The conjunction of effort, concentration and balance in asana forces us to live intensely in the present moment, a rare experience in modern life.

Give more than you receive. That is the principle I tell all my students.

When I practice, I am a philosopher. When I teach, I am a scientist. When I demonstrate, I am an artist.

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

Asana done from the brain makes one heavy and done from the heart makes one light.

The practice of yogasana for the sake of health, to keep fit, or to maintain flexibility is the external practice of yoga. While this is a legitimate place to begin, it is not the end. Even in simple asanas, one is experiencing the three levels of quest: the external quest, which brings firmness of the body; the internal quest, which brings steadiness of intelligence; and the innermost quest, which brings benevolence of spirit.

If we become aware of its limitations and compulsions, we can transcend them.