Hey, future yoga teachers!
Do you remember the first day you stepped onto the mat, that feeling of curiosity and perhaps a tinge of nervousness, that very sensation that brought it home that something more was on the threshold? Just know that this feeling, an intimation of wanting to know more and know better, is just the beginning.
Teaching yoga isn’t all about executing a perfect Chaturanga; it requires having deep access to the philosophy that informs the practice, building an inner awareness and presence, and guiding others with compassion and clarity.
Like any other craft, to become a good yoga teacher, there will be years and years of study required with the utmost will to gain knowledge. Besides personal practice, you need to have a good grip on the foundation of yoga literature.
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In this blog post, I am sharing 10 essential books that I think every aspiring teacher should read. They are so much more than dusty old tomes caked with dust on some shelf; they are live libraries of wisdom, awakening greater insight into yoga or providing inspiration for your teaching as well as your journey towards self.”
Core Content (The Yoga Teacher’s Library)
The classical texts list the keystone knowledge for learning how to teach yoga.
Section 1: Foundational Texts
- Book 1: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are like the Yoga Bible that outlines the eight limbs of Yoga, from ethical observances (yamas and niyamas) to meditation (dhyana) and ending up at liberation (moksha) while guiding practitioners through the path of their inner landscape.
Teaching Tip: Don’t stress about the in-depth Sanskrit! Get to the heart of the concept. Understandably, these Sutras will improve your own practice and serve as a strong foundation for sharing yoga philosophy with your students.
- Book 2: Bhagavad Gita
Perhaps this is an unexpected inclusion; the Gita brings great insight into the nature of action, duty, and the third level of continuing detachment from the effects of one’s actions. Really, it should remind students of how yoga is so much more than just physical asanas.
Teaching Tip: The Gita can help keep a balanced perspective during difficult teaching situations. You are sure to be challenged by students struggling with particular aspects of the postures or situations where circumstances may be demanding in all sorts of ways. Hold the Gita close to you and bring its knowledge into situations and further into compassion and understanding.
Section 2: Anatomy & Physiology
Let us therefore go down to the ground level. The anatomy and physiology of the human body provide the bedrock on which any yoga teacher can stand. Such are the books that will help you in that direction.
- Book 3: Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by David Coulter
There is a reason this book is a classic. The author skillfully breaks down the anatomy and biomechanics of the yoga asanas. The book will allow you to understand muscle function, joint action, and common misalignment issues.
Teaching Tip: Use this book to understand ideal alignment and how to provide modifications for your students with different experiences and physical limitations.
- Book 4: Yoga Therapy: Principles & Practice by Tiffany Cruikshank
Yoga is much more than just a workout; it is also a very essential tool for healing. This book speaks to the points at which yoga meets therapy and explores the treatment of common injuries and conditions.
Teaching Tip: Take a peek at how you can adapt your classes for students with specific needs, for example, those with back pain, arthritis, or another physical limitation. This is valuable knowledge that will empower you to safely set your students into their practice.
For more insights, refer the article on Yoga Anatomy: Understanding the Body-Mind Connection
Section 3: Yoga Philosophy & Ethics
Let’s now explore deeply the philosophical and ethical dimensions of yoga. These books will give you an understanding of the deeper meaning of yoga and help you teach with mindfulness and ethics.
- Book 5: The Heart of Yoga, by T.K.V. Desikachar
Desikachar, the son of the renowned yoga master T. Krishnamacharya, stresses the importance of tailoring yoga practice for individual needs. He urges students to work within their limits and within their capacities.
Teaching tip: Learn to assess each student’s individual needs; adapt your practices accordingly. This book provides several wonderful insights to help you nurture a practice that is truly apta-kama for your students.
- Book 6: Living Yoga, by Judith Hanson Lasater
This work makes an effort to connect yoga philosophy and life as we know it. Lasater develops methods for including mindfulness, compassion, and ethical living in our everyday lives.
Teaching tip: Contemplate how to fill a spirit of mindfulness and ethics with your teaching, on and off the mat. This book will inspire you to live your yoga values and become a role model for your students.
Section 4: Teaching Methodology
Here comes the practical part! These are the books through which you will gain the needed abilities and insights to teach others yoga.
- Book 7: Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Skills by Mark Stephens
An all-in-one guide, including class planning, sequencing, cueing, modifiers, and still more. It is like a manual for teaching yoga to yourself.
Teaching Tip: Discover the nuts and bolts of creating clear and direct instructions. This book provides a pathway towards effectively teaching your students, helping to ensure that they understand your instruction and feel safe and supported.
- Book 8: The Art and Science of Yoga Sequencing by Dawn Elise Brennan
Sequencing is one of the cornerstones of teaching yoga. This book deals with the principles of a balanced, invigorating, and therapeutic sequence in a practice.
Teaching Tip: Explore how to create vibrant and meaningful yoga experiences for your students. This book helps you acquire skills for sequencing asana built upon breath work and mindfulness into a unified, flowing, and inspiring class.
Want to dive deeper? Read the full blog 7 Signs You’re Ready for Yoga Teacher Training
Section 5: Inspiration & Reflection
In the nourishing of the spirit, lifelong learning is encouraged. It is an inspiring journey that offers guidance and reflection space for your career as a yoga teacher.
- Book 9: The Path of Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
The book is not a manual on yoga poses. This is a very personal narrative of Iyengar’s life as a yoga practitioner and teacher. It is a witness to the live years and all the discipline, recognition, and learning that had to be lived in order to be a true representation of the spirit of yoga.
Teaching Tip: Allow this book to inspire you in your journey as a yoga teacher. Introduce the spirit of lifelong learning and the will to better oneself constantly.
- Book 10: Yoga Mala: A Journal for Your Practice by Tiffany Cruikshank
A beautiful journal urging you to reflect on your practice, investigate your intentions, and foster a deeper awareness of the inner you.
Teaching Tip: Encourage your students to develop a practice through journaling and self-reflection. Indeed, this book will be a useful tool for you as well as your students.
Conclusion
Well, that was just an introductory briefing into the conspiracy called the “Yoga Teacher’s Library,” and according to me, every upcoming teacher must discover this library. The list, however, is not exhaustive; there are innumerable other great books there waiting for you to find them.
These 10 books are as good a starting point as any. They will get you where you need to be with yoga—theory, anatomy, techniques of instruction, and, lastly, self.
If you are ready to take your next step in yoga, I invite you to check our yoga teacher training programs at Kaivalyam. We provide a safe, nurturing environment where you can explore yoga further and build the confidence and inspiration to teach.
