… for yoga students and teachers.
We are on holiday and it is wonderful to be able to take the time to read and rest.
Before heading out into the wild though I like to take a couple of books with me, sometime they are read – probably raining a lot while camping; sometimes they are not – probably it is sunny and we are out a lot.
If you are anything like me, where time to read is probably spent looking through emails or social media, you would want to MAYBE combine a book that is about learning also:
So here is a little list that I often recommend to my friends and students that want to dive a little more into yoga.
1. The heart of Yoga:
TKV Desikachar- a lovely starting point of learning about all aspect of yoga and establishing a personal yoga practice
2. Yoga for wellness by Gary Kraftsow
A lovely book about the therapeutic application of yoga and adaptation of practices (viniyoga). For personal practices read Yoga for Transformation.
3. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy by Michael Lee
Another book that speaks about the application of yoga for therapeutic purposes. Loved reading by the beach, it is very relatable to personal circumstances and life patterns.
4. The Body Keeps the Score by Basil Van Der Kolk
Such an amazing book, to not only learn about the mind and body connection (it’s all one) and how trauma affects you, in the process you learn about your stress responses and survival! it is just an amazing book that brings awareness to health in every dimension of our being.
5. Embodying the Yoga Sutras
By Ranju Roy & David Charlton.
Modern yoga philosophy through the patanjali sutras, which actually makes it a book about self care – really well written and it might actually make you want to read the Patanjali Yoga sutras…
6. Restoring Prana by Robin Rothenberg
Amazing book on pranayama and its application in yoga. i think it is the only book you need for pranayama in any teacher training.
7. The heart of Asana by Kausthub Desikachar
Viniyoga style asana and sequences. Love it for building sequences in my practices but more of a reference book than summer reading.
8. Mudras for Modern Life by Swami Saradananda
Lovely book on the application of mudras for modern life and in your classes. The artwork in the book is incredible and inspiring.
9. Other:
These books are more related to the different styles of yoga I have trained in or practice:
– Rainbow Kids Yoga: The complete Toolbox
Available over in the Rainbow Yoga training website. I received with my rainbow kids yoga training. This is THE ONLY book you’ll need for teaching kids yoga. Includes poses, games, meditation scripts, class plans and so so much more
– Relax are Renew by Judith Hanson Lasater: The ultimate guide to restorative yoga poses, but if you are after sequences refer to Restorative Yoga for life by Gail Boorstein Grossman.
– Accessible Yoga by Jivana Heyman: For adapted practices that can make yoga accessible to everyone, because yoga is for everyone.
– NON YOGA BOOKS:
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- The heart Speaks by Mimi Guarneri
- Self Compassion by Kirstin Neff.
So have a lovely holiday wherever in the world you are going and I hope one of these suggestions is of your liking. Happy reading and happy holidays.