So many books, so little time! I’ve compiled the first essential yoga reading guide of many and this list offers a range of reading gems covering yoga philosophy, spirituality, technique and personal journeys. These book have been an essential resource as part of my learning and practice and I’ve come back to them several times throughout the years. They’ve been high on my list of recommended reading resources I share with my students.
Each book has had a positive impact on my life and has become a part of my essential yoga reading library. I try to find as many opportunities as I can to pay it forward and my copies of these books have been given to family, friends, students and even strangers to enjoy the wealth of knowledge and inspiration on the subject.
There are many more books I’ve enjoyed and there will always be more lists! I hope you find something new to read and enjoy these books as much as I have. Happy Reading!
YOGA PHILOSOPHY
Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran is a wonderful introduction to the dialogue between Lord Krishna and the disillusioned warrior, Arjuna moments before the epic battle, Mahabharata. Easwaran is gifted. He breaks down each of the eighteen chapters, high-lighting the essential concept and providing just enough explanation not to overwhelm the reader. His ability to communicate the essence of the Gita in a well-written, thoughtful and concise manner makes this a favorite and one I’ve passed on to many students and fellow teachers. The Bhagavad Gita or Song of the Lord is a must read on every yogi’s list and this is a great starting point.
The Living Gita by Sri Swami Satchidananda is another gem that is equally helpful in conveying the message and meaning of the Gita. I appreciate the additional insight and perspective Swami Satchidananda provides. The writing is pointed and can be a little terse but engaging none-the-less. The Bhagavad Gita is a deep, multi-faceted and engrossing discourse on the application of yoga to overcome the daily battles we all face and reading as many versions of the Gita only helps to solidify Lord Krishna’s message.
SPIRITUALITY
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is by far one of my favorite books. I recently gave another copy to a friend and he was amazed at how simple yet effective the application of the four agreements can be in our daily lives. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, Ruiz presents four simple tenets or agreements that if we make with ourselves and practice in earnest, can transform the way we live. I am a firm believes and practitioner of these agreements. A must read!
Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss was required reading for my two hundred hour teacher training. I began reading the book on a flight to India when I met a woman who was also headed to Delhi. She was going to meet her brother who was battling cancer. He had opted not to undergo chemo, instead was searching for alternative routes to heal which led him to a holistic healer in India. Here’s the irony, the Anatomy of the Spirit discusses energy medicine, detailing the commonality of the Hindu Chakras, Christian Sacraments and Kabbalah’s Tree of Life and how each plays a hand in our own healing. I gave this lovely woman my copy of the book because it seemed our meeting was destined and this book was meant for her, not me. I’ve since acquired a second copy and have learned the importance of our intuition and how to begin tapping into it.
YOGA TECHNIQUE
B. K. S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health I recommend this book to my beginner yogis. It is a great introduction to the subject of yoga including a philosophy, asana, pranayama and yoga therapy for common ailments.
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews is a must have for yoga teachers. Kaminoff and Matthews provide a fundamental education on the anatomy breaking down the skeletal and muscular joints as well as the breath as it relates to key asanas.
YOGA STORIES
Myths of the Asanas by Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooij I can’t remember how I found this book but it has been one I’ve shared with other teachers and have used to explain to my students the backstory of where the poses we practice originated. Each posture can be attributed to a god, sage or sacred animal and Kaivalya and der Kooij share these endearing legends, engaging the reader while helping us understand the symbolism and lessons behind the poses we practice.
PERSONAL JOURNEYS
The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda Each of us is on a journey and reading about another’s can often shed light on our own path. The Autobiography of a Yogi has been named one of the most influential spiritual books of the 20th century. Yogananda’s story is endearing from the very beginning as a young boy in search for his guru, to finding the man who would transform his life and finally his coming to West to share the path of Self-realization through Kriya yoga. I highly recommend Yogananda’s autobiography. For me, the greatest take-away has been that you can be in this world but not of it much like Krishna’s message to Arjuna in the Gita and still continue journeying on to finding our personal truth.
