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Yoga represents not only a physical challenge, but tremendous mental and spiritual growth as well. Deepen your yoga practice with 31 of the best yoga books every yogi must read.
Yoga Books for Beginners
If you are still relatively new to yoga, here are some great books.
1. Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
Written by a world-renowned yoga guru, B.K.S. Iyengar delivers one of the best yoga books to help you start transforming your spirit, body, and mind.
2. The Yoga Beginner’s Bible by Tai Morello
The Yoga Beginner’s Bible provides a gentle way to prepare for your first yoga class. Check out the modifications to yoga poses to help you build confidence and protect your body.
3. The Little Book of Yoga by Fiona Channon
Enjoy a basic overview of poses, breathing, and types of yoga within this book and see if this new form of exercise is right for you.
4. Moving Toward Balance: 8 Weeks of Yoga With Rodney Yee by Rodney Yee
This concise eight-week practice helps new yoga practitioners explore fresh ideas, like becoming open to vulnerability or listening to your inner self.
5. Yin Yoga: Stretch the Mindful Way by Kassandra Reinhardt
Choose Yin Yoga for a gentle introduction using primarily floor-based, relaxation-focused exercises.
6. Yoga: A Manual for Life by Naomi Annand
Naomi Annand’s book about yoga feels like having your own personal yoga guide. Annand’s practical advice and beautiful visuals combine for a helpful yoga book for beginners.
7. Yoga: Relaxation, Postures, Daily Routines by David Smith and Charmaine Yabsley
This yoga book provides a comprehensive overview to both the physical activity of yoga and its deeper spiritual meaning. You can’t go wrong with this one!
8. Be Here Now by Ram Dass
A former Harvard professor turned spiritual guide, Ram Dass provides a foundational book about conquering anxiety and being present.
Advanced Yoga Books
More experienced yoga practitioners may find these books ideal for further progression.
9. Intelligent Yoga by Peter Blackaby
When you are ready to move past focusing on poses, Intelligent Yoga will challenge you in new ways. Join Peter Blackaby as he discusses the scientific and spiritual dimensions of yoga.
10. Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews
Curious about what is happening within your body after years of yoga? Gorgeous, detailed anatomical illustrations fill this unique yoga book.
11. The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar
Pick up this yoga book to dive deeper into what yoga means to you and how to further develop your own spiritual growth through yoga.
12. Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living by Donna Farhi
Donna Farhi will help you integrate yoga into chores, errands, and more to help you become calm and present.
The Yoga Beginner’s Bible provides a gentle way to prepare for your first yoga class.
Yoga Books for Every Body
Regardless of your body type, the following books offer an excellent way to explore yoga.
13. Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body by Dianne Bondy
No matter your age, ability, size, or disability, yoga is accessible to everyone. Pick up this book to build confidence and explore ways to integrate yoga into your life.
14. Yoga for Inflexible People by Max and Liz Lowenstein
You don’t need to be a human pretzel to try yoga! This yoga book breaks down each pose to help you identify stiffness and gradually work through it for greater flexibility.
15. Yoga Rising: 30 Empowering Stories From Yoga Renegades for Every Body by Melanie C. Klein
Find inspiration with this yoga book featuring unorthodox yogis. No matter your wealth, sexual orientation, or size, these experts show you can benefit from yoga.
16. Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get on the Mat, Love Your Body by Jessamyn Stanley
Jessamyn Stanley is a yoga influencer who dispels myths about which bodies can practice yoga. Dive into this book on yoga and embrace the body you have today.
Yoga Books for Reference
If you wish to learn more about yoga, the books below share some great insights.
17. The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice by Georg Feuerstein
Keep this massive yoga book on your shelf as a comprehensive reference guide to the origins of yoga.
18. The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living by Stephen Cope
Written around 500 BCE, The Wisdom of Yoga provides an insightful modern translation of the original Sanskrit wisdom. Grab this accessible guide to understand the origins of this work.
19. Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation by Stephen Mitchell
An unorthodox yoga book, the Bhagavad Gita religious text provides essential context for the practice of yoga.
20. 2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses by Daniel Lacerda
Keep this reference manual as the ultimate guide to thousands of available yoga poses to stretch, relax, and enlighten yourself.
21. The Goddess Pose by Michelle Goldberg
This yoga book delivers a modern reference point for today’s yoga. Balance your bookshelf with classic and contemporary yoga reference books.
22. Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice by Mark Singleton
Yoga Body further demystifies the Westernized practice of yoga. Gain a full understanding of yoga at your gym or studio with this accessible book on yoga.
23. Yoga: The Greater Tradition by David Frawley
David Frawley challenges Western yogis to understand the multidimensional aspects of yoga with this modern book about yoga.
Memoir Yoga Books
The following books share personal experiences with yoga.
24. Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda
There is no better way to enjoy the transformative power of yoga than with a memoir yoga book. Autobiography of a Yogi provides a delightfully personal and cultural context for yoga.
25. Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer
Dederer breaks down the most important poses to her in this easily readable and relatable yoga book.
Yoga Books for Pregnant People
Here are some books pertaining to practicing yoga while carrying a child and how yoga can help deal with post-natal challenges.
26. Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful by Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
Yoga provides a lovely, gentle exercise for those carrying a child. Those anticipating natural childbirth may especially enjoy Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful.
27. The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras by Nischala Joy Devi
Devi claims those who identify as women can unlock a deeper level of yoga. Learn more about her unique philosophy with this yoga book The Secret Power of Yoga.
28. The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
Postpartum mothers will embrace Johnson’s book, which realistically tackles physical, spiritual, and emotional recovery and growth with a newborn.
29. Sleep Recovery by Lisa Sanfilippo
Sleep is elusive when you have a newborn! Read Sleep Recovery to understand how to integrate a meaningful nighttime yoga routine into your life to gain restful sleep.
Medicine and Yoga Books
Here are some books that shed light on the medicinal benefits of yoga.
30. Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing by Yoga Journal and Timothy McCall, MD
Written by a medical doctor, this inspirational volume provides guidance for those seeking alternative therapies.
31. Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith
Adopting new philosophies doesn’t mean rejecting what you know! Anodea Judith guides you through balancing the best of both worlds in this fresh yoga book.
Conclusion
Books on yoga provide a terrific way to ease into a yoga routine or to deepen a year’s-long physical and spiritual practice. From learning more about yoga’s history to reaping various benefits and improving your proficiency, these books are an excellent source of information.
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