Yoga isn’t just an exercise; it’s a lifestyle. It’s a new way of looking at and interacting with the world as well as ourselves. Books also have the ability to teach us new things about the world. They expand our minds and open our eyes to the world around us. Meshing together the art of the written word and yogi wisdom, these authors have created the guidebooks for living the yoga lifestyle taking your practice outside of the studio.
These five books are a great start for anyone looking for more than asanas:
Wanderlust: A Modern Yogi’s Guide to Discovering Your Best Self by Jeff Krasno, Sarah Herrington, and Nicole Lindstrom
This book is all about the yoga lifestyle, with an emphasis on discovering yourself along the way. One of the authors is Jeff Krasno, co-founder of the Wanderlust Festivals. These festivals are a yogis dream; they feature group yoga and meditation classes, inspirational speakers, great music, and even top chefs! The book is an extension of that, but for everyday living. Grab a copy, roll out your mat, and prepare to “find your true north.”
Miracles Now: 108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose by Gabrielle Bernstein
If you’ve taken a look at A Course in Miracles and were intimidated, Miracles Now offers some of the same principles, in a less dense format. Containing little lessons on better living, this book teaches you how to handle everyday situations that pull you out of your Zen. It’s designed for the busy modern yogi who might not have time for 30 minutes of yoga or meditation every day but still needs a little guidance on overcoming stress and maintaining a peaceful life. With the way our world is today, we can certainly use a book like this.
Do Your Om Thing: Bending Yoga Tradition to Fit Your Modern Life by Rebecca Pacheco
Besides having a fantastically punny title, this book teaches you how to carry the feeling you get from your once-a-week yoga class into the rest of your life. Most of us desperately want to maintain that feeling of calmness, peace, and perfect harmony 24/7, but with the hectic pace and frustrating situations we encounter every day, that peace quickly melts away. Do Your Om Thing takes ancient wisdom and spins it to be relatable in the 21st century, inviting you to take the lessons from yoga into the real world and use techniques from the class to navigate the tricky waters of life.
The Soul Searcher’s Handbook: A Modern Girl’s Guide to the New Age World by Emma Mildon
Doesn’t the name of this book sound inviting? Aren’t we all really soul searchers on a quest to find out who we really are? This ultimate handbook is, basically, a crash-course in everything New Age related. It teaches you about everything from crystals to astrology, and whatever else might be in between. Learn how to live the ultimate spiritual life – the modern way.
Perfectly Imperfect: The Art and Soul of Yoga Practice by Baron Baptiste
This just might be the best one on the list. As a USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Perfectly Imperfect is your ultimate guide to transforming your life through yoga. It will show you how to not just do it, but be it. Author Baron Baptiste writes about what happens to your body and mind after you have entered a yoga pose, which is when the real magic happens. This is a must-have for the bookshelf of anyone who wants to incorporate more fully the beauty of yoga practice into everyday life.
