It always amazes me how much can be said in the preface of a book. When I was younger I often skipped the preface to get right to the book. Once I started to read the preface, I realized how much was said in just those first few pages that really sets the tone for the rest of the book.
In the preface to The Art of Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar says that, “Any action done with beauty and purity, and in complete harmony of body, mind and soul, is art. In this way art elevates the artist. As yoga fulfils the essential need of art, it is an art. It starts as a basic art and shows the way of striving for and emulating the divine, with the help of the divine spark within, to reach spiritual quintessence.” Mr. Iyengar continues, “Thus the essence of yoga cannot be imparted by language since its basis falls within the same framework as any other disciplined art, calling for imagination, repetition, precision, attention to detail, and creation. Only ceaseless practice and endless striving for perfection engenders skill, understanding and wisdom and forms the subtle body of the ineffable which is art.”
“Yoga is a disciplinary art which develops the faculties of the body, mind and intellect. Its purpose is to refine man. It is a commitment to a life’s pattern and a way towards right living.” B.K.S. Iyengar says that it led him to explore and observe the hidden, unknown, parts of his body and movements of his mind and helped him attain the high purpose in life of exploring the self while living as a householder.
My. Iyengar also writes, “It was Patanjali whose work inspired me to see and develop the artistry of yoga, and to study its philosophy, spiritual values and powers. I also found in his treatise guidelines to the yogi-artist for living in society. He advocates friendliness towards all, sympathy for suffering people, kindness to those who are not blessed with essential needs, and the cultivation of delight on seeing those who are better placed than oneself.” This is Yoga Sutra 1.33 and B.K.S. Iyengar often talks about this sutra. It is one I try to mediate on daily.
About this book, he writes, “This book, therefore, is based on three main strands: first, the interpretation of yoga in the light of Patanjali’s philosophy, with extensive quotations to show the relevance of his work in the field of art; second, my own yogic study, reflections and experiences of a lifetime; and third, the painstaking, diligent and delicate labour which transformed my yoga practices into a work of art. I have availed myself of thirty sutras from Patanjali which have a bearing on yoga as an art. The meaning of these sutras is based on my own interpretations of my work in the art of yoga.”
As you can see, from the foreword alone we have learnt much about B.K.S. Iyengar and his process to transform and inspire us to preform the asanas critically and in a studious manner.
As we proceed to delve more into The Art of Yoga. I will share a few more images from the book.
Stay well ,
And as B.K.S. Iyengar writes in his book Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, cultivating friendliness, compassion, joy, and indifference to pleasure and pain can lead to a serene and benevolent consciousness.
Pam
