Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom by B. K. S. Iyengar, Douglas Abrams (With), John J. Evans (With)

From the Publisher

B.K.S. Iyengar—hailed as "the Michelangelo of yoga" (BBC) and considered by many to be the most important living yoga master—has spent much of his life introducing the modern world to the ancient practice of yoga. Yoga’s popularity is soaring, but its widespread acceptance as an exercise for physical fitness and the recognition of its health benefits have not been matched by an understanding of the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development that the yogic tradition can also offer. In Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar brings readers this new and more complete understanding of the yogic journey. Written with the depth of this sage’s great wisdom, Light on Life is the culmination of a master’s spiritual genius, a treasured companion to his seminal Light on Yoga.

Publishers Weekly

Master yogi Iyengar offers what may turn out to be his last written words on the discipline that he helped popularize with Light on Yoga. Published in 1966, that first book became yoga's "bible" and set the standard for yoga books, providing pictures and instructions. The 86-year-old teacher here expounds the philosophy of yoga-its metaphysics, of which yoga poses, or asanas, represent the physical component. Iyengar yoga is vigorous because it involves the body, mind and spirit, and the master explains those interrelationships clearly. Chapters elaborate on aspects of yoga-the physical, energetic, mental, intellectual and divine, showing the architecture of the comprehensive system of spiritual teachings that lead to samadhi, the state of blissful absorption. Yoga is about health and purity, flexibility and divinity. While this book underlines the intellectual aspect of yoga, it is insufficient for a new yoga student, no substitute for yoga sadhana, practice that requires and integrates body and mind. Not the book with which to begin the yoga journey, it is highly recommended for those advanced on the path and interested in learning from a master of flexibility and wisdom. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Still teaching in India at 85, Iyengar came to the United States 50 years ago to share yoga. His first book, Light in Yoga, was published in 1966 and has since become the most popular yoga book ever written, translated into 18 language. Since then, he has educated instructors and students in his style of yoga, which stresses the importance of posture alignment. Today, yoga's popularity is growing as strictly a fitness exercise, ignoring the importance of the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. In his new work, Iyengar emphasizes the integration of mind, body, and soul; the wisdom of Patanjali's Yoga Sutrasis woven throughout. For emotional stability, he also includes asanas, a series of postures sequenced to relax one totally. Iyengar shares here the knowledge he has accumulated in 70 years of yoga study. His last book, the shining jewel of yoga works, is recommended for all libraries that have a yoga collection.-Dede Archer, Naples, FL. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

• ISBN: 1594865248
  
• ISBN-13: 9781594865244
• Format: Paperback, 304pp
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Pub. Date: September 2006
• Edition Description: Reprint
• Sales Rank: 54,588

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents