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| Hi guys, I've finally received my copy of Light on Yoga and have been avidly flipping through it. I do think it is great, but I will admit that I expected more detailed and thorough instructions like the kind I get from my teacher when I practice "live" under his supervision. I suppose my expectations were a bit high. I was especially disappointed when I read about downward dog and there is basically nothing written about it, and meanwhile it's a pose that I am constantly struggling to master and that I feel has a million tiny parts that need to be adjusted. Oh well. There are still some very amazing things in the book, I love the sections on the other limbs of yoga as they are very comprehensive overviews of the subject, the 300 week course is daunting and I don't know if I would ever start that (gosh, that's 6 years! don't think I could juggle that on top of my ashtanga practice anyways!), but I think it still could serve as the basis for building a home practice that is not based on the ashtanga series... The glossary and translation of sanskrit terms is great also. I'm very glad I got it.
Question: I couldn't find an explanation for the annotations next to the asana names. For example, here is the header for downdog: 33. "Adho Mukha Svanasana" Five *. What does the number five refer to, and what about the asterisk? I am not sure whether this would present the same way in every edition, I bought the 2001 Thorsons edition.
Thanks for your help.
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 2479
  
Location: A Blue State | Hi SP, The numbers are indeed a puzzle. They refer to the "difficulty" of the asana, with a value of 1 for Tadasana and a value of 60 for one or two of the deepest backbends. I've not found that the values are a great match for my own body, and, indeed, they don't completely match up to the Iyengar certification syllabi either. The most difficult poses are actually not the ones carrying 60's. I don't remember offhand what the asterisk is about. As for the detail, yes, LOY is pretty sketchy on some of the asanas. There's a good deal more on, say, Sirsasana. If it's any help, I understand that in Pune they have something like 37 pages of notes on Trikonasana alone, written by BKS, and, for that matter, a whole book on Trikonasana authored by Prasantji. I'm sure that I'm not alone in wishing that BKS would do a true second edition of LOY, to reflect all the new material that he's developed during the past 40 years. All that said, I find LOY to be one of the most useful texts on asana that I own. And for detail, do read Light on Pranayama -- it is just amazing. .. bg |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
 
| sp - I have read that BKS had indeed included a ton more info on each pose but it was edited heavily to get it to fit in the book  I have the book on trikonasana and it goes VERY deep! If you can find some notes of conferences (Lois Goldberg has several that are circulating, I do'nt know how easy they are to get) you will see pages and pages of those teeny tiny instructions! |
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| Hi SP,
For me, LOY was simply one of many books sitting on my shelf full of nice pictures that I would probally never be able to achieve.
When I began to study Ashtanga Vinyasa LOY became far more useful for to me. Though it was only when I began my Iyengar studies that I really began to appreciate it's true worth.
It really is a book for life.
Jonathon
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| In Sept or Oct of 1985, I had a break from my computer work after returning from New Zealand. I had gone to BKS Iyengar for my regular family friendly visit. I had not attended any of his instruction before. During the coffee chat, my wife complained about me and BKS ordered me to come and study yoga exercises with me. Wow! Invitation from BKS. I attended 3 classes a day for 5 months all taught by BKS, Prashant and Geeta privately on the side of their group classes. Biria who lives in Paris was my neighbour in that room.
On the llast of those classes, I went to BKS to bow down as I was to fly to New Zealand next day never to return to India for residence. He gave me a copy of Light on Yoga signed by him with a message.
I can say that I have almost never read that copy as what I learnt in the class and practiced later from 1985 till now is much more than what I can find in any book, I believe. Actually, I am not stating that reading book is not valuable. It is extremely valuable. But, only if:
Your practice can match what is written.
Reading books can be inspirational, convincing to take up practice, solve a particular doubt, and open new channels in the practice. But, for one who knows what to do, the practice is most important.
Once I find appropriate person, I am prepared to give that same copy of LOY to him/her.
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| What a wonderful story Neel. |
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| Thanks for the info Bad Guy on the significance of those numbers. I find it odd that there isn't an explanation offered in the book itself. Maybe I just didn't look hard enough.
I think your story, kulkarn, is amazing and you are very priviledged to have had the opportunity to study directly with BKS Iyengar. I doubt that I will ever undertake a trip to India in order to further my studies in yoga, but I am thankful to have access to excellent teachers in my area.
I was hoping the book would contain very detailed notes on many of the poses, and thought that this could serve as a home teacher of sorts. Though this has not been my impression from practicing ashtanga under the guidance of my teachers, I was led to believe by various people on here that alignment is not given enough attention in ashtanga and so thought that the book could supplement this possible lack in my instruction. I have been avidly reading the book (not from start to finish, but flipping through and reading sections that catch my eye) and do find it very useful, but not exactly on the level I was anticipating.
In my asana practice, I do feel that I am getting very detailed instruction with regards to alignment, in a very personalized way since I mostly attend mysore sessions. I do intend to eventually add some Iyengar to my experience, either by taking a break from my studio at renewal time and going to the local Iyengar studio for a month, or what is more likely to happen (as I have trouble accepting the idea of stopping my ashtanga practice), getting a package of classes and going to one class a week to get a different perspective. I hope that when I do, I will also appreciate the value of this book even more.
I agree that reading about yoga is no substitute for practicing yoga, and that in time I will come to know intrinsically the things I would have liked to read about asana practice. At the moment, however, I feel as though when I receive adjustments in my poses, it all starts to make sense and I do the pose right, but then later on, or the next time I practice, I cannot seem to re-apply the instructions I was given and I cannot usually achieve the same feeling as I did the previous time. And I feel a bit uncomfortable asking for the same help again and again... Makes me wish I could somehow record my teachers' instructions so that I could review them later and apply them on my own. I'm sure that realistically, they constantly need to repeat the same instructions over and over to the same people, as these instructions are often targetted at correcting something that our bodies have been doing wrong for our entire life. So we fall back into old patterns easily until we have retrained our body by consistent practice and frequent reminders. So once again, I need to remind myself that patience is key, and I cannot expect to break through my ingrained patterns after less than 2 months of dedicated practice with the guidance of my teachers (and only 9 months prior practice without formal instruction).
It would truly be wonderful if BKS himself, or one of his pupils, were to publish a new book that was either an expansion or new edition of LOY or perhaps an indepth study of key postures... I understand from having read it somewhere in LOY that certain postures are especially important and that mastery of such postures makes the practice of many others much more effortless, as the same sorts of actions are required, so if a book were to take only those postures (and perhaps briefly review other asanas that are impacted by proper practice of those key asanas), and thoroughly discuss them, then it would be very useful. If any such book exists, I'd love to know what it is! A book on trikonasana sounds interesting, I'll check it out, but that's a bit too limited in scope for what I'm looking for. I will have to seek out some of those conference papers you talk about tourist, though frankly I wouldn't even know where to begin looking.
I need to remind myself that it's 99% practice and only 1% theory... not always easy to grasp for an academic mind like mine!
sp
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Veteran
Posts: 258
| Yes indeed, you don’t find lots of clarifications on details of the asanas in Light on Yoga. However, what this book, and mainly the other one, The Illustrated Light on Yoga (a shorter “version”, but with bigger and clearer pictures in it) has offered and keeps offering to me is inspiration !
The asana-describing-texts may not be that analytical, but the figure of Mr. Iyengar doing the asanas somehow provokes you to imitate him and thus you may manage to grasp the asana. I have heard that in India in general, teaching of yoga (and also of music) is very often mostly based on this type of “imitating-the-teacher” techniques and less on logical, analytic explanations. Of course we do need such analytic explanations also, since our body and our mind is structured somehow “differently” here in the West. But still, an “instinctive”, simple approach starting from pure, simple imitation sometimes helps also.
kr
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| Dear slowpie6:
I was curious to know the etimology of this interesting name: slowpie6!
I would like to clarify my above posting a little bit more and also add some more comments.
Yes, it was previlege to study with BKS in 1985. But, that was not the only previlege I have had. The biggest previlege I have had is to be born in the poor (economically only!) Kulkarni family. Let me tell you another story. Before I met BKS in 1985 vacation, I had been meeting him for family visit since my birth. He has played with me as a baby.
I met my first official Yoga Teacher, whom I respect equally. Mr. Pandit Balakrisha Sharma of Trivandrum, Kerala. I had a chance to meet him only 10 times total. This was in 1976 or 1978. He told me not to read anything until he orders me to do so and I practiced what he taught me in those 10 classes for next 6 or more months without a single day break. I still have all the letters from him, around 12 or 21 of them. In one letter he wrote to me: Now I allow you to read anything on Yoga. After that I read very little compared what I did before meeting him. But, from 1976/78, I practiced what he taught me each day until I met BKS in 1985 Fall, and that includes my wedding day in May 1985.
So, what I really wanted to say was: one should really give more importance to practice than reading. Reading of course is a very important part of yoga study.
Now coming to reading: One has to know why one is reading, what one is reading, and what they shall do with that reading. Also, one has to know how that material came into existence.
I wish to give you two examples, one sited by all of you. And, another which I am adding.
Light on Yoga was written by BKS after a prolonged Asana practice and study. To publish a work with those many photoes, and that much content, at the time it was published was a Herculian Task. It was taken up by his students or likers. So, considering that time frame, it was a great task. Later, the printing and media technology changed and improved a lot. However, editing of LOY is not a small task, and I believe BKS spent his energy in teaching rather than just working on books. This is my best guess.
No Book can replace a real teacher in any field.
Now, let me site another kind of book: Jnaneshwari of Sant Jnaneshwar which dear Bipin Joshi studies. This book can not be called as merely a book. It is the writing of the totally realized Yogi who is writing for the common people to benefit spiritually in their life. No income, no copyright, and no other transactions. There have been thousands of PhDs on studies of that book in the last 700 years. Jnaneshwar himself never went to the school. That book is the best commentary on Bhagavadgita, no, it is even better than Bhagavadgita.
So, one has to know the whole paraphernelia (Touris, CB, please help with correct English!) around any book. What happens today is : you go to a bookshop and you find 400 books on Yoga. And, 90 percent of them do not help, except looking at pictures.
LOY, considering it was written long ago, seems to have survived the time. However, the techniques, media, technology, concepts, etc. have changed since then. So, if you try to use with today's things in mind, you might not be totally satisfied. Or, you might be satisfied, if it meets your needs.
Best is class, not the book. |
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| Kristi, pure imitation got me in a bit of trouble at the beginning of my practice, having alignment wrong and such, but then again I was not imitating a master like Iyengar and I also didn't have the benefit of a teacher's instruction. So now having a degree of understanding when it comes to asanas, I think my attempts at imitation might lead me closer to the right form. I can't really trust my "intuition" on the subject of proper posture and alignment because my body has spent a long time developping a faulty sense of those things... That said, I agree with you 100% about the inspirational aspect of this book.
Neel, there's really no good reason for my username, I wish I thought of one before signing on here, but didn't so I just used my username for a game I sometimes play online. The slow part makes sense in that game (because I'm not very fast at it...) and Pie happens to be what my boyfriend calls me, a term of endearment of sorts... Either way, I better get used to that as my username, because changing would be a pain in the behind...
Thanks for sharing your story with me. I feel honored that I have the opportunity to discuss yoga with someone as dedicated to his practice as you are, and having held such close acquaintance with prominent people as you have. As to reading, I appreciate your suggestion that reading is a distant second in importance to the practice of yoga, and I am personally investing much more time and energy into my practice as well. I do feel, however, that I am exploring a whole new realm of knowledge, a whole new philosophy of life, that is such a great departure from my upbringing, socialisation and education, that I must supplement my practice with some theory. Yet, as foreign as this new approach to life is to the one I have been living, practicing yoga makes it all make sense to me very quickly... So I would guess that the theory only comes to have meaning in the context of practice.
I appreciate that the book was a massive undertaking especially considering the time of its publication, and know that it is no substitute for a teacher. Nonetheless, even with a great teacher, it is wonderful that we get to read the words and see the demonstrations of a true master.
sp
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| 30 Essential Yoga Poses by Judith Lasater might be what you are looking for:
http://www.rodmellpress.com/30.html |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| BKS does say that a good book is better than a bad teacher  |
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| tourist - 2007-02-24 7:59 PM
BKS does say that a good book is better than a bad teacher
Actually, true, but at lease for a joke I wish to make the following statement in response to the above:
"True, but as for good book, there will be very few books he would say they are good. Actually, there will be fewer books than good teachers to find!" |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
|  I agree Neel. I think it was more applicable back in the day when both teachers and books were in short supply One of our local teachers was spending time in the library at the Institute in Pune and had an opportunity to discuss a book with BKS. Mr. Iyengar talked about the book a bit and then said (jokingly!) "Why are you reading that book? Put it away and get one of my books!" |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | So, NB....since you don't have a perfect candidate for your book. How bout' loaning it out to me so I can read it. |
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| Cyndi - 2007-02-25 11:39 AM
So, NB....since you don't have a perfect candidate for your book. How bout' loaning it out to me so I can read it.
Gee. I was only keeping it due to his autograph. I do not mind loaning it to you. But, I think it should go to someone who really really appreiciates that style. And, there are many who can use it much more than me. I do not know what you will get by reading it. But, I probably will give it to you and then you can give it to someone who really wants Iyengar related material. As for me, what I learnt in that style is more than enough in terms of what I can use for myself. |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | Gee. I was only keeping it due to his autograph. I do not mind loaning it to you. But, I think it should go to someone who really really appreiciates that style. And, there are many who can use it much more than me. I do not know what you will get by reading it. But, I probably will give it to you and then you can give it to someone who really wants Iyengar related material. As for me, what I learnt in that style is more than enough in terms of what I can use for myself.
Well, look at it this way....at least you will be keeping it in the family. I will admire the signature and study this book....then if I don't find a new home for it, I will keep it close to my heart in case one day you may need it back....to admire the signature,  Do we have a deal??
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| Cyndi - 2007-02-27 12:00 AM
Gee. I was only keeping it due to his autograph. I do not mind loaning it to you. But, I think it should go to someone who really really appreiciates that style. And, there are many who can use it much more than me. I do not know what you will get by reading it. But, I probably will give it to you and then you can give it to someone who really wants Iyengar related material. As for me, what I learnt in that style is more than enough in terms of what I can use for myself. Well, look at it this way....at least you will be keeping it in the family. I will admire the signature and study this book....then if I don't find a new home for it, I will keep it close to my heart in case one day you may need it back....to admire the signature, Do we have a deal??
It is all yours. I am sure I would not need it back. And, keeping it with CB is like keeping the family. So, PM the address please.
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | Thank you NB. This reminds me. I recently loaned a book to Ravi and he loaned one to me. I think this is a great way to share information and it allows my bookshelves some space. It would be really cool if we could do a book exchange and possibly even have a seperate place on the forum to ask and make offerings for loans. Everyone is responsible for their books and for getting them back to the person they borrowed it from. It saves paper, but more importantly, it saves you $$ for not having to go out and buy books you don't need or find out later that they are not for you. What ya'll think?? |
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| Bay Guy - 2007-02-22 7:20 PM
If it's any help, I understand that in Pune they have something like 37 pages of notes on Trikonasana alone, written by BKS, and, for that matter, a whole book on Trikonasana authored by Prasantji.
i couldnt find anything on the internet for that book by prasantji, what is it called? where do i get it, etc.
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| Go to bksiyengar.com and look under references, books, and Prashant. I have no idea what it might be like to order from Pune, but it is a very interesting book. NOT all about the physical aspects of the pose, though. |
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| about that trikonasana book: heck the book site for sa francisco's iyengar institute. |
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| savasana2 - 2007-04-30 6:01 AM
about that trikonasana book: heck the book site for sa francisco's iyengar institute.
Send me 15 dollars and I shall arrange to get that book shipped to you. That is the one I gave as gift to Tourist. I am only helping you, I am not suggesting or recommending you the book. In fact, if you are a beginner Yoga Student, or a student who can not highly discriminate of what is to be taken or not taken, I do not recommend the book to you. That book is NOT for any Yoga Student. (If you want to know why, you have to meet me with the book in person). |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| Oh my goodness, neel. That book is really, really not for beginners. You are so right about that It is pretty mind boggling...  |
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Light on Yoga
