The Best Yoga Books: 17 Must-Reads for Yogis

Are you looking for the best yoga books for your yoga journey?

Yoga is a practice, it is something to be experienced, and there are many philosophies and knowledge attached to this ancient practice that is worth reading into if you’re looking to expand your knowledge and your yoga practice. 

There are, of course, thousands of yoga books out there that are worth a read, here is a small selection that taps into a broad range of interests, some of the best yoga books that you should definitely read. 

From classical texts to contemporary yoga books, this article will give you a wide perspective of the diversity of subjects that yoga can be a part of so you can choose some that serve you wherever you may be in your path.

The newer yoga books may be more relatable to our current lived experiences, yet the ancient texts are crucial to understanding the roots of yoga and the reason behind it all.

In this article, you will find a list of books divided into the following categories:

Find your next read here!

5 Best Yoga Books About Philosophy

You might not learn about it in yoga classes but yoga philosophy emanates from the Asian continent, and the first text to ever mention the word yoga (to yoke, to unite) is the Rig Veda, which probably originated from the region that is present day Pakistan, between 1500 and 1200 BCE.

The Rig Veda is thought to be one of the oldest texts in an Indo-European Language; Sanskrit.

There are many translations of not just the Rig Veda but the other 3; Yayur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. These are ancient poems and hymns in archaic Sanskrit and it is composed of 1,028 Vedic Sanskrit hymns and 10,600 verses in all, organized into ten books called Mandalas.

• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
• This is That
• Four Chapters on Freedom
• The Baghavad Gita
• The Yamas and Niyamas

Related Article: Best Yoga Books For Babies and Kids

1. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — Sri Swami Satchidananda

This book is accepted by most traditional Vedic schools as the authority on Yoga.

It is considered an ethics guide as well as a manual to the physical postures, meditation, as well as tools to deal with daily living situations.

Sri Swami Satchidananda shares practical examples from his own experiences and how to achieve optimal physical, mental, and spiritual health.

2. This is That: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras Padas 1 and 2 — Anand Mehortra

In this book, Mehrotra renders his interpretation of Padas 1 and 2 of the Yoga Sutras in a way that invites us to radically change how we see and practice yoga and guiding us toward the path of self-realization.

3. Four Chapters on Freedom — Swami Satyananda Saraswati

This is an excellent translation of the Yoga Sutras; it includes the full text in Sanskrit as well as a transliteration, translation, and very extensive commentary.

4. The Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most popular pieces of Indian Hindu scripture, and the direct translation from Sanskrit means Song of God.

This epic poem stretches from chapter 23 to 40 of Book VI of the Mahabharata, the great Hindu poem  and is thought to be composed in the 1st or 2nd century CE.

Many know it as simply the Gita and it has been referred to as the yoga bible.

It is written in the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, an avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu.

There are many wonderful translations out there, some a bit more simplified, others in more depth. Here are a few of the best:

• Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners by Jack Hawley
• The Song of God – Bhagavad Gita by Christopher Isherwood
• God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita by Paramahansa Yogananda

5. The Yamas and Niyamas — Deborah Adele

One of the most basic and important principles of yoga philosophy for everyday life are the first two limbs of the yogic path; the Yamas and the Niyamas, the external and internal codes of conduct yogis must follow to live in the path of yoga.

Adele’s book is a quick read that breaks down each one of the Yamas and Nimayas in a comprehensive, practical way. A perfect introduction to yoga philosophy.

6 Best Yoga Books about Anatomy, Physiology & Subtle Body

A big part of modern yoga as it is currently viewed and practiced in the West, is the physical practice, and with that, comes the study of anatomy. When we talk about your emotions, thoughts, sensations, energetic shifts, mind, and ego we are then speaking of the subtle body.

These are key for prospective yoga teachers who would like to be teaching yoga. Here are the best books on anatomy, physiology and alignment, as well as those that dive into the subtle and energetic body:

• Light on Yoga
• Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha
• Yoga Anatomy
• Accessible Yoga
• The Yoga Anatomy Coloring Book
• Eastern Body, Western Mind

1. Light on Yoga — B.K.S Iyengar

Published originally in English in 1966, Light on Yoga is a guide to the practice of Iyengar Yoga, developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, one of the disciples of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya.

This yoga book is found in the curriculum of many Yoga Teacher Trainings around the globe because it describes over 600 yoga asanas (yoga postures) in detail as well as contain over 200 photos of these yoga poses performed by Iyengar himself.

2. Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha — Swami Satyananda Saraswati

First published in 1969, and with a revised version from 2008, this book is yet another great resource used by yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, and yoga trainers around the world.

This is a very straight forward text with illustrations, and step-by-step instruction on Hatha Yoga, including practical examples and practices for all.

3. Yoga Anatomy — Leslie Kaminoff & Amy Matthews

This is another popular book amongst teacher trainers for 200 hour curriculums.

Kaminoff & Matthews’ book is inspired by the teachings and techniques of T.K.V. Desikachar, one of the fathers of Therapeutic Yoga.

This is a great resource for yoga instructors and practitioners; the book divides the postures into 6 categories and it’s all supported by incredible illustrations. It will help you with yoga sequencing for all styes of yoga from ashtanga to yin yoga to vinyasa yoga.

4. Accessible Yoga — Jivana Heyman

This book is an incredible resource for those looking to bring accessibility into the physical practice of yoga through adaptations for every body.

This book explores traditional and non-traditional ways to access postures with the use of props and other accessibility methods, allowing practitioners and teachers to make the practice more adaptable to their needs, whatever those may be.

5. The Yoga Anatomy Coloring Book: A Visual Guide to Form, Function, and Movement

This is the best yoga book for newer yoga teachers that want to dive into anatomy and study it in depth, while doing something a little more playful and fun; color!

Get your crayons out, revise your anatomy knowledge, and color on.

6. Eastern Body, Western Mind — Anodea Judith

Anodea Judith uses the Eastern chakra system as a map to chart our Western understanding of individual development in this great reference book.

Each chapter focuses on a single chakra, starting with a description of its characteristics and then exploring its particular childhood developmental patterns, traumas and abuses, and the power of yoga to heal and maintain balance.

6 Best Yoga Books About Yogic Lifestyle

Living a yogic lifestyle begins with taking the time to examine our habits, our values, and our intentions.

All the books below are some of the best yoga books that will invite you to peel the layers, get real, and embark on the journey of yoga.

• The Heart of Yoga
• Autobiography of a Yogi
• No Mud, No Lotus
• Yoga School Dropout
• The Surrender Experiment

1. The Heart of Yoga — T.K.V Desikachar

This is one of the first texts to describe how to create a personal practice to align us with the path of yoga.

This is a detailed, profound book that invites us to connect to tapas, our inner drive and desire, to live a life of purpose and with the clear intention to reach Samadhi, enlightenment, bliss.

2. Autobiography of a Yogi — Paramahansa Yogananda

The quintessential legend and prevalent introducer of yoga to the West invokes faith as he shares his timeless story.

3. No Mud, No Lotus — Thich Nhat Hanh

Tich Nhat Hanh shares here practices to relieve suffering and connect to our joy.

“When we know how to suffer,” Nhat Hanh says, “we suffer much, much less.”

4. Yoga School Dropout — Lucy Edge

A much lighter read, this is a the best yoga book if you’re in need of a good laugh.

Written memoir style, Lucy Edge’s book is full of relevant information, and she describes her hilarious adventures and antics as a (very) modern day yogini exploring the path of yoga and life.

5. The Surrender Experiment — Michael A. Singer

This book shares the voice of a relatable guy who makes the choice of surrendering to the natural flow of life. This book inspires relief, hope, and a profound desire to recommit to spiritual practices.

6. The Four Agreements — Don Miguel Ruiz

Even though it’s the quickest read on the list, it is a book filled with practical wisdom that you can begin to apply immediately and will improve your quality of life.

Whether you’re interested in yoga philosophy, the physical practice, the subtle body, or ways in which to embody yoga in your life, we hope that you choose the book that you resonate with you most, and get reading!

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