RESOURCES

Books to bring along on your journey

 

   Yoga for Wellness: Healing with the Timeless Teachings of Viniyoga by Gary Kraftsow

The quintessential book on the viniyoga style of Hatha yoga. Kraftsow clearly explains the principles of movement and adaptation that are central to the practice. Liz and Lori have both studied with Kraftsow, Lori earning her 500-hour certification from his program.

 

   Yoga for Transformation: Ancient Teachings and Practices for Healing the Body, Mind, and Heart by Gary Kraftsow

This goes further than Yoga for Wellness, going deeper into pranayama (exercises with the breath) and meditation. Again, he is a master of explaining and demonstrating these ideas.

 

   Yoga for Body, Breath and Mind: A Guide to Personal Reintegration by A.G. Mohan

Mohan writes about yoga with heart and attention to important details; it is a very approachable and practical book. 

 

   The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar

Desikachar is the son of Krishnamacarya, the Indian man who developed the principles of viniyoga. Desikachar carried on his tradition, and was a teacher of Gary Kraftsow (see his books also on this list).

 

  Restoring Prana by Robin Rothenberg

Based on more than 7 years researching and working with the breath, Rothenberg brings new thinking to how the breath can be used to restore balance and enhance vitality. Lori and Liz have both studied with Rothenberg; Liz completed her 500-hour training and is continuing on to earn her C-IAYT for yoga therapy with Rothenberg in 2021.

 

   The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele

This is a great book for self-reflection. Adele shares her experience working with ideas like “How can I be more nonviolent toward others?” or “What things or people or thoughts am I attached to that get in the way of my life in a negative way?”

 

   The Healing Self by Deepak Chopra, MD and Rudolph E. Tanzi, PhD

I believe Deepak says we have 5 billion cells in our body. Every time we move, we are setting healing into motion. When we focus on our breath and let our thoughts come and go without giving them attention, we set healing in motion. The idea is that our natural state is a state of self-healing—we must get out of our own way to let the process occur!

 

   Buddha’s Brain: the practical neuroscience of happiness, love, and wisdom by Rick Hanson, Ph.D. with Richard Mendius, MD

Just a fun read with lots of scientific and anecdotal evidence that our minds play such a significant role in how we live our lives.

 

   Ayurveda: A Life of Balance: The Complete Guide to Ayurvedic Nutrition and Body Types with Recipes by Maya Tiwari

A great and simple introduction to Ayurveda. Includes a test to determine your dosha.

 

   Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn

This book is about the mind and how we focus it to help us deal with everything in our often busy lives. It’s based on research around the ability of the mind to limit the suffering that chronic pain can cause.