The Tree of Yoga

by B.K.S. Iyengar

BKS Iyengar is the world's foremost teacher of yoga. In The Tree of Yoga he offers us his thoughts on many practical and philosophical subjects, ranging from the place of yoga in our daily lives to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. He includes chapters on yoga and health, childhood, love, death, faith, teachers and teaching, and much more besides.

BKS Iyengar insists that yoga is a spiritual path involving a great deal more than physical exercise. Yet this spirituality is deeply rooted in practicality, and all the philosophical concepts covered in the book are related directly and specifically to the practice of yoga postures and breathing.

This will be an invaluable source book for new students of yoga and seasoned practitioners alike. Iyengar offers his thoughts on many practical and philosophical subjects and includes many anecdotes and examples that will benefit both new students of yoga and seasoned practitioners

The book was the forerunner to Iyengar's new classic text Light on Life. Like the new book, this book explores the ways that yoga can reach deeply into your life, helping you to be healthier and happier. Drawn from lectures and classes Iyengar gave in the early and mid eighties this book is truly, "in his voice" and is as close as one can come to receiving the teaching directly, without actually seeking him out. Since most of the chapters are short it is the sort of book that is easy to look at a little at a time. The scope is wide ranging and is sure to inform your practice and your life. Areas covered include yoga in all stages of life including, love, marriage and family life, yoga and health, the yoga sutras, meditation and teaching yoga.

For anyone interested in the philosophy of yoga and the thoughts of a man who has influenced the growth of yoga in the West for the past 50 years this book is a valuable resource. He focuses on the eight limbs of Patanjalis classical yoga to demonstrate the inter-relationship and inter-dependence of these various aspects of yoga. Equally relevant to the dedicated practitioner and those interested in finding out more about yoga for the first time.

About the Author:

Yogacharya B.K.S.Iyengar (Guruji) is a living legend who has taught yoga in unique way to all his students. He finds the meaning of the yoga sutras by his practical search and regular practice of yoga. Thus, he has helped all to experience the wisdom of the yoga sutras. His style of teaching yoga is called "Iyengar Yoga" and is now being followed by certified teachers across the world.

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja (BKS) Iyengar was born on December 14, 1918. His father Sri Krishnamachar was a school teacher and therefore Guruji has all his father's qualities even at this age. Guruji was a victim of malaria, typhoid and tuberculosis in his childhood .

At the age of 16, he was introduced to yoga by his Guru Sri T. Krishnamacharya. At the age of 18, he was sent to Pune, Maharashtra by his guru to teach and preach yoga as he knew a little of English. This missed his opportunity to learn a lot about yoga directly from his guru.

Guruji was a sincere and committed practitioner. His own practice helped him to explore and achieve perfection in yoga asanas. This is reflected in his teachings all over these years.