Understanding discipline and adaptation in yoga practice is crucial for any practitioner. In her seminal work “Yoga – A Gem for Women,” Geeta Iyengar offers profound insights into balancing steadfast discipline with mindful adaptation, making yoga accessible while maintaining its transformative power.
Addressing the common fear that yoga’s discipline might be too demanding, Iyengar reassures practitioners: “The average family woman need not be afraid that Yoga with its discipline is impossible to practise… One may not immediately be able to adopt them totally, but gradually with the practice of Yoga one learns to appreciate the value of ethical disciplines and to hanker after them.”
This gentle yet profound approach to discipline acknowledges that growth in yoga is gradual. As Iyengar emphasizes, “No knowledge is gained instantly. In fact, knowledge has a beginning but no end. This is all the more true of Yoga. One’s progress in this field depends entirely on one’s inner strength and endurance.”
She outlines different levels of practice, drawing from Patanjali’s teachings: “The practice of a sadhaka falls into three categories, namely, mild, middling, and intense, according to physical and mental capacity and inclination.” This classification helps practitioners understand that yoga adapts to individual capacities while maintaining its transformative potential.
The relationship between discipline and adaptation becomes particularly clear in her discussion of the mind-body connection: “Always there is a tug-of-war between the body and the mind while performing an asana. Sometimes the body is elastic but the mind rigid and at other times the mind is more elastic but the body remains stiff and unenthusiastic.” This insight helps practitioners understand that adaptation isn’t just physical – it involves harmonizing both mental and physical aspects of practice.
Iyengar emphasizes the importance of maintaining enthusiasm while practicing with discipline: “Laziness and lethargy are arch-enemies of Yoga while cheerfulness and enthusiasm are the friends that elevate the practitioner.” This balance between disciplined practice and joyful engagement creates sustainable progress.
Regarding the approach to practice, she advises: “Yoga should not be taken lightly, as if it were a hobby. It is not an entertainment. It should be approached seriously, with faith, enthusiasm, determination, keenness, courage, will, and dedication.” Yet, this seriousness doesn’t mean rigidity. She encourages practitioners to observe their progress and adjust accordingly.
On dealing with challenges in practice, Iyengar offers practical wisdom: “The beginner will experience aches in the limbs after beginning the sadhana. It is so in all walks of life. With regular practice the ache gradually becomes less and less and ultimately disappears.” She teaches practitioners to distinguish between “healthy” and “unhealthy” pain, encouraging mindful adaptation while maintaining disciplined practice.
For those facing difficulties, she advises: “If you experience restlessness of the body or mind, be assured that the sadhana has some serious faults. At this stage it is wise to seek the Guru’s guidance.” This acknowledgment of when to seek guidance shows that discipline includes knowing when to ask for help.
Iyengar also emphasizes quality over quantity in practice: “Aim at the quality of the asanas and not the quantity. Quality means doing the postures accurately, steadily and whole-heartedly.” This principle helps practitioners maintain discipline without becoming mechanical in their approach.
The ultimate goal of this balanced approach becomes clear in her observation that “Faultless sadhana leads to radical changes in one’s personality: One becomes moderate in habits, food, sleep, and sex. As the mind and the body become pure, spiritual awakening dawns.”
For modern practitioners, these teachings offer a valuable framework for developing a sustainable yoga practice. The path of yoga requires discipline, but this discipline must be tempered with understanding and adaptation. It’s not about forcing oneself into a rigid mold, but rather about growing steadily and mindfully toward greater awareness and transformation.
Through Geeta Iyengar’s wisdom, we learn that true discipline in yoga practice isn’t about harsh self-enforcement, but rather about consistent, mindful engagement that respects our current capabilities while gently pushing their boundaries. This balanced approach allows for both stability and growth, making the transformative journey of yoga accessible to all who approach it with sincere dedication.
