7 Yoga Books for Teachers and Practitioners »

One of my favorite parts of my teacher training experience was rediscovering my love for reading. I’ve always enjoyed reading but forgot how much as I grew older. Recently, I’ve been reading about ten books at a time and scribbling notes in every single one of them. Here are five yoga books that I recommend for teachers and students alike!

Mindfulness in Plain English

This book is a great introductory read for those seeking to learn more about yoga and meditation. Mindfulness in Plain English offers a practical approach to mindfulness and meditation for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. It is an excellent reminder of how you can live intentionally off your yoga mat. Not only is this book an easy read, but it’s easy to be inspired and apply the teachings provided.

Meditation for the Love of it

This is one of my all-time personal favorites! Meditation for the Love of it is written in a way where any level of practitioner can reap the benefits. The author speaks so authentically about her personal experience with meditation and is able to connect with readers through humility and grace. Not only does this yoga book explain the fundamentals of meditation and its philosophies, but it has so many exercises you can do at home to deepen your personal practice. I read this book when I am seeking inspiration, as I hardly ever want to actually meditate…just being honet. It’s also a great reference for teachers as there are multiple exercises in the book that can easily be incorporated into a yoga class.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a series of spiritual teachings further explaining the yoga journey. The sutras are rooted in the traditions of the practice and are a firm reminder of why we come to the mat. The book itself is divided into four parts; Portion on Contemplation, Portion on Practice, Portion on Accomplishments and Portion on Absoluteness. I revisit this book time and time again as each sutra is layered with knowledge, allowing a fresh perspective each time I read them.

Living Your Yoga

Living Your Yoga is an easy read sharing the simple moments in life, and how these moments correlate to our yoga practice. Written by Judith Lasater, co-founder of Yoga Journal, it is intended for the modern day yoga practitioner. The book is split into three sections which are then divided into chapters. Each section and chapter focuses on the relationship we hold with ourselves, others and the world around us. It is a great read to coincide the Yoga Sutras as it draws many of the same lessons. Living Your Yoga offers exercises to help you lead a more spiritual life, and remind us that even the most simple moments can offer great lessons.

Wheels of Life

Wheels of Life is an amazing read for anyone interested in learning more about the Chakra system and it’s correlation to the yoga practice. The book itself is pretty hefty and packed full of information. Each Chakra has it’s own chapter, along with scientific explanations of the bodies energy system. At the end of each chapter, there are yogic exercises and meditations to help you find balance within each chakra. This is a book that I have written all over and taken so many notes on! There is so much information it can be a little intimidating though. It’s best to read this book slowly and allow the information to sink in before moving on.

Eastern Body Western Mind

Eastern Body Western Mind is another yoga book by Anodea Judith regarding the chakra system. In this book, Anodea sheds light on how she utilizes the bodies energetic system in therapy sessions with her clients. While Wheels of Life is more geared towards the physical aspects of the chakra network, Eastern Body Western Mind or anyone in the mental health profession who also has an interest in yoga. This book is also great for students and teachers who are seeking build a deeper understanding of the mind body connection.

Yoga of the Subtle Body

Yoga of the Subtle Body is another great read for those seeking a more scientific approach to the practice. This book breaks down the anatomy of the body and how the asanas, yoga postures, affect our bodies energy. While it is an informative read, the author uses great analogies that describe the movements of the body. It is an easier read than other anatomy books, but that does not mean it is lacking in information. There are tons of exercises in each section that you can do to better understand your bodies anatomy. Teachers can benefit greatly from practicing the activities in this book. Each exercise is easy to translate into a classroom setting as well!