A Book List To Support Your Practice
We are often asked as teachers what books would we recommend to our students that have helped or inspired us in our own practice and teaching. The answer has changed for many of us through the years, as our own practices and teaching have evolved. When I asked our teachers this same question last month; these are the titles of the books that came to mind.
Enjoy exploring.
Robyn Suggests…
The Breathing Book by Donna Farhi
"This book is a long-time classic for many new and experienced yoga teachers. It is my go-to breathing book and I think the information is presented in a way that everyone could apply to their practices. If you are curious about deepening your existing practice, consider exploring your breathing practice with the aid of this book."
Move Your DNA : Restore Your Health Through Natural Movement by Katy Bowman
"I resonated immediately with Katy’s work and her approach to movement through the eyes of a biomechanist and simply someone who enjoys moving. So much of our society has been designed in a way that restricts natural movement and I believe that this book will inform anyone about the importance of natural movement and simple ways to include more movement nutrients into your days. A straightforward read for everyone."
The New Rules of Posture: How to Sit, Stand and Move in a Modern World by Mary Bond
"This book explores the practice of paying attention to the body. Once we learn to feel our bodies we can begin to feel our posture. Posture then becomes something other than training our muscles into an ideal shape. The author explains that posture is how you carry your body while you are moving, not just when you are standing still. Everyone will have something to learn from this book! It is a reference book that I pull out often for my class building."
"This is a practical down-to-earth approach to not only mindfulness meditation but also an approach to a way of life. This is one of the books that I recommend the most. My book is marked up and underlined which illustrates the amount of time that I have enjoyed with it. This book has informed my teaching and my practice."
Cheryl Suggests…
Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit, A Return to Wholeness by Donna Farhi
"Donna Farhi, I trust her. I find her exercises interesting and helpful."
The Spirit of Yoga by Kathy Phillips
"In some ways, this is just a picture book but I love it. It gives a bit of history, defines terms, gives instructions for some poses, breathing, and meditation, and describes the different types of yoga, all presented in a relaxed and beautiful package."
30 Essential Yoga Poses for Beginning Students and Their Teachers by Judith Lasater.
"A good basic book offering fundamentals of key yoga poses and ways to deepen the pose."
A Year of Living Your Yoga – Daily Practices to Shape Your Life by Judith Hanson Lasater.
"Short inspirational quotes for each day – I almost always find something interesting or useful."
Silence in the Age of Noise by Erling Kagge.
"I loved this book. This Norwegian explorer walked solo across Antarctica for 50 days. He also walked up Mt Everest and across the Arctic. This book is his meditation on the pleasures of silence and how much we all need it." (Robyn loved this book as well!)
Natalie Suggests…
"Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga" by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison
"I purchased this book upon completion of my first 200-hour teacher training as I wanted to delve deeper into yogic philosophy specifically a deeper study of the eight-limb path of yoga of which asanas (or postures) is only one aspect. The book is a wonderful introduction or resource for any yoga student who has a curiosity for their practice beyond the mat. The book's format is easy to read, 365 short pieces on one of the eight limbs or aspects of yoga practice, a story to promote a deeper understanding and a quote to inspire or provoke further contemplation. Meant as the companion to a year-long study of yoga philosophy, I kept it by my mat to read before my yoga practice or to pause over on a day when I couldn't get to the mat. " Svadhyaya" or self-study is one of the "niyamas" or "observances" on the eight-limb path of yoga. This book is a beautiful companion to self-study. Capturing the author's yoga journey has helped me many times to reflect upon my own life and to support me as I continue to study, practice and walk the yogic path."
"This is the book I recommend to students when they ask for a book to help them establish their restorative yoga practice at home because it is easy to use and yet full of good information. The book provides an outline of the benefits of restorative yoga and sequences for different health concerns for example pain relief, digestive disorders, sciatica and depression to name a few. The bulk of the book is made up of descriptions of different poses and excellent photos of how to set up a pose. I still refer to this book often when planning a class or working with a student one-on-one and also when I want new insight or inspiration for my restorative yoga practice."
Loving-Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
"Many years ago it was the Lovingkindness ( or Metta) meditation that helped me to establish a daily meditation practice. I was inspired when I went to hear Sharon Salzburg speak in Toronto and guide a Metta practice to a very large group. The effect on me and the simplicity of the Metta meditation had me hooked and this practice has sustained and supported me over the last decade, especially during difficult times. This book is not necessarily for a beginning student of meditation. If a student is interested in delving into Buddhist teachings, Metta being one, this book is a beautiful place to start or return to. Throughout the book, the author shares different exercises and meditations but these are woven amidst her musings on Buddhist philosophy and stories of her personal experiences."
Deana Suggests…
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
"This book is based on the theory that we are what we repeatably do. We are all creatures of habit and this book will help you explore your habits and how to have the power to make changes."
The Alter Ego by Todd Herman -
"This book can be used for anyone young or more experienced to bring out their very best self in all aspects of life your life. It's a mind-expanding journey to help you find the potential in your Self."
These are the three daily books we have displayed at the studio...
A Year of Living Your Yoga – Daily Practices to Shape Your Life by Judith Hanson Lasater.
