Yoga Books

Yoga Anatomy

Leslie Kaminoff

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Human Kinetics Publishers Amazon Marketplace: 69 new & used starting at $12.55

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 61 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

It helps to be familiar with anatomical terminology 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I just started studying yoga to better round out my workout routine. I picked up this book as something to help me better understand how to perform the asanas.

Pros: Well drawn anatomical drawings, clear descriptions of how the muscles work to enable you to perform the asanas

Cons: Requires some knowledge of anatomy (I have had anatomy classes so this was not a problem for me), descriptions don't tell you how to get INTO the poses, just how they work

I would not get this book to learn yoga. You would be more frustrated than helped (see the low rated comments). But if you are studying with a yogi then I think this book will help you better understand the processes that are happening when you do your poses.

Editorial Review:

See inside every yoga pose! With clear, expert instruction and full-color, detailed anatomical drawings, Yoga Anatomy depicts the most common asanas to provide a deeper understanding of the structures and principles underlying each movement and of yoga itself.

From breathing to standing poses, see how each muscle is used, how slight alterations of a pose can enhance or reduce effectiveness, and how the spine, breathing, and body position are all fundamentally linked.

Whether you are just beginning your journey or have been practicing yoga for years, Yoga Anatomy will be an invaluable resource--one that allows you to see each movement in an entirely new light.

Author Leslie Kaminoff is a recognized expert and teacher in anatomy, breathing, and bodywork. He is the founder of The Breathing Project, New York City's premiere yoga studio dedicated to the teaching of individualized, breath-centered yoga practice and therapy.

Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga...

B. K. S. Iyengar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 83 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

If you have one comprehensive book on yoga this should be it. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book generally shows the progression of the poses from beginner to advanced. You will not be talked down to in this book. I like having more information then I need so that I can reference back and progress when I'm ready.

If you are interested in yoga this is a must 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book for anybody, but especially needed for beginers. For every asana there is at least one picture to illustrate the proper technique. Helps with breathing and flow, describing how your muscles are working and proper focus.

It's what Robert's Rules of Order is to parliamentary bodies 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Iyengar himself has disavowed this book long ago...even so, it's the single greatest reference book out there.

The first thing that will blow you away is the treatise on hatha yoga. The ease with which he describes the philosophy of yoga foreshadows his complete book on the subject. It's quite a foreshadowing!

The bulk of the book is an exhaustive detailed pictorial and written description of most practical poses (and several impractical ones).

However, I fell in love with his close to 300-week practice schedule in the back of the book. I must say that it's implausible that someone can follow it exactly and include all the poses all the time (even he says to skip the ones you can't master), it's a very keen insight into what HIS practice might have been like back when this book was published, before he started a huge yoga school.

Now he has curriculum that changes every year (to keep teacher coming back to $$$chool - smart man!). The current Iyengar school details exact angles in which to keep your body in specific poses. I love 'Light on Yoga' because it lacks that exactness, and allows you to feel the energy of poses, rather than getting stuck in anatomy of the poses.

A must read, and must re-read, and a must re-re-re-re-re-.........

Editorial Review:

The definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of Yoga--the ancient healing discipline for body and mind--by its greatest living teacher. Light on Yoga provides complete descriptions and illustrations of all the positions and breathing exercises. Features a foreword by Yehudi Menuhin. Illustrations throughout.

Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing

Yoga Journal, Timothy Mccall

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The definitive book of yoga therapy, this groundbreaking work comes to you from the medical editor of the country’s premier yoga magazine, who is both a practicing yogi and a Western-trained physician.

Beginning with an overview of the history and science of yoga, Dr. McCall describes the many different techniques in the yoga tool kit; explains what yoga does and who can benefit from it (virtually everyone!); and provides lavishly illustrated and minutely detailed instructions on starting a yoga practice geared to your fitness level and your health status. Yoga as Medicine offers a wealth of practical information, including how to:

•Utilize yogic tools, including postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, for both prevention and healing of illness

•Master the art of becoming more in tune with your body

•Communicate more effectively with your doctor

•Adopt therapeutic yoga practices as either an alternative or a complement to surgery and to expensive, sometimes dangerous medications

•Practice safely

Find an instructor and a style of yoga that are right for you. With twenty chapters devoted to the work of individual master teachers, including such well-known figures as Patricia Walden, John Friend, and Rodney Yee, Yoga as Medicine shows how these experts have applied the wisdom of this ancient holistic practice to twenty different conditions, ranging from arthritis to chronic fatigue, depression, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, infertility, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, and obesity. Defining yoga as “a systematic technology to improve the body, understand the mind, and free the spirit,“ Dr. McCall shows the way to a path that can truly alter your life.

An indispensable guide for the millions who now practice yoga or would like to begin, as well as for yoga teachers, body workers, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice

T. K. V. Desikachar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 35 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to viniyoga--yoga adapted to the needs of the individual. 

• A contemporary classic by a world-renowned teacher. 

• This new edition adds thirty-two poems by Krishnamacharya that capture the essence of his teachings. 

Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who lived to be over 100 years old, was one of the greatest yogis of the modern era. Elements of Krishnamacharya's teaching have become well known around the world through the work of B. K. S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and Indra Devi, who all studied with Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya's son T. K. V. Desikachar lived and studied with his father all his life and now teaches the full spectrum of Krishnamacharya's yoga. Desikachar has based his method on Krishnamacharya's fundamental concept of viniyoga, which maintains that practices must be continually adapted to the individual's changing needs to achieve the maximum therapeutic value. 

In The Heart of Yoga Desikachar offers a distillation of his father's system as well as his own practical approach, which he describes as "a program for the spine at every level--physical, mental, and spiritual." This is the first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to the age-old principles of yoga. Desikachar discusses all the elements of yoga--poses and counterposes, conscious breathing, meditation, and philosophy--and shows how the yoga student may develop a practice tailored to his or her current state of health, age, occupation, and lifestyle. 

This is a revised edition of The Heart of Yoga.

Autobiography of a Yogi (Unabridged)

Paramahansa Yogananda

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 217 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Life changing book 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book got me interested in Kriya yoga. It has been a life changing book. Next step after the book to delve deeper is :

Kriya Yoga - Its Mystery and Performing Art
by Swami Sadhanananda Giri book:

Someone has opened his heart for all 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

In fact I read this after I read the book ""God Talks to Arjuna"by Paramhansa Yogananda. The variuos terminology given in the book and the Kriya Yoga has attaracted me to become a member of the Yogoda Satsang Society and get the lessons. I have never read any other Auto Biography so vivid and truthful account of what transpires the young man seeking God. Though I was at the age of 49/50 at the time of reading this book in the year 1997 the details are still very much deeply imprinted on my mind as if I have read it now. This shows as to how much this book has the powerful grip of the Author and one has to read only once.
I strongly recommmend this book to those who wants to do something different than eating , sleeping , producing kids and vanishing away like any other insects than Human.


Ramamrat Iyer

Editorial Review:

Often described as the book that has changed the lives of millions, Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi has been translated into 20 languages, and is regarded worldwide as a spiritual classic. It was selected as "One of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century." It reads like an adventure story while answering questions about religion, God, existence, yoga, higher consciousness, and the challenges of daily spiritual living. It is a book for people of all faiths; anyone yearning to know what life is truly all about.

Self Realization Fellowship's editions, and non others, incorporate all of the author's significant revisions to the text of the 1946 first edition.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda

Sri S. Satchidananda

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Integral Yoga Publications Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $11.47

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A classic book that is necessary for any yogi's library. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is a wonderful introduction to the yoga sutras. Other interpretations on the sutras should be compared to this in my opinion.

Outstanding Translation and Commentary 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I am a Sanskritist and Vedic scholar. I have seen a number of translations of this classic but this is BY FAR my favorite. This book serves as a stand-alone guide for meditation and yoga.

Lots of Info but Friendly and Accessible 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I am not a Sanskrit scholar and I don't read Sanskrit but was interested in learning about the philosophy behind yoga. I got this book and have been happy with it.

Each sutra (aphorism) is written in Sanskrit. Then it is transliterated (phonetically spelled out) into an English so one can get an idea of how it sounds. Next individual words are translated. Then the whole phrase is translated into English so one can know what it means. Below that are a few paragraphs explaining the sutra or giving additional thoughts and insights.

I found this useful for many reasons:

I think the Sanskrit writing is beautiful, so I like seeing it.
The phonetics help me know how to pronounce and follow along when more learned people are chanting or talking about the sutra using the Sanskrit words (as my yoga teacher often does).
The individual word translations give me an idea of what Patanjali had in mind, and the full English gives me an idea of how we might think of it today. (If you speak more than one language you know how things don't always translate directly word for word).

I found the commentaries very insightful and thought provoking.

This book is a great starting point in getting to know the yoga sutras, but also has a lot of substance for those already familiar with them. Even if you never read Sanskrit, with this book you can get an idea of what the sutras are saying and learn the lessons they are trying to teach. the commentaries are insightful and interesting. Highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. This new deluxe printing of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again by seekers treading the spiritual path. The classic Sutras (thought-threads), at least 4,000 years old, cover the yogic teachings on ethics, meditation, and physical postures, and provide directions for dealing with situations in daily life.

Remember, Be Here Now

Ram Dass

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 103 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Ram Dass in Hawaii 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

In the 70s I remember sitting on my living room floor sharing with my roommates the very colorful Remember, Be Here Now. We were all reading it together. I was puzzled and so were they. We had no context to understand the simplicity of the spirit of the book. It was only as I experienced life and got older that I understood the joy of being in the moment -- of being conscious of real communication and compassion. I would like to think that that was the beginning of my personal path toward becoming a more aware human being and a family therapist. Although the book is from a very different era the messages and philosophies that Ram Dass brought to western society - after his long studies in India - are now so widely accepted and prevalent that they are now even quoted on Oprah!

Recently I had the privilege and pleasure to travel to Haiwaii and meet Ram Dass in person and it made me realize that this book is perhaps more relevant today than it when it was written (or maybe that's just wisdom through age!).

Editorial Review:

A Lama Foundation Book. Describes one man's transformation upon his acceptance of the principles of Yoga and gives a modern restatement of the importance of the spiritual side of man's nature. Illustrated.

Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual: An Illustrated Guide to Personal Practice

David Swenson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 80 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Useful and practical 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

It's an amazing book which is also very very user-friendly. Besides clear explanations of all the terminology such as "Ashtanga", "Bandhas" and so on, it's equipped with a spiral binding and a hard cover so that you could read/ watch it by practice the movements. In addition, it will teach a series movements instead of separate movements (like some Yoga books do) so that you could have an idea of the whole "flow" of the movements. It's very useful and practical. I would strongly recommend this book to whoever wants to learn this amazing Ashtanga Yoga.

great tool for deepening or beginning a personal yoga practice 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is an excellent way to explore each of the postures of Ashtanga yoga. It has foundational information about the basics such as breath, followed by each posture with variations, and guides for the standing, sitting, and closing sequences. It is a perfect gift for someone beginning a personal yoga practice or for the student looking to move on to second series postures.

Editorial Review:

This is the most user-friendly yoga book available! It contins the entire Primary and Intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga with three options for every asana. It is spiral bound to easily remain open while practicing. It contains over 650 photos with clear instructions and commentary. It is a great book for all levels of practitioners to enjoy and teachers will find it to be an invaluable tool for teaching their students.

Storytime Yoga: Teaching Yoga to Children Through Story (Storytime Yoga)

Sydney Solis

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 7 to 10 days By: The Mythic Yoga Studio Amazon Marketplace: 10 new & used starting at $12.22

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Teach yoga to children the Storytime Yoga way! Gathered here is the innovative method of exercises, songs and most of all stories that make up Storytime Yoga. Storytime Yoga seeks to enlighten young minds with the magic of yoga while recounting some of the world's most delightful, instructive stories in a way that encourages literacy and vibrant physical health. Included are eight multicultural wisdom stories retold from around the world and scripted with yoga poses. Designed for parents, teachers and anyone interested in working with kids from Pre-K through 6th grade, it is packed with inspired and yet practical information, including meditations, games and more! Here you'll find captivating tales, such as the Rabbit in the Moon (from India), to the Magic Pear Tree (From China), and the Shipwrecked Sailor (from Egypt). Learn how to make up your own stories to put yoga with and encourage children to do the same. Learn the art of oral storytelling for your home or classroom today and make literacy and health come alive!

Hatha Yoga Illustrated

Martin Kirk, Brooke Boon, Daniel DiTuro

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Human Kinetics - Model: 0736062033 Amazon Marketplace: 57 new & used starting at $8.86

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent Yoga Reference 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Hatha Yoga Illustrated, for greater strength, flexibility and focus by Martin Kirk and Brooke Boone is a great yoga resource. It was co-authored by Martin Kirk, one of my yoga teacher trainers, and was used extensively during my teacher training. But even if Martin didn't write it, I would still recommend it.

Hatha Yoga Illustrated is a comprehensive manual of basic hatha yoga poses, providing lots of clear color photographs and instructions for over 70 common poses and their variations/modifications. It includes information regarding benefits of the various poses, suggested counter-poses and contraindications, which can be very useful for those with injuries and/or health concerns.

There are several photographs for each posture including common variations with detailed instructions for obtaining proper alignment as well as directions for coming into and out of the poses safely and with awareness. It's written in a very practical, user-friendly style that is clear and easy to understand making it a perfect guide for beginners and on-going reference book for more experienced yoga practitioners.

Chapter one provides a brief overview of yoga including some background and history, yogic breathing, how to use yoga props, where and when to practice and some meditation basics. But Hatha Yoga Illustrated really isn't about yoga philosophy, it's about yoga poses.

The remainder of the book - chapters 2 through 10 -- is a step-by-step guide to the poses that are grouped according to the following categories:

Standing Postures

Balancing Postures

Arm-Balancing Postures

Inverted Postures

Backward-Bending Postures

Twisting Postures

Forward-Bending Postures

Sitting Postures

Reclining and Relaxation Postures


The last chapter outlines eleven useful hatha yoga routines, or sequences of postures for helping you link them together in various home practice workouts. Two indexes are provided at the back of the book: a photographic index by English name and alphabetic index by Sanskrit (ancient yogic language) name. Helpful resources including a list of yoga schools and sources for yoga props and clothing also are provided.

Hatha Yoga Illustrated would be extremely helpful as a standalone book for getting oriented to many common yoga poses or a great accompaniment to your DVD collection to clarify poses you have questions about.

You can purchase Hatha Yoga Illustrated at most bookstores, including Amazon.com where it currently has a five star rating. It is also available directly through it's publisher Human Kinetics at www.humankinetics.com

Highly Recommended

Editorial Review:

Experience the physical benefits and body awareness from hatha yoga--the most popular form of yoga today. Hatha Yoga Illustrated presents nearly 650 full-color photos to visually demonstrate 77 standard poses from hatha yoga that apply to all major hatha styles including Iyengar, Astanga, Anusara, and Bikram. Individual poses are presented from start to finish, showing you how to achieve proper alignment and breathing to ensure challenging yet safe execution. The result is an increase in the effectiveness, both physically and mentally, youll experience with each pose. Several pose variations based on your personal preference, ability, and fitness level are also included.