READ THE FORWARD AND INTRODUCTION

If you have not yet read the Forward (by Yehudi Menuhin) and the Introduction in Light on Yoga, I highly recommend it. And if you have read them, read them again. It's worth it.

The first sentence of the forward says, "The practice of Yoga induces a primary sense of measure and proportion." 'Measure' and 'proportion' mean observable and definable relationships, so yoga is an endeavor based on comparative relationships which can be observed, defined, and contained. I love that because it speaks directly to my analytical and methodical inclinations. It means that I can organize my practice sorta like a science experiment with structured steps which produce collectible data. Something like this:

     (1) Set out the guidelines by which the research will take place (i.e. plan and schedule my practice).
     (2) Proceed through carefully repeated testing (i.e. actually show up to practice) which objectivity (i.e. promote Santosha or 'contentment' and Vairagyam or 'non-attachment').
     (3) Evaluate the data and determine the implications (i.e. What do I feel and where do I feel it? What needs to be stronger; what needs to be softer? What needs encouragement; what needs restraint? etc).
     (4) Repeat (i.e. practice again).

That works for me. It keeps me invested and engaged, because I have strong left-brain tendencies that thrive on systematic dependability. It's also why I like the meticulousness of Iyengar Yoga. But yoga is also very much about creativity and spontaneity. The very next sentence of the text speaks to those who crave a more artful experience. It reads, "Reduced to our own body, our first instrument, we learn to play it, drawing from it maximum resonance and harmony." Just as a musician has to carefully hone their ability to handle and manipulate their instrument, or an artist their tools, or a poet their words, a Yogi takes the time to become familiar with the instrument that is their body and then perform excellently.

There is a base standard by which the sound of, say, a violin is measured, meaning that we do know what a 'good' violin sound is. But every violin is a unique instrument, and learning to play one well isn't about making its sound conform exactly to the sound of all other violins. Rather it's about learning to maximize the sound that is characteristic to that particular violin. In other words, instead of making the instrument conform to the notes, the musician plays in a way that allows the notes to conform to the abilities of the instrument. In this way, part of the musician's skill is ingenuity and intuition, and the result is maximum resonance and harmony.

The same thing happens to the body in yoga. There is a base standard by which the body is decidedly 'healthy' or 'properly aligned.' Yet each body is unique, and part of practice is learning how to make yoga conform to the particular characteristics of your own body rather than making your body conform to what you think is 'good' yoga. Through creative and intuitive play (i.e. improvising sequences, incorporating props, retaining beginner's mind, etc.) we learn how to maximize our unique abilities. And in that way, we get from yoga what the Bhagavad Gita says is its main purpose: "deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow."

The fact that Iyengar quotes this passage of the Gita at least three times in the introduction to LoY indicates its significance. The whole point -- of his book, of the Gita, of Yoga -- is to understand what it means to alleviate suffering. There are as many different ways to achieve that as there are unique bodies in the world. There is no one right way to practice. Sometimes we emphasize form and sometimes flow. Sometimes we're scientists and sometimes we're artists. But we are always Yogis whenever our practice maximally accentuates our individuality.

Practice so that your yoga conforms to your Self, and not the other way around. What do you want and what are you willing to do to get it?

"As a well cut diamond has many facets, each reflecting a different color of light, so does the word yoga, each facet reflecting a different shade of meaning and revealing different aspects of the entire range of human endeavor to win inner peace and happiness." (LoY 20)