It’s our holiday giveaway series! For the past week we’ve been posting new giveaways for awesome and yogadorky goodies. Be sure to check back each day!
If you know us, you know we love dorking out over yoga history. But we admit it can get a little overwhelming and sometimes confusing. We mean, it’s been around for quite a few years now and the history is as thick as a newbie’s “yoga” mat (that one’s for Pilates, cat! But it is nice on the knees). This is why we thought The Yoga Poster was so stinkin’ cool. It’s as pretty looking as it is informative and we appreciate that it’s a visually lovely take on yoga’s deep roots and branches. We like it so much we wanted to share it with you.
WIN: We’re giving away 2 prints of The Yoga Poster – the 4th and most recent edition updated December 2014, courtesy of the folks at TYP. Each poster is 24 x 36 inch, printed with vegetable inks on 100% post-consumer waste, archival-quality paper at a wind-powered location in Portland, Oregon USA.
The Yoga Poster features many aspects of yoga, including (but not limited to):
- Asana & the Gross Body
- Surya Namaskar (“Sun Salutation”)
- Meditation & the Subtle Body
- The Meaning of Om
- The philosophies of Dualism and Non-Dualism
- A timeline which depicts the major yogic texts and periods
- The eight limbs of yoga
- A sampling of modern yoga “styles”
TO ENTER: As yoga continues to grow in the modern world, further interest in its rich history has grown as well. There are some pretty interesting books out there, and since we’re all about the yoga 411, we’d love to get a good list of suggested reading going. Tell us in the comments your favorite yoga book either about its history or an actual historical text that has resonated with you – a particular translation, author, etc. OR maybe it’s one on your list you haven’t gotten to read yet. Add yours in the comments and you’re entered to win a print of The Yoga Poster!
Giveaway closes 11:59pm Friday, December 26th. Two winners will be chosen at random and announced soon after. Good luck!
Added bonus: Want your poster now? Use code ‘YOGADORKHOLIDAY’ and receive 20% off your order. (Offer expires midnight Monday, Dec 29.)
Update: Congrats to Olga Rubio and Nicole! Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their great book suggestions. Be sure to peruse the comments for new additions to your library!
I would love to win this!
My recommending yoga reading is the Sutras. Yes, we’ve all read them, but there are so many takes on them. Find a new one in 2015!
Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar – I was honored to be taught by one of his students and it has changed the way I practise yoga forever. His book is not only useful but so beautifully written 🙂
Namaste x
I love to read over and over again the Yama and Niyamas by Deborah Adele. I always find that it centers me and reminds me of being ethically responsible for myself.
The Heart of Yoga! A great read for both advanced and beginners. Develop YOUR practice!
yoga Ayurveda self healing and self realization. frawley
The core of yoga sutras
BKS Iurnger
The Life of Milarepa
The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice by Georg Feuerstein. A comprehensive and vast work by a man who devoted his life to the understanding of Yoga and the history of Yoga. And not restricted to a perspective of a modern school or style.
my greatest current/modern teacher also….
Healing Mantras by Thomas Ashley Farrand
Ok, Mukunda Stiles translation of Patanjali- I can wrap my head around these words (Patanjali and Mukunda) and am every day grateful, with respect and love
Philosophies and Religions of India by Yogi Ramacharaka, circa 1908.
http://www.amazon.com/Philosophies-Religions-India-Yogi-Ramacharaka/dp/0911662057
this looks cool, thanks for the rec
Anything by Stephen Cope!
Insight Yoga by Sarah Powers my all-time fav!!
I am currently in teacher training so we are immersing ourselves in many great yoga books right now. There are many I personally like and would recommend but I just acquired Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. There is a meditation for each of our 365 days of the year that can be used in class or personally in a variety of ways in the practice of yoga.
I read two books by Christina Sell this year-“My Body is My Temple” and “Yoga From The Inside Out”-loved them both!
My current favorite is Yoga and the Luminous, a book that emerges from more than thirty years of practice, study, and reflection, by Christopher Key Chapple
Oh, there are so many! I liked The Subtle Body by Stefanie Syman for it’s historical perspective. And I recently read First There is a Mountain, a Yoga Romance by Elizabeth Kadetsky and loved the first person narrative of her trip to Pune. Next in line on my bookshelf is Yoga Body by Mark Singleton. Looking forward to reading that one and many others that people have mentioned here!
The Heart of Yoga.
I like the Yoga Stutras-Patajali. Two different translations 1) by Swami Satchinananda and another on by Geshe Michael Roche. (Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodhah
BKS Iyenger’s Core of the Yoga Sutras. I haven’t gotten through it yet (it’s been over a year!) But it’s so inspiring.
Something from outside the yoga world but interesting nonetheless: The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I am sure yogis can learn something from this timeless book.
Iyengar’s “Light on Life” or “Myths of the Asanas” by Alanna Kaivalya & Arjuna van der Kooij. But I was also very touched by “Happy Yoga” by Steve Ross.
I like the Heart of Yoga, How Yoga Works, Light on life and Light on Yoga, Iyengar. Body and mind balancing by Osho, Yoga & Ayurveda
The Bhagavad Gita – Eknath Easwaran translation
Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings by A. G. Mohan
Autobiography of a Yogi ~ Paramahansa Yogananda
Yama and Niyamas by Deborah Adele. Many Thanks. Namaste.
I am reading The Mirror of Yoga by Richard Freeman now and enjoying it.
The Golden Present by Sri Swami Satchidananda
TKV Desikachar’s *The Heart of Yoga,* for direct teaching and eloquent commentary on the sutras and philosophy. Also, *Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice,* for historical context.
Secret Power of Yoga by Devi… excellent insight into the Sutras from a feminine perspective.
I’m currently reading the Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
The Bhagavad Gita is probably one of my favorite reads. It’s knowledge about finding peace of mind is something I want to resonate in my every practice!
There are two books that have resonated deeply with me this year. First, I was lucky in July to be conducting a teacher training at the time the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit opened in my home town at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The exhibition’s book by the same title is a gorgeous collection of writings and, of course, visual imagery depicting the exhibit’s many artifacts of yoga throughout history, from sculpture to painting, from book to photography and film. Second, I am a better yogi and trainer hanks to Stephanie Symon’s This book’s collection of essays addresses the history of U.S. yoga in all its wonderfulness and craziness. Incredibly in-depth–there are over sixty pages of small-font end notes for continued research– maps almost two hundred years of yoga beginning with Emerson and Thoreau, the latter of whom Symon makes a convincing case for calling America’s First Yogi. With great knowledge and skill, Symon keeps moving us forward in time from the 19th Century into the 20th while continually associating gurus and lineages to Indian roots, and, ultimately, the arrival of some of these gurus in the U.S. Symon xplores what these early teachers marketed, created, morphed, taught, misrepresented, and grew; she also explores how yoga by its very nature became subsumed, confused, and re-written by Americans themselves.
I love ” Meditations from the mat” by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. it provides a daily reflection on the 8 limb path of yoga. super be
Unfortunately WE recently lost who, I believe, is one of the best current scholars, for communicating to us the deep wealth of yoga’s tradition….Georg Feurstein
Vale !…G.F.
Teaching Yoga, by Mark Stephens. Besides lots of great guidance for teaching and sequencing, I really like the section on the history of yoga at the front.
I believe a valuable resource is Leslie Kami
I keep returning to Georg Feuerstein’s deep and detailed study of the historical development of yoga writings, visions and practices, “The Yoga Tradition.”
Leslie Kaminoff’s “Yoga Anatomy” ☺️
The Sutras were one of my first serious readings. It’s easy to open to a page and find something meaningful for the moment.
The Bhagavad Gita
The Mind – Its Projections and Multiple Facets
Author: Yogi Bhajan, Gurucharan S. Khalsa PhD
David Keil’s Anatomy of Yoga
Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness by Erich Schulman is what resonates with me over all else.
The Heart of Yoga.
Sivananda Buried Yoga by Yogi Manmoyanand. The most engaging “yoga as narrative non-fiction” since “The Autobiography of a Yogi.” And much more believable, too.
I really enjoyed “Autobiography of a Yogi.”
The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace, by N. E. Sjoman
Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga by Deepak Chopra.
My favorite book is the Living Gita! I love the break down and retelling of the beautiful story of Krishna and Arujna.
The yoga sutras by patanjali!
The Heart of Yoga – this book needs to be read not only be every single Yogi but all human beings. It is all anyone really needs to live a life of peace and love.
Shadow Yoga by Zhander Remete!
“The Book of ONE” by Dennis Waite it’s about the ancient wisdom of Advaita. A very interesting and good read. It’s hard to put down to stop reading!
For a scholarly look at yoga, I love Mark Singleton’s Yoga Body. For day to day yogic living, anything by Judith Lasiter Hanson.
I really like the “Yoga Unveiled” DVD. This DVD gives a great introduction into the deeper dimensions of yoga, including the philosophy and history of yoga.
DAVID Swenson, My spell check won’t let me type it. Something by David Swenson is on my wishlist!
I hope I win that poster!
Just a few of my favorites, Autobiography of a Yogi, The Heart of Yoga, Yoga; The Art and Practice of Moving into Stillness. I can reread these over and over.
Just a few of my favorites, Autobiography of a Yogi, The Heart of Yoga, Yoga; The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness. I can reread these over and over.
Just a few of my favorites, Autobiography of a Yogi, Yoga; The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness, The Heart of Yoga. I can reread these over and over.
just started reading “autobiography of a yogi”
The Heart of Yoga. I need to get into a consistent practice!
I second the recommendation for Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy. I learn something new and useful every time I pick it up. The part about the diaphragm is especially good, and of course the illustrations are fascinating. I’ve also enjoyed the Yoga Unveiled DVD.
The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi. A woman’s guide to the heart and spirit of the Yoga Sutras. Beautiful reading for early morning. Elegant yet simple heart centered interpertations of the sutras with suggestions to bring
their practice into your everyday life.
I love that poster!
The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark.
I have not read this yet, in fact, Yoga for Cyclists by Lexie Williamson is still in pre-order status. However, I love cycling, and my yoga practice. I find myself on long rides thinking and adjusting my posture, especially my shoulders, in ways that follow my yoga practice, and I think it is improving my ride. I want to learn more on how to merge my yoga with my cycling.
The Heart of Yoga – hmmmm….
Just received Kundalini Rising for Christmas. Can’t wait to read it!
Book I haven’t read yet:
“Yoga Korunta”
by
Vamana Rishi
(Looking for an undamaged-by-ants edition)
🙂
Yoga Anatomy 2nd Edition by Leslie Kaminoff
Bikram’s beginning yoga class book really helped me in the beginning. But I really want to read BKS Iyengar’s Light on Life!
Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele – love this reference for daily living
The Inner Tradition of Yoga by Michael Stone
– The Vigyan Bhairav Tantra – most specifically the translation by Lorin Roche, was the most influential text for me during my yoga instructor training. It really embodied the awe and wonder that I feel when I practice.
Autobiography of a Yogi.
Loved it.
Love practicing yoga in all ways every day.
Namaste
Fierce Medicine by Ana Forrest
Yoga Mala
I recommend
Myths of the Asanas: The Ancient Origins of Yoga
by Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooij
I love each of the stories behind key yoga poses and often incorporate these stories into guided meditations I deliver.
I am loving Kino MacGregor’s “The Power of Ashtanga Yoga.” Not only are asanas well explained and illustrated, but she also speaks of history, tradition, and yoga practices beyond asana. Every time I pick it up, I learn something new. Kino is a true inspiration, and I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff.
I love yoga and I love anatomy so learning about the anatomy of yoga is so amazing.
“The Inner Tradition of Yoga” A guide to Yoga Philosophy for the Contemporary Practioner er” Michael Stone
The Mirror Of Yoga:Awakening the Intelligence of Body and Mind – Richard Freeman
Merry Festive Seasons <3 xNx
Beautiful poster. I’d love to share this with my family and yoga friends!
Yoga Anatomy-Leslie Kaminoff
Baghavad Gita…was recommended to me and am reading the Stephen Mitchell translation. 🙂
The Heart of Yoga-T.K.V. Desikachar
As an instructor and always a student, this book is an invaluable source of info. regarding the theory and practice of yoga. It is my yoga “go to” book!
The Bhagavad Gita by Stephen Mitchell
Bhagavad Gita over and over.
The Bhagavad Gita – Eknath Easwaran translation
The Radiance Sutras – Lorin Roche
Light on Yoga is wonderful! Can’t wait to pin this page so I have this wonderful list of books to refer to!
Not strictly yoga but something that has been invaluable to me was “Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world” by Mark Williams. It offers so many valuable insights and has helped me establish a daily meditation (& yoga) practice- truly helping me to “be the change I want to see in the world”. Best thing I did for myself last year was the work outlined in their 8-week programme. Even (or especially?) as an experienced yogi, I loved it.
The Bhagavad Gita
Misadventures of A Garden State Yogi by Brian Leaf.
It’s a comical autobiography but easily tells a story of transformation through yoga and Ayurveda!
Happy Yoga!
Yoga Traditions by George Fuersteon
Eastern Body, Western Mind
Invaluable for learning and yearning to understand the Sutras : Core of the Yoga Sutras by B.K.S. Iyengar and believe it or not 😉
Buddhism for Dummies . This book is humorous, fact-filled and a delightful surprise ;))
My favourite yoga book to date is “The Anatomy of Hatha Yoga” by Coulter. Very different than other yoga anatomy books! It focuses on a somewhat smaller core set of poses and discusses the anatomy with great lucidity and context with the yoga pose under discussion. This is the book that really explained uddiyanna bandha to me.
The yoga sutras translation and commentary by Edwin Bryant. I love his explanations of the different interpretations by yogic scholars.
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by H. David Coulter
Core of the Yoga Sutras by B.K.S. Iyengar is on my reading list.
I’m about halfway through my first 200-hour Yoga a Teacher Teaining, so I’m reading a whole assortment of yoga-related books all at the same time. Can’t yet say which one is my favorite, but I love listening to Nicolai Bachman’s Sanskrit instruction on CD in my car.
I’m about halfway through my first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Teaining, so I’m reading a whole assortment of yoga-related books all at the same time. Can’t yet say which one is my favorite, but I love listening to Nicolai Bachman’s Sanskrit instruction on CD in my car.
On my reading list is “light on yoga” by B.K.S. Iyengar.
I like to read the yamas and niyamas by Deborah Adele. Everytime I re-read them I learn more.
Pranayama buffs will appreciate Path of Fire and Light by Swami Rama
I love reading any book written by OSHO =)
Donna Farhi’s Teaching Yoga
I very interesting yoga history book I have been into is called “The Great Oom: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America” by Robert Love. Often times we think BKS Iyengar or Pattabhi Jois brought yoga to the west, but after getting into this book I have learned that there was an American yoga teacher who went by the name Pierre Bernard during the earlier part of the 20th century. He taught Hatha yoga all the way from SF to NY and gained a cult like following. Then he vanished! and his name was long forgotten. It’s a fascinating read and recommended to add to any yogi’s list of yoga books 😉
Not a classic yoga text in itself but this book is Yoga all the way: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This simple little book teaches us to be humble, listen to your heart (The True Self) and have faith. If you have have faith and if you truly connect with the Self, he universe will do everything in its power to make things happen. One word that stood out to me was Maktub (my personal life’s mantra): it is written.
I love Yoga Anatomy by Kaminoff.
Iyengar’s “Light on Yoga”.
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Art of Attention by Erica Jago & Elena Brower is one I a looking forward to starting soon. Brilliant for our own practice and our students, also such beautiful images to accompany learning.
Just received the book Energy Medicine Yoga and am excited to start reading! I love the infinite ways that I am finding yoga improves my life. Just when I think I understand it all, something new opens up inside. So thankful for this practice. Author of this book is Lauren Walker.
The Sutras–I have many more books to read though!
The Heart of Yoga and Meditations from the Mat are on my list to read next!
I started Meditations from the mat by Rolf gates last year and have loved adding it in to my daily meditation practice.
I love this idea for a poster. I’m loving the Bertrand Bouanchaud translations of the patanjali yoga sutras. The question he asks are really useful for self study and very thought-provoking.
The Heart of Yoga
Serious reading: Juan Moscaro’s translation of the Bhagavad Gita
For fun: Downward Facing Death by Neil Pollack
I would love to win this for my yoga studio. Amazing poster with a great overview of the depth of yoga.
I would love to have this poster. Will you please tell me how I can get a copy? Thank you so much.