Theories of mindfulnessTheories of mindfulness Theories of mindfulnessTheories of mindfulness
quality of her partner’s movements. She can also
feel how much pressure or support is appropriate by
communicating mindfully with the partner’s body
tissues. This exercise leads to an even deeper expe-
rience for partner B if done with the eyes shut or
with a bandage wrapped around the closed eyes.
In his book Yoga – The Path to Holistic Health
(2001), Iyengar emphasizes the importance of
being completely focused both physically and
mentally during yoga practice. The effects of the
exercises are mainly achieved through mindful
exercising:
• reaching the different parts of the body
mentally
• connecting the thoughts with the relevant part
and action
• being completely aware of what you are doing.
The learning process follows four stages:- Beginners practice physical exercises, first
learning gross movements and stability of the
posture. - In intermediate practice the mind learns to move
together with the body, and is becoming aware
of the different body parts. - In advanced practice the mind and the body are
becoming one. - The final stage is perfection, where the
different parts of the body are reached with full
awareness.
The state of mind can be influenced, too: “Through
cultivation of friendliness, compassion, joy, and
indifference to pleasure and pain, virtue and vice
respectively, the consciousness becomes favourably
disposed, serene and benevolent” (Iyengar 2002a,
p. 86).
Among the classic books on yoga the Haha-Yoga-
Pradīpikā is particularly celebrated. This is the first
known book where the basic yoga postures, which
are still practiced today, can be found. It was writ-
ten by Svātmārāma, probably around ad 1400
(Weiss 1986, Feuerstein 200 1 ). In Chapter II.2 the
connection between a steady breath and a steady
mind is emphasized. According to Chapter IV,
verse 29, the breath, mind, and senses are closely
related; the breath is considered to be the master
of the mind, and the mind the master of the senses
(Sinh 2006).
In the 20th century this approach, integrating
mindfulness into work with the body, was further
developed by B K S Iyengar over seven decades,
constantly refining awareness of the structures and
functions of the body while practicing with full
attention.
Iyengar (2009, p. 87) states: “The brain and the
mind should be kept alert, to correct and adjust the
body position and the flow of breath from moment
to moment ... Complete receptivity of the mind and
intellect are essential.” Geeta Iyengar, his daughter,
has continued and refined this work, particularly
emphasizing the importance of mental and intel-
lectual attitude. Body posture is closely connected
to the mental and intellectual attitude (Iyengar
2002b).
The practice of āsanas can teach us a lot about
cultivating mindfulness and intelligence throughout
the body. Looking inwards, the body can constantly
be adjusted and balanced. For example, if we stand
with our arms spread horizontally we can look at our
fingers or we can look into a mirror. We can feel the
fingers and the expansion of the posture as far as
the fingertips. Similarly we can look at other areas
of the body or feel them, growing more and more
aware of them. The awareness of the body and the
intelligence of the mind and the heart should be in
harmony.
While practicing the āsanas the mind should be
in a calm space filled with a subtle awareness of the
actions and sensations felt in performing the respec-
tive āsana. During the practice of āsanas this aware-
ness must be renewed constantly. Practice should
not become a habit and you should not be dis-
tracted. Mindfulness helps to overcome exhaustion
both during practice and in everyday life (Iyengar
2005 ).
Over thousands of years the mindful exercise
approach of yoga has been shown to be beneficial
for prevention and cure or as an adjunct to curing a
wide range of conditions. This knowledge is mostly
based on clinical and empirical evidence. It is only
during the last decades that modern research has
furnished evidence for a wide range of therapeu-
tic effects of this ancient exercise approach (see
Chapter 1).