RECOMMENDED YOGA BOOKS

The Heart of Yoga
Developing a personal practice
T.K.V Desikachar, Inner Tradition International
Both practical and theoretical, a book about all aspects of yoga by the son of Krishnamacharya, one of the greatest yogis in recent times. Includes a very good translation of the Yoga sutras of Patanjali. Highly recommended

Health, Healing and Beyond : Yoga and the Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya
T. K. V. Desikachar, R. H. Cravens, Aperture
An eloquent tribute to Krishnamacharya, who taught yoga to both BKS Iyengar and Patthabi Jois, and has been called "the father of modern yoga", written by his son.

Autobigraphy of a Yogi
Paramahansa Yogananda

An highly readable account of the life of Yogananda, one of the first Indian master to teach in the West. It offers an insider's view of many of the great teachers, saints and traditions of yoga.

From here to Nirvana
Anne Cushman and Jerry Jones, Rider 1998
Packed with information about yoga schools, gurus and ashrams, as well as with travel tips, this guide to spiritual India aims, as the authors put it "to give you the illusion, as you pack your bags and purchase your ticket, that you know where you are going. But it's only an illusion, because a spiritual journey to India is inevitably a swan dive into the unknown".

Ashtanga Yoga
John Scott, Gaia books
A step by step introduction to the primary series by one of the most senior ashtanga teachers in Europe. Excellent pictures and clear, detailed instructions.

Ashtanga Yoga, The practice manual
David Swenson
A very user friendly introduction to ashtanga yoga by one of the foremost authorities on the subject. Good for beginners and teachers alike.

Dynamic Yoga
Godfrey Devereaux
A style of yoga based on Astanga Vinyasa Yoga. Good pictures, as well as an excellent explanation of  bandhas.

Yoga Mala
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
Detailed instructions for the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, specifically Yoga Chikitsa (the Primary Series) by the master himself, in true Indian style.

Ashtanga Yoga
Lino Miele
Written under the guidance of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, this book includes the first and second series and the benefits of Yoga Chikitsa. For dedicated practionners.

Order directly from Lino at
Astanga Yoga School, Via Cassia 698, 00189 Rome, Italy, Tel/Fax + 39 0 6 33266587

Light on Yoga
BKS Iyengar, Aquarian Press
The ultimate reference on asanas, with over 200 postures and their therapeutic applications described in detail. Also useful sections on yoga philosophy and pranayama. A must for serious students and teachers

Light on Pranayama
BKS Iyengar, Crossroad/Herder & Herder
A good introduction to pranayama, the art of yogic breathing.

Yoga the Iyengar way
Silva, Mira and Shyam Metha, Dorling Kindersley
A good book for beginners, very good pictures and clear detailed  instructions

Every Woman's Yoga
by Jaime Stover Schmitt

Preparing for Birth with Yoga
Exercises for Pregnancy and Childbirth
by Janet Balaskas

Yoga and Ayurveda
David Frawley, Lotus Press
Explores the connection between these two Vedic disciplines and discusses how to use them for maximum health, energy and longevity. Highly recommended.

The Ayurvedic Year
Christina Brown
Design your own Ayurveda and yoga routine according to your constitution and the time of the year.

The Ayurvedic cookbook
Amadea Morningstar and Urmila Desai
Much more than a cookery book, this is a thorough introduction to ayurvedic nutrition and to eating a diet adapted to the individual's ayurvedic constitution.

The Yoga of herbs
David Frawley and Lad Vasant, Lotus Press
On the Ayurvedic use of various plants and spices

The Yoga Cookbook
The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
Hundreds of delicious vegetarian recipes and useful tips on yogic cooking and diet.

Order on line from the UK   Order on line from the US

The Upanishad
Translated by Eknath Easwaran