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6 Yoga Books – from Beginners to Teachers

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Yoga is special to me. I am not a yoga teacher, nor can I complete all the poses perfectly in class.  I am no yoga expert, but I do receive many benefits when I practice yoga regularly. I have seen changes in my health, my happiness and my flexibility. Yoga is medicine!
 
Today, I have gathered a number of books that are all a little bit different having to do with yoga. Some are more like journals, others novels, and of course many of the yoga books have pretty pictures of yoga poses. I enjoy each book for improving my yoga knowledge and my yoga practice.
 

Yoga and the Pursuit of Happiness – A Guide to Finding Joy in Unexpected Places By: Sam Chase

About the Book:

Enlightenment isn’t a strange, mystical, or faraway place. It’s a fundamental human experience available to us all in different ways and in different moments. Learn how the ancient philosophy of yoga, modern neuroscience, and positive psychology can help you discover your life’s meaning and purpose, rewire your brain, and uncover lasting happiness and joy.
 
In Yoga and the Pursuit of Happiness, you’ll discover that lasting happiness is already at your fingertips—in the small, everyday moments inherently infused with purpose and meaning. The philosophy of yoga—rather than the poses and postures—boils down to one fundamental process: overcoming suffering by coming to know ourselves and aligning our actions with our own intrinsic sense of spiritual purpose. And yoga gives us the tools to address two basic existential questions: Who am I? What should I do? Meanwhile, positive psychology and neuroscience show us how our actions are constantly rewiring our brain in helpful ways—which points to happiness as something we must practice and carry out each day. Happiness is, simply put, something we do.

My Thoughts:

This book shows the importance of not taking things for granted. It allows you to focus on the basic moments in life and to be happy and content no matter what. Instead of your typical yoga book that is filled with yoga poses, it is more of a journal and a self help guide that points you to finding happiness through the journey of enlightenment. It was a peaceful read that opened up my heart a little further to not think about all the troubles in life – but the happiness I can find in everything.

 

Yoga Sparks 108 Easy Practices for Stress Relief in a Minute or Less By: Carol Krucoff E-RYT, Kelly McGonigal PhD

About the Book:

The most common excuse people give for not exercising is that they have no time. Between work, family, school, and social obligations, many of us are overbooked and scrambling to get things done in our daily lives. But what if there were quick, easy yoga exercises that could be integrated into your daily routine?

Yoga Sparks offers 108 quick, practical, and accessible yoga exercises that you can practice anytime, anywhere-no matter how busy or stressful your schedule. In this book, you will learn how yoga in “bite-size” pieces can become a healthy habit that can relieve emotional stress, increase your physical strength and flexibility, and help you to lead a happier, healthier life.

Whether practicing relaxed breathing while in traffic, sitting with proper alignment while working at your computer, or even balancing on one leg while waiting in line, the step-by-step, breath-by-breath practices in this book will help you bring the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of yoga practice into your daily life.

My Thoughts:

What a handy yoga book this is! These quick yoga ideas can be implemented anywhere – on the plane, office desk or even in line at the grocery store (some of them anyway!) They are easy to search through, and I can always find the perfect stretch, breathing or pose for a quick mid-day break! It is a light, small book that works well on-the-go. I turn to this pocket book many times in the day!

Yoga Mind, Peaceful Mind Simple Meditations for Overcoming Anxiety By: Mary NurrieStearns LCSW, RYT, Rick NurrieStearns

About the Book:

What is a “yoga mind?” And how can it help calm anxiety, heal painful thoughts, soothe stress, and bring a lasting sense of well-being?

If you’ve heard of the many health benefits of practicing yoga, but are unsure of the physical demands commonly associated with postures, this book is the perfect answer. In Yoga Mind, Peaceful Mind, two seasoned yoga teachers present gentle meditations to help you overcome anxiety and stress so you can live a more enjoyable life. Furthermore, the book’s emphasis on yoga’s contemplative tradition, rather than postures (or, asanas), makes it perfect for people from all walks of life, including those with physical disabilities.  

In the book, you’ll find 160 powerful, daily meditations that are filled with thoughtful, touching insights. Each of the meditations provides an inspirational quote, a discussion of teachings and instructions from the yoga tradition, and affirmations to remember and live by every day. If you are ready to overcome anxiety and stress and take back your life, the simple practices in this book will help you achieve true peace of mind.

My Thoughts:

Having been dealing with anxiety on and off throughout my adulthood,  I decided to take control of it. Recently, anxiety has hit me hard – and this book is helping calm my anxiety with the many daily meditations and affirming chakras. This book is a great resource for anyone who deals with panic, anxiety, fear or overwhelming emotions. This book brings me peace and calming.

 

Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief By: Julie Lusk MEd, E-RYT

About the Book:

Chronic stress is a silent assassin that can lead to a number of health and mental health issues, such as anxiety, weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. In this book, holistic health expert Julie Lusk offers readers a powerful Yoga Nidra program to stop stress in its tracks.

If you feel stressed out, you aren’t alone. Stress is a modern-day epidemic, and if you don’t make healthy changes to keep it under control, you could end up with a weakened immune system or a number of health and mental health issues. This book offers the solution: Yoga Nidra-a practice based on a lucid, sleep-like state of relaxation-focuses specifically on alleviating both the mental and physical manifestations of stress, so you can live a better life.

Packed with meditations, relaxation skills, and visualization techniques, the ancient practices in this book will help you relax, reflect, and revitalize for unshakable peace and joy.

My Thoughts:

This book has a vast knowledge of information on Yoga Nidra. It goes into great detail for anyone that wants to know more. As a beginner in this practice, I found it very well done. This would be a key book to have if you are a yoga instructor! So much information and guidance in one book, it’s a must have yoga book!
 

Healing Yoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain – Easy, Effective Practices for Releasing Tension and Relieving Pain By: Carol Krucoff E-RYT, Tracy Gaudet MD

About the Book:

Everyday activities such as using the computer, driving, or even curling up with a good book can create tension in the neck and shoulders. It’s no wonder that so many of us have persistent discomfort and pain in these areas. Healing Yoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain presents simple, yoga-based practices that you can do at work and at home to release muscle tension for immediate relief.

After suffering from chronic neck pain for years, author and yoga therapist Carol Krucoff developed the unique self-care program found in this book. Now you, too, can free yourself from neck pain by practicing simple yoga exercises to stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak ones and by learning to properly align your body when performing everyday activities that may be contributing to your pain. This fully illustrated, easy to follow guidebook also addresses common problems that may accompany neck tension, including headaches, upper back pain, and stress.

My Thoughts:

I carry all my stress in my neck and shoulders. I think many of us do! This yoga book makes me aware of when I need to take a break from the computer and do some stretches. There are some really helpful poses that I have benefited from in here! I can feel the tightness loosen pretty quickly!
 

Yoga for Pain Relief – Simple Practices to Calm Your Mind and Heal Your Chronic Pain By: Kelly McGonigal PhD, Timothy McCall MD

About the Book:

It’s no secret that yoga increases muscular flexibility and strength, but you may not know that yoga is a proven treatment for back pain, knee pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other chronic pain conditions. Yoga also helps to ease the stress, anxiety, and depression that can create and reinforce pain, making you feel more comfortable in both your mind and your body.

Written by a yoga instructor and former chronic pain sufferer, Yoga for Pain Relief is packed with gentle postures and practical strategies for ending pain. This complete mind-body tool kit for healing also includes deep relaxation practices drawn from the yogic tradition and psychological techniques for helping you make peace with your body and dissolve pain. As the ancient practice of yoga releases the hold that chronic pain has over your life, you will begin to feel more like yourself again.

My Thoughts:

Kelly McGonigal made this book to be more like a journal. There are places within the book to fill out your thoughts, reflections and your answers to questions. There are lots of photos throughout the book full of poses to practice to ease pain and stress. There are also breathing practices and affirmations to recite, like “May I be healthy. May I be happy. May I be free of suffering.” A powerful book for those that want to practice yoga for pain relief.

 

What yoga book are you most interested in?

Do you have any yoga books – you can’t live without?