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One of the most common questions I get is about how exactly to start a yoga practice. Most of the time I tell people to just try a class at their local studio or gym, but I know that can be really intimidating for some, especially as a total beginner. So I've put together a comprehensive list of eighteen yoga books for absolute beginners. Here, you're not going to find the Bhagavad Gita or The Yoga Sutras - as I figured those are best for people who are looking to go a little deeper in the yoga study. Instead, the books here are about scratching the surface. The basics of mudras, meditation, pranayama and asana, as well as a little history of the yoga practice and philosophy. I hope the list is useful!
Pin now, read later! 18 Yoga books for total beginners
Back Care Basics: A doctor’s gentle yoga program for back and neck pain relief - This is for my people who have suffered from neck or back issues and need to run down on what to look out for in the practice.
The Yoga Bible - Hands down one of my favorite resources. Excellent pictures, and a great guide to a number of different poses.
Mudras for Awakening Chakras - To take your yoga a bit deeper, this book gives the basics to mudras (basically a way to position your hands) for meditation and chakra study.
Sparks: 108 Easy Practices for Stress Relief in a Minute of Less - This is for my people on the go. A no fuss book that gets right to the point so you can get your meditation in and be ready for the day.
Mindfulness in Plain English - An easy-to-understand guide to living a more mindful, peaceful life.
The Little Book of Yoga Breathing: Pranayama made easy - A beginner's guide to yogic breathing (such a huge part of the practice).
The Yoga of Breath: A step-by-step guide to pranayama - Another fantastic guide for breath work.
Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners - For my people most interested in an athletic, physical asana practice, this is the book to pick up.
Hatha Yoga Illustrated - A bit more slower paced, this hatha yoga book is illustrated with a number of different poses so you can really study each asana.
How to do Restorative Yoga - An easy guide to slowing down with restorative, gentle yoga.
Yoga for All of Us: a modified series of traditional poses for any age and ability - This is for my people who think they may need to be modifying a number of poses due to age, limited mobility, etc. Great tool to have.
Big Yoga: A simple guide for bigger bodies - For my bigger bodied people, this is the book to pick up to ensure that you'll be able to make yoga work for you.
Yoga for 50+: Modified poses and techniques for a safe practice - For my older people who are young at heart.
Yoga for Beginners: A quick-start guide to practicing yoga for new students - This is a basic yoga guide for the newbie.
The Yoga Encyclopedia: Yoga history, schools of yoga, yoga benefits and chakra yoga - This book goes a bit deeper but is straightforward in explaining the history of yoga, the different types of yoga, and more.
Hamstring Basics: Beginner yoga routines for improve hamstring flexibility - For anyone who has hip or leg issues and needs to be particularly careful, I recommend this hamstring book.
Shoulder Basics: Exercises for shoulder flexibility and scapular awareness For anyone with shoulder or chest flexibility issues, this is an important read to ensure safety.
- Back Bend Basics: Beginners yoga routine for learning wheel pose - For anyone wanting to get into backbends but isn't quite sure what to do, this is a comprehensive guide to ensure safety.
et's Talk What books would you add to the list?