Recommended Reading and Listening
A closer relationship is then created between body and mind, and one begins to perceive a fresh sense of well being. If the practice of this ancient knowledge is maintained with regularity, soon a new state of health will be experienced and enjoyed.
THE NEW BOOK OF YOGA
An excellent handbook for beginners and a great reference for more experienced students. Lovely photographs give a feel for the postures.
YOGA - YOUR HOME PRACTICE COMPANION
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre’s comprehensive, practical and user-friendly guide for yoga self-practice. All the essentials are covered including diet.
ASANA PRANAYAMA MUDRA BANDHA
This really is a special book. Every serious Yogi has a copy. Modest, simple and practical yet thorough, comprehensive and lovely.
HATHA YOGA breath by breath
Clear, simple guide to some interesting hatha yoga postures.
YOGA: THE SPIRIT AND PRACTICE OF MOVING INTO STILLNESS
Erich Schiffmann describes a personal approach to Yoga asana and meditation, expressing the value of being balanced and centred as a fundamental asset to living.
LIGHT ON YOGA
B. K. S Iyengar’s classic Yoga manual. Step by step photo-guide to postures and breathing for beginners to highly advanced. First published in 1966.
JIVAMUKTI YOGA: Practices for Liberating Body and Soul
Sharon Gannon and David Life’s spiritually oriented and modern style of Yoga practice.
TANTRA The Supreme Understanding
A refreshing perspective from one of the most provocative spiritual teachers of our time and introduces some difficult concepts to the widest possible audience.
THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI (Alistair Shearer)
The basic questions of Who Am I? Where Am I Going? What Is the Purpose of Life? are asked by every generation, and Patanjali’s answers (given in the third century BC).
THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI (Satchidananda)
Practical and down to earth advice on mastering the mind and achieving physical, mental and emotional harmony in life through applying the ancient yet eternally useful techniques of Raja Yoga.
VIPASSANA MEDITATION as Taught by S.N. Goenka
Describes the Vipassana technique, a Buddhist approach to developing insight, and discusses how it can be used to solve problems, develop one’s potential, and lead a productive life.
The Shambhala ENCYCLOPEDIA of YOGA
If you are serious about Yoga, this is the one book you should have on your shelves. It will give you a sense of the vastness of the yogic tradition and will answer most of your questions about it.
CAVE IN THE SNOW
The story of Tenzin Palmo, an Englishwoman, the daughter of a fishmonger from London’s East End, who spent 12 years alone in a cave 13,000 feet up in the Himalayas and became a world-renowned spiritual leader.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI
Accessible account of one yogi’s life. The story of somebody who got there. Where? Here!
AWAKENING THE SPINE
A beautiful, inspiring book by Vanda Scaravelli. Pictures and words bringing yoga into life. The grand old lady of yoga.
PHOENIX RISING YOGA
A guide to therapeutic yoga, through which we learn to recognize and release the body-stored memories, fears and traumas that trap you us the past.
ANATOMY OF HATHA YOGA
While not for everyone, this is an authoritative source that correlates the study of Hatha Yoga with anatomy and physiology.
SAY I AM YOU – RUMI
A collection of poems by the great master. Translated by Coleman Barks.
HEALING WITH WHOLE FOODS
This health manual merges modern nutrition with insight from ancient Asian traditions. We use it all the time.
THE YOGA COOKBOOK
Delicious and easy yogi recipes.
VEDANTIC MEDITATION
Lighting the flame of awareness, from one of the most important scholars of Ayurveda and Vedic Science today, David Frawley.
FREEDOM FROM THE KNOWN
A modern classic by a leading twentieth-century philosopher, J.Krishnamurti. Spirituality transcending belief, nationalism and sectarianism, giving meaning and direction to mankind’s search for truth.
LOVE IS A FIRE
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee’s introduction to the passion and wisdom of the mystical Sufi path of love.
MEDITATION FOR THE LOVE OF IT
Sally Kempton points us back to our own intimate heart of hearts, our own deepest experience, and the bliss of existence itself. More than 20 practices for bringing the peace and insight of meditation into your daily life.
Mother and Baby recommended reading and reference
PREPARING FOR BIRTH WITH YOGA
Comprehensive guide for yoga during pregnancy by Janet Balaskas, founder of the Active Birth Centre in London.
BIRTH AND BEYOND
The Definitive Guide to Your Pregnancy, Your Birth, Your Family – From Minus 9 to Plus 9 Months. This big book takes you through conception through to nine months after birth. Expert medical and complementary advice.
The WATER BIRTH BOOK
This is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of water birth from the leading name in natural and active births, Janet Balaskas.
HOME BIRTH
A perfect balance of practical information, compelling personal stories and research evidence, Home Birth is essential reading for all couples considering the alternative to a hospital birth.
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN
A must for fans of natural birthing. Advice on dealing with empowerment, pain control, self expression and many others subjects.
SPIRITUAL MIDWIFERY
This book was written by women who became expert midwives for their American “hippie” commune in the 70s. An extraordinary, positive and inspiring book which includes technical expertise aimed primarily at midwives, doctors and nurses.
Recommended listening
SATIE: PIANO DREAMS
Composer: Erik Satie. Performer: Pascal Rogé. Piano for Yoga.
EINAUDI: I GIORNI
Composed by Ludovico Einaudi. Inspiring.
SHAMANIC DREAM by Anugama
Supports your Yoga practice.
CHO KU REI by Weave
Hatha to this.
HOPE FOR ENLIGHTENMENT
Lama Gyurme & Jean-Philippe Rykiel. Students are often asking about this one.
BREATH OF THE HEART
Krishna Das – Chants from the Heart.
GRACE
We play these CDs before and after many of the Mother and Baby classes.
MOTHER’S BLESSING
We play these CDs before and after many of the Mother and Baby classes.
