Yoga Reading List

I tried to keep track of any book recommendations throughout my teacher training at Rishikesh Yog Peeth.  My weekly trip to the bookstore also helped to expand this list.  Although I firmly believe that yoga is an oral tradition passed on from teacher to student, human to human, these books are great tools for sparking curiosity and increasing understanding.  So, for those of you who read this blog for the latest update on my adventures, this post is not for you.  Eventually, I hope to re-post this entry on a yoga related blog/website.  Enjoy and please share!

Books that I own (thus may be borrowed)

1. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Bihar School of Yoga):  This was the main book used during my training.  For those of you who will be studying at RYP, it is provided for you at no extra cost.  It includes illustrated poses, Sanskrit and English names, breath and chakra awareness for each pose, breathing exercises (pranayama), introduction to chakras, mudras and bandhas.  I would not recommend this book for beginners.
2. Yogic Management of Common Diseases by Dr. Swami Karmananda (Bihar School of Yoga):  Great for someone interested in yoga and wellness or yoga therapy.
3. Swara Yoga: The Tantric Science of Brain Breathing by Swami Muktibodhananda (Bihar School of Yoga):  This book introduces the basics of Swara Yoga, which is about breath patterns, how those are related to the Lunar cycle and how to observe the patterns and use them to benefit your daily and spiritual life.  I'm currently reading this one and it's fascinating!
4. Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (Bihar School of Yoga):  This offers a comprehensive introduction to yoga nidra, yogic sleep or deep relaxation.  It offers great techniques for stress management and even has examples that you could use to guide a yoga nidra session.
5. Yoga Chudamani Upanishad: Crown Jewel of Yoga by Swami Satyadharma (Bihar School of Yoga):  A philosophical guide for higher spiritual development through kundalini awakening.  In other words, not for the faint of heart.
6. Chakras: Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith:  A great book for those interested in learning more about chakras!  It's easy to understand and well-organized.

Books that I hope to own

1. Living Gita published by Integral Yoga Publications
2. Yoga and Ayurveda by David Frawley
3. The Holy Science by Swami Sri Yukteswar
4. Four Chapters on Freedom published by Bihar School of Yoga
5. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda
6. Yoga Mat Companion 1, 2, 3, and 4 by Ray Long and published by Bandha Yoga (four separate anatomy books)
7. Your Body Believes Every Word You Say: The Language of the Bodymind Connection by Barbara Hoberman Levine
8. El Corazón del Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar (great for bilingual yoga students and teachers)
9. Light on Yoga by B.K.S Iyengar
10. Yoga: A Gem for Women by Geeta S. Iyengar

Obviously this is a limited list and there are many other great yoga books out there.  If you happen upon one of those, please send the title my way!




~om shanti~

Reminiscing: Rishikesh

A week ago today I left a place that had become a home to me, of course I'm mostly referring to Rishikesh Yog Peeth and all the wonderful people there, but I'm also referring to Rishikesh in general.  Now that I sit halfway around the world, I realize how much of an impact the place itself had on my experience in India.  It often works that way.  For me, places seem to take on personalities that leave me missing them as if they were people. 

As for the 'personality' of Rishikesh, it seemed to be a bit on the schizophrenic side at first glance, but I think that was my general first impression of India.  I got past that.  After I initially crossed the bridge over the Ganges river and looked past the roaming cows, I was taken by the beauty of the river set against the foothills of the Himalayas.  During the following weeks, I grew to appreciate more than just the nature that surrounded the city.  I felt safe and welcome there.  I even got a few small insights into the power of the years and years of meditation that have occurred along the Ganges.

Slowly, Rishikesh took on the personality of a mystic.  I could see past the trash, as in literally there was a huge mound of trash close to where I was staying.  I no longer feared being attacked by the many professional food snatchers, also known as monkeys.  I accepted the incessant honking horns and tuned more into the early morning chanting and the occasional om from a conch shell.  I begin to experience what was beyond the physical aspects of the city.  It only helped that I was there to experience a variety of festivals and see the large amount of Indian tourists that were drawn to this particular Holy city to celebrate.  
 

It took six weeks for Rishikesh to show itself to me in this way.  If I had only spent a few days there, my opinion may have remained with the schizophrenic title.  It takes time to really know a place, just like it takes time and patience to know a person.  When we are willing to take this time, we can grow to appreciate it, whatever it may be, and we can see beyond any imperfections that may be on the surface.  Challenging yourself to go beyond what you initially see is one of the many things I enjoy about traveling.


In fact, I was reminded of this challenge a few days after leaving Rishikesh when I was in Agra being hassled by everyone, including some guy who wanted to do my laundry.  Really, some laundry shop owner was yelling at me as I walked down the street..."10 rupee small item, 15 rupee large item, pick up in the afternoon."  I left Agra the next day, so it's hard for me to say much at all about that place, but Rishikesh remains with me.  All the places I've taken the time for do.   

Life in Every Photo Continued

Here are a few more of my self-portraits from India...

d.d.

out into india

sun.day.

ganga view

one of the last classes!

after 108 sun salutations

ceremon.ious.

rest at taj mahal

last day in Delhi