书 Book Review |The Heart of Yoga
While finishing reading the book - the heart of yoga, summer has ended and I am near the end of my personal yoga teacher training, I find myself moved by this book which serves as a comprehensive guide to yoga, bringing various aspects together including yoga philosophy, asana, pranayama, mind and spirit. Rooted in the ancient India tradition of yoga, this book offers a perspective that is quite different from the other two books I read previously written by two westerners: William J. Broad and Tias Little.
Yoga and spirituality: One of the main impressions from The Heart of Yoga is the deep connection between yoga and spirituality. For Krishnamacharya, Desikachar’s father and the source of much of the knowledge in this book, yoga was not merely a physical practice but a path to reach the highest, for him was God. This perspective is quite different from the more secular and scientifically oriented views found in many modern yoga texts, particularly those written in the West. Also, it’s refreshing to view how yoga is practised in Indian families as an integral part of the family life and daily routine. This contrasts with the more individualistic approach I encountered in the yoga studios, which often focus on personal improvement and health benefits.
Structuring a yoga practice: Beyond the spiritual aspects, The Heart of Yoga taught me much about structuring a yoga practice properly, which resonates well with the sequencing classes I had at the beginning of September. I learned the importance of balancing physical exertion with gentleness, particularly through the concepts of warm-up, asanas, and counterposes. Desikachar emphasizes that the counterpose shall be simpler than the main asana. And taking into account our unique structure and our particular goals when constructing the practice. It has also deepened my understanding of pranayama, teaching me that a peaceful, healthy person retains more prana within the body.
Self-inquiry: Equally important, the book extends beyond the physical practice of yoga to encompass life lessons on how to be a good person. What it takes to be a yogi is more than the physical practice, it's also about a strong will, trust, humility and the ability to keep up one’s efforts constantly. This resonates deeply with me. I read this book in September and it constantly reminded me to go inward and there is nothing to prove to anybody, therefore reading the book had a calming effort on me and revealed to me my own hidden ego and helped me to acknowledge the ways in which it still plays a strong role in my life. Health, inquiry, and quality of action are central concepts in The Heart of Yoga, especially the idea of self-inquiry - knowing oneself. This idea closely aligns with the philosophy of Socrates and the Republic, which also emphasizes self-knowledge as the foundation of wisdom.
In the second part of the book, Desikachar delves deeper into the understanding of the mind, encouraging readers to reflect on their mental states and how they are influenced by the qualities of "tamas" (inertia), "rajas" (activity), and "sattva" (clarity). I found this section particularly thought-provoking, as it prompted me to examine my own mind and question which of these qualities dominates my mental state at any given time. I realized that my mind is often not constant, frequently shifting between periods of clarity and restlessness.
The book taught me no matter where we are, we always begin from where we are. We must accept where we are and move in the direction we want to go. I sometimes find myself denying my current situation and feeling disconnected from the present moment. Yoga, however, has taught me to ground myself, to be present, and to accept how I am today. It is a practice of observing myself without judgement. I like the attentiveness of doing yoga that I am both the observer and what is observed at the same time.
Patience and pacing: And it’s enlightening to be reminded that things need to be done gradually, otherwise it blows us apart. I guess that’s why many people nowadays suffer from burn out because we want to do many things quickly. So often we are in such a hurry but achieve so little. The concept of "duhkha," the feeling of being squeezed or restricted, is particularly relevant here. This has reminded me of the importance of patience and pacing myself in both my yoga practice and in life.
The Heart of Yoga has provided me with invaluable insights into the practice of yoga, both on and off the mat. Yoga is a personal journey that requires patience, persistence, and self-compassion. Through this book, I have gained a clearer understanding of how change happens, recognizing that the forces of old habits and new behaviors are constantly at play within us. “As long as these two forces are operating, the mind is swinging from one to the other. But when the old force disappears, the mind no longer swings back and forth. We have reched another state, and it’s felt as a continuum”. I can’t say I fully grasp all these concepts. In the future I still need to go back to the text from time to time to refresh myself and calm my mind down just like going back to the yoga mat to feel my body again, to feel how my body feels today. These texts provide us with the reference points to help us get close to ourselves and study ourselves. Before we take action, we first observe it like riding a bike. We are the best judges of our own actions. If there is no time, then at least give ourselves a little breathing space. Take a deep breath in and out.
Danyan Liu 刘丹艳
2024 September 30 in Amsterdam
二零二四年九月三十日