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. LINK
Anatomists’ Corner, (collected articles) by Thomas Myers. Excellent articles that were originally published in massage journals. LINK
Anatomy Trains, by Thomas Myers, 2009. (All of Tom’s books are available at www.anatomytrains.com) This is his signature work, with material on fascia, embryology and functional anatomy. LINK
Atlas of Human Anatomy, by Frank Netter, 1989. Essential reference text for detailed anatomical drawings by a master. LINK
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. LINK
Body3, (collected articles) by Thomas Myers. A collection of Tom’s articles, all good. LINK
Buddha’s Brain, by Rick Hanson, 2009. Great information about the brain and practices to make positive changes in functioning. LINK
Fascia, Clinical Applications for Health and Human Performance, by Mark Lindsay, 2008. A chiropractor’s view of the importance of fascia in human movement. LINK
Fascia, the Endless Webb: 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. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
How God Changes Your Brain, by Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman, 2009. Research on how spiritual experience changes the workings of the brain. LINK
Illustrated Essentials of Musculoskeletal Anatomy, by Seig and Adams. A good book for beginners, clear illustrations of joints and muscles, minimal text. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
Yogabody: Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Asana, by Judith Lasater, 2009. An excellent book that includes suggestions for practice and teaching in each chapter. LINK
Inspirationals
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. LINK
Meditation for the Love of It, by Sally Kempton, 2012. A thorough and user-friendly guide to meditation from a seasoned and generous teacher. LINK
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. LINK
The Brain That Changes Itself, by Norman Doidge, 2007. A fascinating read about neuroplasticity. LINK
The Molecules of Emotion, by Candace Pert, 1997. The science behind the mind-body connection by a leading researcher, written for the lay reader. LINK
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. LINK
Yoga Therapy
Relax and Renew, by Judith Lasater, 2011. The essential resource on restorative yoga. LINK
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. LINK
The Relaxation Response, by Herbert Benson, 2000. Dr. Benson is a pioneer in the use of meditation and yoga in the medical setting. LINK
The Woman’s Yoga Book: Asana and Pranayama for all Phases of the Menstrual Cycle, by Bobby Clennell, 2007. Clear sequences, good illustrations. LINK
The Women’s Book of Yoga and Health, by Linda Sparrowe and Patricia Walden, 2002. A great book with lots of useful information. LINK
Yoga: A Gem for Women, by Geeta Iyengar, 1986. The first book of its kind, by the daughter of BKS Iyengar. LINK
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. LINK
Yoga and Scoliosis, by Marcia Monroe, 2011. By an Iyengar teacher with scoliosis. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
Yoga for Pain Relief, by Kelly McGonigal, 2009. Full of good ideas, including restoratives. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK
Tantra Illuminated, by Christopher Wallis, 2011. A thorough and well-written book by a scholar of Tantra, putting to rest many misconceptions and misunderstandings. LINK
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. LINK
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. LINK