Why We Recommend This Book
Published in 2003, this book holds up well through the influx of asana-focused books. Lasater offers an “Especially for Teachers” commentary on each pose. These teachings are insightful and practical. She addresses real and common student situations and offers very clear teachings and tools you can use immediately with students. – Shelly
Book Quote
Inevitably, the beginning student will want to touch her toes in [Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee Pose)]. Somehow, we all feel more holy if we do, regardless of how we
may distort the body to create the stretch. It is important for the health of your student’s lower back that you pay particular attention to the harmony of her lower back and her pelvis. From the very start, teach her to move the pelvis first and let the spine follow… As your student comes into the pose, her lumbar curve should remain as concave as possible. Remember, a concave arch is actually the neutral position for the lumbar spine. Teaching your student to move in this way will help to prevent lower back pain and dysfunction, especially in the sacroiliac region.
Why We Recommend This Book
As a new teacher, I immersed myself in yoga literature and often found myself exclaiming over the amazing teachings I would regularly discover, surprised that I had never been exposed to them in my training. Over the years, I’ve found so many powerful teachings that I now recognize how hard it is for trainers to pick and choose which resources to recommend. This book is one I think many teachers and trainers would agree belongs on the short list. Farhi is a master of the breath and movement and this book, while accessible and enjoyable to read, dives deep. Published in 2000, it sets an extremely high standard for books on asana and movement. – Shelly
Book Quote
While I have given the practice of asanas great emphasis in this book, it is not because the perfection of the body or of yoga postures is the goal of yoga practice. This down-to-earth, flesh-and-bones practice is simply one of the most direct and expedient ways to meet yourself. It is a good place to begin. Whether you meet yourself through standing on your feet or standing on your head is irrelevant. It’s important, therefore, not to make the mistake of thinking that the perfection of the yoga asanas is the goal… The goal of asana practice is to live in your body and to learn to perceive clearly thorough it.
Why We Recommend This Book
You can get acquainted with skillful alignment in a way that is rarely encountered. As is Clark’s way, the book tends to be too dense for many of us to read cover-to-cover… but don’t let that deter you. It’s too powerful to not delve into. Do yourself – and your trainees and students – a favor, and get familiar with Clark’s vital teachings on the powerful facts of individuality in physical practice. – Shelly
Book Quote
Proper alignment reduces stress in the joints and protects them from dynamically moving into hypermobility, where injury may occur. Good alignment may build architectural stability, minimize muscular effort and allow a student to safely linger in a posture. It would be very nice if every posture had alignment cues that worked for every body, and if one medicine would cure every body of cancer. But the reality of human variation teaches us that life is not so idyllic. We are all different, and what works for one person is not guaranteed to work for another.
Some of the following books cover far more than asana but are categorized here because the asana coverage is particularly helpful for teachers. For example, Baron Baptiste, Bernie Clark, Donna Farhi and Erich Schiffman all write beautifully about the much broader philosophy, implications and practices of yoga beyond asana.
While we have highlighted a few outstanding books, there are many wonderful books and we encourage you to peruse the entire list. Any one of these may be just what you need!
Why We Recommend This Book
I found this book in the early years of creating Yoga Teacher Central and I was so impressed! There are so few sources that share effective and unique pose variations. And the wall is such a powerful prop. Inspired by Pappas’ book, I would occasionally surprise my intermediate-level class with an entire class practiced at the wall. It was a challenging and enlightening practice for us all. Pappas does an excellent job of teaching how to use the wall to enhance the experience of all levels of students. And her instructions and imagery are uniquely effective. – Shelly
Book Quote
[In Parivrtta Trikonasana Revolved Triangle Pose],there is a lot going on… all at once: balancing, twisting, strengthening, and stretching. As you hold the pose, pick just one of these aspects and focus on it for several breaths. Then shift your attention to another aspect and place your emphasis there.
[In Vrksasana Tree Pose], gather energy from the nutrients and water in the earth beneath you.
If [Virabhadrasana III] pose tends to feel a bit heavy in the legs and lower body, imagine something light, like a feather or leaf as you practice. You can also imagine that your body forms an arrow and the direction of the current is traveling from your foot toward your head and out into the space of the room.
While we have highlighted a few outstanding books, there are many wonderful books and we encourage you to peruse the entire list. Any one of these may be just what you need!
Our goal in providing book lists with quick links is to make it easy for you to get a sense for the variety of possible resources and to access them easily.
We receive no compensation of any sort for any recommendations or mentions. We are simply offering information as we feel called to do so.
Most of our book links use Amazon Associates, which pays a tiny commission on purchases made through those links (80 cents on a $20 book, for example). On average, we receive less than $15 per month from Amazon.
