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The 9 Best Yoga Books of 2023

Read your way to a better practice with "Light on Yoga"

Ann Pizer is a writer and registered yoga instructor who teaches vinyasa/flow and prenatal yoga classes.

Sara Clark is an EYT 500-hour certified Vinyasa yoga and mindfulness teacher, lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, model, and writer.

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

• What to Look For

Whether you’re looking for a light read about beginner yoga poses or a deep dive into how yoga promotes spiritual healing , the right book can round out your knowledge and improve your practice. The best yoga books cover a topic you're interested in, have a length that fits your needs, and are written by a credible yoga expert.

Depending on your reading habits, it may also help to look for digital versions of the book. This can be very convenient since you won't have to worry about lugging around a heavy book to read. Illustrations are also a great feature since they can show you how different yoga poses are properly achieved. We researched various yoga books with these features in mind.

Here are the best yoga books on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: "Light on Yoga"

Best for Beginners: "The Yoga Beginner's Bible"

Best Illustrated: "Yoga Anatomy"

Best Inclusive: "Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses For Every Type of Body"

Best Memoir: "Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses"

Best History: "Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice"

Best for Pregnancy: "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful"

Best for Postpartum: "The Fourth Trimester"

Best on Modern Yoga: "The Goddess Pose"

Best Overall: "Light on Yoga"

This classic 1966 book is our top choice for its encyclopedic illustration of hundreds of yoga poses and many breathing techniques. Written by the famous yoga teacher, B.K.S. Iyengar , this book also goes beyond physical exercise and heavily details the philosophy of yoga.

Reviewers note that it's easy to follow and even has modified versions for some of the more advanced poses to accommodate beginners. It also contains a week-by-week guide to advance your skills. Even if you're not a beginner, this book can help you find new inspiration in your yoga journey if you are feeling stagnant or bored.

Price at time of publication: $22

Best for Beginners: "The Yoga Beginner's Bible"

If you want to do a little homework before hitting your first yoga class, check out "The Yoga Beginner's Bible." This book features clear illustrations of poses to know and instructions on how to do each one. If you're not as bendy as you would like to be (yet), the pages include creative modifications that you can use in class (your teacher will be able to provide more of these too, so don't be afraid to ask). An added bonus: This book also lays out breathing exercises, which are key to your practice.

Price at time of publication: $38

Best Illustrated: "Yoga Anatomy"

The unique strength of "Yoga Anatomy" by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews is its illustrations. Rendered through a process of photography and medical illustration, poses are shown from the inside out so you can see exactly how each one benefits your body. It's a book that instructors and students alike will find helpful for deepening their practice.

Price at time of publication: $24

Best Inclusive: "Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses For Every Type of Body"

In "Yoga for Everyone," author and yogi Dianne Bondy sets out to celebrate what everybody and every body can do, regardless of age, weight, or physical abilities. People who often feel left out of the yoga or fitness community will find this book to be a breath of fresh air. Each pose photo comes with additional photos of multiple modifications, so you can find what works best for you.

Price at time of publication: $20

Best Memoir: "Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses"

In this memoir, author Claire Dederer takes readers on her yoga journey with a book that goes beyond the physical benefits of yoga. She discovered the practice while dealing with a back injury and breastfeeding. Her story is universal, though mothers who have struggled with finding balance in their lives after having children will find it particularly inspirational. (Hint: yoga helps.)

Best History: "Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice"

"Yoga Body" is a fascinating book by scholar Mark Singleton into the history of yoga asana . This book is a real game changer, exploring the predecessors of Western yoga practices beyond yoga's roots in ancient India. You'll find yourself questioning a lot of the conventional wisdom you hear in yoga classes after reading this one. 

Price at time of publication: $18

Best for Pregnancy: "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful"

Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa is a leading Kundalini yoga  teacher who is especially known for her prenatal yoga classes . The yoga in "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful" is gentle, but the anecdotes and advice for pregnant people are unique in the sea of pregnancy books. It is empowering for anyone contemplating natural childbirth.

Price at time of publication: $13

Best for Postpartum: "The Fourth Trimester"

This holistic book aims to help people who are pregnant or who have recently given birth (whether it was a few days or a few years ago) reach physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual healing. Kimberly Ann Johnson, who has experience both as a doula and yoga teacher, explains everything from preparing your body for birth to dealing with complex postpartum emotions. Her words will help you rebuild your body and strengthen your familial relationships.

Best on Modern Yoga:"The Goddess Pose"

"The Goddess Pose" is a fascinating look at how yoga made its way into the mainstream culture of the West. Author Michelle Goldberg does this through the biography of Indra Devi, one of the first people to teach postural yoga in the United States. Your understanding of modern yoga is not complete without knowing the significance of Devi's influence.

Price at time of publication: $27

What to Look for in a Yoga Book

Do you have time to read through an encyclopedic tome on yoga’s backstory? Or would you prefer a brief handbook of basic poses? Some yoga books are a one-time read, whereas others serve as reference to return to time and again. The amount of time you have to devote to a book will determine the length that’s right for you.

Topic  

The beauty of yoga is that it serves different purposes for different people. Some folks turn to yoga strictly for exercise, while others use it as a spiritual practice. Pregnant people, trauma survivors, athletes , and multiple other groups can all benefit from it in unique ways. Choose the book that speaks to your specific area of interest. Because they speak to such a wide range of interest levels, yoga books make some of the best yoga gifts .

Author Experience

Just about anybody can write a book and have it published. But not everyone is an authority. To know you’re getting information from a qualified source, be sure to check an author’s credentials and experience. Look for a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) certification or other certification, such as YTT or E-RYT. The greater the number after the certification (such as 200, 500, or 600), the more training hours the instructor has completed.

Digital Availability

If you want a yoga book you can easily toss in your workout bag or read on your phone, you might prefer a digital read. When easy, lightweight accessibility is a priority, check to see if you can download a book to your phone, tablet, or other reader.

Illustrations or Images

Many people are visual learners, especially when it comes to applying yoga poses in real life. If you’re seeking a book that will help you master the art of the downward dog or reclined pigeon, you’ll probably want to see exactly how it’s done. Look for books that provide high-quality illustrations or images, rather than descriptions alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

People enrolled in accredited yoga teacher training programs may be required to read certain books prior to or during their certification process. However, you cannot become a certified yoga instructor just by reading books. Training programs require a certain number of in-person instruction hours for certification.

As with any other subject, researching yoga through reading books is an excellent way to expand your understanding. The more you know about yoga—from its anatomical basis to its spiritual side—the more you’ll enhance your personal practice. Yoga teachers can also benefit from a broader knowledge of yoga’s history and its applications for different people. 

Scientific inquiry has examined numerous aspects of yoga. The combination of stretching your muscles and matching your breath to movement has proven merits for health. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, yoga may help people lose weight, relieve stress, manage depression and anxiety, relieve pain, and quit smoking, among other benefits.

What you get out of yoga books will, of course, depend on the books you choose and how much you invest in them. If you’re a beginner, reading an introductory book on standard poses could give you the confidence you need to try yoga for the first time. Or if you’re an instructor, a history of the practice or a nitty-gritty look at technique could be the key to helping others have a more fulfilling experience.

Cartwright T, Mason H, Porter A, Pilkington K. Yoga practice in the UK: A cross-sectional survey of motivation, health benefits and behaviours . BMJ Open . 2020;10(1):e031848. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031848

Anggraeni NP, Herawati L, Widyawati MN, Arizona IK. The effect of exercise on postpartum women’s quality of life: a systematic review . J Ners . 2019;14(3):146-154. doi:10.20473/jn.v14i3.16950

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Yoga: What you need to know .

By Ann Pizer, RYT Ann Pizer is a writer and registered yoga instructor who teaches vinyasa/flow and prenatal yoga classes.

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10 Top Yoga and Meditation Teachers Favorite Meditation and Yoga Books

Top teachers share the yoga and meditation books that impacted them the most..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

There are some books that stick with us long after we’ve finished turning the pages. These are the books that become a part of who we are— a fabric of our being, so to speak. They influence us when we think about our practice (and our lives as a whole, really), and they affect our headspace and outlook every time we step on our mats and sit on our meditation cushions .

They’re the kind of books that are worth reading again and again.

To dig into the power that the best yoga and meditation books can have to change our lives, we asked top teachers which yoga and meditation books have changed theirs . Teachers cited books that were favorites because they were easy to return to again and again, as well as books that made a difference at a pivotal moment in their lives.

See also   Need a Good Read? Start with these Yoga Books

Read on for the 10 best yoga and meditation books , according to 10 top teachers around the country.

The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts

“My mid-thirties were a dark time. I was depressed, but too trapped in fear to change my life,” says New York City yoga pro Joe Miller . “While I had been practicing yoga on and off for years, I had never really explored yoga philosophy. Then I ran across a used copy of Alan Watts’ The Wisdom of Insecurity . Watts’ message—that we can’t have security without accepting insecurity, that our desire to cling to what’s familiar only creates suffering—resonated with me. Watts helped me see that the fact that there’s no life without death, or light without darkness, could be a cause for joy and reason to live more fully. I eventually read nearly every book he wrote and dove more deeply into yoga practice. Within a few years, I had started teaching yoga and was much healthier and happier. It wasn’t just Watts’ book, of course, and it’s still hard for me to accept “the wisdom of insecurity,” but the glimpse he offered of another way to live came at just the right time.”

$13, amazon.com

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The Living Gita by Swami Satchidananda

“I love this version of the Bhagavad Gita,” says Stephanie Snyder , founder of San Francisco based Love Story Yoga . “We include it in our teacher trainings and I reference it all the time. Some of it can seem a little dated, but still, its super accessible. It also has some great stories that help explain some of the ideas in a very engaging way.”

$16, amazon.com

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Yoga and the Quest for True Self by Stephen Cope and Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor

“I read Stephen Cope’s book while I was going through a devastating break-up,” says Andrea Ferretti , host of Yogaland podcast . “I was in my early 30s and wanted a life partner and a child so badly and I thought I’d found him. Cope writes so honestly about his own life in this book—but more importantly, he writes with compassion for himself and for the reader. At one point, he talks about his own breakup and how he sobbed while saying to a friend, “I tried so hard…” and then it dawns on him that he has to let go of the fruits of his hard work, just as Arjuna has to let go of the fruits of his actions in the Bhagavad Gita . It helped me so much to read about Cope’s own struggles, and to see how he relied on his practice to get through them. He gave me hope that I would see through to the other side—and I did.”

$12, play.google.com

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Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi

“It’s my favorite book,” says Mary Beth La Rue , Los Angeles based yoga teacher and founder of Rock Your Bliss . “She writes about the practice and philosophy of yoga in such a grounded, applicable way. I have probably underlined every other sentence in this book and can always open it and find a new gem to contemplate and put into action in my life.”

$14, amazon.com

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The Secret of the Yoga Sutra by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

“I’ve found I turn most to Pandit Rajmani Tigunait’s books on the Sutras,” says New York City-based yoga teacher and DoTerra ambassador Elena Brower . “It’s erudite, accessible, and articulate. His translations of each thread consistently land in my practices of both yoga and meditation, and I’m grateful to have such a resource so close at hand.”

$20, amazon.com

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Do Your Om Thing by Rebecca Pacheco

“I actually keep this book on my nightstand. Sometimes I pick it up and just start reading at a random spot, and it often seems to be the message I need to hear right at that moment,” says singer, kids yoga and meditation pro, and author Kira Willey . “Rebecca makes the philosophy of yoga completely accessible and easily understandable—it’s funny and serious in all the right places, and just totally works for me.”

$10, amazon.com

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Training in Compassion by Norman Fischer

“Norman Fischer is an incredible mindfulness and zen teacher for beginners,” explains Los Angeles yoga teacher Alexis Novak . “He has a few books that are specifically for novice meditators looking to learn more and start a practice. He takes traditional Zen practices and gives them modern language and application.”

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The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami

“It’s a modern-day version of The Autobiography of a Yogi —an inspired and compelling true story of a young man’s spiritual quest for meaning, connection, and ultimately his transcendence,” says San Francisco-based yoga teacher Giselle Mari . “It galvanizes the reader to reflect on their own journey and reminds us all that we have the potential to connect to our highest Self. Having spent time with Radhanath Swami has only forged a deeper respect and honoring for all he endured to become one of the most impactful spiritual teachers of our generation. This is a must read.”

$17, amazon.com

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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda

“This is the yoga book that impacted me the most,” says yogi and author of Strong in the Broken Places , Quentin Vennie . “I’ve always been fascinated by the philosophies of yoga, not just the practice of asana . As someone who has battled severe  anxiety  and depression, I needed more than just a physical connection—more so a way to change my thinking. I had to learn that my anxiety wasn’t my enemy, but it was my guide. This book guided me to yoga, meditation and an overall better quality of life. The practice of non-attachment allowed me to separate myself from my many mood disorders, which helped my healing process.”

$12, amazon.com

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Meditation & Mantras by Swami Vishnu Devananda

“It’s simple and straight forward,” says Pradeep Teotia , a yoga teacher in San Francisco. “I like that in life, things should be simple and straight forward so we can focus better.”

$7, amazon.com

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About the Author

Gina Tomaine is a Philadelphia-based writer and editor. She is currently Deputy Lifestyle Editor of Philadelphia magazine, and previously served as Associate Deputy Editor of Rodale’s Organic Life. Her work can be seen in Women’s Health, Runner’s World, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, and elsewhere. Learn more at ginatomaine.com .

Popular on Yoga Journal

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16 Best Yoga Books Recommended by Inspiring Yogis

Can I learn yoga through books, or can I learn on my own?

“I do not recommend reading books to anyone. The more unfamiliar people, I advise them to read themselves, to look inside, and stay in silence. This is more useful than any book!”

This is what Vitalii Shakirov, better known as @ cat_shanti , replied to me when I reached out to him about this post. He is one of the inspiring yogis who’ve contributed their bit to make this list a useful resource for yogis of all levels.

I know his answer contradicts the entire point of this article. However, I feel it is a valid point worth mentioning. Remember that books can give you much, but no book can teach you the things that you can learn by going within. 

My teachers in India would also say that yoga is 90% practice. The other 10% is attaining the right knowledge that teaches you the end goal of life. I am not talking about getting into university, being hired in a prestigious company, buying a new house, car, or anything of this sort. The real goal of life, transcending any physical needs or desires, is Moksha. It is freedom from the karmic cycles and all ignorance.

With this said, here are 12 recommendations on the best yoga books that have helped other yogis get the knowledge they needed. Everyone is walking their path, so naturally, there will be differing texts that might transform your life. 

These books touch upon topics such as:

• Yoga Philosophy
• Yoga Alignment and Anatomy
• Teachings not directly related to yoga

Best Books on Yoga Philosophy

These books discuss the philosophical foundation of yoga, the reason and meaning behind everything yogis do. They give insight into ways you can use yoga to improve your everyday life. Anchient reads such as t he Upanishads,  Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutra  are regarded as some of the most important yoga texts of all time. Thus, many consider them essential books for anyone who seeks to live like a true yogi.

Essence of the Upanishads: A Key to Indian Spirituality by Eknath Easwaran

“The Upanishads are one of the earliest sources of Indian spirituality and a must-read for any yogi. They provide lots of wisdom about how to live an awaked life. In this book, Eknath Easwaran (one of my favorite writers) explains the fundamental ideas of the Katha Upanishad. I highly recommend reading more of Eknath Easwaran’s books (including the Bhagavad Gita). He’s a brilliant and very accessible writer. “

Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

One of the most prominent philosophical texts in the East. It is written in a dialogue form, conveying the conversation between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna. The scripture explains the essence of Atma (consciousness), the three Gunas (properties of the mind), Karma-yoga (yoga of action), Prakriti (the original source of the material world), bondage and liberation, and so much more. It is a book full of wisdom that can be re-read numerous times, and each time you will find new value.

Four Chapters on Freedom: Commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by  Swami Satyananda Saraswati

The Yoga Sutra is one of the foundational texts on Yoga. As the name suggests, it was written in sutras, short statements passing down thousand-year-old knowledge. Reading sutras is difficult because they are too concise for the untrained person. They say that back in the day yogic knowledge was only passed down from a guru to his disciples. The guru would read and interpret the sutras, teaching only the “right” knowledge.

Four Chapters in Freedom is essentially what a guru used to share with his students. It expands on the sutras; it gives details, explanations, examples so that the Yoga Sutra becomes comprehendible.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda

“This is the first book that I have ever read as a yoga teacher. It was recommended to me during my training in India and I will never forget the fundamental teachings and knowledge from the wise words of Pantajali.

The book covers various yogic teachings including ethics, meditation, and physical postures; which we can all use to better our own lives. Reading the book, I felt strongly connected to ancient yogic wisdom. The commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda made the book accessible and linked to the practical ways that the book can be applied to balance your mind and live the best life that you can.

A must-read if you want to understand what yoga is about; as it’s so much more than fancy asana names and postures. Namaste.”

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

Anyone who wants to practice yoga off the mat can benefit from exploring more about the Yamas and Niyamas, the ethical norms of yoga. Deborah Adele writes about them in a modern and inspiring way that helps you understand how you can apply these timeless principles in your everyday life.

If you are curious about this topic, I also encourage you to read my thorough article on  Ahimsa  (non-violence), the first Yama. It is a base concept in all yogic practices.

Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates, Katrina Kenison

“This is my most favorite yoga book that discusses each of the 8 limbs of yoga in depth. There are 365 meditations or passages in the book that help you integrate yoga into your daily life. There are a million beautiful quotes, tips, mindsets to inspire you and enhance the way your practice and ultimately live. This book made me realize that yoga is so much more than a physical practice but a way of disciplining the mind and body and an intricate way of connecting more deeply with your soul. Happy reading!”

Best Books on Yoga Alignment and Anatomy

These books explain how you can deepen your physical practice, progressing while keeping yourself safe from injuries. They are  essential to beginners  who might go too far due to lack of knowledge, but also to advanced yoga teachers who are always concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their students. 

Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha by  Swami Satyananda Saraswati

This is a comprehensive yoga manual that explains in detail various asanas, pranayama techniques, mudras, and bandhas. The book gives insight into how each element is performed along with its benefits and when it is best to avoid it.

I have learned a lot of valuable practices from this book and shared some of them with my students. Let me tell you a story.

At the start of the lockdown, one woman contacted me via Facebook. She said she was recovering from a serious illness. She was feeling too fatigued to get out of bed so advising her to try complex asanas was out of the question. I recommended her the Pawanmuktasana Series I, a sequence of anti-rheumatic movements that allow the free flow of Prana throughout the body. In a matter of a few weeks, this woman wrote to me again, saying these simple joint rotations have had a tremendous effect on her wellbeing. This woman, I have only spoken to over the internet, is one of my most loyal and grateful followers.

Through this book, I have gained knowledge that gave sense to all learning.

Light on Yoga by B. K. S. Iyengar

B. K. S. Iyengar, the founder of the “Iyengar Yoga” style, is one of the most revered teachers of all times. His yoga books are highly acclaimed and considered classics. 

Light on Yoga goes through traditional Hatha yoga asanas, explaining how to get into them and what their effects on the body are. There is also a guide on preparatory poses recommended for achieving advanced asanas. It can help beginners progress in their practice.

In an Appendix, the guru offers a 300-week course on starting with some accessible asanas and progressing to advanced poses like One-Legged King Pigeon and Feet to Head pose.

Another Appendix focuses on asanas series that can be alleviating to people with diverse health problems, such as anemia, arthritis, high and low blood pressure, gout, hernia, and much more. This advice is based on Iyengar’s experience with students.

Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain

This is a book on applied anatomy. It explains the musculoskeletal system and gives insight into how its structures operate during physical activity. The book boasts over 1,000 simple drawings, accompanied by clear and concise explanations. Many teachers and coaches cite this as their “go-to” guide to movement. 

Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practice by Ann Swanson

“As a physical therapist and yoga teacher, I love encouraging people to get to know the body. Understanding how the body works during yoga can not only deepen your practice but prevent injuries as well. Anatomy and movement can be intimidating concepts, especially to new practitioners.

The Science of Yoga breaks down the anatomy and physiology of basic and intermediate poses with beautiful illustrations to help you visualize movement from the inside out. This deeper understanding will help you connect your mind and body instead of just going through the motions.

This is a must-read for beginner and intermediate practitioners alike that presents the information in an easy and approachable way.”

Yoga Adjustments: Philosophy, Principles, and Techniques by  Mark Stephens

This book provides a lot of information on yoga poses and how to adjust students.

I believe giving adjustments is one of the essential skills for any yoga teacher because it is an element that makes an in-person class irreplaceable. Watching a YouTube video, or even a live class, can never give you the value and assistance of human touch.

It is also useful that Mark Stephens teaches a student-focused approach, rather than trying to adjust students to fit into poses. He advises on always asking permission before touching someone and respecting their boundaries, and understanding that personal limits might change during a class.

Restore and Rebalance: Yoga For Deep Relaxation by Judith Hanson Lasater

“This is an amazing reminder of how to relax. Relaxation needs to start by relaxing the body and Restorative Yoga is one of the easy ways to attain this state. This book is for everyone that wants to learn how to practice Restorative Yoga. It is a clear and precise book full of explanations and ways to get into the Restorative shapes. As a Yoga practitioner yourself, it is a great way to start developing a self-practice focused on easy self-care that can improve your mood, your energy and even help you release some discomfort that is physical or mental.”

Gwendoline Ferreira  from  yogablisslembongan.com

Best Books on Meditation

Asana, the physical practice of yoga, is meant to bring comfort to the body for long hours of sitting but also restore the mind-body connection. Both of these aid with concentration and alertness, which ultimately leads to  meditation . 

Yoga Nidra: The Art of Transformational Sleep by Kamini Desai

Kamini Desai writes in an accessible and intriguing manner. In this book, she uses lovely comparisons that help you understand  what Yoga Nidra is .

The main focus of the book is on the six tools of Yoga Nidra that help you attain this practice’s incredible benefits. There are also separate chapters on how Yoga Nidra can work for your health, depression or anxiety, sleep disturbances, addictive habits, or traumas and PTSD.

Lastly, Desai also provides a Yoga Nidra script you can use to record yourself or to guide others into this transformational state of consciousness.

Books Not Directly Related to Yoga

I was curious to find out that many yogis have been influenced by books that are not directly related to yoga. These books have influenced their practices, understandings about life, and much more. 

The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life’s Perfection by Michael Alan Singer

“This book was recommended to me by my meditation teacher at the start of this year. I ordered it and put it on my bookshelf. I only picked it up a couple of months ago when I had to go into self-isolation for two weeks.

The book tells a story of what can happen when one decides to let go of personal preferences and simply let life call the shots.

I was in the middle of reading another book and wasn’t planning on starting a new one, but I felt like I had to do it.  You know that quote: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. I strongly believe that this book was my teacher during a difficult time. I could relate to every single word written. It helped me see the bigger picture and let go of the little things.

As a result, I’m learning to accept everything that life throws my way and be okay with it. I’m learning to have an open mind and approach every situation with curiosity. I’m also learning to tune into what I would usually resist and watch the magical things that happen as a result of it. I would recommend this to anyone interested in personal-development or just looking to live a more simple and happier life. “

The Essential Rumi by Jalal al-Din Rumi

“Rumi entered my life in one of the loneliest times I have ever experienced. He opened my eyes to see the people who were there for me. He taught me about the beauty of solitude; he helped me acknowledge and expand the love I have within, to feel loved under the moonlight and the sunlight, and to let the heart speak out loud without any resistance.

Rumi’s words have inspired many of my meditations. I sometimes dedicate my yoga practices to some of his lines.

He is one of the mystic poets I believe every yoga practitioner should explore. You can see how his words resonate (or not) with you.

I bet one of his books will always stay on my shelf so I can open it when I have a question, or when I need a sip of inspiration, or when I am looking for the aesthetic pleasure which sometimes is so desperately needed.”

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine 

“If you are seeking to have a better understanding of trauma and how it manifests in our bodies, then reading Waking the Tiger is a profound place to begin.

Peter Levine is the originator and developer of Somatic Experiencing. In this book, he emphasizes the importance of discharging all the energy mobilized to negotiate a threat (real or perceived). Otherwise, one will become a victim of trauma – for as we know, energy cannot be created or destroyed. Instead, it persists in the body and often manifests itself through symptoms of anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic and behavioral problems. These symptoms are caused by containing the undischarged residual energy.

Wild animals, however, instinctively discharge all their compressed energy and rarely develop adverse symptoms. For example, zebras shake it all off! Just after the chase, from which the zebra has narrowly escaped, the animal will shake its entire body, releasing the fear, stress, and trauma the animal just endured. The zebra will shake for a couple of minutes and then move on and not dwell on the event. Unfortunately, we humans are not as skillful in this arena. We often become victims of trauma due to not knowing how to correctly dispel the residual energy that a traumatic event builds up.

This book beautifully sheds light on how we can use this knowledge of trauma to empower ourselves and others towards moving through and out of trauma. This begins with moving with awareness and in noticing both the emotions and bodily sensations that arise. Awareness means: “bringing some “thing” into consciousness that was once unconscious” and this is where the change occurs, resulting from a shift in consciousness. 

I think that movement and meditation both help to quiet our minds enough to slow down and focus on the tension we often hold in our bodies. By noticing it, we can then begin to address it and move through it.”

So many interesting yoga books! Where sould I start?

I believe that intuitively you will be drawn to what you need the most. See which description or book cover draws your attention. There doesn’t need to be a logical reason as to why a certain yoga book is pulling you. As many of the yogis in the post would recommend: just go with the flow.

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A Little Spark of Joy

Update on August 11, 2023

29 Best Yoga Books to help deepen your mind and practice

Written by Wille | Edited by our Editorial Staff

Yoga is a practice that has many physical and mental benefits that improve your health. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there is always room to improve and push yourself further with your practice.

Developing your yoga skills often means reading anything and everything you can get your hands on (apart from practicing).

This, however, can be a bit overwhelming. Especially when you are a total newbie in the world of yoga, as there are so many  yoga books  to choose from.

Where to start with so many options available, how do you know what to choose and what resonated with you?

As a yoga practitioner, I have sought many yoga books to get a better understanding of the asanas, discover new poses, and learn about yoga philosophy.

So before you spend hours searching for your first or next yoga book, check out this review list, which contains my favorite yoga books of all time , yoga books for beginners , yoga philosophy books , yoga pregnancy books and more!

Enjoy trying out these books, and if you wish, let them be a source of inspiration for developing and improving your own personal yoga practice!

* Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. To learn more, click here .*

Best Yoga books for everyone  

Yoga has been around for thousands of years, so it has had time to develop and perfect. But don’t worry, you won’t have to wait that long to become a pro! Here are some of the best yoga books out there that even the most advanced Yogis can’t go without.

1. Light on Yoga – B.K.S. Iyengar

Light on yoga is created by the world-famous Yogi B.K.S Iyengar and has been described as the Bible of Yoga by Yogis around the world.

The book is filled with breathing exercises, asana descriptions, detailed illustrations and the ancient art of Yoga philosophy. Added together, this provides an ideal yoga book to allow you to master the poses and meditation straight from home!

Perfect for anyone from beginners to masters, this yoga book gives you weekly step by step guides for your practice, including specific poses and methods if you have health problems (one of B.K.S. Iyengar specialties).

All you need now is dedication and within weeks you will start to see major differences happening to your body and mind!

To conclude, this exquisite piece of reading will deepen your practice by connecting your body and mind and creating balance in your life.

2. Yoga Anatomy – Leslie Kaminoff & Amy Matthews

This best selling yoga book is written by advanced yoga educators Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews, both taught by the famous T.K.V Desikachar who is considered the father of modern Yoga. It’s one of my favorites, that I come back to over and over again!

The book contains extensive descriptions of the anatomy and structure of yoga asanas, including the effects and benefits they have on your physical well-being.

From breathing methods to joint movements, to muscle stretches to bone structures, this literature covers everything you need to know to learn about your body’s capabilities.

With many 4 and 5 star reviews, this yoga book has been described as essential for all yoga practitioners and is often included as must-read literature during TTC’s (Yoga Teacher Training Courses).

3. The Yoga Bible – Christina Brown

The Yoga Bible is a well-known yoga book for both beginners and people in an advanced stage of yoga. Providing over 170 asanas with in-depth descriptions to help you find the ideal yoga sequence to fit your needs.

It contains good exercises for every level, clear guidance lines to improve your practice and technical descriptions on each pose. This will help you learn how to recreate the pose with the build-up, the counter-poses and how to lighten the pose without having to pay loads of money into yoga classes.

Described as an excellent, highly informative and easy read, this yoga book has been given so many good reviews. And with its small size, it’s perfect if you are on the go and want to practice away from home! Give it a go and find that perfect balance for your body and mind.

4. Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit – Donna Farhi

The first holistic guide to yoga written by Donna Farhi, a registered movement therapist and yoga teacher includes practices from all yoga traditions and the ethics and principles behind Yoga.

Donna Farhi gives in-depth descriptions of the connections between mind, body, and spirit by giving the principal factors to consider when trying to achieve yoga poses. These principles to follow are breathing, yield, radiate, center, support, align, and engage.

They allow anyone to eventually achieve even the most difficult asanas and will help you to understand all the motions of the human body.

The yoga poses are divided into sections such as standing asanas, arm balances, restorative poses and backbends to make learning an easier process. In addition, the 240 photos and illustrations of yoga positions and philosophy on the ethics of yoga, will help you explore your body and mind even more.

Described as the best yoga book you will ever find, and an excellent read for dedicated people, you almost can’t go wrong buying and reading this book.

5. Yoga as Medicine – Timothy McCall

This yoga book focuses on helping you heal or improve your body. For instance, if you have chronic back or shoulder pain, there are specific poses that will help you reduce or even expel this pain completely.

Through this practice, it is said that not only will you heal your body but you will also achieve mental serenity. Described as a ‘must-have in your library’, this book is perfect for anyone interested in mind and body healing.

6. Your Spine, your Yoga – Bernie Clark

If you have ever experienced back problems or spinal injuries this yoga book can help you get back on track!

The author of this book, Bernie Clark, explains the specific details on the connections between the spine and the body and backs this up by scientific principles.

In his book, he focuses on the importance of the spine in mobility and stability and this can help anyone improve their posture and reduce back pains, or even just better your practice. 

7. 2100 Asanas – Daniel Lacerda

Who knew that there are 2100 different poses in Yoga! That’s because there are so many different forms and traditions, that have developed over centuries. Daniel Lacerda has created this beautiful yoga book containing a wide variety of yoga poses for any level.

Described as one of the best, complete, modern asana manuals, this book will help you create your ideal routine. It has many variations of each pose to assure that you achieve the full pose at a slow pace to avoid injury.

When learning yoga in a taught class, sometimes you can feel lost, however, this yoga book will allow you to advance at your own pace by choosing poses that fit your body and routine best. Not only does it have all the yoga poses in but it also includes sections on yoga philosophy, to help you understand the principles behind your practice.

8. Light on Life – B.K.S Iyengar

Another incredible read by B.K.S. Iyengar, this yoga book’s motto is “ By persistent and sustained practice, anyone and everyone can make the yoga journey and reach the goal of illumination and freedom ”.

Don’t feel intimidated by yoga, it is a practice that anyone can do no matter your size, it just takes practice and dedication like most other things in life. This yoga book will give you all the wisdom and confidence you need to improve your practice.

Described as beautiful and inspiring, this is a must-have in your yoga library. A quote from the book says “ This is not yoga for the body by the body, but yoga for the body by the mind ”, A beautiful quote written by a yoga legend to inspire everyone with a passion.

9. Yoga for Everyone – Dianne Bondy

This book truly is ‘for everyone’ says Diane Bondy, who has taken it upon herself to distinguish 50 yoga poses that anyone at any level can accomplish. No matter your abilities, weight or size Yoga for Everyone has all the methods and advice demonstrating how easy it is to do yoga. The book also includes stunning photos of poses with modifications and alternatives.

Instead of you having to change yourself to fit a yoga routine and achieve poses, just shape them to fit your needs! Diana says ‘Yes! You can do yoga!’ and that ‘ Yoga is for everybody!’. Readers describe this book an inspiration and highly inclusive. You don’t need to be small and dainty to do yoga, you just have to be determined and motivated!

10. The Heart Of Yoga –  T.K.V. Desikachar

According to the Sunday Times, “you will begin to understand what yoga is all about if you read this book cover to cover”.

Written by one of the oldest and wisest yogis of our time, this book truly takes you to the heart of yoga. T.K.V. Desikachar has an aspect of compassion, gentleness, and inspiration in his teaching methods, making you feel at ease but pushing you to improve at the same time.

He believes that yoga should be adapted to the needs of the individual and not the other way around. Yoga should benefit everyone.

The ideas of T.K.V. Desikachar have influenced many modern yoga teachers who use his book to direct their classes. Therefore I consider this as an essential yoga book to deepen your practice and feel more connected to your mind and body.

Best Yoga Books for Beginners 

Just starting up or curious about yoga? Well here are some yoga books for beginners that will help you get started. Learn about the yoga basics, including tips, guidelines, methods and modifications combined to help you become a seasoned yoga practitioner in no time!

1. The Yoga Beginner’s Bible – Tai Morello

Well as it says in the title, this is the BIBLE for yoga beginners: with chapters on breathing practices, asanas, meditation, and much more, it covers everything you need to know about yoga.

The book gives clear step-by-step instructions for each pose, as well as modifications. In addition, it has photos of people in the poses, which as a beginner I found way more valuable than the drawings in other yoga books.

Overall, I believe this well-scripted book perfect to push newbies in the right direction at a steady pace.

2. Every body Yoga – Jessamyn Stanley

Another book promoting body positivity and acceptance, Every Body Yoga is an inspiring book to help you begin your journey to become a yoga pro! This book really does show that yoga is for anyone who is committed, no matter if you are a size 2 or a size 20. Due to current issues with size, class, race, and abilities, people feel intimidated to try new things, but this book aims to make you appreciate yourself and your own capabilities.

Described as a beautiful, heartfelt and well-written book, Stanley has been painted as a ‘National treasure’ by her readers. She encourages not only to be more accepting of who you are but to break the social norms and prove people wrong through dedication. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and let go of fear and intimidation.

3. Yoga for Beginners – Susan Neal

With over 30 years of yoga experience and having gone through personal health issues, Susan Neal has combined her yoga practice with her spiritual practice to create an encouraging book for people of all ages. By sharing personal experiences, you are able to really connect with the author, helping you to relax and feel more at ease when practicing.

This yoga book for beginners includes a wide variety of yoga poses, multiple breathing exercises, warm-up routines, methods to release anxiety and pain, meditation techniques and eating regimes.

Readers describe this book as ‘more than just a read’ and ‘a wonderful yoga instruction manual’. It has been written with simplicity and care to ensure readers that yoga is possible for anyone and also serves a great refresher book if you haven’t practiced for a while. 

Best Yoga Philosophy Books

If you are more interested in learning about the connections between mind body and spirit, then yoga philosophy books are what you need. Yoga philosophy emphasizes on both physical and spiritual benefits to the individual, through the combination of multiple yoga techniques. I have researched the best yoga books on philosophy to help you decide which one is right for you.

1. Autobiography of a Yogi – Yogananda

This is one of the most well-known yoga philosophy books, written by the famous Yogi Yogananda. If you are searching for more than just a physical practice, this book will help you to deepen your spiritual practice

Yogananda is praised as ‘the father of yoga in the west’ and has many explanations and ideas on the truth of our existence. His religious explanations for certain theories is what attracts people to this book. However, although most non-religious people would be turned away from this, it helps readers gain insight into his/her self. 

Readers have described this book as ‘a simply written yet profoundly impacting book’ and ‘one of the most unbelievable yoga books’. Yogananda explains the importance of understanding the philosophy and principles of yoga, and his book launched the spiritual revolution around the world through his thousands of followers.

By reading this book you will deepen your spiritual practice through learning the Yogis insights and further your physical practice with the help of Yogananda’s ancient yoga techniques.

2. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Sri Swami Satchidananda

This yoga philosophy book is written by one of the first Yogis to introduce yoga into the western world, Sri Swami Satchidananda. With his knowledge and insights into the spiritual philosophy of yoga and his master of ancient yoga techniques, he taught a whole new way of life to Westerners in America.

With many techniques on Pranayama (breathing), asanas and meditation, this yoga philosophy book will guide you towards a healthier lifestyle and a clearer mind. A highly recommended read described as essential for anyone practicing yoga, and an easy way to learn about yoga and beyond.

This manual provides a full study on Raja Yoga with 4,000-year-old sutras to help you achieve the balance of mind and body you are searching for.

3. The Secret of the Yoga Sutra – Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

Pandit Tigunait has created a book on the knowledge he has gained through decades of practicing various forms of yoga and learning the different philosophies and beliefs behind these practices. Described as articulate, erudite and easily accessible, readers say this book has completely changed their yoga and meditation practices.

4. The Journey Home – Radhanath Swami

Follow Radhanath Swami on his pilgrimage through India and you will uncover the true needs of the human body and mind, to guide you on your path to spiritual discovery! By finding self-awareness and learning the ancient art of yoga from masters in the depths of the Himalayas, Swami has become a world-renowned Yogi and is now teaching about spirituality in many countries across the globe.

In his world-famous spiritual yoga book, author Radhanath Swami seeks to indulge his readers in the mystical adventures of his journey through the Himalayas. Swami explains why everything happens for a reason, by describing his personal experiences in life.

Described by readers as ‘an adventure you won’t believe and a journey you will want to experience again and again’. This book has been recommended by therapists and yoga instructors to help people answer questions about themselves and the world around them.

5. Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation – Stephen Mitchell

This world-renowned book is one of the greatest spiritual masterpieces ever written. A translation of Hindu mythology, and one of the most sacred of Hindu Sanskrit, Bhagavad Gita is a beautifully written piece of work that should be read by everyone.

Bhagavad Gita translates to ‘the song of the lord’, and through knowledge and wisdom, this book aspires to help people along their path to self-discovery and acceptance.

The book tells the tale of Arjuna and Lord Krishna and the challenges they face throughout their lives and how they overcome them. Described as thought-provoking, uplifting and mind-opening, this translation makes it easy to read but remains a poetic piece of art.

Bhagavad Gita is so inspirational and well known that the famous Gandhi used this yoga philosophy book as a handbook for life. By telling tales of the battle between good and evil, it helps you resonate with the truth and make peace with the obstacles that get thrown at you during your journey through life. A must-have for anyone interested in Hindu mythology and a gateway book to reading other translations of the Gita.

6. Perfectly Imperfect – Baron Baptiste

Baron Baptiste is the creator of Baptiste Yoga, after practicing and learning for over 25 years. In his book, he covers the importance of recognizing everything that happens to your body and mind during transformations from yoga.

It is common that people just think of yoga as stretching, however, the mental aspects are just as important. The principles of yoga are essential knowledge when practicing as you become more aware of the effects happening to your body and mind.

Yoga is a form of art, and this book will allow you to see your practice through a different mindset and open you up to new discoveries about yourself. Baron has inspired millions of people around the world so why not give it a try!

7. Spiritual Graffiti – MC Yogi

After being a rebellious teen, MC Yogi is now one of the most famous Yogis in America. In his yoga book, he describes personal experiences of struggle and loss, through a continuous downward spiral until he was introduced to yoga philosophies and ancient Indian teachings on life.

He proves that yoga has transformative powers and that it can truly change your life for the better. A beautifully written autobiography and absolutely heartwarming, this book will inspire you to start your own practice of yoga and meditation.

With many 5-star reviews and described by readers as a ‘beautiful tale told by a wonderful storyteller’, ‘full of energy’ and ‘so inspiring’ this book will get you doing yoga in no time! Or if you aren’t interested in practicing yoga, the life lessons and principles described will help you to reach self-acceptance and serenity.

8. The Living Gita – Sri Swami Satchidananda 

Another translation of the Gita, describing the tales of the great Arjuna and Lord Krishna in their journey through battle. It is a story of division, where Arjuna represents the human soul and Krishna is the inner spirit. It explains how we can only find peace and the answers we are searching for once we rise above the division and destruction of humanity.

This yoga book is considered a different take on the Hindu mythology and ancient Sanskrit, and a must-have for anyone interested in yoga philosophy, Hindu mythology, and spiritual inspiration. It will give you the spiritual insight and the practical wisdom you need to deepen your practice.

Best Yoga Pregnancy Books 

Before anything, Congratulations! If you are interested in taking up yoga but are worried it may be difficult due to your pregnancy, then here are some yoga books to guide you. 

1. Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

This inspiring book was written by Gurmukh Khalsa , a world-renowned yoga instructor who has been teaching for the last 30 years. Proving that pregnancy should not limit you physically or mentally, Gurmukh has created step by step instructions, covering each trimester of your pregnancy to help you prepare for the pregnancy, the delivery and taking care of your baby.

This yoga pregnancy book includes sections on suitable yoga positions, meditation techniques and breathing exercises to help you through the body transformations you will encounter. Not only will these exercises help you physically but also mentally, as it will help soothe those anxious and uneasy thoughts about pregnancy.

Gurmukh was described as ‘Hollywood’s favorite pregnancy Guru’ by the Los Angeles Times, and this book as ‘an all-time favorite yoga pregnancy book’. Gurmukh sheds a different light on pregnancy and birth , to put mothers at ease and remind them of the strength that comes with being a woman.

2. Birth Wisdom Yoga Remedies & Journal – Julia Piazza

Considered more of a preparation guide for your birth, Julia Piazza writes about her personal experiences to guide you through the trimesters of your pregnancy. Julia is famous for her 8 birth wisdoms, which will reassure you when practicing prenatal yoga.

Pregnancy can be a scary time, therefore it is important to keep a clean and healthy mindset. With breathing techniques, meditations and affirmations , this yoga book helps you with your daily or weekly yoga sessions and pregnancy prep.

The book is highly recommended by readers, especially if you’re in your first pregnancy because of to the amazing tips and awareness in the writing. It also includes asanas for specific pains and special exercises you can take into the labor room when giving birth, for a more controlled and relaxing birth.

3. Iyengar Yoga for Motherhood – Geeta S. IYengar

Written by the daughter of the world-famous Guru Iyengar, this is a must-have for any woman enduring pregnancy. Geeta provides step by step guidance, for mothers wishing to begin or continue yoga through their pregnancy.

With a high focus on safety and reassurance, this yoga pregnancy book explains why certain poses are recommended and others should be avoided. Including which poses are suitable for which periods of your pregnancy, specialized diets, meditation and pranayama techniques to assure your stay healthy physically and mentally.

The book also contains beautiful illustrations of the asanas to show you exactly how to move into the poses correctly without injury. Overall, I consider this an essential guide if you want to do yoga during your pregnancy.

4. Yoga Mama – Linda Sparrowe

Focused more at experienced yoga practitioners, this guide will help you to continue your practice, whilst giving you advice on modifications. Falling pregnant should not be considered a block of your practice but more of an obstacle or challenge that you can overcome.

There are many physical and mental challenges included with pregnancy, and Yoga Mama was created with a combination of yogic wisdom and modern knowledge to prepare you for this incredible journey.

With advice from Holistic and ayurvedic medicines to help women answer those questions about the changes happening to their bodies and minds. Having this book will almost feel as if Linda Sparrowe is next to you supporting you along the way, with her compassionate and encouraging writing.

Promoting self-awareness, body positivity and balance in your life and body, This is a guide you can not live without. Described by readers as ‘Great pregnancy support’, ‘THE prenatal book to buy’, and ‘Great for Yogis who are pregnant’.

5. Yoga Mama: 18 Easy Yoga Poses – Patricia Bacall 

To truly achieve that physical and spiritual connection with your baby, Patricia Bacall created this book with 18 easy and safe yoga poses with modifications. She emphasizes attacking problems such as stress, lack of sleep, aches and pains, strengthening your pelvic floor muscles and above all calming your nerves.

The healthier you are as an expecting mother, the healthier your baby will be. Described as ‘a great simple yoga book for expectant mothers’ this guide is perfect for people at all levels of yoga.

The Best Yoga Books If you want something different

Bored with your same old yoga routine? Why not try something totally different? Here are a few wacky yoga books I’ve found to give your yoga session that bit of pizazz. 

1. The Little Book of Goat Yoga – Lainey Morse

Everybody loves goats, and who better to have as a yoga partner. Trending across the globe, goat yoga has become a furry sensation!

Lainey Morse started up her small business of goat yoga in Oregon, US, where people from all over the world travel to her farm to have the experience of practicing yoga with goats.

If you don’t own goats or don’t have any goat farms near you don’t worry, you can still follow the yoga routines provided, whilst admiring the adorable pictures of our furry friends. This book is also perfect if you have children who would like to learn yoga in a fun way too!

2. Brew & Asana – Adrienne Rinaldi

If you love beer and yoga then this book is perfect for you! Brew & Asana, is a light introduction to yoga with beautiful descriptions of the poses and pairing craft beers from around the world.

Obviously we don’t mean that you have to drink a whole beer with every pose you do.. You wouldn’t be able to finish your routine! This is more of a combination of two totally different things that most people love, to make your yoga experience more interesting!

Adrienne Rinaldi began to teach her passion for yoga in breweries to combine her love for beers and yoga and share them with the world. Described by readers as ‘a unique book topic with fantastic illustrations, this guide will help you learn about 2 passions at once. I mean let’s be honest, if there’s a pint involved, why not ey!

3. The Yoga Anatomy Coloring Book – Kelly Solloway

Coloring is a great way to relax and is very therapeutic, so why not learn your yoga anatomy whilst having a bit of fun? This yoga anatomy coloring book aims to teach you about the connections between yoga and the body through your bones, joints, muscles, and organs in an entertaining but educating manor.

When learning yoga it is important to know about how it is affecting your body, which will help you improve with your poses. It is well known that using methods to remember your lessons is very effective, and coloring is one of them. By using this coloring book, you will be a pro on yoga anatomy in no time, and who knows, it may even bring out your artistic side.

So many Yoga Books: Now the choice is up to you

Hopefully, this guide has helped give you the information you need to choose your perfect yoga books. Don’t feel intimidated or afraid to try something new, as this could be the start of a new life for you. Yoga has helped people across the world to overcome physical and mental issues, so whatever your problem is, give yoga a try and you won’t be disappointed.

With everything from learning basic poses, yoga anatomy, Hindu mythology, or even yoga with goats, this guide should help you find the yoga book to fit your needs. If you never try you’ll never know!

If you want to give an extra boost to your yoga practice, read my articles about how to use Tibetian Singing Bowls and crystals during your yoga practice .

Not done with reading? I also have in-depth posts on tarot books , palmistry books , and chakra books , so I’m sure you don’t get bored:)

About Wille

Leaving a bit of sparkle everywhere I go! My aim is to create content that inspires you, supports you, challenges you, and brings happiness into your life. Here you'll find the tools to connect to your spirit and activate your soul.

Best Yoga Books

Last Updated June 24, 2022

Every yogi, whether you’re a beginner, immediate or advanced one, can admit that a couple of hours of reading a certain yoga book has motivated you to delve deeper and harness skills to become better in this healthy practice. These books either helped you see yoga in a new plane of view or helped you shift your time on the mat. For some, that may mean life took a 180, making you feel more invigorated, inspired, and enlightened.

While there is a myriad of yoga books in the market to choose from, there are a few that stand out. Each of these books sheds light on the practice of yoga from different perspectives, giving you a chance to take a good look at how you approach yoga as well as how you perceive your current daily life.

In this article, we will give you a list of books that are a must-have for every yogi. Each of these books has their own take on the practice of yoga and provide you with substantial tips and information to help you get a better understanding of yoga and help you further with your journey with yoga.

The 10 “Must Have” Books for Every Yogi

1. yoga: the spirit and practice of moving into stillness by erich schiffmann.

The first entry on our list is from the well-known yoga expert, Erich Schiffmann. His book, Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness , gives a tried and tested, yet somehow unique, way of teaching yoga poses. In this book, Schiffmann provides readers with a unique approach to body alignment, equipping them with gentle, yet effective yoga poses to try.

The yoga poses can be done by beginners as well as immediate-level yogis. The tutorials and step instructions provided in the book are well-detailed, helping you to understand the principles behind these poses while effectively delivering you a new way to stay centered in your practice.

Things you might like:

• Provides new and unique approaches to yoga poses
• Detailed instructions
• Talks about importance of meditation while doing yoga
• Can be done by beginners and intermediate level yogis
• Simple and straightforward

Things you might not like:

• Lack of vibrant colored photos

In this book, he also talks about the importance of meditation and alignment, highlighting the benefits of yoga in your everyday life.

2. Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit: A Return to Wholeness by Donna Farhi

The second entry on our list belongs to Donna Farhi’s “ Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit: A Return to Wholeness ”. Many yogis first started their practice by coming across this book. While it is already well established, we still believe that this book provides an invaluable look into the practice of yoga and why it has helped people for decades.

It has a more holistic approach to teaching yoga, talking about breathing, finding your center and support, and the importance of proper body alignment. Contrary to our first entry, it showcases these yoga positions through vibrant-looking photos while not skimping on detailed instructions.

• Provides basics of yoga
• Has holistic approach to teaching yoga
• Vibrant colored photos
• Perfect for beginners
• You prefer the traditional yoga poses
• Discusses a huge portion about asanas rather than philosophy

The book serves as a good companion for those still at the beginning phase of their yoga journey.

3. Yoga Body And Mind Handbook by Jasmine Tarkeshi

The next entry on our list is the book penned by the well-renowned yoga master, Jasmine Tarkeshi. In 2016, Tarkeshi has been making waves because of the book Yoga Body and Mind Handbook.

The book provides an easy-to-follow guide for those who are still at the start of their yoga journey, making it one of the best must-have books for beginners . What makes it better than the other yoga books on the market nowadays is that the yoga sequences also include time limits. As a result, you can juggle work and yoga because you can pattern the amount of time required to finish the sequences with your busy schedule. This will come in handy compared to books that don’t provide time limits for their yoga sequences.

• Easy to follow steps for yoga beginners
• Sequences are provided with time limits
• Comes with good-looking images
• Provides short yoga meditations you can do during breaks
• Not for advanced yogis
• Does not discuss fully the principles of the yoga sequences

To add more icing to the cake, the book provides short yoga meditations that you can do during work breaks or whenever you do not have the time to perform the full sequences. Other books do not provide these short meditations which come in handy in this day and age of fast-paced lifestyles.

4. Insight Yoga by Sarah Powers

Another worthy entry on our list is “Insight Yoga” by Sarah Powers. Among others in this list, this book doesn’t skimp out on information about yoga, presenting it through beautiful photos and vibrant visuals.

What sets this book apart from others also is that it highlights a detailed description of meridian theory and how it connects with the practice of yoga. Sarah Powers talks about this with a unique approach, one that seems like a breath of fresh air.

The main focus of the books is yin yoga and Powers provides a myriad of yoga sequences that help enhance a couple of meridians while also equipping readers with tips on how to keep their organs healthy.

• Delves deeper into meridian practices
• Provides new yoga sequences
• Equipped with vibrant looking visuals
• Provides tips on healing certain organs of the body
• Provides short and long duration sequences
• Provides seated pranayama sequences
• Provides Buddha Dharma sequences
• Does not provide hatha or vinyasa sequences
• Some sequences are difficult for beginners

In addition, the sequences are laid out in quick or longer versions to help you choose the sequence that is best suited to your time and schedule. To add icing to the cake, Powers provides this already written book with seated pranayama practice as well as the basics of Buddha dharma and its suggested meditation practices.

5. Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar

Another worthy entry on our list is “Light on Yoga” by B.K.S. Iyengar. This book effectively details the principles behind yoga, kriyas, pranayama, and bandhas. In addition to this, the book also provides simple yet easy-to-follow steps for those who want to pursue asana.

Considered to be one of the yoga greats, Iyengar channels his expertise to this book to motivate those who are serious about this way of life. The book has stood the test of time as it is one of the oldest known yoga books published. This alone is a testament to the effectiveness of the book despite several decades that passed.

• Very detailed and comprehensive instructions
• Describes the origin of yoga and its principles from the early years
• Written by a well-renowned yoga master
• Explains pranayama, badha, and kriyas
• Images lack vibrancy
• Procedures are a bit outdated

If you want a modern look for your yoga books, this might not be a good choice since the images lack the colorful appeal that most yoga books nowadays offer. The visuals tend to be grainy and just not that appealing to look at. Nevertheless, if you want to learn about yoga the traditional way, this book is definitely for you.

6. The Yoga Bible by Christina Brown

Coining your book with the term “Bible” can be an overstatement. When you name your book as “Yoga Bible”, you better deliver. Fortunately, the Yoga Bible definitely delivers. With over 170 yoga poses being described in full detail, the Yoga Bible is a must-have for every yogi, especially for those who are still starting.

When it comes to pictures, it is equipped with vibrant looking, appealing visuals. In addition to this, every yoga pose is coupled with an explanation of how it improves your body and how it keeps your mind sound.

• Has good looking images and visuals
• Well detailed instructions
• Comes with an explanation of the principle of each pose
• Very comprehensive
• Small, lightweight and easy to carry around
• Instructions are not straightforward
• A bulk of the discussion within the book bears more explanations than actual instructions

It has the usual discussion about the introduction of yoga, its history as well as popular, traditional poses. We believe that this book is one of the most comprehensive yoga books in years.

7. Perfectly Imperfect: The Art and Soul of Yoga Practice by Baron Baptiste

Considered also one of the greatest yoga instructors in the world, Baron Baptiste has come up with an excellent book about the basics of yoga and its practice. Baptiste is known as a humble yoga instructor with a vibrant personality. As a result, he channels these traits into his own book.

Perfectly Imperfect: The Art and Soul of Yoga Practice boasts very detailed instructions regarding yoga poses as well as shed light on its principles through history and well-presented, good-looking images. What makes Perfectly Imperfect stand above the rest is that it’s relatable and easy to understand the concepts, which can be of good use to aspiring yogis.

• Incorporates basic yoga principles into everyday life
• Easy to understand
• Comes with good-looking visuals
• Does not really delve deep into the philosophy of yoga
• Yoga poses are limited

In addition, Baptiste also incorporates the practice of yoga into everyday life. Be it working in the office, going to school, or just relaxing around on a Sunday afternoon, you are sure to get tips on how to get the most of a healthy lifestyle while doing these tasks through reading the several tips mentioned in the book.

8. Functional Anatomy of Yoga: A Guide for Practitioners and Teachers by David Keil

Another worthy entry on our list is the book entitled, Functional Anatomy of Yoga: A Guide for Practitioners and Teachers by David Keil. To really understand the practice of yoga, you also need to have a background knowledge about the anatomy of our bodies.

This book effectively incorporates yoga poses and basic knowledge about the anatomy of our bodies. In this book, not only do you learn about the different steps of doing these yoga poses, but you also have a better grasp or understanding of how your body works and how yoga can improve its functionality. This alone sets it apart from the usual yoga books that you see in the market.

If you fear learning all those scientific terminologies or that highly technical information that you deem not that necessary, fret not, because David’s approach to teaching anatomy is easy to learn yet very comprehensive.

• Incorporates the knowledge of anatomy to basic yoga poses
• Easy to learn
• Comes with excellent looking images
• Can give you added information about how your body works
• Skimps out on highly technical scientific themes
• The discussion about anatomy might bore some
• Limited discussion about yoga poses

If you want to learn more about how yoga affects your bodily functions, then this is definitely worth buying for you.

9. Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners by H. David Coulter

The next entry on our list also discusses how yoga relates to certain bodily functions. Compared to the previous book mentioned, Anatomy of Hatha Yoga, contains a more detailed and comprehensive discussion about bodily functions. It talks about the principles of movement and posture, musculature, and how these yoga poses can improve or hasten certain body processes.

• Relates anatomy with the basic knowledge of yoga
• Contains excellent looking images
• Very detailed discussions on anatomy
• Well descriptive instructions on doing yoga poses
• Can be highly technical which can pose a challenge to the average reader
• Too much emphasis on anatomy

Because it is more detailed and comprehensive, this might become more challenging for readers. However, any added important information is always good to fully understand why you are doing these practices in yoga.

10. Eastern Body Western Mind by Anodea Judith

Moving on from anatomy, this book delves deeper into the the psychology of yoga. This wonderful book written by Anodea Judith talks about how yoga relates to the inner psyche of an individual and how it helps keep the mind sound and peaceful.

No stranger to writing about chakras and principles of psychology, Judith relates to the readers by discussing certain epiphanies you gain as you do the practice of yoga.

• Delves deeper into the psychology of yoga
• Good for self-exploration
• Help keep your mind sound and peaceful
• Can be a lengthy read
• Talks more about the psyche and inner meditation

It is a worthwhile read, helping you find purpose in what you are doing. In the process, you are able to live with a well-balanced, healthier mind; one that translates through your actions and is injected into everyday living.

Those are the yoga books (among others) that should be found in the bookshelves of every yogi, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. As we already know by now, yoga is not always what it seems. Each principle has its own philosophies behind them. Moreover, with the myriad styles of yoga present, it can be very difficult to find which style suits you.

This is why reading more about it can be very useful to help you choose which style you want to develop and learn. It is also important that you read more about the principles behind each of these styles so you understand why you are doing such sequences. You don’t want to end up hurting yourself by doing sequences that are still far beyond your reach. With the selections we made above, we hope that you are able to land the best book that answers all the questions that loom large in your mind regarding yoga.

Knowledge is power, as we all say. The more we read about yoga, the more we harness what we learn and incorporate it into our everyday lives.

In conclusion, the best yoga books are those that provide a comprehensive introduction to the practice, offer clear instructions, and are easy to follow. They should also be inspiring and motivating, providing encouragement to continue practicing. If you are new to yoga, any of the inspiring book   on this list would be an excellent choice.

21 Best Yoga Books for Beginners to Uplift Your Mind and Spirit

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This list is a comprehensive collection of the best yoga books.

There are two types of books on this list.  

The first type of Yoga books teaches the physical moves of Yoga: how to perform the different poses. The second type of Yoga book is more spiritual in nature. These books teach the deeper philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Yoga.

People who practice Yoga will love books that explain the physical side of Yoga. They will want ideas on how to reach and hold many of the poses they experience in Yoga classes.

The longer people practice the physical techniques of Yoga, the more they become interested in the spiritual side of Yoga.

This list has both types of Yoga books. 

The spiritual Yoga books and the physical Yoga books. As well as a few books that touch on both the physical and the spiritual elements of Yoga.

Enjoy this list of the best yoga books!

Table of Contents

Spiritual Yoga Books

Yoga is a physical journey. But it is also a mental practice. Yoga practitioners are able to work through emotional stress and psychological challenges. A while holding a few difficult poses.

The Yoga books in the spiritual section of this list are about gaining a deeper understanding of the mental benefits of Yoga. They do not focus on the physical moves of Yoga. Instead they highlight self-awareness  and spiritual  aspects of Yoga.

These spiritual books to help people understand yoga on a deeper level. These books help yoga practitioner them to open up their minds and lessen the burden on their hearts.

1.  Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Through Stillness by Erich Schiffmann

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In this spiritual yoga guidebook, the reader is able to discover a path to inner peace using Hatha yoga. Using Yoga strategies created by author and world-renowned yoga expert Erich Shiffmann. 

This excellent book offers easy-to-follow techniques that help people find inner peace and the beauty in life.

This Yoga book uses simple instruction and helpful illustrations. It shows the reader over one hundred poses and routines that geared toward all levels of ability. These moves help slow or reverse aging, increase strength, and tone the body. The complete program of meditation helps promote self-realization,  decreases stress , and increase creativity.

This book shows that yoga's secrets of stillness and movement are available to the average practitioner. You do not need to be a Yogi to radiate positive energy and awaken joy. This system brings greater happiness and contentment to Yoga

This spiritual yoga book also offers tips for mindful breathing. And addresses how conscious stillness can help transform a negative perception to a positive one.

Readers have found that this book has helped them feel balanced, centered, flexible, and coordinated. While also becoming free from life's negativity.

This spiritual book is very approachable and easy to relate to. Many teachers have chosen to use this book in their yoga classes to help teach their students.

2.  Mindfulness Yoga: The Awakened Union of Breath, Body, and Mind by Frank Jude Boccio

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This is a popular Yoga book, designed with both beginners and experts in mindfulness and Yoga in mind. The author introduces mindfulness yoga. This a new form of yoga that incorporates the Buddha's teachings into a traditional asana Yoga. Mindfulness Yoga also includes many other  ideals of mindfulness.

Mindfulness Yoga focuses on the spiritual and emotional side of yoga. This aspect of Yoga is often overlooked in our culture. (Many people only considers the physical benefits of yoga to be important).

Unlike similar books, Mindfulness Yoga presents the two instructions as a single practice. This method not only makes the physical body healthier, but also frees the mind, spirit and awakens compassion.

This book appeals to anyone who has an interest in yoga, Buddhism, or meditation. It will help you to a way to bring these three separate ideas together into a harmonious whole.

The special lay-flat binding that this book comes in makes it very useful when practicing yoga of this book offers clear instructions of three complete mindfulness yoga sequences. It includes helpful pictures. And providesT detailed guidance for the reader's body, breath, and mind.

Readers have found that the special lay-flat bindng comes in handy when practicing yoga. The reader can reference the book throughout the yoga sequence to have the author “talk” them through the practice. The sequences does repeat some poses. But the written instructions lead readers to new understandings of the poses. This encourages growth through practice.

People who have even some Yoga experience benefit the most from this book. Seeing the Yoga postures in a new (and more spiritual) light, can be revolutionary for practitioners.

3.  Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar

This is a classic book on the philosophy and practice of yoga. It offers the reader a guide to attaining physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through practicing yoga. This is a great book for people of all skill levels.

This book is divided into three parts, with the first being an introduction to the practice and the history of yoga. The second part covers several yoga poses in great detail, including photographs of the correct forms.

This second section also includes clear instructions to help perfect the poses, and explains the benefits and precautions associated with each pose. The third part of the book is dedicated to pranayama, which is a form of yogic breathing. It teaches the technique of pranayama, as well as its precautions, effects, and various types.

Many readers consider this book to be a “must-have” for yoga practitioners. Since its original publishing in 1966, it has been translated into 16 different languages in order to reach a wider audience. Readers are impressed with the detail and descriptions in this book that make it very easy to follow.

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

Yoga is a very popular form of physical exercise in the Western world. But few people tend to talk about the emotions, mind, heart, and soul that go into the practice. The spiritual side seems to be relegated to the eastern practce of Yoga. But it is in the spiritual side where the real transformations are able to happen.

Yoga uses breathing techniques that help control energy levels. It has exercises to sharpen one's cognitive function. And meditative practices to help reduce stress and anxiety and increase self-awareness.

This book focuses on the emotional aspect of yoga. Helping people strengthen their entire mind, body, and spirit.

Some readers believe this to be one of the best books on yoga transformation. Kraftsow offers many tips that he learned from one of the most respected Indian yoga gurus. 

Yoga for Transformation, is a simple and effective book that can make the reader's practice of yoga much more powerful.

5.  Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life by Judith Hanson Lasater

Living for Yoga teaches the reader that they do not need to embark upon a transformational journey to gain the benefits of yoga.

In this book the meaning of yoga is expanded. Lasater considers yoga to be a lifestyle. Much more than the familiar poses and breathing techniques. Yoga becomes a daily practice for living and wellness.

This book is inspired by the wisdom of the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita. It creates a course of practices to guide the reader in deepening their self-awareness. It can improve the readers their relationship with their family and friends. And their ability to be present in the world around them.

Readers have found this book to be both inspiring and practical. This is due to the author's extensive knowledge of the ancient traditions of yoga. Along with her life experiences being in a family and being a yoga practitioner and teacher.

Living for Yoga presents new view of the basics of yoga. It challenges the reader to find the spiritual side of life in the little things.

This thought-provoking book is not only a great tool to keep on hand to learn more about Yoga. But it also is a great motivational book that will make you desire to make Yoga a part of your daily lifestyle.

6.  Yoga Body and Mind Handbook: Easy Poses, Guided Meditations, Perfect Peace Wherever You Are by Jasmine Tarkeshi

Yoga helps reduce stress, increase inner peace, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being. But how does one know if yoga is right for them? Jasmine Tarkeshi, one of America's most influential yoga teachers, has over 20 years of experience teaching yoga to people of all levels. She has learned through her experience that, with proper teaching, anyone can enjoy the benefits of yoga.

This book is written with the beginner in mind, and is aimed at giving an encouraging introduction to key yoga poses, breathing techniques, and mindful meditations. It is an easy-to-follow guide that offers the reader yoga routines (both short and long), include breathing techniques, posture instructions, and meditation guidance.

She includes suggested modifications for the yoga poses she focuses on so people can ease their way into the true pose or do whatever is most comfortable for their bodies. The meditations offered in this book can be completed anywhere to help reduce stress and increase physical and mental health.

Readers appreciate the detailed instructions and clear illustrations of yoga techniques in this book, and its clear guide to postures and breathing exercises that help relieve physical and mental tension.

This book is well-organized and should be a staple in any beginner's library. People who have more experience with yoga will likely not gain much new knowledge from this book, but it is perfect for those who are just starting to get familiar with the practice.

7.  Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit – A Return to Wholeness by Donna Farhi

This holistic guide to yoga is a user-friendly book with 240 clear illustrations to help instruct the reader. Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit sets forth the principles of yoga unlike similar books have in the past. This book integrates the teachings of all traditions and shows how practicing yoga is able to enhance the connections between one's mind, body, and spirit.

The author addresses the seven principles of movement that are the foundation for all human motion, and offers her readers exercises to help them understand how they can effectively achieve all yoga postures. The author also looks at yoga's 10 foundational rules and explains how to incorporate these into one's practice.

The author teaches the reader over 75 yoga poses in this book, with a picture and description to go along with each. This book is neatly arranged into groups, such as standing postures, sitting postures, arm poses, and breathing exercises, as well as a section for easy reference.

At the beginning of each section, the author instructs readers to move through a few core poses before asking them to reflect on the way they physically feel while performing the pose. After addressing the core poses, she moves on to more complex postures while talking about different levels of ability.

Readers have found that this book provides challenges and inspiration for students of all levels.

At first glance, the photos and illustrations in this book may seem a bit dated. However, closer examination reveals that the edge this book has over others is its combination of yoga's spiritual aspects with its physical components.

One possible problem that beginners may have with this book is the author's use of yoga-specific language to describe poses involving movement between postures. But once this lingo is picked up, the book is easy for everyone to follow.

8.  Poser: My Life in Twenty-Three Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer

This national bestseller is written by Claire Dederer, who hesitantly took on yoga when trying to heal a back injury. Many people told her to try yoga, and after signing up for her first class, she was hooked.

For 10 years, the author practiced poses such as the triangle, wheel, and crow, and learned to love some poses while also developing feuds with others. During her journey, Dederer found herself getting to know the forces that shaped her generation.

While she was hesitant to practice yoga at first, Dederer found that the more she practiced, the more the poses were able to test her fundamental ideas of what makes a good person, and the more they had her wanting more joy.

This book is unlike any other about yoga because, at its core, it is a book about life. The author uses witty and heartfelt writing that is both sharp and irreverent to help her readers. While readers enjoy Poser , some offer it a little less praise than others because they focus on the fact that this book is neither a yoga guide or a self-help book.

However, this book does contain elements of each, including passages on feminism, attachment parenting, and yoga's history throughout. In the end, most find the voice of this book to be unique and more than sufficient.

‘Physical Yoga' Books

These Yoga books are more focused on practicing yoga as a form of exercise .

While some of these books do go into the mental aspects of practicing yoga, they are more about the physical aspects. They detail yoga poses and explain to the reader exactly how to execute them. These books go into detail about which muscles are stretched during yoga, and exactly how to stretch them.

9.  Yoga Anatomy-2nd Edition by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews

This book includes asanas, vinyasas, colorful anatomical illustrations, and in-depth information, providing the reader with a deep understanding of the structures and principles of each movement, and of the practice itself.

It addresses breathing, inversions, and standing poses to show how specific muscles are affected by the movements of the joints. It also talks about how slightly changing a pose can increase or reduce its effectiveness, and how the entire body is fundamentally linked during this practice.

This is a great book for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, and is an invaluable resource that allows the reader to see yoga poses in a new light. This book is considered by some to be the ultimate reference for yoga practitioners, teachers, and enthusiasts.

This insightful book teaches the reader so much about how the body works, and especially how muscles restrict different moves. Because the book addresses which muscle groups should be working during each pose, it has helped people correct their mistakes and push deeper into some poses, helping them avoid injury and get more out of their workout.

Ray Long Books

The following five books by Ray Long focus on perfecting the moves in your yoga practice.

These books are effective because they tell the reader every detail of each yoga pose. Describing how to start if you have little flexibility. As well as how to get the most out of a pose for more advanced users.

Dr. Long also cautions readers about when they need to do yoga in a certain way to not injure any joints.

10. The Key Muscles of Yoga: Scientific Keys, Volume I

This book takes a scientific approach to explaining hatha yoga.

Long uses four-color, three-dimensional illustrations to teach his readers about the major muscles, tendons, and ligaments. He describes the benefits of hatha yoga. He uses physiological and anatomical verbiage to explain how the body's muscles work together for each pose.

This first volume of the series goes over which key muscles are used in hatha yoga, and how each is used. Many people have found this to be a very helpful book.

While some note that it would be helpful to include conventional terms in the anatomical index rather than only the Latin names, the terms that are included can be cross-referenced with other resources for clarity.

11. The Key Poses of Yoga: Scientific Keys, Volume II

In the second volume of this series, the author helps the reader influence their unconscious physiological responses through their conscious biomechanical actions.

This helps the reader experience more muscle awakening and body awareness as they learn to engage an increasing number of muscle groups during yoga practice.

Many have found this book to be a great practice companion with its integration of the science and art of yoga poses in order to get the most benefits from the practice.

12. Anatomy for Vinyasa Flow and Standing Poses: Yoga Mat Companion 1

This book teaches the reader about the science behind the flow of vinyasa yoga and the poses of hatha yoga.

Dr. Long takes the reader on a visual narrative through the anatomy, mechanics, and physiology of yoga, breaking down each pose along the way. This series of books offers beautiful illustrations along with a step-by-step guide on using scientific principles to get the most out of your practice.

13. Anatomy for Hip Openers and Forward Bends: Yoga Mat Companion 2

This book focuses on the science and biomechanics behind the hip openers and forward bends of hatha yoga.

Like the other in the series, this book includes the bandha yoga codex.  A five-step process that can easily be applied to any yoga pose to increase strength, flexibility, and accuracy.

14. Anatomy for Backbends and Twists: Yoga Mat Companion 3

This book is very similar to the previous two books in the series, but it focuses on the backbends and twists of hatha yoga. This series of books provides extremely precise information on yoga postures.

The names of each muscle that stretches or flexes are given along with pictures of the muscles in various hues of blue and red to indicate where the intensity lies. They also detail the joints involved and the direction in which the muscles move the ligaments.

While this series may be overwhelming for some, it is perfect for those who are looking for the necessary details to work towards better posture. Readers love the science that is incorporated into this series because it helps people better understand what their bodies are going through while they are practicing yoga.

15.  Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques by Mark Stephens

This book is a useful resource for yoga teachers of all levels, as well as a guide for yoga students who are interested in improving their skills and technique. It is often used as a textbook for yoga teacher training programs because it addresses all of the teacher training curriculum standards that are set forth by Yoga Alliance.

This book offers information from a wide variety of perspectives, and has over 150 photographs and illustrations to cover the fundamental topics of the philosophy and history of yoga.

Teaching Yoga covers all 11 principle styles of contemporary yoga, including a history of the development of each and the distinguishing factors of its teachings.

This book addresses the modern aspects of anatomy and physiology to provide extensive tools for teaching meditation, yoga poses, and breathing techniques.

Teaching Yoga also includes effective advice for setting up a classroom, planning classes, and the requirements for becoming a yoga teacher and staying up-to-date in the profession.

Many readers have found that the resources that are offered in this book are especially useful, such as the comprehensive index and appendix that lists associations, institutions, organizations, and other resources for yoga teachers.

While this is a great book to get an initial orientation to teaching yoga, it does not take the place of learning from an experienced teacher in person. However, it does get prospective teachers used to the structure they should expect from their training.

16.  The Yoga Bible by Christina Brown

This book offers the reader a vividly illustrated guide to yoga, describing 150 positions along with step-by-step instructions on how to do them, and counseling on breathing techniques and the mental and physical health benefits of yoga.

Many have found this to be a very well formulated and organized book. The asanas are well-arranged according to physical positions, such as sitting and standing, as well as in a sequence that makes sense and flows, so going through the motions makes sense to the reader.

Each pose is accompanied by lead-ins, variations, and helpful information, such as the required sequence to enter the pose. Everything in the book is also explained through high-quality photographs to help the reader ensure that they are doing the poses properly.

17.  Functional Anatomy of Yoga: A Guide for Practitioners and Teachers by David Keil

This book aims to help the reader understand the anatomical structure of the body and how it functions while doing yoga. This complicated subject is written in a conversational tone in a way that makes the information clear to the reader. The overall theme of Functional Anatomy of Yoga is integration.

The author shows the readers the benefits of having a better understanding of their bodies while they are practicing yoga. He addresses how all of the parts of the body function together to support the integrated movement of yoga, and how the various yoga postures connect to each other.

Keil is an expert both on the subjects of anatomy and yoga. He has almost 20 years of experience teaching anatomy to students and teachers in a way that is interesting and applicable to the practice of yoga.

This book includes illustrations to clearly explain the concepts and poses, which readers have found helpful. Many have found that this book is able to take the dry subject of anatomy and make it humorous and enjoyable. People especially value the last section of the book where the author integrates all of his anatomy lessons into the asanas.

18.  Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners by H. David Coulter

This book brings together the studies of hatha yoga, anatomy, and physiology. It is a great read for those who study or teach yoga, but is also valuable for people who work in any field that is related to physical conditioning.

The author is an authority in the subject due to his PhD in anatomy, experience as a professor, and experience as a yoga teacher at the Himalayan Institute for Yoga Science and Philosophy.

This book is different from others because it has the depth of a textbook, but is easily read with its humorous content and fluid writing style. It connects the dots between biomedicine and complementary medicine, with an emphasis on yoga anatomy, physiology, and the musculoskeletal, nervous, and cadiovascular systems.

Readers have found that this book is extremely well written. While it is exhaustive and comprehensive, the author's passion for anatomy and yoga come through in his writing. Some sections may need to be read more than once, but the challenge of reading and understanding this book is as good for one's brain as yoga is for one's body.

19.  Yoga for Beginners: 60 Basic Yoga Poses for Flexibility, Stress Relief, and Inner Peace by Susan Neal

This book, written by a certified yoga instructor who is also a nurse, provides the reader with a step-by-step guide to achieving the inner peace that yoga can provide. This is a great book for beginners who are just starting to get familiar with the practice.

The author is gentle in her writing, offering encouragement to teach readers how to improve their flexibility and relieve stress.

Yoga for Beginners explains a wide range of yoga poses, with options to suit beginners and intermediate students. The author also talks about proper eating practices to complement a yoga regimen.

Specifically, Neal teaches about low glycemic diets to achieve a healthy weight, and the causes of sugar cravings, in addition to practical solutions to overcome them. After reading this book, one will be able to determine what they should do and eat to benefit their body, as well as why those practices are important.

This book explains 60 fundamental yoga poses with full-page pictures and specific instructions. It also includes three different yoga routines to give the reader some variety in their practice. Readers are able to relate to this book because the author includes personal stories about her battle with poor health, and what she did to regain control of her life.

This practical book is an easy and simple read, and is great practice for people who have a beginner's mindset.

20.  The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga by Ray Long

This book is the third edition of The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga . This edition adds over 50 new pages. It  includes an expanded chapter on how to properly use the breath, and additional information on the biomechanics of yoga.

The graphics in this book are stunning. It is very detailed in every aspect of human anatomy and the benefits of each type of yoga. This book is different from others because it includes the chakras and bandhas. Making it a must-have for people who do yoga. It is also great for yoga teacher training programs.

21.  Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice by Mark Singleton

In this book, Mark Singleton questions commonly held beliefs about yoga.  And he presents a new way of understanding the practice. ​

His controversial thesis is that modern yoga is largely derived from the spiritual aspirations of European bodybuilding and early 20 th century women's gymnastics. ​ This idea allows the author to explain how the common forms of yoga have become the popular phenomena that they are today in the Western world .

Many have found the views presented in this book to offer an impressive study that sheds new light on yoga. It has led many people to change their beliefs on the origin of yoga and how they view it today. It is an easy and enlightening read.

Final Thoughts on Best Yoga Books

Do you practice Yoga? Have you read any of the best Yoga books on this list? Do you have any good advice for those who want to learn more about Yoga? Either the physical moves or the spiritual stuff. If so, please share your thoughts on Yoga or Yoga books in the comments section below.

If you're looking for some yoga inspiration, check out collection of the best yoga quotes.

If you have a moment, I would appreciate it if you could share this page on your favorite social media.  Sharing book covers or any of the page artwork would be greatly appreciated.  

And if you're looking for more resources on best yoga books, be sure to check out these blog posts:

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Finally, if you want a simple way to reduce your stress and anxiety, then try writing these 35 mindfulness journaling prompts to live more in the present moment .

10 of the best yoga books to improve and deepen your practice

Looking to expand your yoga practice or improve your skills? Check out our round-up of the best yoga books to help you become a better yogi

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If you feel as though you've hit a block with your yoga practice, taking time to read a yoga book can help you to develop your understanding and improve your skills.

While joining a yoga class can have real benefits, in a busy session the instructor might not have time to come around and check on every person taking part – and we know how frustrating that can be. The good news is that there's a lot you can do to perfect your skills on your own, giving you the time to relax and reflect on what you're doing and why. You could also pick up some useful tips and tricks that will benefit your practice in the long term.

There's an amazing selection of yoga books out there to choose from, covering everything from basic poses for beginners to more complex routines for experienced practitioners. There are also a variety of books out there covering the spiritual aspects of yoga, which make fascinating reading and will deepen your appreciation of yoga.

It can be difficult to know where to begin and how to pick out the best yoga books for your needs. We've largely covered the practical side here including the best yoga books for beginners and guides for more advanced yogis, so you're bound to find something to suit your requirements.

Read on to discover the best yoga books to improve your practice…

Looking for more yoga inspiration? Learn how to waken the spine with Scaravelli yoga , discover the benefits of bedtime yoga , or try the best yoga poses for digestion .

How to choose the best yoga books

What makes a good yoga book? The best yoga books include clear instructions and ideally step-by-step photos to guide you through each pose.

There are a wide selection of yoga books out there and it's worth looking for some information about the author before you buy and checking the reviews. Look for ones written by an experienced teacher who has undergone training who will give you reliable advice. You don't want to risk harming your body, so look for someone who is likely to give you trustworthy guidance.

More like this

In the UK, look out for membership of organisations such as The British Wheel of Yoga, Yoga Alliance Professionals or Iyengar Yoga UK. Your yoga instructor may also have received a diploma in teaching yoga.

Best yoga books to buy in 2023

Yoga: a manual for life by naomi annand.

Naomi Annand was a professional ballerina before an injury ended her career. Since then, she's retrained as a yoga instructor and runs her own 200-hour yoga teacher training programme.

This beautiful book is designed for yogis of all abilities, from complete beginners to more advanced practitioners. It's clearly laid out with lots of practical tips and gorgeous photography to guide you through your practice. It aims to demystify yoga and make it more accessible, making it a great choice for anyone who is new to yoga.

The practice notes offer the kind of advice that you would normally pick up by attending a class, so it's extremely useful to have to hand when you're practising at home.

It also includes advice on mindfulness and meditation to help you achieve balance in every area of your life. There's also a focus on ways to ease stress, improve your sleep, inspire your creativity and feel energised when you wake up in the morning (particularly handy if you're not a morning person!).

If you're addicted to your phone or staring at a screen, this book will also help you to disengage from technology and you'll soon learn to enjoy your offline time.

Buy Yoga: A Manual for Life by Naomi Annand from Amazon for £14

Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body by Jessamyn Stanley

Internationally famous yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley believes that yoga should be for everyone: no matter what shape or size your body is. This is one of the best yoga books for beginners out there and aims to make yoga less intimidating. It's also a great read if you're already doing yoga and want to find new ways to keep yourself motivated.

It's full of messages of body acceptance and looks at how you can overcome the emotional and physical barriers that stand in the way of your practice.

This is also a very practical book that includes 50 yoga poses to try with well-written instructions and great photography. It includes 10 sequences for you to practice at home as well. There are lots of great tips in here, including ways to adapt the poses if you're struggling with them and make them work for you.

Jessamyn's warm, down-to-earth tone makes this a very easy read – it's not preachy and is packed with useful ideas and inspiration. This is a positive, uplifting book that will show you how to fit your yoga practice into your daily routine.

Buy Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body by Jessamyn Stanley from Amazon for £9.79 .

Yoga: Relaxation, Postures, Daily Routines by David Smith and Charmaine Yabsley

This book is perfect for yoga beginners who wants a better understanding of its philosophy. It offers an overview of the history of yoga and its traditions, alongside lots of helpful tips and advice.

It includes an excellent introduction to basic poses and how to master them, as well as instructive photography and step-by-step instructions.

If you're looking for a yoga book for beginners that provides a good grounding for your future practice, then this is a great choice.

Charmaine Yabsley is a successful author and freelance journalist who has published a string of other wellness books, including one on pilates so she's well-placed to guide you through the basics of yoga – and co-author David Smith was previously the editor of Om Yoga Magazine in the UK.

Buy Yoga: Relaxation, Postures, Daily Routines by David Smith and Charmaine Yabsley on Amazon for £9.99 .

The Little Book of Yoga by Fiona Channon

Feeling too busy and overwhelmed to read a hefty book about yoga? This book is your friend!

The Little Book of Yoga also busts some of the more persistent myths about yoga, providing a welcome breath of fresh air. It's broken down into short sections, making it an easy book to dip in and out of whenever you have a spare minute.

This book outlines the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of practising yoga and gives a good overview of the different kinds of yoga (handy if you're looking for the best practice to suit your lifestyle).

You'll learn how to improve your flexibility and find new ways to bring yoga into your daily routine.

Buy The Little Book of Yoga by Fiona Channon from Amazon from £4.49 .

Yin Yoga: Stretch the Mindful Way by Kassandra Reinhardt

If you find some yoga routines too vigorous or energetic, then yin yoga might be the best path for you to follow. Yin yoga encourages us to reconnect with our bodies and offers a remedy to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Yin is the balance to yang in the Taoist philosophy, so this slower practice is the opposite of more physical forms of yoga such as ashtanga.

The focus here is on holding floor-based poses while focusing on your breathing, creating a meditative experience. Afterwards, your mind will feel clearer and you will have let go of the stresses of your day.

The book contains 54 poses and 20 sequences to help you develop a mindful practice and improve your wellbeing. Each position is clearly demonstrated with photos and Kassandra's expert advice will guide you through each step.

Kassandra is an experienced yoga teacher from Canada who has a large following on YouTube. If you want to develop your practice further, head over to her channel: Yoga With Kassandra.

Order Yin Yoga: Stretch the Mindful Way by Kassandra Reinhardt from WHSmith for £10.65

Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body by Dianne Bondy

This yoga book by Dianne Bondy is a great all-rounder to have in your growing yoga library. It covers yoga practices to suit every type of body, from plus sized yoga to pregnancy. It also includes lots of great advice for older yogis and people who have disabilities.

Dianne covers 50 yoga poses that are suitable for practitioners of all abilities. There are variations and modifications that can be applied to each position to suit your body and needs, so you should be able to perform all 10 sequences covered in the book. Each move is expertly explained and any variations are illustrated using photos, so you can adjust your position to match the images.

You don't need to have exceptional flexibility to follow any of the steps in this book – this is yoga designed to suit your body, so you won't have to contort yourself into any uncomfortable shapes. It's clearly laid out and highly accessible – a perfect yoga book to add to your collection!

Buy Yoga for Everyone by Dianne Bondy from Amazon for £10.65

Yoga for Inflexible People by Max and Liz Lowenstein

If you struggle with the more bendy yoga poses then this book will definitely improve your practice. While some of the books we've featured are more geared towards beginners, this guide is designed for yogis of all abilities from beginners to advanced yogis.

Each position is broken down so you can choose the right adjustment for your level of experience or flexibility, with useful instructions and annotations explaining how you can progress and build up your skills.

This book is great if you've felt intimidated by bendy people in your yoga classes and proves that everyone can find a yoga practice that works for them. You'll soon be feeling fitter, healthier and calmer – and stretchier!

Buy Yoga for Inflexible People by Max and Liz Lowenstein from Amazon for £10.19

Intelligent Yoga by Peter Blackaby

This book is definitely one for more experienced yogis. Intelligent Yoga explores Peter's humanistic approach to yoga, looking at the aspects that have been backed by scientific research. It's a fascinating read and you're guaranteed to learn things about yoga that you didn't know before and deepen your understanding of yoga in the process.

Rather than focusing on yoga's physical benefits, this book encourages you to view yoga as an exercise in self-exploration. You'll begin to reflect more on your body's responses and learn how to react in an appropriate way, allowing you to avoid pain and discomfort. There's an overview of how yoga works with your anatomy, but it's not too technical.There is a section on chronic pain which may benefit those who want to focus on pain management.

You'll learn how to focus on your own habits and yoga practice and think about how you approach each session. If you're interested in getting more into yoga, this book may positively influence your attitude and give you a fresh outlook on your practice.

Buy Intelligent Yoga by Peter Blackaby from YogaMatters for £23.99

Sleep Recovery by Lisa Sanfilippo

Bringing yoga into your nighttime routine can help you to relax and ease insomnia. Lisa Sanfilippo suffered from insomnia for many years before discovering yoga in her early twenties. After her first class, she says she felt as though “all of the tension had come out of my body, and I just felt like my body was – I guess it might sound weird – simultaneously, heavier and lighter at the same time".

She's a yoga teacher and psychotherapist and brings her expertise in both fields into this book. It's a combination of yoga and mindfulness practices with lots of tips and advice to help you unwind at bedtime – and get a great night's sleep. We interviewed Lisa for The Calm Edit podcast and you can find lots of practical ideas in the episode.

While this isn't strictly a yoga book, if you struggle with insomnia then this could help you to improve your sleep quality and quantity. It's a good yoga book for beginners as none of the poses featured are too strenuous.

Buy Sleep Recovery by Lisa Sanfilippo from Waterstones for £12.99

2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses by Daniel Lacerda

This book is an incredibly useful resource covering a huge number of asanas (yoga positions). Each asana is accompanied by a photo showing how to perform the move perfectly.

It's divided into eight major types of poses: standing, seated, core, quadruped, backbends, inversions, prone, and supine, then broken down into further groups ranging from easy to more challenging. This is brilliant if you're looking to build up your yoga repertoire over time.

This is a good pick for more advanced yoga students as many of the asanas are likely to be too challenging for a complete novice.

Buy 2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses by Daniel Lacerda from Amazon for £19.55

Featured image by Unsplash/Dane Wetton

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Best Yoga Books (November 2023) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

Table Of Contents

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Yoga Anatomy

Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practi...

Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques

Top Rated Yoga Books list rated by Cherry Picks Reviews, Based on our evaluations of 1,200 Books and the analysis of over 34,888 readers' reviews, book popularity, author's reputation and book awards, We picked the top 30 Yoga Books for you to learn Health, Fitness & Dieting.

* Cherrypicksreviews.com is reader-supported, Our editor review, and recommend the best products based on extensive data analysis, if you click on the product links, we may earn a commission through qualifying products purchased.

The Best Yoga Books Rated by CherryPicks

• CPR Rating: 9.9 - Yoga Anatomy - #1 Reviews Analyzed: 389
• CPR Rating: 9.8 - Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Phy... - #2 Reviews Analyzed: 4,449
• CPR Rating: 9.6 - Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techni... - #3 Reviews Analyzed: 2,409
• CPR Rating: 9.6 - The Yoga Bible - #4 Reviews Analyzed: 2,717
• CPR Rating: 9.6 - How to Have a Yoga Body: With 10 Free YouTube C... - #5 Reviews Analyzed: 5
• CPR Rating: 9.4 - Yoga Fitness for Men: Build Strength, Improve P... - #6 Reviews Analyzed: 2,045
• CPR Rating: 9.3 - 2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses - #7 Reviews Analyzed: 1,859
• CPR Rating: 9.3 - The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy ... - #8 Reviews Analyzed: 1,184
• CPR Rating: 9.3 - Yoga for Witches - #9 Reviews Analyzed: 845
• CPR Rating: 9.1 - Yoga of the Subtle Body: A Guide to the Physica... - #10 Reviews Analyzed: 447
• Show More Show Less

Market Overview

Yoga books reviewed.

• Reviews Analyzed: 34,888 Items
• CPR Avg. Rating: 8.5 / 10

30 Products Evaluated

• Highest Price: $69.50
• Lowest Price: $4.24
• Avg. Price: $22.31

Top 30 Yoga Books on Amazon (Verified You can Buy)

• Author: Kaminoff, Leslie, Matthews, Amy
• Original Language, Published, Unknown: English

Ratings for Shamans Market (CPR Score)

Science of yoga: understand the anatomy and physiology to perfect your practice (dk science of).

• Author: Ann, Swanson

Ratings for DK (CPR Score)

• Author: Stephens, Mark
• Foreword: Hemingway, Mariel

Ratings for Brand: North Atlantic Books (CPR Score)

The yoga bible.

• Author: Brown, Christina

Ratings for Krause Publications (CPR Score)

How to have a yoga body: with 10 free youtube classes.

• Author: Claudia, Azula

Ratings for How to Have a Yoga Body: With 10 Free YouTube Classes (CPR Score)

Yoga fitness for men: build strength, improve performance, and increase flexibility.

• Author: Dean, Pohlman

2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses

• Author: Daniel, Lacerda

Ratings for Black Dog & Leventhal (CPR Score)

The complete guide to yin yoga: the philosophy and practice of yin yoga.

• Author: Clark, Bernie
• Foreword: Sarah, Powers

Ratings for Wild Strawberry Productions (CPR Score)

Yoga for witches.

• Author: Robinson, Sarah

Ratings for Womancraft Publishing (CPR Score)

Yoga of the subtle body: a guide to the physical and energetic anatomy of yoga.

• Author: Little, Tias

Ratings for Shambhala (CPR Score)

Principles and practice of yoga in health care.

• Author: Timothy, Cohen, Shirley, Lorenzo, Mccall, Khalsa, Sat Bir Singh, Telles, Sat Bir
• Foreword: Dean, M.d., Ornish

Ratings for Handspring Publishing (CPR Score)

Good morning yoga: a pose-by-pose wake up story (good night yoga).

• Author: Gates, Mariam
• Illustrator: Hinder, Sarah Jane

Ratings for Sounds True (CPR Score)

The yoga sutras of patanjali.

• Author: Satchidananda, Sri Swami

Ratings for imusti (CPR Score)

The conscious warrior: yoga for firefighters & first responders.

• Author: Shannon, McQuaide

Ratings for The Conscious Warrior: Yoga for Firefighters & First Responders (CPR Score)

Light on yoga: the bible of modern yoga.

• Author: B. K. S. Iyengar
• Foreword: Yehudi Menuhin

Ratings for Schocken (CPR Score)

The heart of yoga: developing a personal practice.

• Author: Desikachar, T. K. V.
• Menu, Original Language, Published, Unknown: English

Ratings for Inner Traditions (CPR Score)

Your body, your yoga: learn alignment cues that are skillful, safe, and best suited to you.

• Foreword: Paul, Grilley

Yoga Happy: Simple Tools and Practices for Everyday Calm & Strength

• Author: Barrett, Hannah

Ratings for Yoga Happy: Simple Tools and Practices for Everyday Calm & Strength (CPR Score)

Teaching chair yoga: how to teach chair yoga, a yoga teachers guide.

• Author: Green, Laura

Ratings for Teaching Chair Yoga: How to Teach Chair Yoga, A Yoga Teachers Guide (CPR Score)

Yoga teacher journal: a yoga class planner lesson sequence notebook..

• Author: Cooper, Archie

Ratings for Yoga Teacher Journal: A Yoga Class Planner Lesson Sequence Notebook. (CPR Score)

B.k.s. iyengar yoga the path to holistic health: the definitive step-by-step guide.

• Author: Iyengar, B.K.S.

Pathways to Peace: 20 Visualizations to Enhance Your Yoga Practice

• Author: Dianne, Willging

Ratings for Pathways to Peace: 20 Visualizations to Enhance Your Yoga Practice (CPR Score)

The yoga mind: 52 essential principles of yoga philosophy to deepen your practice.

• Author: Jakubowicz, Rina

Ratings for Rockridge Press (CPR Score)

Year of yoga: rituals for every day and every season (yoga with kassandra, yin yoga, vinyasa yoga, lunar yoga).

• Author: Reinhardt, Kassandra
• Photographer: Jessie, Hodgson

Ratings for Year of Yoga: Rituals for Every Day and Every Season (Yoga with Kassandra, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Lunar Yoga) (CPR Score)

Yoga for athletes: 10-minute yoga workouts to make you better at your sport.

• Foreword: Kelly, Starrett

Ratings for Yoga for Athletes: 10-Minute Yoga Workouts to Make You Better at Your Sport (CPR Score)

The key muscles of yoga: scientific keys, volume i.

• Author: Ray Long
• Illustrator: Chris MacIvor

Ratings for Bandha Yoga (CPR Score)

Yoga of recovery.

• Author: Leela, Durga
• Foreword: David, Frawley

Ratings for Yoga of Recovery (CPR Score)

Your upper body, your yoga: including asymmetries & proportions of the whole body (your body, your yoga, 4-5).

Ratings for Your Upper Body, Your Yoga: Including Asymmetries & Proportions of the Whole Body (Your Body, Your Yoga, 4-5) (CPR Score)

Yoga anatomy coloring book: a visual guide to form, function, and movement - an educational anatomy coloring book for medical students, yoga ... (volume 1) (the yoga anatomy coloring book).

• Author: Solloway, Kelly
• Illustrator: Stutzman, Samantha

Ratings for ArtWorld (CPR Score)

How yoga works.

• Author: Michael Roach, Christie McNally

Ratings for Diamond Cutter (CPR Score)

Top 10 yoga books - verified to buy (nov. 2023).

• 1. Yoga Anatomy
• 2. Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect...
• 3. Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques
• 4. The Yoga Bible
• 5. How to Have a Yoga Body: With 10 Free YouTube...
• 6. Yoga Fitness for Men: Build Strength, Improve Performance, and Increase...
• 7. 2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses
• 8. The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice...
• 9. Yoga for Witches
• 10. Yoga of the Subtle Body: A Guide to the Physical...

Top 10 Yoga Books Brands on Amazon

Here is the list of top-rated brands that were evaluated by CherryPicks.

• Shamans Market
• Brand: North Atlantic Books
• Krause Publications
• Black Dog & Leventhal
• Wild Strawberry Productions
• Womancraft Publishing
• Handspring Publishing
• Sounds True

Top 4 Yoga Books Sellers: CPR Seller Rank List

CPR sellers rank is based on CherryPicks-AI bestselling ranking system that helps us analyze each seller's sales trends. The List of top seller ranks is our in-house data, essential for our product ranking to help you make the right shopping choice.

• 1. PTP Flash Deals : 1,972 Yearly Feedback , Avg. Ratings 4.9
• 2. SummitPark Prints : 1,368 Yearly Feedback , Avg. Ratings 4.9
• 3. Amazon.com : 385 Yearly Feedback , Avg. Ratings 4.7
• 4. Textbook Deals Amz : 357 Yearly Feedback , Avg. Ratings 4.9

[Get] Yoga Books Deals (✅Exclusively for Prime)

What does "Amazon Fulfilled" Mean? Amazon Fulfilled refers to products handled by Amazon's logistics, which indicates that the product is stored, packed, and shipped by Amazon from one of its fulfillment centers. When you order a product that is "Amazon Fulfilled," Amazon takes care of the storage, packing, shipping, and customer service for that product. This often ensures quicker delivery and better customer service compared to products that are not fulfilled by Amazon. It also means that the product is eligible for Amazon's return policy . What does "Prime" Mean? "Prime" refers to Amazon Prime Member ( Join Amazon Prime Now ), which indicates eligibility for Prime benefits. When you see "Prime" next to a product on Amazon, This generally means that if you are  an Amazon Prime member , you can get free two-day shipping on that product, and sometimes even same-day or one-day shipping depending on your location. Prime members also have access to other benefits, including 2-Day Shipping ,  Exclusive Member Deals ,  Prime Video ,  Buy With Prime ,  Amazon Music ,  Prime Gaming , and  more . Shop Prime Yoga Books Deals What does "Free Shipping" Mean? "Free Shipping" means that you will not be charged additional fees for the shipping of that product. However, unlike "Prime," which usually guarantees fast two-day shipping, "Free Shipping" doesn't necessarily mean fast shipping. Sometimes there might be a minimum purchase requirement to qualify for free shipping if you are not a Prime member. For Prime members, the "Free Shipping" usually refers to the free two-day shipping that is one of the benefits of the Prime membership.

Why Should You Trust Us?

Now hundreds and thousands of Health, Fitness & Dieting supplies are available on Amazon, Picking the right one is not easy, and that may take a lot of your time, Right? and What is the best Yoga Books to buy for new November 2023?

CherryPicks’s Methodology for Evaluating Yoga Books

We developed the CherryRatings-AI system to identify and score reviews and the CherryPicks-AI ranking system that uses TensorFlow framework to generate the best list, It will help us evaluate Health, Fitness & Dieting items that sell on Amazon. The score of items is based on over ten parameters such as analyzing customer review content, product reviewing rating statistics, brand reputation evaluation, comparing product price with features, etc, You can visit How We Rank to learn more in detail.

We collected and analyzed 1,200 of Yoga Books reviews based on our selection criteria. It helped us shortlist the top qualified and rated Yoga Books for Health, Fitness & Dieting, We found that most customers choose Yoga Books with an average price of $22.31, and the top brands are Rockridge Press , DK , imusti , ArtWorld , Krause Publications , Sounds True , Black Dog & Leventhal , Shambhala , Inner Traditions , Schocken , Bandha Yoga , Womancraft Publishing , Diamond Cutter , Brand: North Atlantic Books , Handspring Publishing , Wild Strawberry Productions And Shamans Market. 

Then our expert-level editors reviewed all those quality items and selected the top 30 Yoga Books for you, We have researched hundreds of sellers and picked the top sellers for Health, Fitness & Dieting, including PTP Flash Deals , SummitPark Prints , Amazon.com And Textbook Deals Amz . The Yoga Anatomy  are available for purchase right now, and The seller of #1 rank product has received honest feedback from 389 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

We've helped a lot of satisfied users get the right Books product based on their needs, and save lots of time for them to pick Yoga Books to buy.

Harold J. Yates loves to read books across genres. He would be providing us with book reviews and tips to make us buy the best books. When Harold is not reading or writing, he is playing tennis with his friends or meditating alone in the garden.

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Top 10 Yoga Books

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Lenovo Yoga Book 9i Review: Pulling Double Duty

Double the screens means more options, but also a steep learning curve..

Tom's Hardware Verdict

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is useful with two beautiful screens and a bunch of accessories included, but its many settings and options can be difficult to learn and harder to master. It's the best foldable PC yet, but still feels clunky.

Tidal teal color is beautiful

Vivid, bright displays

Two screens can be useful

Includes all of the accessories

Complicated to learn custom software and gestures

Webcam positioning is weird when screens are vertical

Peripherals are clunky to carry around

No headphone jack

Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Several of my colleagues use multiple monitors at home (I would if I had more space!). On the go, they feel constrained. Maybe for them, the best ultrabook would have more displays. That's where the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i ($1,999.99 as tested) comes in. It has a standard laptop shape, but instead of a keyboard and deck, there's another screen. With an included stand, that means you can have two displays on the go. The Yoga Book 9i comes with a whole slew of accessories, from a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to a folio stand and a stylus, letting you make the Yoga Book 9i work the way you need it to. But to get dual screens running on a laptop, which can be held in a numbers of different ways, Lenovo had to do some work on top of Windows 11 . That means that while the Yoga Book 9i is flexible (and with twice as many screens as most laptops), there's also a steep learning curve to learn how to use its plethora of features.

Design of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a surprise even before you open it. Its shell is a beautiful shade of blue that Lenovo calls "Tidal Teal," and it even pierced the heart of this reviewer, who buys 99% of his tech in gray or black. It's a really beautiful shade that wowed everyone I showed it too. See? There's room for color in laptops after all.

When it's closed, the Yoga Book resembles a run-of-the-mill notebook .  The aluminum construction has shiny, rounded edges like the regular Yoga 9i , which I think looks pretty spiffy. But when you lift the lid, that's where the fun begins: there's no keyboard. Instead, there's a pair of 13.3-inch OLED displays, allowing for dual horizontal or vertical displays. The bezels around the screens are quite thin, though the "top" screen does have a thicker one to fit the webcam. Unlike foldables like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold and Asus Zenbook 17 Fold , however, these are two separate screens, made distinct with a hinge (which doubles as a soundbar) in between.

That hinge allows the dual screens to work like a typical 2-in-1 laptop, folding all the way back into a tablet (which turns off one of the screens) or into tent mode, with a screen on each  side. The two halves of the laptop aren't equal in thickness, when using the two screens at a desk, one is a few millimeters closer to you than the other. In practice it's not a big deal, but I'm not going to pretend I didn't notice. When holding the Yoga Book like a laptop, the left side has as a single Thunderbolt 4 port, while the right side has two more TB4 ports, an e-camera privacy switch and the power button. Lenovo is the latest attacker in the war against the 3.5 mm headphone jack. I suppose, with the mouse and keyboard paired over Bluetooth, Lenovo assumes one more item wouldn't be a big deal. At 11.78 x 8.03 x 0.63 inches and 3.15 pounds, the Yoga Book 9i is a bit on the heavy side, especially for a tablet. I didn't find it natural to hold Lenovo's foldable like a book. But it's still small enough to be portable and put in a bag.

Apple's MacBook Air with M2 is 2.7 pounds and 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches, while Lenovo's closest traditional convertible in name, the Lenovo Yoga 9i , is 3.09 pounds and 12.52 x 9.05 x 0.6 inches. Asus' take on a foldable, the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED with a single folding screen, is 3.31 pounds before accessories and measures 14.9 x 11.32 x 0.51 inches when folded.

The Yoga Book 9i comes with a menagerie of accessories, which, in a way, make the Yoga Book 9i feel more like a desktop. To support the Yoga in dual-screen mode at your desk, there's a Folio stand that folds origami style to hold the laptop at an upwards angle, allowing you to use the laptop like a pair of desktop monitors. There's also a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for that desktop feel, along with a stylus.

When you're not using the peripherals, the keyboard can be wrapped into a package with the Folio stand and the stylus, though the mouse will be left on its own. This is about as neat as I can see it being, though I wish this bundle would attach magnetically to the laptop. Either way, it definitely takes a bit more time and preparation than simply folding a laptop closed and sticking it in a bag.

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i Specifications

Productivity performance on the lenovo yoga book 9i.

Lenovo's dual-screen PC is running off of an Intel Core i7-1355U, 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400, and a  512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.

For simple tasks, like web browsing, writing and editing documents and spreadsheets and even basic coding, this is more than enough. If you want slightly higher clocks, Lenovo uses Intel's P-series processors in the regular Yoga 9i.

On Geekbench 5, the Yoga Book 9i notched a single-core score of 1,813 and a multi-core score of 7,765. That's faster than the other foldable on this list, the single-screened Asus Zenbook Fold 17 OLED, which uses last year's Intel Core i7-1250U. On single-core, it was close to the Lenovo Yoga 9i (Intel Core i7-1360P) at 1,827 points, but the regular Yoga 9i's multi-core score of 9,954 was the highest on the list. The MacBook Air's M2 chip also beat out the Yoga Book 9i in both single-core and multi-core scores (1,932/8.919). Lenovo's SSD in the Yoga Book 9i transferred 25GB of files at a a rate of 1,296.15 MBps, beaten only by its other SSD (in the regular 9i) at 1,669.29 MBps. The Yoga Book 9i was the fastest in the pool on Handbrake, transcoding a 4K video to 1080p in 9 minutes and 19 seconds. The MacBook Air left the rest of the crowd in the dust at 7:52, and the P-Series Yoga 9i was actually slightly slower here at 9:45. To push the Yoga Book 9i to its limits, we ran our stress test, looping Cinebench R23 for 20 runs. The laptop started with a score of 8,099.95 and then, as the computer heated up, steadied out in the mid-7,000's.  Notably, at run 16, there was a sharp drop to 6,362.64 before recovering, suggesting some throttling. The Intel Core i7-1355U's two performance cores ran at an average of 3.01 GHz during the stress test, while the eight efficiency cores averaged 2.25 GHz. The CPU package's average temperature was 75.79 degrees Celsius (168.42 degrees Fahrenheit).

Displays on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

Yeah, there are two screens. Each of the 13.3-inch, 2880 x 1800 OLED screens are beautiful. They really look great, together and on their own.

That's despite the fact that they didn't always top our m measurements. The top screen covered 136.7% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, while the bottom hit 136.5% (to my eyes, they look identical). The regular Yoga 9i beat those at 142.1%, with the Zenbook Fold OLED coming in third and the non-OLED MacBook Air falling behind. The Yoga 9i was plenty bright in my use, but the measurements suggest it could do better. The top screen measured 335 nits on our light meter while the bottom reached 344 nits. Again, the Yoga 9i was a bit brighter (353 nits) while the MacBook Air was the most luminous at 489 nits.

After using the laptop for a bit, it didn't surprise me that the trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse looked excellent, with gorgeous reds and blues in the many Spider-Man costumes, and bright and vivid motion even in darker chase scenes in the rain.

Of course, with two screens, you get a bit more flexibility, but also some complications. For instance, you can change the brightness on both screens independently, but Windows doesn't allow for this on its  own. Lenovo's solution works, but is clunky. When you hit the key on the Bluetooth keyboard to change it, two more sliders pop up that you adjust with your mouse or touch.

My preference was to keep the two screens oriented vertically, which showed more text in writing, Slack windows, articles I was reading and on social media. Some might prefer a more traditional horizontal alignment with two screens stacked on top of each other. There is a gesture to make applications take up both screens, which works OK, but I found the soundbar in the middle to be distracting. The only other major use for using both screens simultaneously is in a few games. Asphalt 9 , Modern Combat 5 and Dungeon Hunter 5 (all free in the Microsoft store, albeit with in-app purchase options), use the top screen for the main game and the bottom screen for a small map, alongside some controls. It's like a really clunky Nintendo DS with a tiny library. In the case of Asphalt 9 and Dungeon Hunter 5 , the touch controls and maps felt tacked on.

As far as Windows 11 is concerned, the top screen is the main one, which is where you'll find a full taskbar.

Keyboard, Touchpad, Mouse, & Stylus on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

Perhaps the most complicated part of the Yoga Book 9i is getting used to its wide variety of input methods. Sure, there's two touch screens, but there's a keyboard and mouse in the box, as well as virtual inputs and an included stylus.

Your options will depend heavily on which of the many postures you use your Yoga Book in. I spent most of my time with the Yoga Book 9i on my desk with the screens in a vertical orientation, using the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Neither is anything fancy; the mouse, the Lenovo 600 Bluetooth Silent Mouse , is a simple, plastic device powered by a AA battery and can pair to two computers at once, which is nice. The keyboard is color-matched with the Yoga Book and charges with the included USB-C adapter that comes with the laptop.

This keyboard is OK for travel, but won't replace a desktop keyboard. The keys are shallow, and when you use it on a desk, there's no palm rest like on a laptop. (Some keyboard enthusiast will tell you that you shouldn't need a wrist rest anyway). It's a bit noisy when you type on the shallow keys, but I still managed to hit 125 words per minute on monkeytype with a 2% error rate.

Lenovo's keyboard makes a bit more sense when it's attached to the Yoga Book as a laptop. It attaches magnetically to the bottom screen, giving you a physical keyboard where there wasn't one before. If you attach it to the top half of that screen, a virtual touchpad pops up, including left and right buttons. (You can customize whether you use a borderless trackpad or limit it to one area.

Windows gestures work on the trackpad, though performing those gestures on a screen rather than a touchpad does feel a bit off. The screen has more friction than most touchpads. If you decide you'd rather use a mouse, you can put the keyboard on the bottom half of the screen (though you won't have a wrist rest area), which shows widgets on the screen. It defaults to weather and news pulling the type of junk you find in the Windows 11 news widget . Alternatively, you can keep a small amount of screen above the keyboard.

If you don't want to carry the keyboard around at all, you can activate the virtual keyboard and mouse by tapping eight fingers on the bottom screen. I wouldn't use this keyboard outside of small searches, but it works better than I expected, and I like that you can adjust the tactile sensation (just don't turn on the sounds; they're annoying). I tried the same typing test as the physical keyboard just for fun, and hit 41 words per minute but with a 67% accuracy rate while touch typing.

If you just need a touchpad, you can press three fingers on the bottom screen, which brings up a resizable window you can use to drag the mouse around. (This only works on the bottom screen, a lesson I had to try several times to learn.)

If all of these shortcuts the type and click seem complicated, well, they are. They were, however, some of the easiest ones for me to remember, as I used them the most in my time with the Yoga Book.

In a way, perhaps the stylus is the most straightforward option: you write on either screen and it works. The Digital Pen 3 has a replaceable AAAA battery (too bad it doesn't recharge over USB-C) and offers 4,096 degrees of pressure sensitivity.

Lenovo does have some applications for quick note-taking, like the drawing in from the bottom right-hand corner of the bottom screen to open its Smart Note program, or even enabling notes on the lock screen, though I had issues getting the latter to work 100% of the time.

The stylus has two barrel buttons, which you can customize in the Lenovo Pen Settings app.

Learning Curve on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

Just because the Yoga Book 9i runs Windows 11 doesn't mean it's as simple as using any other Windows PC. There's a fair share of customizations that Lenovo has used here, and they highlight the somewhat steep learning curve in getting used to how to work this thing.

The big piece of software you'll want to get familiar with is Yoga Book 9 User Center, which you can summon from the Start Menu or F12 on the Bluetooth keyboard. This app has two purposes: to teach you how to use the device, but also to hold all of the settings you can't get in Windows.

Despite spending a couple of weeks with the Yoga Book 9i, I can assure you that I haven't mastered it. There are a few features, deep down, that I'm sure I have totally forgotten about, despite reading every demo instruction at least once. But I've got the main ones down, even if some of them are awkward.

I can regularly summon the virtual keyboard (8- finger tap, four on each hand), or trackpad (three finger tap). I can make a window span both screens (five finger tap with the feature enabled first). Heck, I'm even getting used to the fact that it offers mid-screen suggestions to "flick" windows from one display to the other.

But have I totally mastered the "Focus Click," to tap an app icon in the taskbar to move the app window? Not quite. Do I know how to open Smart Notes with the stylus by dragging? Yes. Can I always get it working on the lock screen? Only after I enabled Windows Hello first to ensure the screen was unlocked.

The new software adds plenty of new functionality, and builds on what Microsoft made with Snap Layouts. But it takes a fair bit of time to get used to this device, both in how to use it and how you should use it.

Audio on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

The Yoga Book 9i's four speakers (two 2-watt tweeters and a pair of 2W woofers) could use a bit of tuning. Luckily, there's an app for that.

I used the Yoga Book to listen to TALK's "Run Away to Mars," which is a song composed primarily of guitars and vocals. Initially, the soundbar surprised me with flat sound, that didn't have depth in the vocal ranges and muddled the acoustics.

A quick trip to the Dolby Access app changed that. Switching to Dynamic mode, which makes changes based on what you're listening to, was my favorite option. There are music sub-options, like "detailed" (the next best option), "balanced", and "warm", but I would recommend most people move to Dynamic. That gave the singer's vocals more depth, focusing on his raspy breathing and better layered the multiple guitar tracks. Some of these audio options are available in Lenovo Vantage, but I recommend checking out Access for the full suite.

Upgradeability of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

While the battery and SSD on the Yoga Book 9i are technically removable, we have to mark this machine as effectively unrepairable without a Lenovo technician. That's partially because, as noted in the maintenance manual , that the construction involves tape that "cannot be reused."  There are five types of tape used throughout the Yoga Book 9i, which you likely will need a repair tech to replace adequately.

Hopefully, in the next version, Lenovo can build its notebook without specialized adhesives.

Battery Life on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

Considering the Yoga Book 9i has two OLED screens, I'm pleasantly surprised how long it lasted on our battery test. While browsing the web, streaming videos, and running simple graphics tests, the Yoga Book 9i ran for 9 hours and 18 minutes. When shutting one screen off, that jumped to 12:13 (this would occur naturally in tablet mode, where one screen is disabled).

That's longer than the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, which ran for just 7:56. But both the regular Yoga 9i (10:38) and MacBook Air (a much longer 14:06) showed that single-screen laptops still last the longest.

Heat on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

We take heat measurements while running our Cinebench R23 stress test in order to see how hot systems get under load. From our thermal camera, we were able to see that the actual computing components are all in the base of the laptop (which is the case on basically every traditional clamshell and convertible 2-in-1).

The hottest point on the bottom of the laptop, near the exhaust, measured 43.7 degrees Celsius (110.66 degrees Fahrenheit). Since the keyboard isn't physically attached to the laptop, it doesn't heat up.

Webcam on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

The 5MP webcam on the Yoga Book 9i is decent. It captures sharp, detailed images, and it even did a decent job when I tried it with harsh backlighting, capturing the blue of my shirt and eyes and not entirely blowing out.

If there's an issue with if the webcam on the Yoga Book, it's that it isn't as flexible as the laptop. When positioned as a normal notebook, the camera is exactly where you would expect it to be. But you might not always have the Yoga Book on a stand with both screens facing horizontally. When I used the screens vertically, it set the camera off to the left side. This makes your video appear vertically, as if you're using a phone to call in to a meeting, and you have to move your whole body to fit in the frame.

That positioning was also an issue when I used the IR camera to log in with Windows Hello facial recognition. Again, there was no problem when opened like a traditional laptop, or two screens stacked on top of each other, but with the two vertical screens the webcam often didn't see my face in its entirety; I had to move my head to unlock the PC.

For those who want more privacy there's an e-shutter privacy switch to shut the webcam off. I'd prefer a physical cover, but this does the job.

Software and Warranty on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

There's a fair bit of software preinstalled on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i. Some of this is by necessity, as Windows 11 can't handle everything you'd want to do with two screens on its own. But still, some of it is bloatware.

Besides User Center, mentioned above, the main piece of software is Vantage, a one-stop shop for warranty status, power and audio settings, and, unfortunately, an increasing amount of ads for McAfee and Amazon Music Unlimited. (Speaking of which, a free trial of McAfee is also preinstalled on the laptop).

Lenovo has its own notes app, Smart Note, and an accompanying reader, Smart Reader. Smart Note is a bit overly complicated for my liking, but it can be summoned quickly with the stylus by dragging it in from the corner of the bottom screen. While Smart Note lets you upload to OneNote, I kind of wish Microsoft and Lenovo just made OneNote ready for dual-screen devices.

Smart Reader is fine - I tried it with some multi-page PDFs, but I think that the Yoga is slightly too heavy to hold like a book. You can take notes on the page, but it's nothing extraordinary.

Lenovo has a few other apps, like Lenovo Now for setup, Hotkeys to remind you of  some of Lenovo's pre-made shortcuts (but doesn't let you make your own), and Pen Settings to customize your stylus. There are also a few Intel apps, like Unison to use your phone with the Yoga Book 9i. That's all on top of the Windows pre-installs, like Spotify, WhatsApp, TikTok, ESPN, Kindle, and Instagram.

Lenovo sells the Yoga Book 9i with a one-year warranty.

Configurations of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

We tested the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i with an Intel Core i7-1355U, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, 512GB SSD and a bundle of accessories including the folio stand, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and a stylus. At Best Buy , this bundle is going for $1,999.99.

Lenovo's website lists a model that's almost identical, save for 1TB of storage. As of this writing, there is no pricing — just a mention that it will be "Available Soon."

Bottom Line

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i tries to be a bit of everything. In many ways, it succeeds. It can be a laptop, it can serve as a dual-screen mini desktop, it can be a tablet. The two screens add a ton of flexibility to what you can do, but in teaching you everything that it's capable of, the Yoga Book becomes complex.

Lenovo's latest is at its best when it's in that desktop mode. You get a physical keyboard, a mouse, and two screens. Sure, it works as a laptop, but it's not as good as a dedicated laptop. To get the best of the Yoga Book, you have to be willing to compromise on the portable experience. And while Lenovo admirably filled in gaps that Windows 11 has in supporting this new kind of laptop, it takes a lot of learning. There are a bunch of new gestures, optional features, and other systems to learn, which can be overwhelming; the app that describes it all becomes a sort of study bible.

 But the separated screens make more sense than the one foldable OLED panel like on the ThinkPad X1 Fold or Asus Zenbook Fold 17 OLED. It's way easier to organize different applications that way. Multi-taskers will surely appreciate it, but I think most people may be best off waiting until the early difficulties are ironed out. Hopefully some of the functionality is better built into Windows 11. If the multiple screens are a draw, there's really nothing else like this, short of actually buying monitors. The laptop experience is a bit compromised, but if you typically have a desk, you can get the most of the Yoga Book 9i, which is the best foldable we've seen yet despite the learning curve.

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Andrew E. Freedman is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware focusing on laptops, desktops and gaming. He also keeps up with the latest news. A lover of all things gaming and tech, his previous work has shown up in Tom's Guide, Laptop Mag, Kotaku, PCMag and Complex, among others. Follow him on Twitter: @FreedmanAE

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• ezst036 This looks like a really cool and useful product. But I'd want to upgrade it to Linux though. Reply
• Giroro It's a shame this computer is kneecapped by Windows 11. The start bar is constantly going to be in the way, because you can't move it. It would be a major useability improvement to upgrade to Windows 10. Reply
• MarineRecon Re: double duty. Taking your money and spying on you at the same time. Reply

MarineRecon said: Re: double duty. Taking your money and spying on you at the same time.

• View All 4 Comments

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Lenovo Yoga Book review

Is this the netbook of the future – the ultra netbook.

TechRadar Verdict

Lenovo has crafted a brilliant, forward-thinking device that could very well create a subcategory in computing all of its own. But, with low-power components inside holding it back against the tablet competition, it’s tough to outright recommend you buy the first generation.

Insanely thin and light

Halo Keyboard surprisingly accurate

Excellent display

Clever Create Pad

Woefully underpowered

Dated microUSB port

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

• Introduction and design
• Specs, value, performance and battery life

We’re lucky to live in a world where the Lenovo Yoga Book exists, and we’re not just saying that because it’s remarkably affordable. No, the Lenovo Yoga Book is worth your attention because it’s the unlikely combination of a tablet and a laptop in a way we’ve never seen before. 

Even though the Lenovo Yoga Book is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops , it doesn’t have a physical keyboard – at least not like you would think. The Lenovo Yoga Book instead uses a unique hinged keyboard and trackpad completely without travel – it’s totally digital. That may sound awkward and difficult to get used to – and it is.

The Lenovo Yoga Book is still worth your time in 2018, especially with the low cost – which we’ll explore here in a minute. But its inputs separate from the screen, usable as a WAcom digitizer is a definite plus. Of course, cooking up a unique, never-before-seen laptop is a full-time job, and we wouldn’t advise writing off the Yoga Book. After all, breaking new ground will always take some getting used to.

And finally, this is the first laptop or tablet to come in both Windows 10 and Android varieties using the exact same hardware inside.

That’s quite a lot of firsts for a 10.1-inch productivity device that costs just $499 (about £409, AU$655; Android) or $549 (about £450, AU$720; Windows 10 ) to start. There has to be a catch, right? 

There’s always a catch, but this unique notebook is still popular here at TechRadar, having made it onto our list of the best laptops . So, let’s dive into everything that makes the Lenovo Yoga Book such a great device.

Design 

The Yoga Book, at first glance, looks like every other Lenovo Yoga laptop – only smaller. The impressive, gorgeous watchband hinge first introduced with the Yoga 3 is present and correct, and the insanely thin device is wrapped in a smooth, luxurious magnesium alloy shell like so many Yoga devices before it.

The Android edition of the Lenovo Yoga Book, which we’d guess Lenovo expect to sell more, comes in Champagne Gold, Carbon Black and Gunmetal Gray finishes. The Windows 10 edition just comes in Carbon Black – but all of these finishes look fantastic.

[ Editor’s Note: This review focuses on the Windows 10 version of the Yoga Book, with salient differences in the Android Marshmallow version noted.]

A power button and volume rocker on the device’s right side are edged in chrome, and speakers sit behind dotted grilles on either side of the keyboard deck. The speakers pump out suitable range and volume despite their size, thanks to Dolby Atmos technology inside.

Another impressive feature about the Yoga Book despite its size is the 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution screen. With 400 nits of brightness and the capability to display a range of 16.7 million colors, HD movies look excellent on the Yoga Book, and in-plane switching (IPS) means wide angles for screen sharing.

Tactile touch typing  

If you’re doubting whether you can effectively type on an entirely digital, capacitive keyboard, don’t worry. In our time with both versions of the Lenovo Yoga Book and its Halo Keyboard, it was shockingly easy to type accurately without any kind of physical feedback or buttons.

Sure, there’s haptic feedback and audio cues that signal when typing, like on a smartphone, which can be toggled on or off. But, neither completely account for how accurate we are typing on this backlit digital keyboard, behind a sheet of Gorilla Glass with individually lit keys.

If anything, our accuracy is testament to our growing aptitude with digital keyboards since the dawn of smartphones and tablets – only this one doesn’t take up half the screen. (Lenovo’s patent-pending hardware and software helps a great deal here, too.) 

Even without auto-correct software on the Windows 10 version, we found ourselves making very few errors while working on the Yoga Book. Of course, it’s unrealistic to expect the same words-per-minute speed that you would attain on an analog keyboard, and we don’t expect everyone to have the same easy transition that we had. The Android version’s Lenovo-made TouchPal auto-correct software should help a great deal with that acclimatisation. 

This, then, brings us to a question: if all versions of Windows 10 are essentially the same operating system (OS), why then is Windows 10 Mobile’s excellent auto-correct software not available on all versions of the OS?

As for the Android version, we in fact not only found the built-in auto-correcting software to be extremely helpful, but practically essential after getting used to it being there. 

However, in order for said keyboard to work properly, we had to disable all international keyboards. Otherwise, certain key presses would register whatever the key is next to it on-screen. At least this workaround solved the issue.

At any rate, we found navigating and typing on the Yoga Book surprisingly easy after about an hour with the device. Of course, you’ll find differences between both keyboards – i.e. the Windows 10 version’s left and right mouse buttons that allow for click-and-drag and the Android version’s lack thereof – but both offer the same fidelity.

The Wacom digitizer is wonderful 

It’s fine enough that the Yoga Book is the first laptop or tablet to include a keyboard that doubles as a full-blown Wacom digitizer. It’s even better that the tool is a joy to use, not to mention that it has one super-neat trick up its sleeve.

Pressing and holding a capacitive button above the keyboard with a pen icon switches the tool from displaying the keys to displaying, well, nothing but an illuminated pen icon. This means you can now use the surface to draw or write with the included Real Pen stylus.

Lenovo calls this the Create Pad, a layer of electromagnetic resonance (EMR) film beneath the keyboard that’s powered by Wacom Feel technology. This means that the Real Pen needs nothing inside to operate, with the Create Pad doing all of the work – even the 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity.

The Create Pad offers the supreme palm detection artists have come to expect from the brand, and has differing levels of support from the Yoga Book depending on the version. The Windows 10 version supports the Create Pad in all apps that would support stylus control, like Windows Ink, but specifically calls up OneNote when activated.

On Android, however, Lenovo seems to have enjoyed a lot more freedom in custom-tailoring software for the OS, with Lenovo’s home-grown Note Saver app for note-taking and drawing.

Regardless, both versions of the Yoga Book are capable of one aforementioned, seriously cool trick: taking scrawlings in pen on paper and digitizing them for later access, editing and backup. This is made possible through an included magnetic notepad that attaches itself to the Create Pad’s surface, and included (office-standard) real-ink ballpoint tips for the Real Pen.

Now, this is where the EMR comes into play. As soon as the Real Pen touches the notepad – when attached to the Create Pad surface – whatever’s written is picked up by the electromagnetic response given off by the contact of pen to paper through the notepad’s magnetic rear surface, to be translated onto the screen via the Create Pad. The accuracy with which this is achieved is incredible, and it’s something you simply have to see in action yourself to believe.

With this feature, you can even fold the tablet in the reverse direction to use it simply as a traditional paper notepad with a digital backup. Using the tablet in this way even shuts the screen off, saving precious battery life – though, the Yoga Book already has gobs of that.

But, beyond note-taking, we could see this feature being a boon for artists that feel more at home drawing on paper with ink than a glass surface with a stylus, with the option to alter their work digitally later. Of course, this assumes a lot on the front of app and file compatibility.

All told, the Yoga Book’s Create Pad and Halo Keyboard are wowing tools that separate this tablet from the majority of 2-in-1 devices. Even more so, they stand to see Lenovo spur yet another standard in dual-purpose computing devices. 

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s see how this thing stacks up against some of the leading tablets, and what it’s like to use as a productivity device.

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Joe Osborne is the Senior Technology Editor at Insider Inc. His role is to leads the technology coverage team for the Business Insider Shopping team, facilitating expert reviews, comprehensive buying guides, snap deals news and more. Previously, Joe was TechRadar's US computing editor, leading reviews of everything from gaming PCs to internal components and accessories. In his spare time, Joe is a renowned Dungeons and Dragons dungeon master – and arguably the nicest man in tech.

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WE MUST NOT THINK OF OURSELVES, by Lauren Grodstein

Two decades before World War II, Lauren Grodstein’s great-grandparents fled Poland’s capital city and the antisemitism that was already ascendant there. “In all likelihood,” she writes in the afterword to this accomplished sixth book, “I would not be here had they stayed.” A chilling what-if, an idea for a book. More than a century after those ancestors escaped to safety, Grodstein gives voice to the doomed denizens they might have become.

Set in the brutal Warsaw ghetto that made prisoners of more than 400,000 Jews under Nazi occupation, “We Must Not Think of Ourselves” centers on Adam Paskow, a middle-aged, nonobservant university professor who “barely remembered I was a Jew” before the Germans invaded in 1939. Still grieving the recent death of his wife, Adam moves like a man in a dream as “the fist closed slowly around us.” Taking trains, going to theaters, resting on benches — bit by inexorable bit, the ordinary stuff of life is forbidden to Warsaw Jews. Finally, they are forced from their homes and into shabby, overcrowded quarters within the city’s old Jewish section, its gates secured behind them. The gates “were locked, but we did not believe they were locked. Even after they had taken our jobs, our money, our schools. Even after they had taken our homes.” Like proverbial frogs in slowly warming water, they are shocked when things come to a boil.

Sharing an apartment with 10 others and teaching English in a crumbling basement, Adam signs on to interview his neighbors for the Oneg Shabbat project, a clandestine effort to gather accounts of life in the ghetto for posterity. Grodstein’s tale is clearly informed by those actual witness records, some of which survived the destruction of the ghetto and the deaths — from starvation, disease or “Grossaktion” deportation to camps like Treblinka — of most of its inhabitants. She describes the shrinking food supply, the random violence of Nazi guards, the sought-after rotgut that “tasted like dirty prunes.” Also the ignorance that kept the general will to live from extinguishing entirely. “On that first fall evening 11 months ago,” Adam muses, “if you had told any of us that we would be here for an entire year … surely at least one of us would have run to a guard and begged him to shoot. But we didn’t know, so we had survived.”

When rumors begin spreading about mass exterminations to the east — Jews forced to dig their own graves before being gunned down beside them — a kind of willed blindness sets in. It couldn’t happen in the ghetto, one Oneg member tells herself, because “there’s nowhere around here to dig.”

Along with the miasma of terror suffusing these lives, there is day-to-day tedium, which the book replicates a bit too convincingly — the plot sometimes drags. Adam’s passionate, semi-conflicted romance with one of his housemates, conducted as her husband sleeps nearby, gives the narrative a boost. “I loved Sala, and therefore I had a reason to keep living,” Adam says. His young pupils, thinner every week and gamely attempting a new language amid the unspeakable, sustain him as well. (Anachronism alert: Would a 12-year-old’s English vocabulary in 1940 Poland really include “Puh-leeze”?)

This is a tender, heartbreaking novel that grapples with timeless questions. Is collaboration forgivable? Can sparks of human kindness, however tiny, fend off hopelessness in the face of evil? In the spring of 1942, Adam learns that the Nazis will begin deporting some 6,000 Jews from the ghetto to the camps each day. Mystified and despairing, he wonders, “What had happened to them in their lives that they couldn’t let us live ours?”

Kim Hubbard, the former books editor at People, is a freelance writer and editor.

WE MUST NOT THINK OF OURSELVES | By Lauren Grodstein | Algonquin | 304 pp. | $29

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