Where has this book been all my life?August 29, 1998 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I love this book. Iyengar gives every possible detail on every posture. Not only does he tell you where each body part should go, he also tells when to pause, how to breathe, and what you're stretching or tightening or whatever. This is a great book for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
it's the most complete book on yoga.June 4, 1998 There are many books on yoga, but this one is the most comprehensive guide, although it's not the easiest one.
A great, encyclopedic, illustrated guide to yogaMay 20, 1998 35 out of 35 found this review helpful
Light on Yoga is a comprehensive guide to yoga asanas (poses). For each pose there is at least one photograph of the pose performed by Iyengar. He gives clear, complete instructions for performing every pose and practical suggestions for improving your practice.
For example, in his instructions for headstand he not only gives a list of correct body actions, but also suggests practicing in a corner to prevent misaligning the legs.
I met a wonderful yoga teacher who studied without a yoga instructor for ten years, following only the instructions in this book.
The book is so complete. It has wonderful instructions on basic poses and a suggested set of asanas to perform each week of your practice. For inspiration, check out the poses toward the back of the book! I aim to perform these after 20 more years of practice. :-) This book is a must-have for any yoga student.
The book gives some forward to yoga philosophy and instructions on pranyama as well, but the focus is on the asanas (poses).
My only complaint about this book is that it is so encyclopedic that it is too difficult to use while I am actually practicing yoga. I find it's too hard to keep the book open flat while I try to perform the asana. Now I try to focus on a pose every week. I reach Iyengar's instructions each night and try to put them into practice the next day.
Throws real light on yoga - with no mumbo-jumbo !April 13, 1997 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is truly a book for those who wish to achieve balanced health of body and mind. Far, far superior to Dr Deepak Chopra's works on 'Quantum Healing', 'Ageless Body, Timeless Mind' and other such pap.
The author, BKS Iyengar, is a superb advertisement for his own theories, ideas, teachings: he is, I think, something like 80-odd years of age, but he still has the constitution, stamina, energy, appearance of a VERY healthy and athletic forty-year-old.
There's absolutely no mumbo-jumbo in the book, it reflects the life-experience of a marvellously analytical, modern scientific mind exploring the ancient wisdoms about the human body and mind.
A true classic. Deserves to be amongst the Great Books of the Century.
