Our lovely Wednesday intermediate group asked me to recommend some yoga books to practice at home. Yoga books are really great tools to inspire your practice. You begin to learn the names of the practices and after class you can check out what is it that you have been doing. As our winter break approaches I thought it was actually a great idea to recommend the 3 yoga books that have truly transformed my life (such a cliché but it’s true). I can order some for us feel free to drop me a line enquiring about them.

Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha

The title says it all. This is a comprehensive book that has been labelled the Yoga bible. It has clear step-by-step instructions and it is pretty much based on the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. For years this one has been my companion and I can only say good things about it. It is more like a reference book as it only contains 3 long sequences, the rest are isolated practices. Great illustrations. It has been compiled by committed volunteer yogis and devised by controversial Indian guru Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

Yoga Tantra and Meditation in Daily Life 

I must confess that my book suffered during a sailing trip in Brasil. It actually drowned and I could never buy it again. However, I read it so many times (my husband and I have helped with the Spanish translation) that it is all in my head now. It contains all of the basic Yoga sequences and it is a really lovely object in itself. The pages are horizontally oriented so you can keep the book open while practicing (S. Janakananda is a very clever guy). Those who love Scandinavian simplicity will love it; the design is just beautiful. Produced by Swami Janakananda, a great Danish Yoga teacher who founded the Scandinavian School of Yoga in Sweden.

Yoga Manual for Prisoners and Other Castaways

Written by the most amazing Yoga teacher in the world (my teacher), Swami Pragyamurti, who is dedicated to teaching people in the community and in prisons. Although this book was written for prisoners, the practices can really be done by everyone. It contains really powerful sequences and classes. The book was designed in South Africa, where S. Pragyamurti works with HIV positive students. The book contains sequences, breathing practices and inspiring quotes that open the heart.

*Let me know if you would like to buy any of this books and I can check if I can get them for you.