Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health

In the beginning of the year, I mentioned that I was reading the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health book. Here is a closer look at this book, which covers the complete teachings of BKS Iyengar for mind, body, and health, and is suitable for every level of yoga ability, age, and physical condition.

I enjoyed the fully illustrated book that has unique 360-degree views of classic Iyengar asanas. B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health includes a 20-week course introducing beginners to the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world, specially developed sequences to help alleviate more than 80 common ailments. 

The book has 8 chapters that give details about BKS Iyengar's life and work, yoga for us, the philosophy, asanas, yoga for stress, pranayama, yoga for ailments and a guide to 20 weeks yoga course.

Yoga is for everyone big and small, so do learn and use this approach to keep the whole family fit and healthy. It was wonderful reading the story of Mr. Iyengar and his humble beginnings, before he introduced yoga to the western world. Yoga was a healthy art that was not known or respected like many other teachings such as Ayurveda, so he faced discrimination in the US and UK due to the colour of his skin. Unfortunately discrimination due to the colour of the skin and cultures still exists in other forms today.  

Perfect symmetry of yoga postures remove undue stress and restores the organic and cellular body to its original state of health. Yoga is meant to purify the body and penetrate the mind because if the mind has the strength it will bear the physical pain that comes with correct effort. Mr. Iyengar's teachings are practiced worldwide and he says that it is important to be involved by mind and body, and be aware and reflect so we do not do the postures by habit. I believe this awareness is the main part of the practice. As a follower of the teachings in Islam when we pray, the prayer only benefits us if both the mind and body are both aware. In summary, to benefit from yoga it must be done with devotional attention. 

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