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Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health
B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health covers the complete teachings of BKS Iyengar for mind, body, and health, and is suitable for every level of yoga ability, age, and physical condition.
Fully illustrated throughout with unique 360-degree views of classic Iyengar asanas, B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health includes a 20-week course introducing beginners to the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world, specially developed sequences to help alleviate more than 80 common ailments, and all classic asanas illustrated and supervised by B.K.S. Iyengar himself.
B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health has been refreshed and updated to include a new chapter celebrating Iyengar's life and work.
Fully illustrated throughout with unique 360-degree views of classic Iyengar asanas, B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health includes a 20-week course introducing beginners to the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world, specially developed sequences to help alleviate more than 80 common ailments, and all classic asanas illustrated and supervised by B.K.S. Iyengar himself.
B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health has been refreshed and updated to include a new chapter celebrating Iyengar's life and work.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
217 people are currently reading
1563 people want to read
About the author
B.K.S. Iyengar
174 books507 followersBellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar (Kannada: ಬೆಳ್ಳೂರ್ ಕೃಷ್ಣಮಾಚಾರ್ ಸುಂದರರಾಜ ಐಯಂಗಾರ್), (also known as Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar) (Born December 14, 1918 in Bellur, Kolar District, Karnataka, India) is the founder of Iyengar Yoga. He is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and has been practicing and teaching yoga for more than 75 years. He has written many books on yogic practice and philosophy, and is best known for his books Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He has also written several definitive yoga texts. Iyengar yoga centers are located throughout the world, and it is believed that millions of students practice Iyengar Yoga.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Bhushan in 2002.
B.K.S. Iyengar was born into a poor Hebbar Iyengar family. He had a difficult childhood. Iyengar's home village of Belur, Karnataka, India, was in the grips of the influenza pandemic at the time of his birth, leaving him sickly and weak. Iyengar's father died when he was 9 years old, and he continued to suffer from a variety of maladies in childhood, including malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and general malnutrition.
At the age of 15 Iyengar went to live with his brother-in-law, the well-known yogi, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in Mysore. There, Iyengar began to learn asana practice, which steadily improved his health. Soon he overcame his childhood weaknesses.
With the encouragement of Krishnamacharya, Iyengar moved to Pune to teach yoga in 1937. There his practice developed as he spent many hours each day learning and experimenting in various techniques. As his methods improved, the number of students at his classes increased and his fame spread. In Pune, his brothers introduced him to Ramamani, whom he married in 1943.
In 1952, Iyengar met and befriended the famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin arranged for Iyengar to teach abroad in London, Switzerland, Paris and elsewhere. This was the first time that many Westerners had been exposed to yoga, and the practice slowly became well known. The popularity of yoga in the West can in large part be attributed to Iyengar.
In 1966, "Light on Yoga," was published. It gradually became an international best-seller and was translated into 17 languages. Often called “the bible of yoga,”[citation needed] it succeeded in making yoga well known throughout the globe. This was later followed by titles on pranayama and various aspects of yoga philosophy. Mr. Iyengar has authored 14 books.
In 1975, Iyengar opened the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, in memory of his departed wife. He officially retired from teaching in 1984, but continues to be active in the world of Iyengar Yoga, teaching special classes and writing books. Iyengar's daughter Geeta and son Prashant have gained international acclaim as teachers.
Iyengar has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Bhushan in 2002.
B.K.S. Iyengar was born into a poor Hebbar Iyengar family. He had a difficult childhood. Iyengar's home village of Belur, Karnataka, India, was in the grips of the influenza pandemic at the time of his birth, leaving him sickly and weak. Iyengar's father died when he was 9 years old, and he continued to suffer from a variety of maladies in childhood, including malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and general malnutrition.
At the age of 15 Iyengar went to live with his brother-in-law, the well-known yogi, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in Mysore. There, Iyengar began to learn asana practice, which steadily improved his health. Soon he overcame his childhood weaknesses.
With the encouragement of Krishnamacharya, Iyengar moved to Pune to teach yoga in 1937. There his practice developed as he spent many hours each day learning and experimenting in various techniques. As his methods improved, the number of students at his classes increased and his fame spread. In Pune, his brothers introduced him to Ramamani, whom he married in 1943.
In 1952, Iyengar met and befriended the famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin arranged for Iyengar to teach abroad in London, Switzerland, Paris and elsewhere. This was the first time that many Westerners had been exposed to yoga, and the practice slowly became well known. The popularity of yoga in the West can in large part be attributed to Iyengar.
In 1966, "Light on Yoga," was published. It gradually became an international best-seller and was translated into 17 languages. Often called “the bible of yoga,”[citation needed] it succeeded in making yoga well known throughout the globe. This was later followed by titles on pranayama and various aspects of yoga philosophy. Mr. Iyengar has authored 14 books.
In 1975, Iyengar opened the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, in memory of his departed wife. He officially retired from teaching in 1984, but continues to be active in the world of Iyengar Yoga, teaching special classes and writing books. Iyengar's daughter Geeta and son Prashant have gained international acclaim as teachers.
Iyengar has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 17, 2017
The best part of this book is the "360 degree" photographs of each pose. Being able to see a pose from a variety of angles is incredibly helpful.
October 7, 2011
It's an introduction to Iyengar Yoga and a reference book, so while I've had it for two years, I've only recently attempted reading it, rather than looking up poses. I would reccommend it (and Iyengar Yoga) to anyone, but particularly if you have physical ailments, or are overweight, it's a very accesable style of yoga- not like a gym yoga workout. It's helpful to read the introduction and go to an Iyengar Yoga class, to make sure you're doing poses correctly.
May 10, 2020
A very good reference book with a lot of background and contextual information and detailed instruction on the asanas with photos showing different angles to improve alignment.
Large section on therapeutic yoga for both body and mind.
A great book to have handy and keep dipping into.
Large section on therapeutic yoga for both body and mind.
A great book to have handy and keep dipping into.
March 2, 2014
Great book for showing you exactly how to get into the pose. Each pose is shown in progressive shots so you can really see how to make the pose work for you. He has a 20 week progressive sequences of poses which is great for beginners. A perfect book for anyone wanting to learn yoga poses. I especially liked the one sheet translation of sans skirt and English names for the poses.
Biographical information about Iyengar as well as basic information on tenets of Yoga is also in this book.
I want to own this book.
Biographical information about Iyengar as well as basic information on tenets of Yoga is also in this book.
I want to own this book.
December 19, 2008
This hefty book is a more accessible (though much larger! :)) version of Iyengar's Light On Yoga. Best are the 360 degree illustrations of each asana (pose). Packed with great information on the core hatha yoga asanas, plus yoga with props, yoga for ailments and conditions, and what sequence to follow when building your own routines.
Quite possibly the best hatha yoga book out there.
Quite possibly the best hatha yoga book out there.
January 22, 2013
This was very helpful. It detailed technique and explained the multiple variations of the poses and What Not To Do. The back of the book was especially helpful in that it pin pointed specific ailments (i.e. Migraine, Heart Attack, back pain, anorexia, you name it) and their specific treatment. I recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone wishing to educate themselves on holistic cures using yoga.
July 15, 2021
This text made me realize the importance of alignment in yoga. I would often force myself into poses, with no awareness of alignment and how the pose should feel in my body. Yoga without proper alignment is a complete blockage of energy. I am still learning the wonders of proper alignment and will use the book for the rest of my practice. In addition to in-depth alignment visuals, each infographic provides the benefits of each pose (digestion, mental clarity,etc).
January 30, 2014
I gotta say... this is the "Holy Grail" for anyone interested in a home practice grounded in the Iyengar method.
What this book has to offer that many others don't is many many many pictorial sequences. Definitely a plus if you're used to flipping all around other yoga books to create a sequence. This one has a ton!
What this book has to offer that many others don't is many many many pictorial sequences. Definitely a plus if you're used to flipping all around other yoga books to create a sequence. This one has a ton!
March 26, 2010
My go-to book for natural healing from ailments. Packed with picture guides to break down poses, yoga with props and routines based on ailments. A must have go-to guide for any practicing yogi.
January 23, 2025
A great visual book on the Iyengar approach in yoga. Easy to follow along to build a yoga routine or follow the suggested ones. Recommended to all yoga enthusiasts!
August 26, 2015
This is a must have book for any yoga student. It's thick and encyclopedia-like, you are not throwing this one in your beach bag. However, the explanations and alignment for essential asanas are fantastically detailed and the photographs of each asana are from multiple angles (not just the side view like other yoga books). I also appreciated that the bodies were of an athletic fit type rather than a thin model. The substance and the philosophy sections of the book are a helpful addition and I like that there are sequences provided.
December 20, 2015
Excellent - BKS Iyengar designed yoga poses to help many different ailments. Diagrams in this big book are very clear. There is detailed, helpful description of how to get the pose right, including step-by-step and 360' diagrams. There is key information with each pose, such as who it will benefit and who should avoid it. Iyengar yoga teachers are highly trained and it is worth discussing your medical needs with them so that they can adjust classes for you. The book will work well alongside any class, helping you to practice at home on a daily basis.
March 1, 2017
Not a book you ever really "finish." I took it from the library to check some poses and see if there were some new ideas for my yoga practice :) There were!
I recommend books like this ONLY IF you already do Iyengar yoga and already know how to do the poses - and having learned them from well-trained sources/teachers!
You can hurt yourself doing yoga!!
I have done Iyengar yoga for decades and for me the benefits are that it keeps me strong and flexible as I age...your results may vary :)
I recommend books like this ONLY IF you already do Iyengar yoga and already know how to do the poses - and having learned them from well-trained sources/teachers!
You can hurt yourself doing yoga!!
I have done Iyengar yoga for decades and for me the benefits are that it keeps me strong and flexible as I age...your results may vary :)
May 16, 2019
Written for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced student, the book is beautifully illustrated and gives detailed instruction. In chapter 8, the author includes an Iyengar Yoga course progressing from week 1 to week 20. Chapter 4 and 5 give clear instruction on the poses with 360 degree illustrations to help clarify the asanas.
February 19, 2008
breaks down the staple poses so you know how each of your body parts should be participating. it also offers modifications of those staple poses to make them accessible for beginners. iyengar yoga at its best.
February 11, 2010
i'm not a fan of using props, but i'm definitely using the book as a resource to deepen my asana practice. to set myself up for future yoga options :)
the 360 breakdown of the poses was really helpful!!! loved it!!!
the 360 breakdown of the poses was really helpful!!! loved it!!!
October 23, 2008
Excellent translation of Mr Iyengar's most recent teachings, more accessible to westerners than Light on Yoga perhaps
July 18, 2012
Excellent resource for fragile practioners.
April 3, 2018
An excellent guide to incorporating yoga into everyday life. Highly recommend.
July 22, 2021
A gorgeous book that would be good for any YTT or beginning yogi; lots of info, biographical, but tons of asana info. Interesting to look at, even for me.
May 13, 2018
I found this book at a used book store about three years ago and bought it thinking I would read it when I had time. What a find! It is a treasure trouve of information from the yoga master himself. Each pose is carefully broken down and includes benefits and contraindications, different modifications, and a little history. This is a "must have" for any yoga teacher's library. I think I will be going back to this book over and over again.
March 4, 2018
The introduction read like gobbledygook, probably partially because the concepts translated from Sanskrit were not translated in a way that made them comprehensible for me as an English speaker. The bulk of the book contains explanations of postures, but I found the majority of them either inaccessible for beginners or requiring props that I don't have.
September 3, 2020
Es un libro muy completo para practicantes principiantes y avanzados, te da muchas definiciones y variaciones sobre las asanas y sus maneras de como ir curando malestares del cuerpo comunes. Me encanto, súper recomendado.
April 18, 2024
Honestly the pictures and descriptions are well done and there is a section in the back of the book that set a series of yoga poses tailored to help a variety of ailments. I need to try it and see if it works.
March 11, 2025
Great reference book with pictures. Keep in mind the pictures are not always accurate but it is still a good reference with the written text and images. Be sure to pair this with with his Light on Yoga so fully understand how each posture should be entered and exited. Enjoy!
July 30, 2017
I didn't read all of this, but what I did read was interesting and helpful for breaking down the asanas step by step and deepening my practice.
September 18, 2018
An essential book for anyone practicing yoga
July 22, 2019
Great teaching & great book to kick off a Yoga practice
September 23, 2019
Excellent resource on practical asanas for yoga and yoga therapy.
January 21, 2020
Perfect for helping me as I begin my practice, independent from class. Helps with accurate positioning... great tool.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews