Top 20 Books for Yoga Practitioners

Dog-eared, random items used as bookmarks, pages falling out of the binding are just a few signs of well-loved and well-read books of mine. These books are filled with wisdom of the ages from sages, suggestions, meditations, and stories about yoga, wellness, and appreciating our gifts of life.

Often people ask me for recommendations for “yoga books” which, I can usually easily name 10 off the top of my head. The search for my second beloved copy of ‘1,001 Pearls of Yoga Wisdom’ by Liz Lark reminded me that this is a good time to get a list together to post.

These are in no particular order of greatness and definitely a starting list for any yoga practitioner’s library.  Some of these, I believe everyone that has a heart beating should read. Support your local book store if you can!

Light on Yoga by B. K. S. Iyengar

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

1,001 Pearls of Yoga Wisdom by Liz Lark

How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach and Christie McNally

The Essential Yoga Sutra by Geshe Michael Roach and Christie McNally

Bhagavad Gita (translation) by Steven Mitchell

Breath by James Nestor

Science of Breath by Swami Rama

No Death, No Fear by Thich Nhat Hahn

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hahn *Really, Anything written by Thich Nhat Hahn*

Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Five People in Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Jivamukti Yoga by Sharon Gannon and David Life

The Ashtanga Manual by David Swenson

The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar

The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche

The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel A. Van Der Kolk

Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga by David Emerson

The Language of Yoga by Nicolai Bachman