Essential Reads: Yoga: A Gem for Women

This post will begin a series of blogs regarding essential reads for those on the path of self-illumination and healing. When it comes to books that I consider essential reading for women who study Yogic Science and Arts , “Yoga: A Gem for Women” is at the top of my list. This book is geared towards women (it can also be read by anyone that will be counseling women) and was written by Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar, the daughter of Yogacharya BKS Iyengar, who received a Doctorate of Ayurvedic Medicine (BAMS) and also became a Yogacharya herself. Geeta’s journey into the path of yoga began when was diagnosed with nephritis and the family did not have the money to cover the medical expenses recommended by western medicine. Determined to heal herself, she began to study yoga under the mentorship of her father at age 12. After years of practice, her own experiences and studies, she then compiled what became this book.

Women have different needs due to the three major cycles of change in their bodies which begin in: puberty with the initial menstrual cycle, maturation for childbirth, and finally the disappearance of the cycle in older age. All these phases of a woman’s life can best be guided by a woman who herself has studied and tuned into her own body with stringent dedication and devotion to purity and health. She interweaves the sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda into a language that is easy for the beginner to follow. She was a pioneer in the world of Yoga, becoming a leader and guiding women on how to approach asana safely for all stages of life, from childhood, to pregnancy, to menopause and even giving advice on certain asanas for imbalances. I am sharing an excerpt from Chapter 2: “Four Paths to Liberation” , which explains the path of yoga:

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advises Arjuna thus:

tapasvibhyodiko yogi

jnanibhyo’pi matodhikah

karmibhyascadhiko yogi

tasmad yogi bhavarjuna

“The Yogi is greater than the ascetic, the learned, or the man of action; therefore be a Yogi, Oh Arjuna.”

 The fact that the path of Yoga has been highly praised does not mean that the other three paths are inferior but, that Yoga has attained a fullness by absorbing the other three paths of knowledge, devotion, and action.  

 For any attainment, unity is indispensable. Without devotion and love, advaita, non-duality of the Universal Spirit with the Individual Soul, is impossible. Advaita is not attainable through knowledge alone. Knowledge, devotion, and action are so interwoven that without them nothing is attainable. There is no devotion without knowledge, no action without devotion, and Yoga is not possible without the combination of the three paths. In this way Yoga is unique. 

 In the science of Ayurveda the human body has been divided into six main parts: the head, the chest, the two arms, and the two legs.

 The head is the seat of knowledge, the heart that of devotion, the arms and legs are for action. The path of Yoga combines these three – body, mind and soul- which act in unison. Therefore, Yoga is the foundation for all the other paths.

 Explaining the excellence of the art and science of Yoga in Yogabija, Lord Siva says to Parvati: 

jnana nisto viraktopi dharmajnopi jitendriyah

vina yogena devopi na moksham labhate priye

“Oh Parvati, the learned, the recluse, the righteous, and the one who has controlled the senses, even God Himself, cannot attain liberation without the pursuit of Yoga.” 

Lord Siva again says:

alokya sarvasatrani vicarya ca punah punah

idamekam sunispannam yogasastram parammatam

“Having studied all the scriptures and sciences, and thought them over again and again, one comes to the conclusion that the art and science of Yoga is the only true and firm doctrine.” 

 A verse from Atrisamhita upholds the importance of the path of Yoga: 

Yoga helps to attain knowledge; Yoga teaches what one’s duty is; Yoga is a penance; hence it is essential to study Yoga.

 In Kathopanishad, Yama instructed Naciketa to acquire this knowledge from the discipline of Yoga.

mrtyuproktam naciketo’tha labdhva

vidhyametam yogavidhim ca krstnam

brahmaprapto virajo’bhut vimrtyuh

anyopyevam yo vidadhyatmamemvam  

 “Naciketa, having acquired this knowledge and the discipline of Yoga from the God of Death, realized the ‘Self”; he was purged of all impurities and became immortal. Others may also emulate him and become so.”

Yoga truly is a personal practice that should be tailored to the needs of the individual at that moment and stage of life. One thing I found when working for the Iyengar Institute in Los Angeles that set them apart from other types of yoga schools, was that in every class the participants were asked if they had any injuries or conditions that would impact or limit their movements in their practice. This is something that should be done with every yoga class! The yoga instructor should have knowledge of anatomy, physiology and be aware the subtle impact of asana on the mind; otherwise, what is being taught is merely exercise not asana or yoga. These and other ethical foundational elements are also expanded on in the book. In closing, “Yoga: A Gem for Women” is full of such gems that can truly help women to begin their own personal practice with the proper guidance for those who do not have a knowledgeable yogacharya at their behest. Namaste.