15 Books Every Yoga Teacher Should Read
A teacher must be first and foremost a student.
There is more to yoga than just a physical practice—it is a way of life, a philosophy, and a path to self-discovery. The ancient wisdom of yoga has been passed down through generations, not just through oral teachings and direct practice but also through sacred texts and modern interpretations that make its knowledge accessible to all. With yoga's increasing popularity worldwide, it important for trained teachers of yoga to study authentic sources that uphold its true essence. The best yoga books can be invaluable companions on this path of teaching and learning. From classical scriptures to contemporary interpretations, from books on asanas and pranayama to those exploring the depths of the mind and consciousness, there is a wealth of knowledge waiting to be explored.
Teaching and Learning at The Yoga Institute
Senior teachers from The Yoga Institute have experienced how the right book can transform one’s understanding of yoga—not just as a practice but as a way of life. Sadhaks and trainee teachers who study here gradually become focused, positive, involved in duties and reach higher levels of consciousness. Apart from taking up courses and attending classes, they also study books on yoga, spirituality and philosophy. They do not lose sight of the spiritual base of yoga that results in deeper understanding of life and an equibalanced state of mind.
Best Books for Yoga Teachers
Here is a curated list of 15 essential books every yoga teacher should read. Some are classical scriptures, some are contemporary interpretations, some are about anatomy and physiology, and some are authored by the revered gurus from The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, the world’s oldest organized yoga centre.
1. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Talks by Dr. Jayadeva & Smt. Hansaji Yogendra
Maharshi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is an influential work, comprising a set of 195 pithy aphorisms which are as relevant in today’s world as it was when it was written a few centuries ago. This book is based on talks by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra, who has made the timeless wisdom of the Yoga Sutras come alive for ardent sadhaks.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626f63859a61db00132255eb
2. Yoga for All (New Edition): The National Bestseller on Wellness for Your Mind, Body and Soul – Hansaji
This book goes beyond the physical benefits of Yoga to remind us of the equally important mental and spiritual dimensions. Through pictorial depictions of asanas and simple instructions designed to
cater to individuals of different abilities, body types, ages and genders, this book makes Yoga easy for all.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626cdfec9a61db0013225241
3. Hatha Yoga Simplified, Classic Yoga Series Book by Shri Yogendra
What is important about this book is that the difficult and obscure yoga processes have been simplified by Shri Yogendra, the pioneer of scientific Yoga. Besides their scientific import in the daily life
of a layman, their therapeutic merits in the treatment of chronic and functional diseases have also been evaluated with scientific and clinical corroborations. It is a recommended yoga
anatomy book as it provides detailed insights into postural alignment.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/637db8e5e7b6780011a577f0
4. Yoga for Children: Teacher's Handbook
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/637caa26e7b6780011a572c4
This is the first of a series of books planned as per the NCERT syllabus for teaching Yoga in schools. Starting with the awareness of one's own limitations, Yoga lessons in the book slowly but steadily help the student to discover inner strength and develop several positive attitudes contributing to personality development.
5. Yoga - Physical Education for Women – Smt. Sitadevi Yogendra
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/6502dc2ff925df00181e2bb3
This pioneering book addresses the unique health needs of women through Yoga. Covering topics like weight management, diet, sexual health, painless childbirth, neurasthenia, relaxation, and mental
well-being, it offers practical, easy-to-follow solutions rooted in decades of clinical and laboratory research. Tailored specifically for women, it highlights how not all Yoga practices suit every female body—especially
beginners—making this guide essential for safe and effective practice.
6. Teaching Yoga by Dr.Jayadeva Yogendra
This handbook not only focusses on the techniques of Yoga but gives direction to the teacher to incorporate this wonderful knowledge in a meaningful way. The tips in the book
will empower the teacher to get the message across in an impactful and effective way.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626d0cb19a61db00132254a0
7. Guide to Yoga Meditation – Shri Yogendraji
This ‘how-to’ book on meditation offers simple guidelines to help one become aware and finally see the true self shining forth in its own true nature. It is compiled from the published and unpublished
manuscripts of Shri Yogendra ji’s writings on yoga since 1916. The guide aims to explain the essential preliminaries for success in meditation.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626cea8c9a61db0013225339
8. Cyclopaedia Yoga Volume One: All About Asanas and 100 More Topics of Yoga
The Yoga Cyclopaedia in ten volumes was inaugurated by the President of India at The Yoga Institute Santacruz in connection with its 70th year Foundation Day. Volume One provides in depth
information about yoga asanas including history, types, benefits etc.
9. Cyclopaedia Yoga – Volume Two
This second volume of Yoga Cyclopedia is devoted to siksa and diksa aspects of traditional learning. The book explores concepts such as buddhi, bhava, chitta. The reader can learn how to develop the
right attitude with the instructions in this book.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626ce9089a61db00132252eb
10. Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews
This book is useful for yoga teachers as it gives detailed understanding of the structure of the human body. The writers are internationally known and they explain what happens to the muscles and skeletal system while performing various yoga asanas.
11. The Key Muscles of Yoga by Ray Long
This book has three-dimensional images of yoga asanas which detail the different muscles, tendons, bones, and tissues used in each pose. The anatomy behind each pose is also provided so it serves as a good guide for teachers who wish to deepen their physiological knowledge.
12. Talks on The Gita – Acharya Vinoba Bhave
This commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by Acharya Vinoba Bhave interprets the spiritual text in a refreshingly different way and brings out the message of the Gita in a language that is simple and intelligible even to ordinary readers. This is more than a spiritual book because it is a manual for right action and clarity. It is known as a ‘must-read’ for the ethical foundation of teaching yoga.
13. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – by Maharshi Swatmarama with a translation and commentary by Swami Satyananda and Swami Muktibodhananda
This book teaches the entire science of hatha yoga (asana, pranayama, shatkarma, mudra and bandha) as it was conceived and practiced not only for health and fitness but for awakening the vital energies: pranas, chakras and kundalini shakti. It points out that hatha yoga is not just a physical practice but a process of cellular transmutation from gross to subtle to divine.
14. The Complete Book of Yoga – Swami Vivekananda
Becoming a yoga teacher is not just about mastering asanas or leading a perfect class. It’s a lifelong journey of inner refinement, learning, and sincere self-inquiry. This book, in particular can become a powerful companion on this journey because it talks about the four different types of yoga and provides wisdom, inspiration, and insight when you need it most
15. The Essence of Sāmkhya Kārikās: The Foundation of Yoga Philosophy – Damini Dalal
This book presents the practical application of the profound philosophy in a new light that can be easily understood by yoga teachers. On reading this book, one will understand that anything that one sees, knows or experiences in the world exists because it has some prior cause through which it has arisen.
It is said that to teach is to learn twice. This is very true especially true in the case of yoga teachers because the scope of the knowledge of yoga is enormous and yoga teachers are lifelong students of life. The books written by our gurus and other well-known yogis serve as lighthouses on this path of learning and sharing our knowledge. The ancient texts provide an insight into the philosophy of yoga while the modern books teach us more about anatomy, therapy and other important elements of yoga practice. Even if you may be teaching for years or you may have just received your yoga teacher certification , you will find yourself returning to these books again and again.
As a yoga teacher, your voice carries weight. What you say and how you live can inspire transformation. These books offer more than information—they offer transformation, which is the heart of teaching yoga. Keep reading, keep learning, and let your practice be your living book.
15 Books Every Yoga Teacher Should Read
15 Books Every Yoga Teacher Should Read
A teacher must be first and foremost a student.
There is more to yoga than just a physical practice—it is a way of life, a philosophy, and a path to self-discovery. The ancient wisdom of yoga has been passed down through generations, not just through oral teachings and direct practice but also through sacred texts and modern interpretations that make its knowledge accessible to all. With yoga's increasing popularity worldwide, it important for trained teachers of yoga to study authentic sources that uphold its true essence. The best yoga books can be invaluable companions on this path of teaching and learning. From classical scriptures to contemporary interpretations, from books on asanas and pranayama to those exploring the depths of the mind and consciousness, there is a wealth of knowledge waiting to be explored.
Teaching and Learning at The Yoga Institute
Senior teachers from The Yoga Institute have experienced how the right book can transform one’s understanding of yoga—not just as a practice but as a way of life. Sadhaks and trainee teachers who study here gradually become focused, positive, involved in duties and reach higher levels of consciousness. Apart from taking up courses and attending classes, they also study books on yoga, spirituality and philosophy. They do not lose sight of the spiritual base of yoga that results in deeper understanding of life and an equibalanced state of mind.
Best Books for Yoga Teachers
Here is a curated list of 15 essential books every yoga teacher should read. Some are classical scriptures, some are contemporary interpretations, some are about anatomy and physiology, and some are authored by the revered gurus from The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, the world’s oldest organized yoga centre.
1. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Talks by Dr. Jayadeva & Smt. Hansaji Yogendra
Maharshi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is an influential work, comprising a set of 195 pithy aphorisms which are as relevant in today’s world as it was when it was written a few centuries ago. This book is based on talks by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra, who has made the timeless wisdom of the Yoga Sutras come alive for ardent sadhaks.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626f63859a61db00132255eb
2. Yoga for All (New Edition): The National Bestseller on Wellness for Your Mind, Body and Soul – Hansaji
This book goes beyond the physical benefits of Yoga to remind us of the equally important mental and spiritual dimensions. Through pictorial depictions of asanas and simple instructions designed to
cater to individuals of different abilities, body types, ages and genders, this book makes Yoga easy for all.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626cdfec9a61db0013225241
3. Hatha Yoga Simplified, Classic Yoga Series Book by Shri Yogendra
What is important about this book is that the difficult and obscure yoga processes have been simplified by Shri Yogendra, the pioneer of scientific Yoga. Besides their scientific import in the daily life
of a layman, their therapeutic merits in the treatment of chronic and functional diseases have also been evaluated with scientific and clinical corroborations. It is a recommended yoga
anatomy book as it provides detailed insights into postural alignment.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/637db8e5e7b6780011a577f0
4. Yoga for Children: Teacher's Handbook
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/637caa26e7b6780011a572c4
This is the first of a series of books planned as per the NCERT syllabus for teaching Yoga in schools. Starting with the awareness of one's own limitations, Yoga lessons in the book slowly but steadily help the student to discover inner strength and develop several positive attitudes contributing to personality development.
5. Yoga - Physical Education for Women – Smt. Sitadevi Yogendra
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/6502dc2ff925df00181e2bb3
This pioneering book addresses the unique health needs of women through Yoga. Covering topics like weight management, diet, sexual health, painless childbirth, neurasthenia, relaxation, and mental
well-being, it offers practical, easy-to-follow solutions rooted in decades of clinical and laboratory research. Tailored specifically for women, it highlights how not all Yoga practices suit every female body—especially
beginners—making this guide essential for safe and effective practice.
6. Teaching Yoga by Dr.Jayadeva Yogendra
This handbook not only focusses on the techniques of Yoga but gives direction to the teacher to incorporate this wonderful knowledge in a meaningful way. The tips in the book
will empower the teacher to get the message across in an impactful and effective way.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626d0cb19a61db00132254a0
7. Guide to Yoga Meditation – Shri Yogendraji
This ‘how-to’ book on meditation offers simple guidelines to help one become aware and finally see the true self shining forth in its own true nature. It is compiled from the published and unpublished
manuscripts of Shri Yogendra ji’s writings on yoga since 1916. The guide aims to explain the essential preliminaries for success in meditation.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626cea8c9a61db0013225339
8. Cyclopaedia Yoga Volume One: All About Asanas and 100 More Topics of Yoga
The Yoga Cyclopaedia in ten volumes was inaugurated by the President of India at The Yoga Institute Santacruz in connection with its 70th year Foundation Day. Volume One provides in depth
information about yoga asanas including history, types, benefits etc.
9. Cyclopaedia Yoga – Volume Two
This second volume of Yoga Cyclopedia is devoted to siksa and diksa aspects of traditional learning. The book explores concepts such as buddhi, bhava, chitta. The reader can learn how to develop the
right attitude with the instructions in this book.
Link to Buy: https://theyogainstitute.org/shop/product/626ce9089a61db00132252eb
10. Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews
This book is useful for yoga teachers as it gives detailed understanding of the structure of the human body. The writers are internationally known and they explain what happens to the muscles and skeletal system while performing various yoga asanas.
11. The Key Muscles of Yoga by Ray Long
This book has three-dimensional images of yoga asanas which detail the different muscles, tendons, bones, and tissues used in each pose. The anatomy behind each pose is also provided so it serves as a good guide for teachers who wish to deepen their physiological knowledge.
12. Talks on The Gita – Acharya Vinoba Bhave
This commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by Acharya Vinoba Bhave interprets the spiritual text in a refreshingly different way and brings out the message of the Gita in a language that is simple and intelligible even to ordinary readers. This is more than a spiritual book because it is a manual for right action and clarity. It is known as a ‘must-read’ for the ethical foundation of teaching yoga.
13. Hatha Yoga Pradipika – by Maharshi Swatmarama with a translation and commentary by Swami Satyananda and Swami Muktibodhananda
This book teaches the entire science of hatha yoga (asana, pranayama, shatkarma, mudra and bandha) as it was conceived and practiced not only for health and fitness but for awakening the vital energies: pranas, chakras and kundalini shakti. It points out that hatha yoga is not just a physical practice but a process of cellular transmutation from gross to subtle to divine.
14. The Complete Book of Yoga – Swami Vivekananda
Becoming a yoga teacher is not just about mastering asanas or leading a perfect class. It’s a lifelong journey of inner refinement, learning, and sincere self-inquiry. This book, in particular can become a powerful companion on this journey because it talks about the four different types of yoga and provides wisdom, inspiration, and insight when you need it most
15. The Essence of Sāmkhya Kārikās: The Foundation of Yoga Philosophy – Damini Dalal
This book presents the practical application of the profound philosophy in a new light that can be easily understood by yoga teachers. On reading this book, one will understand that anything that one sees, knows or experiences in the world exists because it has some prior cause through which it has arisen.
It is said that to teach is to learn twice. This is very true especially true in the case of yoga teachers because the scope of the knowledge of yoga is enormous and yoga teachers are lifelong students of life. The books written by our gurus and other well-known yogis serve as lighthouses on this path of learning and sharing our knowledge. The ancient texts provide an insight into the philosophy of yoga while the modern books teach us more about anatomy, therapy and other important elements of yoga practice. Even if you may be teaching for years or you may have just received your yoga teacher certification, you will find yourself returning to these books again and again.
As a yoga teacher, your voice carries weight. What you say and how you live can inspire transformation. These books offer more than information—they offer transformation, which is the heart of teaching yoga. Keep reading, keep learning, and let your practice be your living book.