Live before you die, so that death is also a lively celebration.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
It took me whole decades to appreciate the depth and true value of yoga. Sacred texts supported my discoveries, but it was not they that signposted the way. What I learned through yoga, I found out through yoga.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Yoga is a personal journey of discovery that cannot be fully understood through texts alone.
This quote emphasizes the idea that while sacred texts and teachings can guide one’s understanding of yoga, the true essence and depth of the practice can only be fully appreciated through personal experience and dedication over time. B.K.S. Iyengar reflects on his decades-long journey, highlighting that the wisdom gained from yoga comes from within, rather than solely from external sources.
Themes
YogaWisdomExperienceSelf-DiscoveryValue
In practice
Example use cases
In a yoga class, the instructor can quote this to inspire students about the depth of their practice.
More from B.K.S. Iyengar
All quotes →Hard work and humility are essential for spiritual sadhana.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
Asana done from the brain makes one heavy and done from the heart makes one light.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
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.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
Before peace between the nations, we have to find peace inside that small nation which is our own being.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
Similar quotes
If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.
Henry FordRead
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Expect poison from the standing water.
William BlakeRead
If you attack a mathematical problem directly, very often you come to a dead end, nothing you do seems to work and you feel that if only you could peer round the corner there might be an easy solution. There is nothing like having somebody else beside you, because he can usually peer round the corner.
Michael AtiyahRead
Life is finite, While knowledge is infinite.
ZhuangziRead
Beautiful leaving (hajr), is to leave without harming, beautiful pardoning is to pardon without rebuking, and beautiful patience is to be patient without complaining.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead