Light on Yoga

A classic. It is possible to teach yourself yoga using this book. I've seen it done. Having started with Iyengar's yoga before exploring the more contemporary, fluid creative styles of yoga available to us in the west, I highly recommend this path... his teachings, his teachers and this book. Learn to walk before you run.

Anyone confused about the ways in which yoga transcends mere physical exercise (so associated with Iyengar and his block and blankets!) need only read the opening of Light on Yoga and just take the postures from there.

Nothing but the pure essence of Yoga (3/3 people found this helpful)

Mr Iyengar has given such a gift to the world with this simple, though occassionaly complicated for the beginner, classic yoga treatise. For those with particular ailments, including neurosis and impaired vision of all kinds, this book will be your humble servant and ultimately lead you to a good teacher and happiness.

For the unfortunate soul who could only manage 2 stars for Mr Iyengars most valuable work, may I suggest a regular practise of hand stands and bowel evacuation. Both will leave you with a better self respect.

If you are serious about your yoga, you must have this (9/9 people found this helpful)

As one previous reviewer says, if there is one reason not to buy this book, it's because it may be disheartening for complete beginners to see the more advanced poses performed by BKS Iyengar at the peak of his abilities.
This is not a book that was designed to impress the reader, but produced in the true spirit of a guru to guide and encourage yoga students. Yes, the photographs are in black and white, but they are clear. (I particularly like the one with the sofa in the background; it demonstrates that it really is the content and not the style that is important, unlike many more modern yoga books.)
I've been studying BKS Iyengar's method of Patanjali's yoga for 11 years and teaching for 4; I always take Light on Yoga to classes and it often comes out of the bag to provide the answer to a question.
If you are just beginning your yoga journey, I'd also recommend BKS Iyengar's The Path to Holistic Health but start with Yoga Explained by Mira Mehta. This is a lovely book by one of Mr. Iyengar's most respected students and one of the UK's top teachers. A couple of steps along the path and you'll definitely need Light on Yoga; if you need some inspiration to encourage you, buy it now.

Fabulous book - a must for all levels of yoga practitioner! (3/3 people found this helpful)

This book has a wealth of information for any practitioner of yoga, from beginner to advanced. The content is concise and practical, and the poses are sequenced in a way that allows for a gradual and safe progression in the practice. There are also dozens of practice sequences given for both improvement and how to treat common ailments through yoga. The introduction is especially valuable, as it offers a no fluff in-depth commentary on the philosophical thought behind the asana practice. I pick it up again and again and am still referring to it after nearly 15 years of owing it. My copy is dog eared and loved, and was well worth every penny.

An earlier reviewer mentioned that the photos and layout were not user friendly, and only gave the book two stars, which is a shame. This book was first printed in the mid 1960's - over 40 years ago! It was the first yoga book of it's kind to ever be printed, and it's content is timeless and as relevant today as ever. Mr. Iyengar even had to struggle with his then publisher to be allowed to include so many photos, as it was so expensive in those days to print such a book. I say hats off to the man who brought yoga to the west long before it was ready. He's a pioneer and a virtuoso of his craft, and his marvelous work should never be over overlooked just because it doesn't come in some glossy package fit for the masses.

amazing (3/3 people found this helpful)

This book is amazing. It is so in-depth but at the same time simple to follow. I love the fact that Mr Iyengar really goes into the mental and physical benefits of each posture, it's made me aware of all the health benefits.
As a beginner, some of the postures look a bit intimidating but this has not put me off, as the week by week yoga course at the back of the book gives sequences of postures for beginners to the more advanced. This provides a structure that allows the student to develop and gradually improve.

B.K.S. Iyengar

Reader Reviews:

The yoga "bible" (0/0 people found this helpful)

Nothing but the pure essence of Yoga (3/3 people found this helpful)

If you are serious about your yoga, you must have this (9/9 people found this helpful)

Fabulous book - a must for all levels of yoga practitioner! (3/3 people found this helpful)

amazing (3/3 people found this helpful)

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