga. His writing and Yoga classes have contributed greatly to the advent and popularity of Yoga in the West.

B. K. S. Iyengar was born Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar on December 14, 1918, in the Kolar district of Karnataka, India. His childhood was marked by frequent bouts of illness. His health steadily improved after he began practicing yoga under the guidance of his brother-in-law, who was a noted yogi. He began conducting Yoga classes in 1937. In 1943, Iyengar married Ramamani. The couple was blessed with six children. Iyengar is the founder of Iyengar Yoga, a form of yoga practiced by millions of people across the globe. In 1991, he became the recipient of the Padma Shri, and in 2002, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan. Time magazine named him among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004. Though he has retired from teaching, he continues to be an active proponent of Iyengar Yoga.