Today I’m sharing some books that every yoga teacher should read.
I’ve divided the books into categories. I know how overwhelming it can be when you’re looking for books about yoga, so I thought that would help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Philosophy
Light on Yoga by B K S Iyengar
Light on Yoga (affiliate link) is one of those books that’s considered a classic in the yoga world. I have yet to read it (I’m trying to find someone to borrow it from), but its’ required reading for lots of yoga teacher trainings. It was also recommended to me by a few people.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
This book was recommended to me by one of the instructors of my yoga teacher training. He said that’s it’s one of the foundational texts of yoga. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (affiliate link) is another one of those books that I’m going to borrow from a friend.
The Bhagavad Gita
I had heard of this book before I started yoga teacher training, but I had no idea what it was about. One of the other instructors at my yoga teacher training said that it’s about a warrior learning from his mentor. She highly recommended we read The Bhagavad Gita (affiliate link) as well.
How Yoga Works by Michael Roach
A yoga teacher friend of mine lent me this book a couple summers ago when I asked her for advice on yoga teacher training. She told me that How Yoga Works (affiliate link) was one of her favorite books about yoga. It was the first time that I was learning about yoga philosophy. The concepts were explained really clearly which was nice for me since I was brand new to yogic philosophy.
Anatomy
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff
I’ve seen this book on the reading lists for lots of yoga teacher trainings. I had a quick look through it at the library and it looks like another great anatomy book for yoga teachers.
The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga by Ray Long
This is the anatomy book that I’m using for my yoga teacher training. The instructor who is an orthopedic surgeon only has good things to say about it, so I’m inclined to believe her since anatomy is what she does on a daily basis. It’s goes into detail on the major muscles and discusses the origins, insertions, antagonists, synergists, and actions of each one. This book (affiliate link) also shows how muscles are used in poses, which is helpful when you’re trying to visualize it.
Teaching
Teaching Yoga: Essential Techniques and Foundations by Mark Stephens
In looking for books to read about teaching, I came across this one again and again. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it’s on my list to read. I’ve heard really good things about it and that Teaching Yoga (affiliate link) focuses more on the teaching aspect of yoga rather than the anatomy or poses.
Ashtanga
The Power of Ashtanga Yoga by Kino MacGregor
This was the very first book about yoga that I bought. At the time I was really into ashtanga and was following Kino on social media. If you’re into ashtanga this is definitely the book for you. The first half of the book covers some yoga basics, and the second half breaks down all the poses of the primary series. The Power of Ashtanga Yoga (affiliate link) is my go to resource for my ashtanga practices.
Ashtanga Yoga by David Swenson
This is another essential book if you teach or even practice ashtanga yoga. David Swenson has a great sense of humor that really comes through in this book (affiliate book). David provides modifications to poses, which is great for those of us with injuries. It’s one of those books that I know I’ll reference again and again.
Are you a yoga teacher? What’s a favorite yoga book of yours?
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