1.
Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man who doesn't have strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can't practice Ashtanga yoga.
K. Pattabhi Jois
2.
There are three types of disease: body disease, mind disease, and nervous system disease. When the mind is diseased, the whole body is diseased. The yoga scriptures say “Manayeva manu ā ā kara a bandha mok ayo (this verse may be transliterated incorrectly),” the mind is the cause of both bondage and liberation. If the mind is sick and sad, the whole body gets sick, and all is finished. So first you must give medicine to the mind. Mind medicine: that is yoga.
K. Pattabhi Jois
3.
It is very important to understand yoga philosophy: without philosophy, practice is not good, and yoga practice is the starting place for yoga philosophy. Mixing both is actually the best.
K. Pattabhi Jois
'It is essential to grasp the fundamentals of yoga philosophy: without knowledge, practice is inadequate, and yoga practice serves as the foundation for learning about yoga philosophy. Merging both will produce optimal results.'
4.
Yoga is an internal practice. The rest is just a circus.
K. Pattabhi Jois
Yoga is an inward journey. The rest is merely a spectacle.
5.
So whether you do your first downward dog at 14 or 44, it’s not your history but your presence on your mat that counts.
K. Pattabhi Jois
'Hence, it does not matter if you start yoga at an early age or later in life, what matters is your presence on the mat.'
6.
Do your practice and all is coming.
K. Pattabhi Jois
Engage in your routine and all will be revealed.
7.
Yoga is for internal cleansing, not external exercising. Yoga means true self-knowledge.
K. Pattabhi Jois
Yoga is for spiritual purification, not physical exertion. Yoga implies genuine self-awareness.
8.
Yoga, as a way of life and a philosophy, can be practiced by anyone with inclination to undertake it, for yoga belongs to humanity as a whole. It is not the property of any one group or any one individual, but can be followed by any and all, in any corner of the globe, regardless of class, creed or religion.
K. Pattabhi Jois
9.
The full ashtanga system practiced with devotion leads to freedom within one's heart.
K. Pattabhi Jois
The devoted practice of the entire ashtanga system brings liberation to the soul.
10.
Body is not stiff, mind is stiff.
K. Pattabhi Jois
'Physicality is malleable, mentality is rigid.'
11.
Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.
K. Pattabhi Jois
Yoga is 99% diligence and 1% speculation.
12.
If we practice the science of yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which yields happiness both here and hereafter - if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental, and spiritual happiness, and our minds will flood towards the Self.
K. Pattabhi Jois
13.
It would be a shame to lose the precious jewel of liberation in the mud of ignorant body building.
K. Pattabhi Jois
14.
Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal.... But don't approach yoga with a business mind looking for worldly gain.
K. Pattabhi Jois
15.
Yoga is your mind control capacity.
K. Pattabhi Jois
16.
Lazy people can't practice Ashtanga Yoga
K. Pattabhi Jois
