Yoga Teacher Talk is a new series that discusses everything related to teaching yoga. I’m hoping it will be a great resource and conversation start for current and prospective teachers. Make sure to pop on over to the Yoga Forum, where we’ve got a whole section dedicated to yoga teachers.
I’m not going to lie, a little part of me died inside when I had to make the switch over to the kindle. Wait, wait, don’t get me wrong.
I love my kindle.
It’s just that, simply put, it’s not a book. It doesn’t have the new book smell. It’s not the kind of thing you can bring to the beach and leave in the sand only to find, months later, a couple grains of sand in its folds.
You can’t underline your favorite parts with your favorite pen. And the dog ear feature isn’t quite like the real thing.
But if you’re on the road a lot, then it’s the way to go, because carting your books around while you travel?
Crazy.
Unless you’re cool with sky high luggage prices, in which case, by all means…
Anyway. Whether you’re a kindle user or a real books kinda person, I wanted to take a moment to focus on putting together a little collection of books for yoga teachers. The following are books I either own (in kindle form, boooo), or are on my list to own.
Some I like to use as references when I’m designing workshops like Yoga Anatomy, or inspiration when I’m coming up with themes for classes like The Yamas & Niyamas. Some serve as continual sources for deeper learning like The Language of Yoga. But together they cover everything from teaching technique to yogic philosphy to practical knowledge and are, in my opinion, a comprehensive collection of essentials.
Pin now, browse later! 22 essentials for yoga teachers.
Yoga Anatomy - An excellent book that breaks down each pose so you can see what parts of the body are being worked.
Bhagavad Gita: A new translation - One of the most important books on Hindu scripture - usually you'll see this book in your yoga teacher training curriculum.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - This is one of the most important foundational texts, particularly in Ashtanga study. You'll often see this in your Ashtanga teacher training curriculum.
The Heart of Yoga: Developing a personal practice - A nice guide for developing a personal practice, whether you're a teacher or a student (or both!) :)
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Another foundational text often seen in Ashtanga teacher training curriculum.
The Upanishads - Another foundational Hindu text often taught in teacher trainings.
Essence of the Upanishads: A key to Indian spirituality - A good book that breaks down the teachings of the previous book.
Living Your Yoga: Finding the spiritual in everyday life - A great guide for getting in touch with your deeper connection.
Teaching Yoga: Exploring the Teacher-Student Relationship - A really interesting book on ethics in the teacher-student relationship including how to build boundaries.
Yoga Sequencing: Designing transformational yoga classes - Awesome book especially for newbie teachers or ones who have hit a plateau in their creative sequencing.
Hatha Yoga Padiprika - A foundational text for hatha yoga often seen in teacher trainings.
The Key Muscles of Yoga - Awesome anatomy book.
Teaching Yoga: Essential foundations and techniques - Some great ideas for new or current teachers.
Adjustments: Philosophy, principles, and techniques - Excellent book on adjustments for new or current teachers.
Restorative Yoga: with assists - Excellent book on assists for new or current teachers.
The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring yoga’s ethical practice - A great book to go a bit deeper into the yamas and niyamas.
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga - A nice reference book for hatha yoga instructors.
Anatomy for Hip Openers and Forward Bends - A reference for designing classes that will go a bit deeper into the hips.
The Deeper Dimensions of Yoga: Theory and Practice - A good book that delves a little deeper into asana and theory.
Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness: A guide for anyone who teaches anything - This isn't marketed toward yoga instructors in particular but it's just a nice guide on how to teach and I think it's important for all yoga teachers to read.
The Language of Yoga: Complete A to Y Guide to Asana Names, Sanskrit Terms, and Chants - Super useful reference book for Sanskrit.
Ashtanga Yoga: Practice & Philosophy - Excellent ashtanga book that delves a bit deeper into asana and theory.
Let's talk Any teacher books you'd add?
Related 22 novels and memoirs based on yoga.