In Yoga Journal’s Archives series, we share a curated collection of articles originally published in past issues beginning in 1975. These stories offer a glimpse into how yoga was interpreted, written about, and practiced throughout the years. This article first appeared in the May 1975 issue of Yoga Journal. Find more of our Archives here.

Students of Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar, world-known teacher and author of Light on Yoga, have learned that asanas are a strong spiritual discipline. Through the practice of asana (poses), the student can unequivocally learn about their own shortcomings. Of course, the physical shortcomings are the easiest to detect. But the thoroughness of Mr. lyengar’s approach also pinpoints mental hurdles to Self-knowledge. This occurs through several avenues.

How Physical Growth Turns Into Spiritual Growth

First, by regular practice, the body becomes strong and flexible; the nervous system especially is regulated. With this new integration on the physical level, the mind is no longer disturbed by imbalances in the body. A calmer mind is the first prerequisite to the continuation of Self-inquiry.

This dynamic method of Hatha Yoga also promotes spiritual growth through its very profound effect on the ego. Because physical shortcomings are brought immediately into consciousness with this method, the student quickly learns humility; they learn that in the past they have practiced those asanas which were easy, avoiding those asanas which were difficult. Through the understanding of their practice of asana, the student perceives that their attitude about life in general and about spiritual development is probably much the same. They can then begin to practice those asanas and to attempt those spiritual tasks which are difficult for them, and no doubt exactly what that particular student needs in order to become more Self-aware.

Finally, as one proceeds with the sincere practice of this method, Hatha Yoga is no longer seen as a separate Yoga, but the elements of the other Yogas such as Mental (Jnana) and Devotional Yoga (Bhakti) spontaneously develop within the practice. Increased sensitivity enables intuitive understandings that then bring about devotion to the inner guru. This in turn leads to further understanding, and thus, through the practice, a spiral of increasing understanding and devotion leads ever higher.