After practicing yoga for a year, many changes occurred in my life. Most of these changes were immediately visible, such as strength, discipline and flexibility. Eventually another type of change emerged; one that was subtle, yet very present and couldn’t go unnoticed. My heart began to open, I became more sensitive to things around me, and my yoga practice started to go beyond my daily hour on the mat. Questions started to arise. What are the origins of yoga? What were all these other disciplines? Patanjali? Kundalini? What did all these Sanskrit terms mean exactly? And more importantly, where was this new awareness inside of me coming from? Going to the bookstore, I was overwhelmed by the number of books available. Being a beginner yogi, I wanted a book that used terms that I could understand, and would help me go forward in my everyday practice.

I found the answers I was looking for in the most basic yet complete book called Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. After reading a few pages, I knew I had found a jewel. Gates beautifully presents Patanjali’s Eight Limb Path with personal life experiences, evoking basic and fundamental questions most of us ask ourselves, in a language we can all relate to. The honesty and integrity that the writers pursue throughout the 365 essays, reaches the very essence of whom we are, how we feel towards others, and ourselves at various points in our lives. This honesty about our humanness, and the path that we pursue, is written so bluntly, you can’t help but recognize yourself throughout the book…and sometimes actually laugh about it!

Whether you are a beginner or experienced yogi, Meditations from the Mat is a genuine and compassionate book that will touch your soul, and inspire your exploration and journey into yoga.

Light on Pranayam
by BKS Iyengar
Book review by Kathleen
Kripalu Yoga Student at the Joy of Yoga Studio

The training of a sadhaka for pranayama may be compared to that for becoming a master musician. BKS Iyengar, Light on Pranayam (Crossroad Publishing Company, 2000) Yoga’s ancient roots and many origins have provided numerous texts that range back to the beginnings of the written word. With parables, lengthy discourse and somber tones, these manuscripts, though an invaluable tool in deepening one’s practice and understanding of yoga, often prove daunting to the novice. As our society dashes madly off in all directions, the time for pondering these tomes is not readily available for most individuals. In response to the demand for a quick fix, a wave of modern yoga guides is now available. From the sublime to the ridiculous, the yogi is presented with a multitude of “quick and easy” reference books, all screaming BUY ME! This can turn a trip to the yoga section of your local bookstore into a daunting journey, especially if the thought of throwing money away on “pop” information doesn’t appeal to you.

As a personal yoga practice develops, the yogi is inevitably drawn to resources that will honestly and meaningfully further his or her understanding of yoga. In BKS Iyengar’s Light on Pranayama (Crossroads Press, 2000) the seeker is offered this guidance with military precision. Every page is supercharged with vital information about the basic techniques of supine, seated, and standing breathing techniques. Written entirely in point form, Iyengar’s instructions involve detailed dissections; each element, down to the direction the skin should be flowing, is outlined in frustrating exactitude. Included are often almost startling reminders to respect one’s limits and the damage failing to do so could cause.

Thick with yogic philosophies and quotes from various traditional sources, the book contains far too much information to be absorbed in a single reading. It is a heavy, pedantic read that offers up neither quick tips nor “pranayam in a week-end” philosophy.

That being said, the beginnings of an idea of what exactly is going on and how to encourage a detailed and mindful approach are planted at the first reading. Although a seeming maze of information, every once in a while a phrase or paragraph “clicks” in the mind and a subtle change occurs. Like any rich text, multiple readings of and constant references to this book will gradually reveal the true value of its teachings. Discussing ideas and questions brought to light with your teacher or an experienced pranayama practitioner will help clarify Iyengar’s instructions and their place in your practice.

After all, we are all learning to play our instruments. As in all worthwhile pursuits, it merits dedication and effort.


* Please note these reviews are written by individuals, and in no way reflect view from the Joy of Yoga Studio.