Everybody knows yoga’s physical benefits – it increases flexibility, strengthens your muscles, trains your ability to concentrate, and much more. But we can assure you – there is so much more than just training your body! Training your mind and spirit is just as important.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 books you need to read to get the full understanding of yoga and how it can benefit you physically, mentally, and spiritually.

If you are a beginner, there are many ways to learn more about yoga and the advantages of the yogi lifestyle – books are a big part of it. As there are so many books about yoga, you can totally get lost in the search. So today, we made a list of five books for yoga beginners. We tried to include books with diverse viewpoints so you could get to see the big picture of yoga benefits, which is a lot more than just a simple workout.

So this is our list of Top 5 amazing yoga books you must read with our short overviews. We hope the books will be a useful guide for you on the road to becoming a true yogi!

K. S. Iyengar “Light on Yoga”

If you are a yoga beginner and don’t know what to start with, my recommendation is to take “Light on Yoga”. It has been called the “fullest, most practical and best-illustrated book on the subject with more than 600 illustrations”. The guru explains what yoga is and then gives detailed examples on more than 200 yoga postures in the book. This book is true enlightenment written by a true master! B.K. S. Iyengar is said to be the vest yoga teacher, and he is among 100 most influential people in the world. We picked this book because it lays an excellent background for further findings. And at least one of the greatest Iyeangars book must be on your reading list (he wrote a bunch of them)

Charlotte Bell “Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life: A Guide for Everyday Practice”

When you start to know a little bit more about yoga, the great fear comes “how to actually apply ALL of that to everyday life? Sadly, sometimes people think that the yogis lifestyle is too unrealistic for today’s life and finishes their yoga path with this question. Suppose you are now at this breaking point. In that case, Charlotte Bell will dispel your doubts in no time. ” Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life: A Guide For Everyday Practice” is a great book where Charlotte writes about her struggles while trying to apply the Yoga Sutras’ eightfold path and the Buddha’s heed mindfulness to her Western life. When you are reading the book, you really see the reflection of your path! It makes you understand that you are not alone having a rough time trying to make a significant change in life.

Leslie Kaminoff “Yoga Anatomy”

If you have already taken a step to a yogi life and now wondering how asanas can actually affect your body grab this book, and you will be a pro in no time! Leslie Kaminoff is said to be a “rational yoga teacher, who doesn’t seek to extend his spirituality beyond the material plane. So his book concentrates on explaining every part of asana in practice: from breathing to standing poses, how each muscle is used, how to enhance or reduce the effectiveness of each pose, how everything in the body is linked. We can assure you that there won’t be any questions on how yoga affects the body after reading this book.

Stephen Cope “Yoga and the Quest for the True Self”

If you want something different from Leslie’s book, we recommend reading Stephen Cope’s “Yoga and the Quest for the True Self”. In the book, he demystifies the philosophy, psychology, and practice of yoga. The combination is really unique, and the result is an amazingly interesting and worth taking time to read. Cope shows how to apply yoga to our daily difficulties and shows how practicing yoga can help you heal all nowadays sufferings. He manages to compound two totally different worldviews – psychotherapy and yoga and explains how to make the best of it.

Sakyong Mipham “Turning the Mind into an Ally”

Lastly, we want to mention Sakyong’s “Turning the Mind into an Ally”. The title really says it all about the book. When our thoughts are overfilled with the stress, anxiety, sadness, every day’s routine and all of today’s life disturbances, it is easy to get lost in your own mind. This book is a guide on how to obtain peace and clarity. Strengthening, calming, and stabilizing the mind is the essential first step in accomplishing nearly any goal, and this book can help you find the guidelines for achieving that. Sakyong Mipham is the head of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, and he really masters the skill of explaining people’s spiritual potential in a modern way.

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Check our June and July book club recommendations if you still haven’t and share your book recommendations in the comments below!

We also invite everyone to share their favorite books in the comments and social media with the hashtag #summersaltbookclub.

August – girl power month!

Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem by Gloria Steinem

The iconic feminist’s book is a great starter read for anyone who’s looking to learn more about women’s issues, have some insights into the history of that, and well – learn about feminism. It is not a dry or a preachy read as some might expect, so if that’s what’s holding you back from picking up this book – do not worry.

“Steinem’s book unfolds like a flower: it offers literature, art, nature, meditation, and connectedness as ways of finding and exploring the self. Her message is that it is our very selves that we need to trust, despite educational and societal pressures that may denigrate the female experience. Her focus is women, but she is clear that what she has to say is for men, too, and she is neither strident nor dismissive”, – GraceAnne A. DeCandido, “School Library Journal”

Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

The book has become somewhat of a bible to women looking for freedom and to connect with their inner selves.

An incredibly inspiring, entertaining and educational read is still relevant (if not more than ever) and is a must have in every woman’s library.

“Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species. Though the gifts of wildish nature come to us at birth, society’s attempt to ‘civilize’ us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled deep, life-giving messages of our own souls. Without Wild Woman, we become overdomesticated, fearful, uncreative, trapped.”, – Amazon.

The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have with People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do (A No F*cks Given Guide) by Sarah Knight

Do not feel put off by the name (if these things annoy you), this book is a good wakeup call and a reminder of how we are so often at fault by creating our own stress and anxiety (about looks, work, family and all that jazz.

Light-hearted, fun and no-bullshit read will definitely help those who are feeling like they just can’t take it NO MO!

“Are you stressed out, overbooked, and underwhelmed by life? Fed up with pleasing everyone else before you please yourself? It’s time to stop giving a f*ck.

This brilliant, hilarious, and practical parody of Marie Kondo’s bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up explains how to rid yourself of unwanted obligations, shame, and guilt–and give your f*cks instead to people and things that make you happy”, – Amazon.

Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World by Ann Shen

A coffee table book with a message, captivating content and beautiful illustrations. It covers 100 inspiring women who have done incredible things in their lives and remained – well, badass! A perfect gift for a friend or yourself.

“The 100 revolutionary women highlighted in this gorgeously illustrated book were bad in the best sense of the word: they challenged the status quo and changed the rules for all who followed. From pirates to artists, warriors, daredevils, scientists, activists, and spies, the accomplishments of these incredible women vary as much as the eras and places in which they effected change. Featuring bold watercolor portraits and illuminating essays by Ann Shen, Bad Girls Throughout History is a distinctive, gift-worthy tribute”, – Amazon.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

If you do not think that Amy Poehler is the most amazing woman out there we can’t be friends. The autobiographic book offers a look at Amy’s career, life and also inspires all of us to stay true to ourselves, no matter how quirky, weird or outrageous anyone else might say we are. It is not necessary to say, but we will anyway – the book is laugh out loud hilarious too!

“Yes Please delivers what it should: life lessons and vicarious thrills…the book is largely a portrait of confidence. Reading it, some of it rubs off on us”, – New Yorker

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Summersalt yoga book club introduces its second month and invites you to dive into some amazing stories! Share your book recommendations in the comments below!

We also invite everyone to share their favourite books in the comments and social media with a hashtag #summersaltbookclub. Join the Summer Book Club!

July – beach reads month!  

Caroline’s recommendation

Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Compelling, complex plot with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Great holiday read. A big book!

Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don’t know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art. (amazon.com)

Leah’s recommendation

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway 

To me, Hemingway is magical. His books take me to another world where I can escape into the lives of his highly personified characters and just get lost within their worlds. Nothing captivates me more than the deep meanings deciphered from his simple words.

The quintessential novel of the Lost Generation, The Sun Also Rises is one of Ernest Hemingway’s masterpieces and a classic example of his spare but powerful writing style. A poignant look at the disillusionment and angst of the post-World War I generation, the novel introduces two of Hemingway’s most unforgettable characters: Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley. (amazon.com)

Vanessa’s recommendation

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat by Oliver Sacks

I love this book. It’s a compilation of real-life case studies of Dr. Oliver Sacks’ work as a neurologist and clinical researcher. Sacks writes with such candor and humor on the sometimes sad reality of neurological disorders. (I know, super fun stuff). But I find it so interesting that a medical doctor has the vernacular and cadence of a scholarly writer, and can present heavy research around the brain functionality with fun and attainability. In this life of stress and disease, it’s a different type of insight.

Brigid’s recommendation

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

The Secret may have an idea about the Law of Attraction. Find out how to put this law into effect and utilize your talents to achieve maximum happiness and abundance in your life by reading the book.

The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers—men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible. (amazon.com)

Milda’s recommendation

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Captivating, inspiration, and pure reading pleasure! I have finished this novel in a couple of days – I just couldn’t put it down. A recommendation for anyone who’s looking for a great, multi-layered novel

Set in 1945 Barcelona looks into the life of an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. This seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets–an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love (amazon.com)

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Here at Summersalt Yoga we’re thrilled to introduce our Summer Book Club where every summer month we’ll be introducing a bunch of amazing books that we recommend for your beach, garden or cozy home nook reads.

We invite everyone to share their favorite books in the comments and social media with the hashtag #summersaltbookclub. Join the Summer Book Club!

June – spirituality and yoga month

Caroline’s recommendation

A Pukka life: finding your path to perfect health by Sebastian Pole.

My go-to book about Ayurveda (the science of life) An easy to read a comprehensive book inspired by Ayurveda, it’s an informative read on lifestyle, diet, etc. The book takes into consideration one’s Prakriti (dosha at birth) and everyday lifestyle in order to achieve radiant health (biomechanically, biochemically, and emotionally).

Leah’s recommendations

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

As a simple story of a man’s life, that we can all seemingly connect with, this story drew me in. Concealing much deeper meaning beyond the basic storyline, Siddhartha’s journey is a spiritual quest toward enlightenment that is relatable and understandable and even seems to be attainable. The dips of highs and lows and the ultimate growth of his character fascinated me throughout the whole novel and made me seek a spiritual journey of my own.

Vanessa’s recommendations

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

This isn’t a traditional “yoga” book per se, but it’s a beautiful story about the following destiny along the way and living a life of full potential, consciousness, and awareness. Soaking it all in. A quote from this book is one of my mantras:

“The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And, if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better.”

Brigid’s recommendation

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

It’s a sort of compendium for those engaged in creative pursuits. Her intelligent prose guides the reader through concepts of where ideas originate and how to work with the creative forces of the universe. A must-read for anyone hoping to unlock the secret potential that lies dormant within them!

Milda’s recommendation

Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self by Judith Anodea

If you’re new to the chakras – read it, if you know something – still read it. In-depth and clear explanations of each chakra and how their imbalance affects us are incredible and very comprehensible. I come back to this book when I feel like I need some advice and guidance and I’m never disappointed.

Rosie’s recommendations

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier & More Creative by Florence Williams

For centuries, poets and philosophers extolled the benefits of a walk in the woods: Beethoven drew inspiration from rocks and trees; Wordsworth composed while tromping over the heath, and Nikola Tesla conceived the electric motor while visiting a park. Intrigued by our storied renewal in the natural world, Florence Williams set out to uncover the science behind nature’s positive effects on the brain.

Next Summer Book Club meeting – in July!

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