Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika by B. K. S. Iyengar
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Book Reviews of Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika
Book Review: a modern bible for yoga
Summary: 5 Stars
When most reviewers of this book refer to it as a "bible", they're not exagerating. It deals with everything one needs to know about the practice of hatha yoga. Every single pose is explained in detailed along with its benefits and there is a section regarding physical contra-indications. The written information is so dense however, that it is sometimes difficult to differenciate between one pose and another, or where one ends and the next follows. One major draw back to this edition, however, are the quality of the photographs: they are gloomy and dark b/w pictures that make some of the poses look like freak-show acts, with all do respect to Mr. Iyengar and Yoga. I must confess that if I've seen this book a year ago when I first started practicing yoga I will have skip it. But now I'm ready for it and I've read it thoroughly and have fall for it. This is a book that anyone who practices yoga must own. If you're a begginner, I will reccommend Iyengar's "Yoga: the Path to Holistic Health" which more contemporary and the 360 degree pictures are just excellent.Book Review: If You Could Have Only One Book on Hatha . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
. . . this would be it. It contains clear explanations and photographs of every asana there is--or, to be more precise, if it isn't in here, you don't need it. The brief section on yoga philosophy is excellent, as is the brief, but thorough, introduction to pranayama. This book has been The Bible of hatha yoga since its publication and deservedly so.
The tone of the book, however, is very austere. Very no-nonsense. And humorless. Given the nature of the book, those are certainly not to be considered flaws. But to lighten and sweeten your yoga reading and library, you would probably do well to add one of Donna Farhi's excellent books, or the Sivananda Companion, or really any other contemporary hatha-oriented text that appeals to you. Iyengar is a master and a master teacher, but his prose here does not make one feel like hitting the mat. It's quite cold and technical. If, like me, you find it helpful to have an author who coaxes and coaches and does some virtual hand-holding, get a more touchy-feely text to go along with this one.
Book Review: The authority
Summary: 5 Stars
I regard this book as the true arbiter of the correct way to perform all yoga asanas. LIGHT ON YOGA has many things going for it. First of all, Iyengar goes into great detail about the positions. I've never seen another yoga book that goes into such detail. He doesn't make any assumptions. He also gives valuable advice such as "persons over forty should not attempt this asana for the first time" for some of the asanas. (I wish I had read this book before attempting the Scorpion for the first time at age 45!) The second thing I really like about the book is that it is Iyengar, an older man, who demonstrates the postures in the hundreds of photographs, rather than a trim 30-year old woman in a leotard like 9/10ths of all other yoga books. There are zillions of books out there on yoga, many with profuse illustrations and photographs, but none of them even comes close to LIGHT ON YOGA. This is a very valuable reference book. Any person who is serious about yoga should have this book.Book Review: Everything a beginner needs
Summary: 5 Stars
Whether you are looking for a physical improvement or a mental one, Light on Yoga will give you what you need. Each asana is accompanied by at least one (usually more) photographs to illustrate the proper technique, a synopsis on the effects, and details instructions that anyone can follow. Breathing, focus, position of each limb and which muscles to focus on are all covered thoroughly. When applicable, there are even variations that can be applied, depending on the student's comfort and skill level, so that no one need skip an important technique just because he or she is starting out and has no outside help.Iyengar then further assists the beginning student with a list of which poses to start with and add each week, for a comprehensive schedule that will keep you improving for years. Also included is a list of common ailments and asanas that can relieve these ailments.
Anyone interested in strength, flexibility, balance, and inner peace should have at least this one book.
Book Review: Light on Yoga - Light on life
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is excellent for a Yoga student who wants to start practicing at home. I used to practice Yoga with
a teacher in the last 5 years, and I bought this book when
I decided to start practicing at home daily.
The book was extremely helpful.
In addition to the huge number of positioned that are
explained, the book include a large number of classes
in the form of a sequence of positions+times.
In the last 6 months I was using these proposed classes
with very good results.
This is the book that should accompany you when you
do the transition to practicing at home more frequently.
I still go to the Iyengar Yoga center in New York once a
week - there is no replacement for great teachers. However,
for those of us who wants to practice more often than once or twice a week
this book is the best companion