Incredible story of a parapalegic man who discovers yoga and eventually becomes a teacher. Through the precise alignment of Iyengar yoga, he regains a subtle, vital connection to his whole body. Inspiring and thought-provoking.
Kripalu Yoga by Richard Faulds
A thorough introduction to the Kripalu tradition, including breathing techniques, warm-ups, postures and meditations. Very accessible discussion of yogic philosophy as well.
30 Essential Yoga Poses by Judith Lasater
It isn't ideal to learn postures from a book, but if you're the kind of person who can translate written movement instructions into actions, this book has a ton of great alignment details.
Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain
Brilliant guide to the body in movement. Provides lots of insight into the mechanics of the postures. You'll never think about your body in the same way again. A must for teachers.
The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga by Ray Long
Remarkable computer-generated graphics show muscle positions and functions with great clarity. It suggests that the chakras are associated with different spinal nerves. Not as much mechanical detail as "Anatomy of Movement", but the pictures are very cool.
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley (DVD)
Paul Grilley is a creating a quiet revolution in how teachers think about alignment. Essentially, Paul's study of different human skeletons has shown wide variation between individuals. Therefore, Wheel can be effortless for some yogis and nearly impossible for others, not for lack of effort, but because some skeletons just don't move like that. Highly recommended.
Meditations from the Mat by Rolph Gates
Daily reflections on all the major philosophical themes of yoga, with some great quotes. Sometimes if feels like the author is just trying to fill up space, but other times his insights are profound. A good source for readings.
Relax and Renew by Judith Lasater
This is the definitive book on restorative yoga. Postures are supported with cushions, blankets, and the kitchen sink, so that no muscular effort is required, and then held for many minutes. You don't really "do" anything, yet so much happens...
Be Here Now by Ram Dass
Reading this book is a mystical experience in itself. It begins with the story of Ram Dass' transformation from a stuffy psychologist to a psychedelic madman to a devoted Hindu disciple to one of the most influential teachers of yoga in the West. The middle section presents a distillation of yogic philosophy interspersed with illustrations. The book ends with a "Cookbook for a Spiritual Life," offering practical advice for accelerating your spiritual evolution.
Buddhism
The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chödrön
Pema Chödrön is one of the prominent female Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the West. All of her books offer direct advice on how to live fearlessly and equanimously amidst the constant change and challenge of everyday life. As an introduction to Buddhism, this is highly recommended.
A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield
Another great introduction to Buddhism. Kornfield presents the teachings in a direct manner with lots of illustrative stories and metaphors. This is much more than meditation instruction. He shows how we can live with more mindfulness and compassion in all parts of our life.
Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
A classic of modern Buddhist literature. Simple, elegant presentation of the Buddhist teachings, with an emphasis on practicing mindfulness is all moments of life (not just when we're on a mat or a cushion).
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhism is perhaps the most complex form of Buddhism, both philosophically and practically. Sogyal Rinpoche offers an accessible introduction to this tradition, as well as a more detailed explanation of Tibetan Buddhism's unique views and practices surrounding death (and rebirth.) Whether you "believe" in reincarnation or not, this book offers a lot of useful ideas and techniques for dealing with the reality of death - of our loved ones, and ultimately our own.
Thoughts Without a Thinker by Mark Epstein
Epstein is a meditation teacher as well as a psychotherapist, and he draws on both traditions to help explain how we get ourselves so stuck in suffering, and then how we can find a way out. Insightful and engaging.
Speaking, Cooking, Living
* New! * Hungry Planet by Peter Menzel
What would it look like if you laid out all the food your family eats in one week? Peter Menzel found statistically average families in dozens of countries around the world and had them do just that. Pictures and text offer a fascinating glimpse at what food culture looks like around the world. Mind blowing and deeply educational.
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
Marshall Rosenberg's basic insight is that communicating clearly and compassionately takes practice. He has developed a technique called Nonviolent Communication, based on mindfulness of the feelings and needs of yourself and others. His ideas have a strong Buddhist flavor and offer an explicit technique for practicing the Buddhist precept of Right Speech, but they universal in application. Anyone in a committed relationship will benefit from reading this book.
Grace and Grit by Ken Wilber
The incredible story of Ken Wilber's first wife and her struggle with cancer. Ken Wilber is an innovative philosopher and long-time meditator, and he weaves many fascinating ideas into the narrative. The story is very sad, but an inspiring example of how meditation and other practices can help us remain "well" even when the body is dying. Also, a critical examination of the New Age trope that illness is "caused" by emotional or mental patterns. Recommended for anyone dealing with chronic disease.
The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood
Ever wonder how to cook all those exotic grains in the bulk food bins at Whole Foods? Want to know how to pick a healthy cooking oil? Looking to change the way you eat, but don't know how? This book offers all the information you need to expand you diet in new, healthy, and delicious directions. It does not prescribe any particular regimen, but the well-written, informative entries will help you make better choices about what you buy, how you prepare it, and how it may affect your body. Foods are analyzed both in terms of Western science and Chinese/folk medicinal properties. Recommended for the conscious eater.
Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford
If you want to go even deeper into the art and science of nutrition, Paul Pitchford's massive tome provides significantly more information. Most of his ideas are based on Chinese medicinal principles, as well as a lifetime of experimentation and experience. He offers nutritional advice for treating most major ailments, and nuanced dietary principles such as food combining and eating in harmony with the seasons and your constitution.
The Moosewood Restaurant Daily Special
The best source of soup recipes we've ever found. Great baked tofu, as well. If you tried the first Moosewood cookbook and found it too buttery/cheesy, try their new books. The recipes are healthier and more vegetable focused.
Incredible story of a parapalegic man who discovers yoga and eventually becomes a teacher. Through the precise alignment of Iyengar yoga, he regains a subtle, vital connection to his whole body. Inspiring and thought-provoking.
A thorough introduction to the Kripalu tradition, including breathing techniques, warm-ups, postures and meditations. Very accessible discussion of yogic philosophy as well.
It isn't ideal to learn postures from a book, but if you're the kind of person who can translate written movement instructions into actions, this book has a ton of great alignment details.
Brilliant guide to the body in movement. Provides lots of insight into the mechanics of the postures. You'll never think about your body in the same way again. A must for teachers.
Remarkable computer-generated graphics show muscle positions and functions with great clarity. It suggests that the chakras are associated with different spinal nerves. Not as much mechanical detail as "Anatomy of Movement", but the pictures are very cool.
Paul Grilley is a creating a quiet revolution in how teachers think about alignment. Essentially, Paul's study of different human skeletons has shown wide variation between individuals. Therefore, Wheel can be effortless for some yogis and nearly impossible for others, not for lack of effort, but because some skeletons just don't move like that. Highly recommended.
Daily reflections on all the major philosophical themes of yoga, with some great quotes. Sometimes if feels like the author is just trying to fill up space, but other times his insights are profound. A good source for readings.
This is the definitive book on restorative yoga. Postures are supported with cushions, blankets, and the kitchen sink, so that no muscular effort is required, and then held for many minutes. You don't really "do" anything, yet so much happens...
Reading this book is a mystical experience in itself. It begins with the story of Ram Dass' transformation from a stuffy psychologist to a psychedelic madman to a devoted Hindu disciple to one of the most influential teachers of yoga in the West. The middle section presents a distillation of yogic philosophy interspersed with illustrations. The book ends with a "Cookbook for a Spiritual Life," offering practical advice for accelerating your spiritual evolution.
Pema Chödrön is one of the prominent female Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the West. All of her books offer direct advice on how to live fearlessly and equanimously amidst the constant change and challenge of everyday life. As an introduction to Buddhism, this is highly recommended.
Another great introduction to Buddhism. Kornfield presents the teachings in a direct manner with lots of illustrative stories and metaphors. This is much more than meditation instruction. He shows how we can live with more mindfulness and compassion in all parts of our life.
A classic of modern Buddhist literature. Simple, elegant presentation of the Buddhist teachings, with an emphasis on practicing mindfulness is all moments of life (not just when we're on a mat or a cushion).
Tibetan Buddhism is perhaps the most complex form of Buddhism, both philosophically and practically. Sogyal Rinpoche offers an accessible introduction to this tradition, as well as a more detailed explanation of Tibetan Buddhism's unique views and practices surrounding death (and rebirth.) Whether you "believe" in reincarnation or not, this book offers a lot of useful ideas and techniques for dealing with the reality of death - of our loved ones, and ultimately our own.
Epstein is a meditation teacher as well as a psychotherapist, and he draws on both traditions to help explain how we get ourselves so stuck in suffering, and then how we can find a way out. Insightful and engaging.
What would it look like if you laid out all the food your family eats in one week? Peter Menzel found statistically average families in dozens of countries around the world and had them do just that. Pictures and text offer a fascinating glimpse at what food culture looks like around the world. Mind blowing and deeply educational.
Marshall Rosenberg's basic insight is that communicating clearly and compassionately takes practice. He has developed a technique called Nonviolent Communication, based on mindfulness of the feelings and needs of yourself and others. His ideas have a strong Buddhist flavor and offer an explicit technique for practicing the Buddhist precept of Right Speech, but they universal in application. Anyone in a committed relationship will benefit from reading this book.
The incredible story of Ken Wilber's first wife and her struggle with cancer. Ken Wilber is an innovative philosopher and long-time meditator, and he weaves many fascinating ideas into the narrative. The story is very sad, but an inspiring example of how meditation and other practices can help us remain "well" even when the body is dying. Also, a critical examination of the New Age trope that illness is "caused" by emotional or mental patterns. Recommended for anyone dealing with chronic disease.
Ever wonder how to cook all those exotic grains in the bulk food bins at Whole Foods? Want to know how to pick a healthy cooking oil? Looking to change the way you eat, but don't know how? This book offers all the information you need to expand you diet in new, healthy, and delicious directions. It does not prescribe any particular regimen, but the well-written, informative entries will help you make better choices about what you buy, how you prepare it, and how it may affect your body. Foods are analyzed both in terms of Western science and Chinese/folk medicinal properties. Recommended for the conscious eater.
If you want to go even deeper into the art and science of nutrition, Paul Pitchford's massive tome provides significantly more information. Most of his ideas are based on Chinese medicinal principles, as well as a lifetime of experimentation and experience. He offers nutritional advice for treating most major ailments, and nuanced dietary principles such as food combining and eating in harmony with the seasons and your constitution.
The best source of soup recipes we've ever found. Great baked tofu, as well. If you tried the first Moosewood cookbook and found it too buttery/cheesy, try their new books. The recipes are healthier and more vegetable focused.
