Light on Yoga - Day 5

Tribute to Guruji and Light on Yoga - Day 5

In the preface to Light on Yoga Mr.Iyengar begins by thanking his devoted friends and pupils whom he feels without their support he would have given up on this book.  He also thanks Mr. Yehundi Menuhin, Mr. B.I. Taraporewala, Eilean Pearcey, Messers G.G. Welling, Mr. Gerald Yorke and to Thorsons.  He knows his pupils are his teachers too and always has shown such gratitude to them. 

Yoga Dipika means Light on Yoga in Sanskrit.  Mr. Iyengar writes that he "wanted to describe as simply as possible the asanas(postures) and pranayama (breathing disciplines) in the new light of our own era."  I think this is why the book has sustained itself over the many years.  The instructions are detailed but not overly complicated and at the time this book was written was based on his experiences of over 27 years of yoga.

Mr. Iyengar often points out that yoga is not a religion so he gives information in the preface to why there are many references in the book to the Universal Spirit, mythology and even the philosophical and moral principles.  Mr. Iyengar does this to remind readers that yoga is an ancient practice and at that time all things were done in the service to god.  He also felt it was important and interesting for readers to know the origin and legends of the asana.

In writing this book Mr. Iyengar  was not trying to take away the importance of a Guru/student relationship but  wanted to guide the reader to a safe and correct method of  mastering the asana and pranayama.  He would say a good book is better then a bad teacher. 

The preface is a nice opening to the book laying out the idea that, "Yoga is a timeless, pragmatic science.."

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.BlogSpot.com