Yoga Related Books
Here are some books that I have read that have been illuminating.
ASANAS: 608 YOGA POSES
by Dharma Mittra
A picture book of just about every posture you can imagine, plus numerous variations. This book contains most every posture you know and ones you've never heard of. An inspiring and fun book. Dharma Mittra is a brilliant yogi.
by Dharma Mittra
A picture book of just about every posture you can imagine, plus numerous variations. This book contains most every posture you know and ones you've never heard of. An inspiring and fun book. Dharma Mittra is a brilliant yogi.
Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual
by David Swenson
A crystal clear explanation of the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Great for reference about single poses or the entire series. Also, Swenson's explanation of energy, bandhas, pranayama and drishti are enlightening.
by David Swenson
A crystal clear explanation of the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Great for reference about single poses or the entire series. Also, Swenson's explanation of energy, bandhas, pranayama and drishti are enlightening.
Autobiography of a Yogi
by Paramahansa Yogananda
This book tells the story of a yogi seeking the divine. Beautiful and informative descriptions of saintly behavior and the bliss of divine consciousness. Lots of strange and interesting stories about meetings with gurus and the path to union with God.
by Paramahansa Yogananda
This book tells the story of a yogi seeking the divine. Beautiful and informative descriptions of saintly behavior and the bliss of divine consciousness. Lots of strange and interesting stories about meetings with gurus and the path to union with God.
Eighty-Four Āsanas in Yoga
by Gudrun Bühnemann
A meticulously researched exploration of the history of 84 āsanas in yoga. This topic is of special interest to those in the Ghosh lineage, who practice and talk about "84 āsanas" frequently.
by Gudrun Bühnemann
A meticulously researched exploration of the history of 84 āsanas in yoga. This topic is of special interest to those in the Ghosh lineage, who practice and talk about "84 āsanas" frequently.
The Heart of Yoga
by TKV Desikachar
An approach to yoga practice, teaching and healing that is inspiring in its focus on each individual student. The only downside to reading this book is realizing that most yoga is nothing like what Desikachar describes.
by TKV Desikachar
An approach to yoga practice, teaching and healing that is inspiring in its focus on each individual student. The only downside to reading this book is realizing that most yoga is nothing like what Desikachar describes.
Hell-Bent
by Benjamin Lorr
In depth and behind the scenes of Bikram teacher training, Jedi Fight Club back bending, and yoga competition. Plus a lot of real life stories of yoga transformation and some scientific exploration. A fascinating book for anyone with interest in Bikram's yoga or yoga culture in general.
by Benjamin Lorr
In depth and behind the scenes of Bikram teacher training, Jedi Fight Club back bending, and yoga competition. Plus a lot of real life stories of yoga transformation and some scientific exploration. A fascinating book for anyone with interest in Bikram's yoga or yoga culture in general.
Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings
by A.G. Mohan
Of all the biographies I have read of Krishnamacharya, this is by far the simplest and most profound. It is full of personal accounts and explanations of many of Krishnamacharya's teachings and views. The book is short at 155 pages. It does not try to be a comprehensive biography or yoga manual. It is presented as first hand experiences by Mohan and its personal nature lends power and clarity to the portrayal of the great yogi Krishnamacharya.
by A.G. Mohan
Of all the biographies I have read of Krishnamacharya, this is by far the simplest and most profound. It is full of personal accounts and explanations of many of Krishnamacharya's teachings and views. The book is short at 155 pages. It does not try to be a comprehensive biography or yoga manual. It is presented as first hand experiences by Mohan and its personal nature lends power and clarity to the portrayal of the great yogi Krishnamacharya.
Light On Pranayama
by BKS Iyengar
One of the most well known yoga teachers of the current era explains the energy in the body and breath. The book begins with history and theory, continuing with practical steps for the exercises and rest.
by BKS Iyengar
One of the most well known yoga teachers of the current era explains the energy in the body and breath. The book begins with history and theory, continuing with practical steps for the exercises and rest.
Muscle Control
by Maxick
This book is a direct pre-cursor to Bishnu Ghosh's book of the same title. Illuminating in its similarities, and interesting to note the muscular methods that have been passed down into the yoga practice.
by Maxick
This book is a direct pre-cursor to Bishnu Ghosh's book of the same title. Illuminating in its similarities, and interesting to note the muscular methods that have been passed down into the yoga practice.
Pranayama: The Breath of Yoga
by Gregor Maehle
An in-depth exploration and explanation of Pranayama, judiciously cited from ancient yogic texts and explained in modern language. This book significantly shifted my perspective about Pranayama and yoga in general. Highly recommended for the serious yogi.
by Gregor Maehle
An in-depth exploration and explanation of Pranayama, judiciously cited from ancient yogic texts and explained in modern language. This book significantly shifted my perspective about Pranayama and yoga in general. Highly recommended for the serious yogi.
Samadhi
by Gregor Maehle
Samadhi is the 8th and final limb of yoga according to Patanjali. Rarely is it described in anything other than the most mystical and abstract of ways. This book by Maehle describes each of the 8 levels of Samadhi in depth, including explanations, references and instructions for practice. For me, this volume is profoundly illuminating, shedding light and clarity on the pinnacle of the yoga experience.
by Gregor Maehle
Samadhi is the 8th and final limb of yoga according to Patanjali. Rarely is it described in anything other than the most mystical and abstract of ways. This book by Maehle describes each of the 8 levels of Samadhi in depth, including explanations, references and instructions for practice. For me, this volume is profoundly illuminating, shedding light and clarity on the pinnacle of the yoga experience.
The Science Of Yoga
by William J. Broad
A long overdue look at some of yoga's claims through the lens of modern science. Broad's book dismantles some of the assumptions we have about what yoga does to our bodies and minds, and it reinforces others with scientific evidence.
by William J. Broad
A long overdue look at some of yoga's claims through the lens of modern science. Broad's book dismantles some of the assumptions we have about what yoga does to our bodies and minds, and it reinforces others with scientific evidence.
Teaching Yoga
by Donna Farhi
This was recommended to me by a student of yoga and a teacher of ethics. Farhi's book covers many topics of ethics revolving around the diverse and often complex relationship between a yoga teacher and student. What boundaries should be set and upheld? What is the role of the teacher? I found a relevant example on every single page. Farhi puts her finger on so many of the unspoken issues of teaching yoga; issues that I have come across in my own teaching. Issues that I have never seen addressed so concisely.
by Donna Farhi
This was recommended to me by a student of yoga and a teacher of ethics. Farhi's book covers many topics of ethics revolving around the diverse and often complex relationship between a yoga teacher and student. What boundaries should be set and upheld? What is the role of the teacher? I found a relevant example on every single page. Farhi puts her finger on so many of the unspoken issues of teaching yoga; issues that I have come across in my own teaching. Issues that I have never seen addressed so concisely.
Yoga Anatomy
by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews
A blend of evolutionary history, mechanical physics and yogic intention. The concepts in the first half of the book are amazing and revealing about the body, its design and function. The second half of the book is full of anatomical diagrams that are only marginally helpful.
by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews
A blend of evolutionary history, mechanical physics and yogic intention. The concepts in the first half of the book are amazing and revealing about the body, its design and function. The second half of the book is full of anatomical diagrams that are only marginally helpful.
Yoga As Medicine
by Timothy McCall, MD
Written by a medical doctor, this book looks at yoga from the perspective of physical and mental health. McCall cites studies and proven benefits of posture practice and meditation. I love this book's clear-eyed view of what yoga practice is capable of and why. No mysticism here, just an analytical western mind trying to make sense of this mysterious practice.
by Timothy McCall, MD
Written by a medical doctor, this book looks at yoga from the perspective of physical and mental health. McCall cites studies and proven benefits of posture practice and meditation. I love this book's clear-eyed view of what yoga practice is capable of and why. No mysticism here, just an analytical western mind trying to make sense of this mysterious practice.
Yoga Body
by Mark Singleton
When this book was first circulating around the yoga world several years ago, it shattered many of our preconceptions about the ancient nature of the physical yoga practice. Singleton connects many of the techniques of modern postural yoga to the early and mid 20th century, including weight-lifting, wrestling, gymnastics and dance. A profound and necessary book.
by Mark Singleton
When this book was first circulating around the yoga world several years ago, it shattered many of our preconceptions about the ancient nature of the physical yoga practice. Singleton connects many of the techniques of modern postural yoga to the early and mid 20th century, including weight-lifting, wrestling, gymnastics and dance. A profound and necessary book.
Yoga In Practice
edited by David Gordon White
This book, published by Princeton University Press, is a survey of many topics through the history of yoga. It contains writings from many authors and addresses topics as wide-ranging as Buddhism, Ayurveda, Tantra and Krishnamacharya. All the writings are critical and scholarly. The book can be difficult and slow at points, but all the information is worthwhile.
edited by David Gordon White
This book, published by Princeton University Press, is a survey of many topics through the history of yoga. It contains writings from many authors and addresses topics as wide-ranging as Buddhism, Ayurveda, Tantra and Krishnamacharya. All the writings are critical and scholarly. The book can be difficult and slow at points, but all the information is worthwhile.
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali: A Biography
by David Gordon White
A revealing exposition on the history of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. We often think of the text as a foundational element of yoga philosophy and practice, but it actually fell out of favor for several hundreds of years while other yogic techniques were being developed. This book is critical and academic and can be challenging, but the insight is important.
by David Gordon White
A revealing exposition on the history of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. We often think of the text as a foundational element of yoga philosophy and practice, but it actually fell out of favor for several hundreds of years while other yogic techniques were being developed. This book is critical and academic and can be challenging, but the insight is important.