Some Western scholars have contended that modern asana practice is not rooted in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (2nd c. B.C.E.), and that claiming so is a false, self-justifying, claim of provenance. I know the arguments well: only eleven asanas are described in Vyasa’s fifth century commentary on Patanjali (half of which are sitting asanas for meditation), […]
Yoga Philosophy
Samkhya Cosmogeny in Asana
Introduction to Samkhya Metaphysics India is a land of diverse opinions and divergent viewpoints. Its culture has been described as a “salad bowl” (as opposed to our “melting pot”) containing many ingredients that remain uniquely distinct within the whole. At the core of this diversity are the six different schools of Indian philosophy. One of […]
Prana & Prajna in the Yogic Path
Paraphrase of BKS Iyengar 2013 Guru Purnima Address — 22 July 2013 Transcribed by Bruce M. Roger +6.45 Yoga practice conquers weakness.. The purpose of yoga practice is to purge the citta by conquering the weaknesses of greed, anger, and delusion: vitarkah himsadayah… pratipaksha-bhavanam [PYS II.34].[1] Yoga is a discipline that builds up from the […]
Discipline in Yoga
[B.K.S. Iyengar teaching the Ladies’ Class @ RIMYI, January, 1984. Photo: Bruce M. Roger] Bruce M. Roger 2012 Yoga pays no heed to excuses Whenever I quote Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar, “You love yoga but hate to practice!” the class laughs knowing…
Tasting the Nectar of the Pose
2012 Bruce M. Roger [photo: Lalbagh Flower Show, Bengaluru 2011— Linda G. Swaty] Happiness that, in the beginning, is like poison, but, when transformed resembles nectar (i.e. immortality) — that happiness is born of the clarity and tranquill…
Top