10 Unexpected Books For Every Yogi
Are you overwhelmed by the complexity of traditional yoga books? Here are 10 unexpected simpler books every yogi should read. They will enhance your yoga practice and enrich your daily life!
We live in a world where yoga is spreading at an unbelievable speed. But as its popularity grows, the real weight and wisdom of the practice fades.
That’s why it’s essential to step back from the fast-paced, shallow modern approach and make an effort to really root ourselves in the rich traditions of yoga. That includes learning about proper asana execution, as well as everything yoga entails beyond the mat.
There are a lot of books about yoga out there. Quite a few of them are considered the absolute classics and the ultimate foundation, and of course, they must be read by every true yoga practitioner.
However, in today’s list, I wanted to share a list of books that are different than the traditional yoga Bibles i.e. The Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali or the Bhagavad Gita, but they do still offer immense benefits.
The 10 books I’m talking about blend modern insights with timeless wisdom. They are easier to digest and they promise to enrich your practice and deepen your understanding of yoga’s profound teachings.
So, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a yoga beginner just stepping onto the mat, I’m sure you’ll enjoy these. In each book, you’ll find something useful and appropriate for the point you’re at in your journey and you’ll transform your at home yoga practice.
Let’s embark on a literary journey of ancient wisdom with modern relevance!
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The 7 Unexpected Books For Every Yogi!
A beautiful book which tells a story of a young girl named Yogi who while travelling in India is imprisoned in a local jail. Through her story, the author has skilfully interwoven the teachings of the Yoga Sutras.
While this book won’t win any prizes as a novel-style book, it definitely fulfills its goal to teach the core principles of yoga set out in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Going through this modern–style book, you will learn about the old roots of yoga and you will find that there are quite a few gems for personal growth even in today’s world.
So if you enjoy reading fiction, then you’ll definitely like “How Yoga Works”.
Yes, this one isn’t really about yoga. Hey, it says right in the title that this is an unexpected list, right?! 🙂
This book is about the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, a German guy who went through a major transformation during his late 20s. He overcame depression and being suicidal, as he came to a massive realization of ego, time, and how finding your way to the present moment is the only way to escape suffering and pain.
“The Power Of Now” while not specifically a yoga book, it gives you great tools to end the delusion of time and ego, and make your way into the present moment, which is one of the general principles of the yoga practice.
Keep in mind though that you may not even like this book the first time you read it. To fully grasp the message it sends, you need to be ready to receive and understand it. So, don’t give up on it right away, simply set it on your list and reach for it whenever you feel drawn to it.
This one is for yogis of all levels and traditions. It’s a teaching on asana, alignment, using props, as well as the inner workings of the yoga practice.
While “Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit” might be especially helpful for yoga teachers, I do believe that anyone interested in yoga, can and will benefit from it – the book itself sends the message that at the end of the day, we are our own teachers.
With the many photographs and illustrations this book can even be considered more like a reference book, than a book to read, so it’s definitely worth having in your collection.
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“This book will shine new light on your journey, ignite your practice with new power, inspire new possibilities for growth, and infuse your life with the grace and confidence you seek.” —Baron Baptiste
Do I need to say more? 😛
“Perfectly Imperfect: The Art and Soul of Yoga Practice” is for you if 1. you love learning practical tools and meaningful insights into your yoga practice, and 2. you enjoy yoga books that are short and sweet as well as sincere and down to earth.
If you’re convinced that yoga is only for skinny flexible women – this book will change your mind.
The book’s, author Jessamyn Stanley, knows firsthand what it’s like to feel like an outsider. So, her book is her effort to show you that yoga is for everybody and every body!
“Every Body Yoga” is largely focused on the physical (asana and yoga sequences), but the many diverse yogis you’ll see modeling on its pages will spark emotions connected beyond the physical practice.
Wouldn’t you love to know how to analyze your childhood development, your upbringing, and any traumas you might have gone through?
Well, this book gives you a lot of information about it as it goes through each of the chakras. The knowledge in “Eastern Body Western Mind” will help you learn to understand the roots of some of your problems.
All in all it’s a fantastic resource for curious minds, who might want to learn a little bit about Eastern medicine, energy work, chakras, balance, imbalance, and more.
And if nothing else, it’s simply really fascinating.
This one is an anatomy book that goes a step further to ask the question “What stops me?“.
While it is a bit science–heavy, which might be offputting to some, I still encourage you to check it out. Even if you don’t memorize all the details and scientific parts, you’ll still get a lot of benefits and end up closing its pages feeling better about your yoga practice.
Through “Your Body Your Yoga”, you will truly understand that we’re all unique and that what works for you and what suits your body, might be completely different from what works for other people. Simply put, some bodies can do a certain asana and others can’t, and that is OK!
When you think of yoga, what does first come to your mind? Is it maybe a woman crazily bending her body?
Well believe it or not, but that’s something the modern world has made you believe. In case you weren’t aware, yoga was made by and for men. For many years it was practiced only by men, women were forbidden to participate. Luckily that changed, but all traditional texts on yoga were, and mostly still are from male authors hence a masculine perspective.
That’s why “The Secret Power Of Yoga” is so interesting. It gives a different commentary and updated interpretation of the Yoga Sutras from a more positive and feminine perspective. While I might not agree with everything, and find some views to be a bit too stuck on the traditional limiting gender role beliefs, I still think it’s refreshing to see another view on traditional yoga teachings.
No, you don’t have to become a monk to be spiritual. No, you don’t have to run away in the mountains and live in absolute solitude. It’s absolutely possible to bring spirituality into your modern daily life.
The author Judith Hanson Lasater shows you how to utilize yogic philosophy and cultivate spirituality in your Western life. This book will serve you as the go-to off-the-mat guide to deepen your relationship with yourself, the ones you love, and the world.
“Living Your Yoga: Finding The Spiritual In Everyday Life” is not a book on asanas or breathing techniques. It’s a book in which you’ll find the wisdom from the yoga classics, and immerse yourself in the richness of the moral and philosophical sides of yoga.
This is an inspiring and easy read you can enjoy on your lunch break, or while soaking up the sun on your front porch with a nice cup of coffee or tea.
Okay, so this one also isn’t really a book on yoga. Nonetheless, it is still related to the whole yogic lifestyle, which focuses on holistic health and well-being. While you won’t dive deep into yoga or Ayurveda, you will learn practical everyday things you can easily start implementing right away.
In “Soma: 100 Heritage Recipes For Self-Care”, the author Indu, shares her recipes, and tips and tricks that were handed down to her through her family and gurus as she was growing up in India. It is filled with an abundance of information, from daily rituals to beauty tips and food recipes.
This book is not one you sit down, read, and put away. It’s a workbook you’ll be reaching for over and over again.
Oh, and btw, I found out about this book through one of my favorite yoginis, Arundhati Baitmangalkar, podcast “Let’s Talk Yoga”. If you also like to learn while listening, her podcast is for you!
p.s.
I’m the type of girl who absolutely loves the smell of paper and the feeling of turning a physical page. However, since I love traveling and I go camping often, oh, and I also moved countries! I figured that having physical books just isn’t very practical for me. So, I gave in and switched to an ebook reader. Now, I must admit that I’m in love with my Kindle – it’s super light, the battery lasts for ages if you keep it on Airplane mode, and it can keep so many books on it that you for sure won’t get bored ever again! If this sounds familiar to you, then go ahead and buy one now! Then immerse yourself in the vast Amazon Kindle Library and get any book immediately. 😉
A few last words...
Stay curious. Stay thirsty for knowledge. Keep exploring.
Always keep an open mind and open heart. If you remember to make your own opinions, everything you read will help in one way or another and will lead you to discoveries unique to you.
If you’d like to have fast access to this list of book recommendations and like to keep track of your progress, then consider downloading my free Yogi Book Reading Tracker.
Lastly, share your book recommendations with me!
I would love to know which book affected you deeply, or maybe has even changed your life completely!
Let’s join our forces in spreading knowledge and yogic wisdom to better everyone’s lives.
Yours,
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