Best Yoga Books
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Best Books On Yoga For The Beginner, Seasoned Or Pro
Here you will find some of the best yoga books on the market today. I have handpicked these for you as they have actually passed through my hands, so I discarded whatever was a waste of time and breath.
There are so many books on yoga out there that it's quite difficult to find those books that actually teach you something about yoga positions, breathing and how to practice it the right way.
Shown here is one of the best Yoga books of all times: Yoga for Beginners by Mark Ansari and Liz Lark
Of course, you can't learn yoga only from books - you either need to join a yoga class, or at least follow some Yoga DVDs or videos, but books are a great resource that can help you master yoga with ease.
Enjoy these best selling yoga books and if you have a book that I haven't yet reviewed, please leave me the title in the Guestbook below.
Yoga for Beginners
Yoga For Beginners
by Mark Ansari and Liz Lark
If you're starting with Yoga now, this is maybe the best book on yoga that i can recommend to any newcomer. It's really good. I wish I found this book when I started my Yoga practice, but at the time I had no access to the internet and the local bookstore didn't have it.One thing that I liked about the book as soon as I got it was the binding. The spiral binding makes it easy to keep the book flat (on the floor or mat next to you when you practice). Also what I really liked is the great photos that are extremely clear and show the various positions in a way that it's easy to practice them right from the bat.
And not to forget the easy step by step instructions that accompany the great photos. You just can't go wrong with this book. Many of my peers have it and swear by it (and so do I).
Check it out here
Office Yoga: Simple Stretches for Busy People
I like to mention this book because these days Yoga is truly for everyone. You don't have to have practiced for years or months to get to a specific level Now Yoga can be practiced at the office with a few stretches and they are all valid Yoga postures, even if they seem overly simple. But if you have hardly any time for yourself, you CAN do these exercises and you'll get the benefits of practicing from one of the best Yoga books ever.This book also makes a great gift not only for Christmas or other serious celebrations, but also for birthdays...or just for fun. If you have a friend who is thinking of starting Yoga, give him or her this book. They'll love it!
You'll find exercises on how to relieve stress, how to stretch the muscles and get rid of pain in the bones from sitting for too long in one position, and the great illustrations are not only fun but really instructive. I like it!
You can check it out here.
Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics: The Essential Beginner's Guide to Yoga For a Lifetime of Health and Fitness
I consider this one of the best Yoga books for beginners because it's extremely easy to follow, it's detailed, and if you know a bit about Yoga, you must have heard about the Yoga Journal, one of the main publications on Yoga. I love it, it's truly a great beginner book that leaves nothing out.It is a basic book, but again, it IS geared towards newcomers to Yoga, so if you are an intermediate, you won't find many new things. No wonder some people gave this book rather low reviews, because they are NOT the right audience for it.
If you've never picked up the Yoga Journal, below you will find some of their most popular editions. Worth reading, in my opinion and definitely worth subscribing to it if you can.
Check it out here.
Yoga Journal (1-year auto-renewal)
Yoga Journal (1-year auto-renewal)
Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 05/30/2012)
This is where you can subscribe to Yoga Journal with one year auto-renewal. If you are interested in Yoga for more than just a passing glance, this is a magazine you don't want to miss.
Don't Want To Subscribe To Yoga Journal?
Here are some selected older single issues to choose without actively subscribing to the magazine.
Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class
Here is another great yoga book that I recommend for beginners. One of the best yoga books on improving your flexibility, strength, conditioning, and increasing your energy levels.This is in fact the second edition of the classic book by Bikram Choudhury (I have the first edition, was using it for many years before the new one came out), and I have to say that the updated edition is so much better than the original. Even if you have Edition 1, I suggest you buy the new one. You have 26 asanas (postures) that have (sometimes hilarious) descriptions by the 'guru', and while the books is at times entertaining, don't let that fact deter you from learning it: you ARE learning from a Yoga master.
Some people are actually using this book to supplement their Bikram Yoga class, but if you don't have one nearby, don't worry, the book is really all you need to get started. I never attended one of his classes and the book helped me just as well.
Check it out here.
Getting More Out Of Bikram's Yoga
The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga
Another great book on Yoga, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga is also highly recommended by many Yoga instructors. Sure, the book is not the only one you'll never need, each book brings to the table the knowledge, wisdom and practice of the author (usually a Yoga guru) who wrote it, however if you buy this book, you'll find going back to it over and over again.Some aspects of Yoga theory, such as the Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga are presented quite indepth. There are many (I think almost 150) illustrations of Yoga positions that you can practice along and the descriptions of the steps are quite thorough. You can easily use this book for your daily Yoga practice.
Some people might find it off-putting that it is so indepth, however I find it's a positive - for example you get a very good explanation about each part of the body used in the various exercises - and the purpose of the exercises themselves. Not every book is so thorough - when reading it, I feel like I'm at a doctor who actually speaks to you and answers your questions instead of treating you like an idiot (no offense to doctors!).
Check it out here.
Yoga For Dummies
If you shy away from the book because it's a 'for Dummies' book, don't. It's actually quite good. You'd be surprised how many good Dummies books I found in all aspects / hobbies that I'm interested in. And this publication is no exception. It is very well organized, so you can find through the Index exactly what you need and head right to that chapter.The chapters themselves are thoroughly researched and any newbie can pick up lots of great stuff from the book.
It's a great resource with many Yoga poses with a well done description that helps any newcommer to Yoga kick-start their practice right away.
Check it out here.
Yoga for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started
This is a new book on Yoga, published 2012, so not many Yoga enthusiasts will have it yet. I was curious about it and I got it (on Kindle actually) as soon as it was available at Amazon. I do love my paperback or hardcover books, but strangely enough this book reads quite well on Kindle. Maybe it's because it doesn't have that many images and photos, but it has loads of information for the newbies, such as how to start your Yoga practice, what mistakes you can make and how to avoid them, exercise tips, relaxation and breathing tips.There is even a chapter on how to lose weight with Yoga. I'm sure many women will jump right to that chapter before anything else!
While it's not as indepth as some other yoga books for beginners, I still consider it one of the best yoga books overall for the newbie.
Check it out here.
The New Yoga for People Over 50: A Comprehensive Guide for Midlife and Older Beginners
I recommend this book simply because it shows that ANYONE can practice Yoga, no matter how old you are. You don't have to be a 20-30 sports nut to stay healthy with a few Yoga exercises.In fact the exercises in this book cater mostly to the more mature, elder people who - let's face it - don't have the bone elasticity that the younger people have, thus they need something else that actually helps them instead of breaking their bones. And this book does that beautifully!
Btw, let me warn you: some people complained about the book cover that has a posture that only very advanced in Yoga can do. True, the cover in this case doesn't do the book justice, so be ready to look past the cover and enjoy the book for what it is: a great resource for the older people to learn Yoga with ease.
Read more about it out here.
More Best Yoga Books For Beginners
Yoga For Intermediate
Hatha Yoga Illustrated
While this book is great for newbies as well, I do also recommend it for the intermediate to Yoga because among the 70 or so postures described in this book, some are definitely not for newbies. Many people who have practiced Yoga for years will find lots of new stuff in this book that will help them along the way.The photos are really gorgeous and well described. If you are a newbie, you can still pick it up - you don't have to start with all 70 poses - start with some easier ones, do the Sun Salutation and some sitting positions, and where you are an intermediate with some practice under your belt, then you're ready to tackle some of the more difficult ones.
Check it out here.
Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing
This is a great Yoga book for everyone: beginner, intermediate or pro. It's actually a kind of specialized book as it focuses on the health aspects of Yoga, not so much on how to start the easy positions. There is theory about yoga (history, science) as well as practical exercises for various specific ailments: weight loss, IBS, arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, depression, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and MS are just some of the problems that Yoga can help with.If you do have a health problem, pick up this book because most probably it can help.
Personally I have it and love it. I am suffering from back pain and this book helps alleviate it. when I do Yoga exercises recommended in this book, I don't need to take pain reliever pills.
Read more about it here.
Yoga Zone Yoga for Life: An Intermediate Guide to Health, Fitness, and Relaxation
While this book can be easily used by any Yoga newbie, I put it in the intermediate section because it is it involved so much more than just a few exercises: it is about integrating yoga in your regular life. Many newbies are now taking their first steps with Yoga and they are not yet ready to devote a lot of time to it. They're not even sure whether they will continue or give upOnce you're over the first hurdles, however, I suggest you pick up this book as it will teach you lots on how to incorporate the practice and philosophy of Yoga in your daily life, which will be so much more enriched by it.
Check it out here.
Yoga Mind and Body
While I do recommend this book to Yoga newbies as well, I find that people who have practiced for a few years can still find some great information here, especially on form and alignment. Some of the poses are a bit difficult for starters, that's why I put it in the 'intermediate' section. I think it will help if you have already practiced some basic positions before you pick up this book.But if you already have it, practice the easier ones at the beginning, and sure you read the theory (history, etc) as it's quite informative and interestingly written.
Check it out here.
Ashtanga Yoga - The Intermediate Series
This book covers 27 intermediate Yoga postures with some great pictures and descriptions that guide you along. If you want to learn more about Ashtanga Yoga (once you're through with the very basics at least), it's worth picking up this book. It's very thorough and it subtly weaves in together philosophy, myth, and actual practices in helping you really get good at Ashtanga Yoga.Check it out here
You can check out his beginner book on Ashtanga Yoga here.
More Great Intermediate Yoga Books
Yoga For The Pros
Path of Fire and Light, Vol. 1: Advanced Practices of Yoga
If you're looking for a book on advanced Yoga, this is one of the best yoga books I can recommend for you. This is not for a Yoga beginner, and even intermediate practitioners might have some troubles with it (I definitely have, I'm nowhere near an advanced level, truth be said).You learn all about pranayama, how to get started and how to achieve spiritual transformation through yoga. When you are a beginner to Yoga, you mostly learn about the basic asanas, and less about the proper breathing and meditation. This book is all that newbies don't learn. So if you feel that you are advanced enough to go to a new level of understanding and spiritual growth, get this book, you won't be disappointed.
Check it out here.
Advanced Thai Yoga Massage: Postures and Energy Pathways for Healing
This is a book for the serious Yoga practitioner, based on yoga, ayurveda, and the martial arts. It's quite new, published only last year so you might not even be aware of it. It's worth checking out if you're a Yoga practitioner, especially if you want to learn more about Yoga massage.It starts easily enough but then it goes into advanced postures such as the Sitting Leg Posture, various side and back positions, which you might find quite interesting to try out for yourself.
Also the book goes into the common protocols on using the Yoga massage for various ailments, such as stress relief, back pain relief, tension headache, and so on. Overall a good book to have in you Yoga books library.
Check it out here.
Advanced Yoga Practices - Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living
Advanced Yoga Practices is a great book if you want to expand your knowledge of Yoga and learn something new.While it is considered and advanced book, there are enough lessons for newbies and intermediate practitioners as well, so I think really anyone can pick it up and learn from it.
If you are serious about learning meditation and Yoga at another level and embracing it fully, then this book is greatly recommended. As somebody else eloquently put it, this is a real Encyclopedia for Enlightenment.
Check it out here.
Advanced Yoga Practices - Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living, Volume 2
Advanced Yoga Practices - Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living, Volume 2
Amazon Price: $24.62 (as of 05/30/2012)
Volume 2 of the already presented manual of advanced Yoga, this is a great resource if you are interested in Yoga for your spiritual advancement. This book pick up where the first one left off, expanding on details about the various Yoga techniques and the different stages of mind while practicing.
Oceanic Mind - The Deeper Meditation Training Course: for Beginning and Advanced Students of Meditation and Yoga
Oceanic Mind - The Deeper Meditation Training Course: for Beginning and Advanced Students of Meditation and Yoga
Amazon Price: $13.51 (as of 05/30/2012)
This is an absolute must for anyone who likes to have options, or who wants to get into meditation and Yoga but cannot seem to find something that fits them.
Inside the Yoga Sutras: A Comprehensive Sourcebook for the Study & Practice of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
Inside the Yoga Sutras: A Comprehensive Sourcebook for the Study & Practice of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
Amazon Price: $12.48 (as of 05/30/2012)
If you are studying the various sutras, this book will be an invaluable resource for study. Very well organized and comprehensive, but definitely not for he beginner to Yoga!
The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga
The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga
Amazon Price: $9.22 (as of 05/30/2012)
The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga takes the student step-by-step through the eight stages of Patanjali's Kriya Yoga system and contains extensive chapters on hatha yoga pranayama, mantra, meditation and samadhi.
More Advanced Yoga Books To Check Out
Yoga Courses On DVD
Yoga With Rodney Yee
More Yoga DVDs
New Yoga Books For You
Looking for something new to read and practice on Yoga? Do you have all the current books and want something fresh that will teach you new tricks? Check out these new Yoga book releases - list updated every day.
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Welcome to the Best Yoga Books Guestbook
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LewesDE
Feb 17, 2012 @ 1:42 am | delete
- This is a well put together lens!
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JoshK47
Feb 13, 2012 @ 5:05 pm | delete
- Good info! Thanks for sharing!
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WriterJanis
Feb 13, 2012 @ 1:15 pm | delete
- You've done a good job at covering this for all skill levels.
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karmicchristian
Feb 13, 2012 @ 11:01 am | delete
- I do practice Hatha yoga, and I admit that it is wonderful. This list is nice and covers a lot of the forms of yoga! Nice reviews and a highly recommended practice...
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