Books have a way of changing your perspective and providing a new appreciation for a subject. A great yoga book can be exactly what you need to enhance your practice on the mat and in your life. We collected five of our favorite yoga books to provide a deeper understanding of all that yoga has to offer.

There’s no doubt that yoga is so much more than asana. It helps with everything from anxiety to back pain. It’s a tool that allows you to understand yourself more deeply, develop compassion for self and others, and alleviate stress and pain. A regular yoga practice will allow you to deepen your connection between the mind, body, and soul.

5 essential yoga books to guide your spiritual journey

This collection of yoga books will help you connect or reconnect with the essence of your yoga practice. They have something to teach you whether you’re new to the practice or a yoga pro.

1) Light on Yoga

By B.K.S. Iyengar

Light on Yoga, the bible of modern yoga is a resource for yogis to return to repeatedly.

Iyengar provides complete descriptions and beautiful photographs of all the positions and breathing exercises. It’s truly the definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of Yoga by the world’s most respected teacher.

Get it here.

2) Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness

By Eric Schiffman

Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness is perfect for beginners and novices alike. Schiffman describes his personal journey in a way that makes yoga approachable for all levels of experience. It’s readable and makes the core concepts of the practice easy to understand.

He explains the exercises with step-by-step instructions to help you progress toward completing the full version of each posture. He also explains the benefits each pose provides.

Get it here.

3) Perfectly Imperfect: The Art and Soul of Yoga Practice

By Baron Baptiste

Perfectly Imperfect provides a minimalist approach to make yoga relevant to everyone. As an instructor, Baptiste provides a down-to-earth approach to the complexities of yoga. This book will help you feel more empowered with the practical tools he provides you with to use in your daily practice.

Get it here.

4) Yoga Anatomy

By Leslie Kaminoff

In this useful resource, Kaminoff explains the anatomy of each muscled used in yoga poses. He informs readers of joints being used, what body parts are working, what is lengthening, and even the obstacles you might encounter during each pose. The book provides both Sanskrit and English terms along with pronunciations of the Sanskrit.

Get it here.

5) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

By Satchidananda Saraswati (known as Swami Satchidananda)

Swami Satchidananda was a monk, Indian religious teacher, and accomplished yoga practitioner. His book is a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. He provides in-depth commentary on each sutra. Satchidananda wrote each sutra in Sanskrit, then provided proper pronunciation, and translated it into English.

Get it here.