Illustration: Tadasana (Mountain Pose) from Yoga Wisdom and Practice by BKS Iyengar When performing asanas no part of the body should be idle, no part should be neglected. We are seeking the balance of polarity not the antagonism of duality. The moment the body shrinks the brain becomes heavy and dull, and you see nothing. When we lose this lightness our bodies shrink. Think of yourself as graceful and expanding however unlikely it may seem at the time. When an asana is felt as heavy it is wrong.

When an asana is done correctly the body movements are smooth and there is lightness in the body and freedom in the mind. One who knows the art of relaxation also knows also knows the art of meditation. Then life is not only dynamic but is also electrified with life force. If the asana is done with continual reference to the back of the brain there is a reaction to each action and there is sensitivity. The brain can learn only when it begins to relax. If the eyes are still and silent, the brain is still and passive. Tenseness of the eyes also affects the brain. Notice your eyes as well, as you hold the stretch. This relaxes the brain as well as the body.

The mind does not balance when you force.Īfter reaching the final pose, one has to learn to let go of the effort and tautness of the muscles and shift the load onto the ligaments and joints so that they hold the asana steadily without even the breath causing the body to waver.įocus on relaxing as you hold the stretch, not clenching, but relaxing and opening. Here are some more extracts and quotes I found valuable in the second part of this chapter: Chapter 2: Stability – The Physical Body (Asana) – Part 2:

Light on life bks iyengar