Contents:
This list is a comprehensive collection of the best yoga books. There are two types of books on this list. The second type of Yoga book is more spiritual in nature. These books teach the deeper philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Yoga. People who practice Yoga will love books that explain the physical side of Yoga. They will want ideas on how to reach and hold many of the poses they experience in Yoga classes. The longer people practice the physical techniques of Yoga, the more they become interested in the spiritual side of Yoga.
This list has both types of Yoga books. The spiritual Yoga books and the physical Yoga books. As well as a few books that touch on both the physical and the spiritual elements pf Yoga. Yoga is a physical journey. But it is also a mental practice. Yoga practitioners are able to work through emotional stress and psychological challenges. A while holding a few difficult poses. The Yoga books in the spiritual section of this list are about gaining a deeper understanding of the mental benefits of Yoga. They do not focus on the physical moves of Yoga.
These spiritual books to help people understand yoga on a deeper level. These books help yoga practitioner them to open up their minds and lessen the burden on their hearts. Using Yoga strategies created by author and world-renowned yoga expert Erich Shiffmann. This excellent book offers easy-to-follow techniques that help people find inner peace and the beauty in life. This Yoga book uses simple instruction and helpful illustrations. It shows the reader over one hundred poses and routines that geared toward all levels of ability.
These moves help slow or reverse aging, increase strength, and tone the body. This book shows that yoga's secrets of stillness and movement are available to the average practitioner. You do not need to be a Yogi to radiate positive energy and awaken joy. This system brings greater happiness and contentment to Yoga. This spiritual yoga book also offers tips for mindful breathing. And addresses how conscious stillness can help transform a negative perception to a positive one. Readers have found that this book has helped them feel balanced, centered, flexible, and coordinated.
While also becoming free from life's negativity. This spiritual book is very approachable and easy to relate to.
Many teachers have chosen to use this book in their yoga classes to help teach their students. This is a popular Yoga book, designed with both beginners and experts in mindfulness and Yoga in mind. The author introduces mindfulness yoga. This a new form of yoga that incorporates the Buddha's teachings into a traditional asana Yoga.
Mindfulness Yoga focuses on the spiritual and emotional side of yoga. This aspect of Yoga is often overlooked in our culture. Many people only considers the physical benefits of yoga to be important. This method not only makes the physical body healthier, but also frees the mind, spirit and awakens compassion. This book appeals to anyone who has an interest in yoga, Buddhism, or meditation.
It will help you to a way to bring these three separate ideas together into a harmonious whole. The special lay-flat binding that this book comes in makes it very useful when practicing yoga of this book offers clear instructions of three complete mindfulness yoga sequences.
It includes helpful pictures. And providesT detailed guidance for the reader's body, breath, and mind. Readers have found that the special lay-flat bindng comes in handy when practicing yoga. The reader can reference the book throughout the yoga sequence to have the author "talk" them through the practice. The sequences does repeat some poses.
But the written instructions lead readers to new understandings of the poses. It offers the reader many long and short yoga routines. I honor the Truth of your identity, which is the same as mine and makes us one. Let us know if you have any that you would like to recommend or if you have any questions or feedback, by posting below. The Key Poses of Yoga:
But the written instructions lead readers to new understandings of the poses. This encourages growth through practice. People who have even some Yoga experience benefit the most from this book. Seeing the Yoga postures in a new and more spiritual light, can be revolutionary for practitioners. This is "the" classic book on the philosophy and the practice of yoga. It offers a guide to attaining physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through practicing yoga. This is a great book for people of all skill levels of Yoga.
Light on Yoga has three parts. The first part being an introduction to the practice and the history of yoga. Including photographs of the correct forms. This section also includes clear instructions to help perfect the poses. And explains the benefits and precautions associated with each pose. The final section of the book focuses on Pranayama a form of yogic breathing. It teaches the technique of Pranayama, as well as its precautions, effects, and various types.
Since its original publishing in , it has been translated into 16 different languages. The detail and descriptions in this book that make it very easy to follow. Yoga is a very popular form of physical exercise in the Western world. But few people tend to talk about the emotions, mind, heart, and soul that go into the practice. The spiritual side seems to be relegated to the eastern practce of Yoga. But it is in the spiritual side where the real transformations are able to happen.
Yoga uses breathing techniques that help control energy levels. It has exercises to sharpen one's cognitive function. This book focuses on the emotional aspect of yoga. Helping people strengthen their entire mind, body, and spirit. Some readers believe this to be one of the best books on yoga transformation. Kraftsow offers many tips that he learned from one of the most respected Indian yoga gurus. Yoga for Transformation , is a simple and effective book that can make the reader's practice of yoga much more powerful.
Living for Yoga teaches the reader that they do not need to embark upon a transformational journey to gain the benefits of yoga. In this book the meaning of yoga is expanded. Lasater considers yoga to be a lifestyle. Much more than the familiar poses and breathing techniques. Yoga becomes a daily practice for living and wellness. This book is inspired by the wisdom of the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita. It creates a course of practices to guide the reader in deepening their self-awareness.
It can improve the readers their relationship with their family and friends. And their ability to be present in the world around them. Readers have found this book to be both inspiring and practical. This is due to the author's extensive knowledge of the ancient traditions of yoga. Along with her life experiences being in a family and being a yoga practitioner and teacher. Living for Yoga presents new view of the basics of yoga.
It challenges the reader to find the spiritual side of life in the little things. This thought-provoking book is not only a great tool to keep on hand to learn more about Yoga. Yoga helps reduce stress, increase inner peace, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being. But how does one know if yoga is right for them? Jasmine Tarkeshi, one of America's most influential yoga teachers, has over 20 years of experience teaching yoga to people of all levels. She has learned through her experience that, with proper teaching, anyone can enjoy the benefits of yoga. It aims at giving an introduction to key yoga poses, breathing techniques, and mindful meditations.
It offers the reader many long and short yoga routines. Including breathing techniques, posture instructions, and meditation guidance. Tarkeshi includes suggested modifications for the yoga poses she focuses on. This helps people to ease their way into the true pose or do whatever is most comfortable for their bodies. And will help reduce stress and increase physical endurance and mental health. This book has detailed instructions and clear illustrations of yoga techniques in this book. Its clear guide to postures and wonderful graphics are a big strength.
The breathing exercises it details help relieve both physical and mental tension. It should be a staple in any beginner's Yoga library. But, people who have more experience with yoga will likely not gain much new knowledge from this book. But is perfect for giving those beginners all the knowledge they need.
This holistic guide to yoga is a user-friendly book with clear illustrations to help instruct the reader. It shows how practicing yoga is able to enhance the connections between one's mind, body, and spirit. Farhi addresses the seven principles of movement that are the foundation for all human motion. She offers her readers exercises to help them understand how they can achieve all yoga postures.
She also looks at yoga's 10 foundational rules and explains how to incorporate these into one's daily yoga practice. Farhi teaches the reader over 75 yoga poses in this book, with a picture and description to go along with each. Standing postures, sitting postures, arm poses, and breathing exercises, as well as a section for easy reference. At the beginning of each section, the author instructs readers to move through a few core poses. Then asks he reader to reflect on the way they feel while performing the pose. After addressing the core poses, Farhi moves on to more complex postures.
While talking about different levels of yoga ability. Readers have found that this format provides challenges and inspiration for students of all levels. At first glance, the photos and illustrations in this book may seem a bit dated. This may be a little bit true. Yet, the edge this book has over others is its combination of yoga's spiritual aspects with its physical components. Beginners may have with this book is the author's use of yoga-specific language to describe poses and movement.
But once this lingo is picked up, the book is easy for everyone to follow. This national bestseller is written by Claire Dederer. Claire hesitantly took on yoga when trying to heal a back injury. Many people told her to try yoga, and after trying up for her first class, she was instantly hooked. For the following 10 years, she practiced poses such as the triangle, wheel, and crow. She learned to love some poses while also developing hatred for others. During her journey, Dederer found herself getting to know the forces that shaped her generation. She was hesitant to practice yoga at first.
But once she started, Dederer found that the more she practiced, the more the poses were able to test her fundamental ideas of what makes a good person. This book is unlike any other book about yoga because, at its core, it is a book about life. The author uses witty and heartfelt writing. Her words are both sharp and irreverent to help her readers. They focus on the fact that this book is neither a yoga guide or a self-help book, but the authors experiences.
However , this book does contain elements of both a guide and a self-help book. It includes passages on feminism, attachment parenting, and yoga's history throughout the book. In the end, most find the unique voice of this book make it a entertaining and even educational read. While some of these books do go into the mental aspects of practicing yoga, they are more about the physical aspects. They detail yoga poses and explain to the reader exactly how to execute them.
These books go into detail about which muscles are stretched during yoga, and exactly how to stretch them. This book includes asanas, vinyasas, colorful anatomical illustrations, and in-depth information. It provides a deep understanding of the structures and principles of each movement.
And of the practice itself. It also talks about how slightly changing a pose can increase or reduce its effectiveness. And how the entire body is fundamentally linked during this practice. This is a great book for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. It is an invaluable resource that allows the reader to see yoga poses in a new light. Many consider this book to be the ultimate reference for yoga practitioners, teachers, and enthusiasts. This insightful book teaches the reader much about how the body works.
Lesson 3 This links us to the golden chain of teachers from Yogi Bhajan on back. They are always there to serve and guide us. We are the ones who have to be patient and quiet enough to receive their guidance. Cultivate this subtle awareness and it will be more valuable than you can imagine. Before Yogi Bhajan came to the West in , Kundalini Yoga was a secret science taught only to a few selected students.
The significance of the open sharing of this technology is monumental and revolutionary.
For the first time in known history, the democratization of spirituality is possible. Everyone can wake up and stay awake - and we can get a yoga set and meditation to do so over the Internet, on our computer or cell phone! Most of what was available when I discovered Kundalini Yoga in was in the form of hand written notes. I kept thinking someone else was going to put them all together.
However, destiny decided that I would be blessed with an enthusiastic student who would help me assemble four manuals from the early notes. These four books are still classics and are available from our course sponsors - Yoga Technology. The first and the most popular worldwide, now republished as a second edition is Transitions to a Heart-Centered World. This was followed by Relax and Renew , Sexuality and Spirituality and finally Introduction to Kundalini Yoga now also republished as a much expanded 2-book second edition, adds much new material and also includes a selection of the best sets from the first three books.
When you acquire these basic books, you will have enough material to form the basis for a lifetime of study! My destiny path is to help people like you practice Kundalini Yoga. Knowing the technology is the essential first piece. The second piece is HOW we actually train our minds and bodies to achieve higher states of consciousness. This is the current focus of my writings. Beginners often ask if a mantra is appropriate for them or if it is an advanced mantra.
We don't teach Kundalini Yoga in terms of beginning mantras and advanced mantras. It is more the case that you choose the mantra, meditation and kriya that fits your need at a certain time and space. You practice it for 40, 90, or days - until you feel you have achieved the results you desire.
In other words, you begin your practice and over time you achieve greater levels of self-mastery, expand your awareness, connect with deeper levels of who you and establish your relationship with universal forces. Practice or Sadhana is an on-going, evolutionary process with no fixed end goal. Of course, we are all going for eventual enlightenment, but there are even different levels of enlightenment before liberation. Periodically we get asked if this practice is dangerous. First, many of the people who advance this opinion are not talking about Kundalini Yoga based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan.
When you hear such an opinion, investigate if the person has actually practiced this ancient technology of Kundalini Yoga. They often have not and are talking about spontaneous Kundalini awakenings of someone who has never practiced this technology. Second, spreading fear and negativity perpetuates the current paradigm and system.
Personally, I have learned not to engage in conversations trying to prove ideas based on different opinions with the goal of convincing or proving an idea right or wrong. Everyone has their own reality and experiences, which are true for them. Some also have opinions not based on experience. I avoid this territory. I was in academia for decades and intellectual conversations based on speculation hurt my head.
There is no denying that people have had spontaneous kundalini awakenings with severe side effects. Also some people have raised their kundalini through meditation and visualization. When the techniques used are primarily mental and do not include the physical preparation and training, the body cannot handle the energy. In both cases the body is not prepared to receive the high levels of energy.
It makes sense that if your body is wired for volts and you receive or 10, volts, there could be negative reactions. We practice Kundalini Yoga to avoid these situations. Kundalini Yoga is the yoga of awareness. We systematically train our mind and attune our body to hold higher frequencies of energy associated with Kundalini and consciousness. People in the past who have not strengthened their nervous system or prepared their bodies and psyches to hold these vibrations have had problems.
The evolution of consciousness is a universal reality. It is certainly wiser to prepare oneself for awakening than to live in denial and try to remain asleep. I remember Yogi Bhajan stating that the most dangerous thing in this world is to live unconsciously. The state of the world is a stark testimony to this fact, as is the condition of the lives of most human beings.
When we are not conscious, we are not only ruled by our subconscious programming, we are a puppet of the global unconscious. Now that is scary!! We all have examples in our lives where we have created turmoil and conflict without consciously choosing to do so. Who wouldn't choose prosperity, loving relationships, vibrant health, joyful living and rewarding work?
Then why are so many people suffering from poverty, painful relationships, depression, illness and unrewarding work? Why do we create so many problems and then have to spend so much time and energy dealing with them? The answer is lack of consciousness, which links us to the cycle of karma and struggle. There is only one way out. Wake up and stay awake! And we have to do this for ourselves. We are most fortunate to have the gift of Kundalini Yoga to help us in this process. This doesn't mean we will automatically live in utopia. But as Yogi Bhajan used to tell us, "I didn't tell you everything would be perfect.
I said you will be able to make it through to victory. Take care to appreciate your own struggle, knowing that your efforts are being recorded on the side of light. The light you bring into your own mind and being is helping others unknown to you who are struggling with the same issues.
Did you ever wonder why it takes so long to have breakthroughs in consciousness? If it is any consolation, you are bringing others along as well. Beginners also ask if they should start with Lesson 1 first and move through the lessons in numeric order. The answer is yes and no.
Lesson 2 on Silence is a touchstone for all future practice. You will probably find that sitting and tuning into silence is difficult. Tuning in will make silent meditation easier. Each lesson helps us cultivate the ability to sit quietly and tune into the eternal sound of the Universe. Connection with the universal sound current is one of our primary goals. Lesson 21 - Surrender to the Zone covers this in detail. Someone mentioned that he still has to sit in a chair to meditate. This is not a problem. Our goal is not the position. Our goal is the inner cosmic connection. Some people meditate standing up.
Some connect with the Infinite in a waking, walking state. Our goal is to experience inner peace. You will be guided to pick what sets and meditations work for you. The most important thing is to do something!