In your yoga journey, there will probably come a time when you wonder just how some Sanskrit term applies to daily life or how the physical practice of asana relates to yoga’s. Fortunately, people have been writing books about yoga for thousands of years.
Arriving at a coherent understanding of this rich and varied tradition takes time. Books can become great friends and guides along the path. Here, we’ve gathered a small library of titles we think provide a broader understanding of the practice and a deeper awareness of how yoga can transform your life.
Because there are literally hundreds of books to choose from, we have decided to limit ourselves to titles that were published within the past 10 years—a limitation we thought might aid in our quest to answer that eternal question: How is the ancient practice of yoga relevant to my life right now? This article is meant to be a sampler of yoga literature, a little something to whet your appetite.
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda The classic spiritual memoir, first published in 1946, still resonates with practitioners today who are looking for self-realization.
The Heart of Meditation: Pathways to a Deeper Experience, by Sally Kempton (aka Swami Durgananda) How to transform—rather than transcend—your emotions with a wide range of meditation techniques. Out of print, but well worth tracking down.
Yoga Anatomy, by Leslie Kaminoff Ever wanted to look inside a yoga pose? This book’s excellent illustrations show exactly what’s happening in the body in 75 asanas.
