Live before you die, so that death is also a lively celebration.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
You must do the asana with your soul. How can you do an asana with your soul? We can only do it with the organ of the body that is closest to the soul - the heart. So a virtuous asana is done from the heart and not from the head. Then you are not just doing it, but you are in it. Many people try to think their way into an asana, but you must instead feel your way into it through love and devotion
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that true practice in yoga comes from the heart and involves feeling rather than just intellectual understanding.
B.K.S. Iyengar highlights the importance of emotional and spiritual engagement in the practice of asanas (yoga poses). He suggests that while many practitioners attempt to approach yoga through cognitive means, the essence of yoga lies in a heartfelt connection, driven by love and devotion. This means that an effective practice is more about inner experience and presence than merely executing physical postures correctly.
Themes
YogaAsanaHeartSoulDevotionPracticePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a yoga workshop, use this quote to inspire participants to connect more deeply with their practice.
More from B.K.S. Iyengar
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Healthy plants and trees yield abundant flowers and fruits. Similarly, from a healthy person, smiles and happiness shine forth like the rays of the sun.
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Before peace between the nations, we have to find peace inside that small nation which is our own being.
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