Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Importance the Physical Practice of Yoga

A Student of Yoga develops their body by the practice of asanas (postures), for they know that the body is a necessary vehicle for the spirit. A soul without a body is like a bird deprived of its power to fly. BKS Iyengar

This is my favorite quote for yoga. When people would ask Iyengar why he put so much emphasis on the physical body, alignment, and so forth, this was his reply.

The yogis practiced the postures so their physical body would not keep their mind from their meditation. We know this as well. When we feel physically uncomfortable, sick, etc., it keeps us from the full joy of life. We need our body happy in order for our whole self, Mind/Body/Spirit, to be happy. We are not one of these, we are all of these. No part exists without the other.

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