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Following self-care exercises like yoga, including physical postures (asana), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation is universally regarded as the best way for attaining physical, mental and spiritual well being.
Here’s a list of five books capture different aspects of yoga from Indic Inspirations Shop to have on your bookshelf.
1. Light on Yoga: The Classic Guide to Yoga by the World’s Foremost Authority
by B.K.S. Iyengar
The book, ‘Light on Yoga‘ is classic guide-book for practicing yoga as described by the yoga legend B.K.S. Iyengar who was considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world. The book is the best to know about the correct techniques of practicing yoga at home. Every step of the yoga practice is described in this book in a very easy manner but detailed for a beginner or an advanced yogi. The book contains more than 600 photographs as illustrations of all the postures to give clear indications for positioning as it’s essential that you do yoga poses properly. The book also explains pranayama and meditation,
2. Yoga: Science of the Soul
by Osho
Yoga is not just fitness exercise for flexibility but in this book Osho- one of the inspiring spiritual teachers of the twentieth century, emphasizes on the understanding of yoga philosophy- human consciousness through yoga. From immemorial time in India there are many pious men who are engage in searching the meaning of our very existence and our soul -consciousness. Most eminent among them was Patajali who is credited with the inventions of some yoga ‘sutras’ called Raja yoga. It is a science of soul that is connection with the universe. Yoga is a health practice which is being used through different physical postures and exercise. These postures help to increase physical flexibility as well as mental ability for realization of our soul and consciousnesses.
3. Calcutta Yoga
Yoga from Streets of Calcutta to the world by Jerome Armstrong
Calcutta Yoga by Jerome Armstrong, a political analyst and media entrepreneur with an interest in yoga, gives a holistic picture of the history of hot yoga and the yoga gurus behind it. Like Buddha Bose, Bishnu Ghosh and Yogananda to name a few who popularized yoga from Calcutta to the rest of the world. The book is as much about yoga as it is about history, relationships and human nature. The book features rare, archival photographs.
4. Mudras of India: A Comprehensive Guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian Dance
Cain Carroll and Revital Carroll
For thousands of years hand mudras have been used in India for healing, expressing emotions or to convey different states of mid. ‘Mudras of India‘ is a very comprehensive reference book for anyone interested in learning more about Mudras-symbolic hand gestures. The mudras are used to direct prana or “life force” energy, and their application in meditation. The book can guide to incorporate some of these techniques in daily wellness practice.
5. Yoga Mythology: 64 Asanas and Their Stories
Devdutt Patnaik
The book is best for exploring the mythology of yoga poses. The author of the book Devdutt Pattanaik is an Indian author known for his work in mythology and interpretations of ancient Indian scriptures, stories, symbols and rituals. The book is co-written with international yoga practitioner Matthew Rulli. The book enlighten us about the folk lore behind the yogic asanas- postures.
