Yoga is growing in popularity and as yoga grows, so does the selection of yoga and yoga lifestyle books. As of the time of this writing, there are 34,604 books on Amazon that come up when you search, “yoga.” That’s a lot of yoga books.
With all those books to chose from, how do you know which ones are going to be right for you? How do you know which ones will be well written without wasting your money buying them all?
That’s what this post is all about. I’ve spent a lot of time reviewing yoga and yoga lifestyle books over the past several months, and I’ve assembled a list for you of my Top 10 Must Have Yoga Lifestyle Books. The books on this list will give you actionable advice for healthy living and cultivating a positive attitude.
1. YOGALEAN by Beth Shaw
YOGALEAN: Poses and Recipes to Promote Weight Loss and Vitality for Life is written by internationally acclaimed yoga expert and instructor Beth Shaw, the founder and president of YogaFit Training Systems, the largest yoga school in North America.
It’s worth noting that I’m not usually one to read fitness books. And when I do, I am discouraged part way through and I end up giving the book away. There is not much in this world I dislike more than counting calories and being told I can never have pizza again.
Luckily, that’s not what YogaLean is all about. It’s like Beth Shaw wrote this book for me.
YogaLean is not at all about absolutes or deprivation like other wellness books out there. It’s not about counting calories or never eating pizza again. It’s simply about making better decisions.
Buy It Now: Amazon
2. Yoga for Warriors by Beryl Bender Birch
YOGA FOR WARRIORS: Basic Training for Strength, Resilience, and Peace of Mind is an innovative book by internationally recognized yoga practitioner, founder of the Give Back Yoga Foundation (supports veterans), and author—Beryl Bender Birch.
Beryl was one of the first yoga professionals to apply yoga methodology to the integral treatment of post-traumatic stress while working with civilians and first-responders in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Yoga for Warriors was developed to train other civilians and veterans in using yoga to treat PTSD and other war trauma. The practices in the book include yoga postures, breathing techniques, relaxation and “yogasleep,” meditation, and more, that help military members and veterans acquire mind-body-spirit connection.
Buy It Now: Amazon
3. Energy Medicine Yoga by Lauren Walker
I have been a fan of energy working much longer than I have been into yoga, and I was thrilled to find a book that combines energy working with yoga.
Energy working essentially grooms the body’s energies, the way snow machine operators groom snow on a mountain. It helps us make sure the body’s energies are awake and moving, that they are running forward and not backward (a very common occurrence), and that the energy systems of the body are coordinated and organized.
In her new book, Energy Medicine Yoga, Lauren Walker combines the two powerful paradigms of energy medicine and yoga to influence the direction of our body’s energy patterns in order to create positive physical and emotional change.
In Energy Medicine Yoga Walker teaches readers how to use energy medicine yoga tools to harness energy, aid in digestion, detox your body, calm and stabilize the nervous system, balance your hormones, and strengthen your body.
Lauren Walker’s book Energy Medicine Yoga teaches you how to combine yoga with energy work (much in the style of Donna Eden of Energy Medicine), for a more holistic health experience.
Buy It Now: Amazon
4. Optimal Health for a Vibrant Life by Tiffany Cruikshank
Optimal Health for a Vibrant Life is a 30-day guide to optimizing your health with nutrition, herbs, myofascial release, yoga and much more. Tiffany’s goal is to help you cleanse the body and create simple, long-term changes that produce results for years to come. This book is perfect for anybody who wants to use yoga for health and transformation.
Buy It Now: YogaMedicine.com
5. Simple Recipes for Joy by Sharron Gannon
This awesome book by Sharron Gannon, founder of Jivamukuti yoga, is full of delicious vegan recipes that are SO good, you wouldn’t notice they’re vegan. Sharon has done an amazing job at setting the new standard for vegan cuisine. This book is a must have for any Jivamukti yoga practitioner.
Buy It Now: Amazon
6. Yoga Anatomy
Yoga Anatomy is the must-have book for any yoga student who wants to understand yoga more, or aspiring yoga teacher.
Authors Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews are both internationally recognized experts and teachers in anatomy, breathing, and bodywork. Together they have created the ultimate reference for yoga practitioners, instructors, and enthusiasts alike.
This book is designed to show you how different poses affect the muscles, bones, and joints, while showing you how the body is linked.
Buy It Now: Amazon
7. The One Plan by Yogi Cameron
What if you could follow a program that, unlike so many other books, helped you get results in only a couple of weeks? You could lose weight, attract more beneficial relationships, and find a greater state of balance in very little time. But what if, on top of all that, the program helped you create not just a fast change, but a permanent one? That’s what The One Plan by Yogi Cameron is all about.
Yogi Cameron is an ayurveda, yoga, and wellness expert who has created an accessible guide to permanent transformation through actionable tips and advice that you can start implementing today. This book is perfect for any yogi – or aspiring yogi – who is going through a rough patch or needs to heal.
Buy It Now: Amazon
8. The Lusty Vegan
A cookbook and advice guide for vegans dating non-vegans, The Lusty Vegan contains delicious recipes and advice on relationships, dating, and sex – when one wants tofu while the other wants a double cheeseburger. Zoe and Chef Ayinda’s writing is very funny, providing solid advice, and good eats!
This brilliant combination of cookbook and lifestyle book takes a unique look at inter-palate partnering with personal stories and tips for peaceful co-existence.
Ayinde and Zoe are longtime vegans, but they have something else in common; neither has ever dated another vegan. After comparing notes, they realized the need for a manifesto to help vegans and omnivores navigate their cross-cuisine love life. The book shares tips for vegans who want to satisfy the appetites of their omnivorous counterpart, and for non-vegans who want to impress their plant-based partners.
The authors’ personal experiences and advice can be irreverent, but always on the mark for people needing relationship solutions, both romantic and culinary. Loaded with humorous anecdotes and seductive full-color food photographs. The Lusty Vegan provides delicious recipes and lots of fun along the way.
Buy It Now: Amazon
9. Namaslay by Candace Moore
Candace’s approach to yoga, which combines old-world principles with a modern-day perspective comes from her own experience fighting back against a dangerous illness and depression. Her focus on perseverance and overcoming adversity transforms Namaslay into a powerful, motivational guide to help you live your most authentic life.
With a distinct visual format, Namaslay guides readers step by step through more than 100 yoga poses. The poses are broken down by experience level into a series of progressions and include modifications for those who can’t quite achieve the full expression of a pose just yet. Full-color photos and tips on overcoming common mistakes helps people get the most out of every pose.
Buy It Now: Amazon
10. Mindful Intentions Coffee Table Book
“Mindful Intentions” is an exquisite new coffee table book rich with wisdom and imagery that inspires readers to set intentions and realize their life goals. This beautiful, meditative book and companion DVD highlights breathtaking photography from award-winning filmmaker, cinematographer, director and producer, Louie Schwartzberg.
Buy It Now: ShopMiraval.com
Do you have an awesome yoga, vegetarian, or vegan themed book? I’m currently accepting review books for 2020. Leave a comment below.