Many people around the world practice yoga. What most yogis want is the same: to have a physical and mental health, understanding and wisdom as well as peace and freedom. Life on Light by B.K.S. Iyengar speaks about these aspects of life through yoga, it is a very interesting and inspiring book that may change your life !
The Asana and Pranayama practice have many benefits on the physical point of view. By reading B.K.S. Iyengar’s book, we clearly understand that the Asana and Pranayama have to be made first with the heart, the practice itself comes from the heart. To give you an example, for a very long time, we have been practicing Asana and Pranayama more physically than internally, focusing on the external result of the asana and flexibility of the body. With time and dedication we understand that it is not all and that an Asana comes from the heart and has to be lived from the inside.
According to B.K.S Iyengar, the purpose or goal of asana is to align and harmonize the physical body and all the layers, or sheaths, of the subtle emotional, mental, and spiritual body. This is integration. But how does one align these layers and experience integration? How does one find such profound transformation in what from the outside may look simply like stretching or twisting the body into unusual positions? It begins with awareness.
The purpose or goal of asana is to align and harmonize the physical body and all the layers, or sheaths, of the subtle emotional, mental, and spiritual body. B.K.S Iyengar Life on Light
Pranayama helps us to connect with our soul and reach this awareness. By having a daily practice including pranayama and meditation, we can achieve a lot. The connection to our soul comes from the breath and the heart. Asana and the other limbs of yoga help us to achieve wholeness.
Here is below a daily practice that we recommend to do every morning. It improves the health and state of mind which we recommend to any practitioner:
- 5x Sun Salutations A
- 5x Sun Salutations B
- 10 minutes meditation / Pranayama
The sun salutations A & B are not only a great workout, but also improve the inner focus, calm the mind and stretches the muscles all at once. The 20 minutes of Sun Salutations A and B are the perfect opportunity to set an intention for the day, wake up gently the body and connect with it.
10 minutes meditation / Pranayama
Pranayama is the life force in the body or the vital energy. We can control it by the breath “Prana”. “Ayama” means control. Pranayama means literally the control of breath. The Pranayama connects us to our soul, and helps to achieve a healthy body and mind. It is also beneficial to release the stress, asthma and to develop a steady mind and strong will-power.
They are several techniques (over 50) of Pranayama techniques but we recommend to start with Ujjayi breath – The Ocean breath. This Pranayama technique can be very meditative which is great. It is easy and straightforward to apply in the morning.
Yoga is a key of success to allow us to discover a sense of wholeness in our life, boosting our mental and physical health. We would love to hear from your experience. Do not hesitate to give us feedback on this article. And while you’re at it, check out this and other inspiring books on Pinterest!
Namasté