recommendations for your personal study
books, podcasts and more…
OLD TEXTS
The Yoga Sutra of course is considered a bit of a bible and I agree that it’s a very important text for every sincere yogi. But the truth is that it’s written from a particular philosophical vantage point (Sankya) that is specifically ascetic and renunciatory, so it doesn’t exactly resonate authentically with the vast majority of contemporary yogis, who don’t feel called to that sort of solitary and austere (if not, monastic) life. Still though, very important.
The Bhagavad Gita is a foundational text that synthesizes multiple branches of Indian thought - Vedic and Sankhya - and focuses on the yogic branches of Jnyana (knowledge) and Bhakti (devotion.)
The Siva Samhita is a 500 year old text that
Home Book Shelf | pic: JarretMODERN TAKES
Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar is a gem. His father (Krishnamacharya) is credited with teaching the three most influential teachers to the western world: his son, BKS Iyengar (Iyengar yoga) and Pattabhi Jois (Ashtanga yoga). I read it in my very first teacher training 25 years ago and it landed me into the heart of the practice.
If you’re interested in diving into the ethical precepts as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra, try The Yamas & Niyamas by Deborah Adele.
A contemporary piece of yogic writing from Richard Freeman that I think is quite something is The Mirror Of Yoga.
Another one from the vaults is The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice by Georg Feuerstein. It's kind of a like an encyclopedia… pretty scholarly and covers the 5,000 year history, philosophy and practice across many eastern traditions.
The Meher Baba teachings in books like Effort & Grace, Discourses,
ASANA, ANATOMY, PHYSICAL PRACTICE
Light on Yoga The definitive guide to poses.
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews is a comprehensive visual guide to how muscles and bones work in yoga poses.
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati is a classic text from the Bihar School of Yoga - very old school.
The Yoga Journal website has a huge archive of (among garbage) useful information.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH-ORIENTED BOOKS
Light on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar explores the deeper, spiritual journey of yoga.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is about cultivating mindfulness and presence - a theme you know is central to the yogic experience.
If you’d like an inspiring personal account, Autobiography of a Yogi is astonishing, and considered a classic.
BUDDHISM
Anything by Thich Nhat Hanh will be brilliant. My first book about Buddhist was his Being Peace.
Also anything by Pema Chodron. When Things Fall Apart is a widely loved gem.
For writing ranging from Children’s books to very profound and subtle teaching, see the catalog of the Dalai Lama.
One of our favorite contemporary teachers is B. Alan Wallace. He writes on a wide range of Buddhist subjects - might be a resource for later.
Another super fave is Andrew Holecek. Also quite hard core. Not the “introduction to Buddhism” type material.
CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM
Big yes to Thomas Merton!
The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila.
The podcast Turning to the Mystics with James Finley. So good!
POETRY
Oh my, Love Poems from God, translated by Daniel Ladinskly includes biographies and writings from 12 poets both in the East and the West.
