“If there is anxiety in the body, the brain contracts. When the brain relaxes and empties itself, it lets go of its fears and desires. It dwells neither on the past, nor the future, but inhabits the present. Freedom is about dropping the shackles of fear and desire. When freedom comes, there is no anxiety, no nervousness. That means there is no load on the nerves or, through them, on the unconscious mind. By removing tension from the inner layers of the nervous system, you convert them into a state of freedom…that freedom offers us choice — either to go on as before, driven by external forces and gratifications, or to turn inward and use our gentle powers to seek out the Self.” – B.K.S. Iyengar from Light on Life