And Ultimate Freedom (Iyengar Yoga Books) - The Yoga Journey to Wholeness

Being a devotee of Iyengar Yoga, this is an insight into the man and his philosophy on life. It is inspirational, non denominational and a guide for living. I gave this to my daughter as a gift and she was inspired.

I purchased this book as required reading for my yoga teacher training. It simply makes sense. His take on yoga and translation into life is eye opening, heart lightening and wonderful to read, learn and share.

This book is a must for any serious yoga practitioner. It's an in depth look at the eight limbs of yoga and how to apply them to your practice from someone who has been studying and practicing his entire life. He is over 90 years old.

This book has managed to clarify me basic rules and concepts of yoga like no other.
I regard it the best choice for beginners, as well as for people who have been questioning things about this vast
topic that is called yoga.

Have to honestly say that Im not quite complete with the reading here because I juggle more than 2-3 readings at one time. I do enjoy this book as I am not too knowledgeable about yoga itself but finding that the content, as least half the book I've covered and is teaching me about yoga, life and how someone's life can be very different than your, yet exactly the same. Food for thought.

Taking off on his classic “Light on Yoga,” Iyengar’s “Light on Life” serves as a kind of memoir and summary of his learning from his practice up until its publication in 2005. Iyengar would die 10 years later at age 96 in 2014 making this a timely record and summary from the renowned yoga popularizer and teacher.

The book includes a helpful preface and 7 chapters as follows: (1) The Inward Journey, (2) Stability: The Physical Body (Asana), (3) Vitality: The Energy Body (Prana), (4) Clarity: The Mental Body (Manas), (5) Wisdom: The Intellectual Body (Vijnana), (6) Bliss: The Divine Body (Ananda), (7) Living in Freedom. Proceeding in this way, the text provides a concise and clear explanation of background and the various facets of hatha yoga. There are pictures of Iyenar in yoga poses at the beginning of each chapter and there are drawings of such asanas for “emotional stability” at the end of the last chapter that are familiar to those who have known his books or taken classes from instructors who have studied with him.

While the book is well written and instructive, I particularly like Iyengar’s rumination on parts of his life and the life cycle (e.g. passages such as those on pages 238 to 246 including “The Four Stages of Life (Ashrama)”). Such sections seem to be a good supplement to others on these topics such as Edgar Schein’s “Career Dynamics” and David Hawkin’s “Power vs. Force” which deal with human challenges and growth.

Iyengar talks about how he was both very traditional and revolutionary in his approach. At the end of the book, he reflects “I am old and death inevitably approaches. Both birth and death are beyond the will of the human being. They are not my domain. I do not think about it. Yoga has taught me to think only of working to live a useful life. The complexity of the life on the mind comes to an end at death, with all its sadness and happiness. If one is already free from that complexity, death comes naturally and smoothly. . . ‘Live before you die, so that death is a lively celebration.’ “This book has additional wisdom and practical steps to help in this journey.

At 86 years old, BKS Iyengar has contributed much to the yoga world. Not only his prolific books, but also his style - which focuses on alignment and uses props. Almost every popular style of yoga today can thank Iyengar for helping to popularize this art. Now Iyengar has written a book that takes on a far more personal and conversational tone than previous works. Light On Life is a book that brings together all of Iyengar's personal experiences and insights in his 70+ years as a yoga practitioner.

This is a fantastic book whether you practice Iyengar style yoga or not. I picked it up a few weeks ago and took my time reading through it. There is a tremendous amount of insight here and one needs to digest it slowly.

This book blends Iyengar's life story along with wisdom and philosophy. You will come away from this book with a clear idea of what the yoga journey is all about. I recently had the good fortune of being able to hear Iyengar speak at a conference. He is amazing, brilliant and very witty (spry too!). This book reflects his personality beautifully. After reading this book and seeing him in person, I feel that I am more dedicated to my path than ever.

Highly recommended!

"Light on Life" is a thoroughly readable book by the Father of modern Yoga. I have read both "Light on Yoga" and "Light on Pranayama" and without a doubt this is the most accessable of the three books. In his earlier books, Iyengar writes as a stearn teacher with a rock solid philosophy. However, in this new book, the Master writes with a grandfatherly wisdom that neither demands nor commands. This is a gentle book by a gentle man that outlines a life based around the art and science of yoga as well as detailed instructions for overcoming challenges along the way. Iyengar writes candidly about his own struggles in life and with his own challenges in the practice of his beloved Yoga. His devotion and love for his wife and family is delightfully apparent as he describes parts of their life together. All students wherever they are on their path, will take heart that even a great master like BKS Iyengar has faced the same pitfalls as all of us.

This may be the final published work by this treasure of a man and everyone interested in the Yoga lifestyle should own and read this book.

An autobiography written by B.K.S. Iyengar would have been interesting, but instead Light on Life delves into the Yogic concepts of yamas and niyamas, the five kosas, pranayama, asana and the importance of ethics and forthright living. As a textbook, Light on Life gives a good introduction and comprehensive guide to Yoga, from a true and time tested master. I appreciated his humility and honesty when giving anecdotes and explanations, even calling himself a "fanatic."

A Yogi embraces and lives in the external world and does not renounce it. Iyengar continually emphasizes the interconnectedness of the many petals of Yoga. He gives crystalline answers to the questions which may arise at each step along the spiritual path, "the lowest being our ability to tie our own shoelaces when we are eighty and the highest being the opportunity to taste the essence of life itself."

If he has left any lasting reminder, it is that Hatha Yoga is not just a physical practice but can lead a dedicated practitioner to integration of mind, body and soul. His emphasis on practice, sadhana and tapas, gives hope for anyone starting at any stage to reap the benefits of Yoga with patience and perseverance.

He uses humorous examples like the temptation of a tub of vanilla ice cream to illustrate how the mind, ego and intelligence operate. "Drink contaminated water on Monday, sick on Tuesday, dead on Wednesday," is the way he describes previous epidemics of cholera and typhoid. Some of his anecdotes are quaint such as, "It is normal for women students to set their teachers on a pedestal in any subject, but by that time I was a bit more worldly-wise and developed a forbidding manner to keep them at arm's length. My flashing eyebrows and fierce glare came to my rescue. "

However, this is definitely an uplifting book that gives practical guidelines and direction on how to change our habits and cultivate wisdom. For example, Iyengar says that doing Setu Bandha Sarvangasana can alleviate depression. "When there is softness in body and lightness in mind, the asana is correct." There are hundreds of examples of sensible and enlightening instruction. "Meditation can only be achieved when all other physical and mental weaknesses have largely been eliminated. Mediation is not just sitting quietly."

At first, this book was enjoyable enough. But soon it became wearisome, for a number of reasons.

First, for a man who claims he has no ego, Iyengar's stearn authoritative manner makes his ego a tangible thing throughout. I've read far more selfless spiritual books in my time by authors whose words ring of a universal voice. Not so with Iyengar. He's the stern master, and he wants you to know it.

He also quickly denigrates things he clearly doesn't understand, like psychotherapy. In regards to this subject, he's the very definition of the phrase "contempt without investigation." Very disappointing.

Second, he's so holier than thou that he spoke with pride that he did not cry when his wife died. He seemed very proud that he didn't feel that much pain at her passing. What in the world is he trying to prove here? That he doesn't suffer as much as the rest of us? I felt bad for his wife when I read this.

And third, all of these yoga concepts simply boggle the mind after awhile. He prides himself on being so simple, yet his approach to life is anything but. After half a book or so, I felt like I was reading math problems instead of a book on spirituality and yoga.

Obviously, I'm in the minority here, as Iyengar followers really ate this book up. But if you're like me, a yoga newbie, you may find this book a turn-off instead of an inspiration. I know I did. I sold it used on the store, along with the big Iyengar yogo exercise book.

Iyengar seems like one of those people who, after awhile, would simply drive me nuts...a crazymaker in the truest sense of the word.

BKS Iyengar needs no introduction. If you need a book on yoga for physical health you should get his book light on yoga. Perhaps that best in that category. This book is explain the spiritual concepts on yoga in a pretty logical way. The spiritual side of yoga is so complex for westerners and equally for Indians and this book I'm sure will help thousands of people getting better understanding of yoga. Another book I'd recommend, which compliments this one is Mylife Framework: A Model For A Successful Life Based On The Yoga Principles by Sunil Sheoran. In fact I found mylife framework more useful, it takes the spiritual aspects to show how to structure one's life. Light on life has more detail on explaining the concepts though. Both these books are not a casual read, be ready for some serious introspection.

This book has been a gift to society. BKS Iyengar discloses his being and we get a glimpse of what yoga can be like for a master and that we too can attain bliss yoga as well.

I am a yoga teacher and this book is great for teachers as well because you can share with your students selected readings before their practice to encourage them to take their practice to another level.

I own the book as well as the CD. I listen to the CD on my IPOD and in the car. It is uplifting and inspirational.

May it bring you to wholeness, inner peace and ultimate freedom and may all being attain that as well.

Have a blissfull day,
Vanessa Tricoche, RYT, CHHC
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What more can you say. A great book, especially if you are searching for meaning in life and yoga. I appreciate the writing style that interjects personal life experiences with philosopy and esoteric minglings.

I felt better after reading the first 10 pages, and it just kept growing.

Whether you practice Iyenger style yoga or not (I practice Ashtanga,) I think this book is a must read for any person on the yogic or spiritual path: It has a wealth of information about the whole journey, with comments about his personal journey, ups and downs, and benefits of the eight-limbs of yoga. This is one of the first books I've come across that explains it very well and also gives insight of when and how to do certain things. And beyond that, it's also very well written - so articulate and ever-engaging. I have truly gained a lot of respect for Mr. Iyenger after reading this book. Thank you for writing it and letting the world into your life, Mr. Iyenger.

I think it has already been said, it is incredible. If you have any desire to learn more about the workings of yoga, the understandings of yoga, the philosophy of yoga, as practiced in India this book opens that door. Iyengar has been able to bridge the language gap in a wonderful way. A master. And the book is a wealth of information, and teachings

I began Mr. Iyengar's book with great anticipation. After just a few pages I pulled out my new yellow highlighter to underline passages I wanted to remember. I went through two highlighters and in the end the pages were more yellow than black and white.

I have read and re-read the highlighted words and now will get another copy to just read. Mr. Iyengar, who has given so much of himself to those of us who practice yoga has now given a spiritual guide to life for everyone to treasure.

From the first minute I opened this book I realized it was a treasure. "Light on Life" follows the same track as Patangali's Yoga Sutras in it's content without following it's structure in form. Mr. Iyengar personalizes the Yoga Sutra teachings with stories from his own life's struggles/tragedies/blessings and in doing so brings the timeless message of the Sutra's into modern perspective. His writing style is direct and sincere as he shares the wisdom he has gained through his life in Yoga.

This book is skillfully written; it articulates the philosophy and wisdom of the yogic approach to living. It is not a how-to-do-yoga manual but rather a how-to-live-a-better-life treatise. No matter what your experience is with yoga, this book will help to understand and appreciate how and why yoga is good for you. Whehter you go for Iyengar or another style of yoga, the message is valid.

I chose this reading as part of my apprenticeship for yoga. I like this book because it had so many powerful sayings and thoughts. It's the type of book that can't be read in one day. It needs to be slowly digested and meditated on and then applied to life.