B.K.S. Iyengar Quote

September 8, 2004

The following paragraph is a quote by the great master of yoga

Iyengar. Below that is an experience of one of his students. Source

"The primary aim of yoga is to restore the mind to simplicity and

peace, and free it from confusion and distress. This sense of calm

comes from the practice of yogic asanas and pranayama. Unlike other

forms of exercise which strain muscles and bones, yoga gently

rejuvenates the body. By restoring the body, yoga frees the mind from

the negative feelings caused by the fast pace of modern life. The

practice of yoga fills up the reservoirs of hope and optimism within

you. It helps you overcome all obstacles on the path to perfect health

and spiritual contentment. It is a rebirth."

B.K.S. Iyengar (quoted in our Spring 2001 schedule)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One incident I remember most clearly from that summer occurred at the

end of class one day. It had been a very intense, difficult class, and

during Shavasana, the Relaxation Pose, I went particularly deep. I

remember being very quiet, very centered, and yet very wide awake.

Iyengar must have noticed this because he came over to me afterward

and said, "You see! It takes Krishnamurti twenty years to get your

mind quiet. I can do it in one class." And he had a point. His

methodology worked. It wasn't just physical, as is the common

criticism of his teaching. Many people attempt to discredit him by

saying his yoga is not spiritual. But here it was! Spiritual in the

most practical, grounded, obvious way. And it was equally obvious from

what he said to me that his intent all along was to impart the

experience of yoga--not just put everyone through the paces,

physically speaking. The whole point of all this physical, hard work--

and it was very physical and very demanding--was to get into a deep

meditative state. And for me, it worked. I am extremely grateful to

have learned this from him.

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