Quotes from B.K.S. Iyengar

Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal from the transient and the good from the pleasant by his discrimination and wisdom.

The supreme adventure in a man's life is his journey back to his Creator. To reach the goal he needs well developed and co-ordinated functioning of his body, senses, mind, reason and Self.

As we shave it happens that we cut ourself with the razor blade; this does not mean that we must not shave in the morning any longer. It is the same thing for yoga.

Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.

The primary aim of yoga is to restore the mind to simplicity, peace, and poise, to free it from confusion and distress.

Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility and joy.

Before peace between the nations, we have to find peace inside that small nation which is our own being.

Love begets courage, moderation creates abundance and humility generates power

How can you know God if you don't know your big toe?

Yoga takes us to an unconditioned freedom, because yoga sees even good habits as a form of conditioning or limitation.

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.

Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.

Health is not a commodity to be bargained for. It has to be earned through sweat.

As long as the body is not in perfect health, you think about it, and that prevents you from thinking of the mind. The sound mind is a sound body.

The body is my temple, asanas are my prayers.

I am standing on my own altar; The poses are my prayers.

Action is movement with intelligence

Asana is perfect firmness of body, steadiness of intelligence, and benevolence of spirit.

The body has to be invaded by the intelligence; each part has to become intelligent.

The union of nature and soul removes the veil of ignorance that covers our intelligence.

Yoga is about the will, working with intelligence and self-reflexive consciousness, can free us from the inevitability of the wavering mind and outwardly directed senses.

Knowledge of yoga is no substitute for practice.

Yoga is effort. Only practice is important. The rest of knowledge is only theory.

Lack of knowledge is the source of all pains and sorrows whether dormant, attenuated, interrupted or fully active.