MY FAVORITE BOOKS
Anatomy and Physiology
A Handbook for Teachers of Yogasana, The incorporation of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Anatomy into the Practice, by Mel Robin, 2009. A massive book with fabulous information about all functions of the body. Great reference book.
Anatomists’ Corner, (collected articles) by Thomas Myers. Excellent articles that were originally published in massage journals.
Anatomy Trains, by Thomas Myers, 2009. (All of Tom’s books are available at anatomytrains.com.) This is his signature work, with material on fascia, embryology and functional anatomy.
Atlas of Human Anatomy, by Frank Netter, 1989. Essential reference text for detailed anatomical drawings by a master.
Body Sense, The Science and Practice of Embodied Self-Awareness, by Alan Fogel, 2009.The value of body awareness for mental and physical health, very well written with plenty of research evidence and neuroscience.
Body3, (collected articles) by Thomas Myers. A collection of Tom’s articles, all good.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor. (Penguin Random House, 2020.) A journalist’s adventure-filled explanation of breathwork.
Buddha’s Brain, by Rick Hanson, 2009. Great information about the brain and practices to make positive changes in functioning.
The Endless Web: Fascial Anatomy and Physical Reality, by R Louis Schultz and Rosemary Feitis, 1996. Another look at the fascial system as a unifying component of our bodily existence.
Fascia, Clinical Applications for Health and Human Performance, by Mark Lindsay, 2008. A chiropractor’s view of the importance of fascia in human movement.
Fascia, the Tensional Network of the Human Body, by Robert Schleip, Thomas Findlay, Leon Chaitow and Peter Huijing, 2012. A rich compilation of articles by researchers on the frontiers.
Fascia, What it is and Why it Matters, by David Lesondak. An excellent book whose sub-title tells you its topic – a good basic and readable introduction to the importance of your fascia.
Fascial Fitness, by Robert Schleip. One of the leading researchers on fascia explains the basics of what we need to do to keep our fascia healthy.
Fascial Release for Structural Balance, by James Earls and Thomas Myers, 2010. Written for bodyworkers but offering plenty of useful information for yogis as well.
How God Changes Your Brain, by Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman, 2009. Research on how spiritual experience changes the workings of the brain.
Making Waves, Irving Dardik and His Superwave Principle, by Roger Lewin, 2005. The story of the man who has worked on heart rate variability inside and outside the medical establishment.
Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity, by Peter Attia with Bill Clifford. (Vermillion, 2023). A compelling callout written by a physician and a medical journalist advocating for better prevention of the most common chronic diseases offering the goal of a long, resilient “healthspan,” Spoiler alert: He calls exercise the most powerful longevity drug.
Trail Guide to the Body: A Hands-on Guide to Locating Muscles, Bones and More, by Andrew Biel, 2010. The best guide for learning where the bones and muscles are. Full of interesting details and a sense of humor.
Trail Guide to Movement: Building the Body in Motion, by Andrew Biel, 2015. A fun book teaching all about the movement related tissues of the body and biomechanics.
Thieme Atlas of Anatomy, by Michael Schuenke, Erik Schulte, and Udo Schumacher, 2006. Excellent illustrations of muscles, joints, nerves, with just enough text. A wonderful reference text.
Yogabody: Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Asana, by Judith Lasater, 2009. An excellent book that includes suggestions for practice and teaching in each chapter.
Inspirational
Awakening Shakti, The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga, by Sally Kempton, 2013. The stories of the Goddesses and how these archetypes are found in each of us.
Enlighten Up: Finding Clarity, Contentment and Resilience in a Complicated World, by Beth Gibbs. (Emerald Lake Books, 2021.) An insightful look at contemporary life through the lens of a 3000-year-old yogic teaching about the five layers of our being.
From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram: Wisdom for Mind, Body and Spirit, by Deborah Charnes. (Emerald Lake Books, 2023.). A collection of engaging stories of the author’s experiences while learning about the mind, body and spirit from a variety of teachers.
Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life, by Judith Lasater. (Rodmell Press, 2000.) An inspiring book on integrating ancient wisdom into our daily lives
Meditation for the Love of It, by Sally Kempton, 2012. A thorough and user-friendly guide to meditation from a seasoned and generous teacher.
My Stroke of Insight: by Jill Bolte Taylor. A true story written by a neuroanatomist who has a stroke and 8 years later writes about her experience and recovery.
The Brain That Changes Itself, by Norman Doidge, 2007. A fascinating read about neuroplasticity.
The Molecules of Emotion, by Candace Pert, 1997. The science behind the mind-body connection by a leading researcher, written for the lay reader.
Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence, by Matthew Sanford, 2008. The story of Matthew’s recovery from an accident that left him paralyzed and his journey to become an inspirational yoga teacher.
Yoga Therapy
Relax and Renew, by Judith Lasater, 2011. The essential resource on restorative yoga.
The Path to Holistic Health, by BKS Iyengar, 2001. Large text with pose sequences for a wide variety of health condition. Not much explanatory text unfortunately.
The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care, by Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Lorenzo Cohen, Timothy Mc Call, and Shirley Telles. Eds. (Handspring Publishing, 2016l) And overview of the efficacy of yoga for medical conditions, written by a team of leading researchers.
The Relaxation Response, by Herbert Benson, 2000. Dr. Benson is a pioneer in the use of meditation and yoga in the medical setting.
The Woman’s Yoga Book: Asana and Pranayama for all Phases of the Menstrual Cycle, by Bobby Clennell, 2007. Clear sequences, good illustrations.
The Women’s Book of Yoga and Health, by Linda Sparrowe and Patricia Walden, 2002. A great book with lots of useful information.
Yoga: A Gem for Women, by Geeta Iyengar, 1986. The first book of its kind, by the daughter of BKS Iyengar.
Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, by Loren Fishman and Eric Small, 2007. Eric Small is an Iyengar practitioner who has had MS for many years, and has developed a successful yoga program that includes restoratives.
Yoga and Scoliosis, by Marcia Monroe, 2011. By an Iyengar teacher with scoliosis.
Yoga as Medicine, by Timothy McCall, 2007. A pivotal book with chapters on top yoga teachers and their work with students with certain health issues.
Yoga for Arthritis, by Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall, 2008. Chapters on the mechanisms of each joint, also on scoliosis and ankylosing spondylitis. Clear pose sequences with thorough instructions and useful photos.
Yoga for Healthy Aging: A Guide to Lifelong Well-Being, by Baxter Bell, MD, and Nina Zolotow. (Shambhala Publications, 2017.) An excellent and comprehensive resource about aging the the benefits of yoga for the mind and body, from two accomplished writers and teachers of yoga.
Yoga for Osteoporosis, by Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall, 2010. Essential information about bone health and nutrition, and three pose sequences with clear instructions and numerous photos.
Yoga for Pain Relief, by Kelly McGonigal, 2009. Full of good ideas, including restoratives.
Philosophy
Consciousness is Everything: The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, by Swami Shankarananda, 2003. A summary of teachings of this particular philosophy, written by an American in very accessible prose.
Siva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening, by Swami Lakshmanjoo, 2001. A translation of this text by one of the foremost teachers of the lineage of Saivite teachers.
Tantra Illuminated, by Christopher Wallis, 2011. A thorough and well-written book by a scholar of Tantra, putting to rest many misconceptions and misunderstandings.
The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Winthrop Sargeant, 1994. I like to see the translation of each entire verse as well as each word, and this book does that. There are also several useful introductory chapters.
The Essence of Yoga: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by Bernard Bouanchaud, 1997. My favorite of many texts that translate and comment on this fundamental yogic text.