YogaUK Bookshop

General Hatha yoga / asana (postures)

Click the title to buy the book or for more information.

Journey into Power
Sculpt your ideal body, free your true spirit and transform your entire life
(Baron Baptiste)
A fusion of yoga practices, popular psychology and diet, this book is inspiring and clearly written. The posture section contains excellent advice on how to build a regular practice, as well as clear descriptions of ujjayi breathing and drishti concentration points.

Yoga for You
A Step-by-step Guide to Yoga at Home for Everybody
(Tara Fraser)
A very comprehensive overview of all aspects of yoga. The book is clearly written, has excellent photographs and is very reasonably priced. The sub-title of the book: "A step by step guide to yoga at home for everybody" proves to be an accurate description.

Yogaflows
(Mohini Chatlani)
This book contains a series of posture sequences which vary in difficulty from basic to moderate and intensive. There are warm-ups for each section and chapters on pranayama, mudra, meditation, relaxation and visualisation. Pages fold out to reveal all the asanas, which can be clearly followed in sequence by following a curling printed pattern. The author herself is photographed in all the poses. A useful book for home practice and inspiration for yoga teachers.

The Heart of Yoga
Developing a personal practice
(T K V Desikachar)
"A revelation. Read this book from cover to cover and you will begin to understand what Yoga is all about. For students as well as teachers. Rated 9 out of 10 by the Sunday Times (11/10/98)."
Paul Harvey
(Founder of Viniyoga Britain and Director of Yoganjali Teaching and Therapy Centre)

Yoga
Exercises and inspirations for well-being
(Tara Fraser)
A small hard-backed book; short but comprehensive covering most aspects of yoga. Simple postures are given, but without any precautions, so most suitable for students who know how to work safely.

Ashtanga Yoga
The practice manual
(David Swenson)
David Swenson is a leading exponent of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and his Practice Manual sets out the Primary Series of postures, as well as short forms and many modifications. This is an authoritative and clearly illustrated guide for those interested in this dynamic approach to yoga which combines, breath, movement and drishtis (concentration points). The book is ring bound, making it easy to use during home practice as it lies flat.

The Beauty of Yoga
(Jacine Harrington)
This book provides a detailed list of up to 10 asanas that relate to each chakra, along with comprehensive instructions on carrying out the pose, and concentration points. A detailed explanation of each of the chakras is included.

Yoga in a Box
The gentle and effective way to health and well-being
(Stella Weller)
Written by a well-known yoga teacher and author, the box contains a small hard-back book and a set of 30 glossy colour cards featuring a posture or sequence, to aid home practice. Also available: Pilates in a Box.

Ashtanga Yoga
The essential step-by-step guide to dynamic yoga
(John Scott)
John Scott sets out in a clear step-by-step way the elements of the Primary Series of Asanas of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. The precise instructions on how to undertake each part of the sequence are enhanced by "tips" on overcoming difficulties likely to be experienced by the student.

Dynamic Yoga
The ultimate workout that chills your mind as it charges your body
(Godfrey Devereux)
This is a substantial and significant book on Godfrey Devereux's own approach to hatha yoga. It is a modified form of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, integrating elements from the Iyengar approach (particularly alignment) and the Bihar school (use of the bandhas). Godfrey was the Director of the Life Centre in London for three years, and now runs a yoga training centre on the island of Ibiza (www.windfireyoga.com).

Yoga the Iyengar Way
(Silva, Mira & Shyam Mehta)
"Clear instructions and illustrations. Safety and adaptation included. A foreword by B K S Iyengar."
Denise Rickard (BWY Yoga Teacher)

Awakening the Spine
The Stress-free New Yoga that Works with the Body to Restore Health, Vitality and Energy
(Vanda Scaravelli)
A book many people fall in love with. Vanda Scaravelli writes almost
poetically about being in the posture, awareness of the breath and gently
seeking the stillness within.

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Yoga
A Practical Approach to Achieving Optimum Health for Mind, Body and Spirit
(Howard Kent)
A comprehensive guide by one of the leading figures in yoga in the UK.
Howard Kent has done much to spread yoga in Britain over the past 30 years and runs the Yoga for Health Foundation. A particularly good
book for an overview of yoga.

Power Yoga
Connect to the Core with Astanga Yoga
(Liz Lark)
This is a clearly and comprehensively illustrated book. It is well thought-out and written in an easily accessible manner. Chapters cover individual postures, and there are also sections on relaxation, meditation and the chakras. The book provides a practical introduction to Astanga yoga -- dispelling some of the misunderstanding surrounding a form of yoga which is clearly a valuable and valid path for those who choose it.

Light on Yoga
(BKS Iyengar)
This classic paperback book provides an invaluable reference for trainee yoga teachers, containing detailed descriptions of more than 200 yoga postures (asanas and bandhas) and 14 breathing exercises (pranayamas). Also includes an introduction to the philosophy and practice of yoga.

The Complete Yoga Book
The Yoga of Breathing, Posture and Meditation
(James Hewitt)
Very much a text book, with a few line drawings, this book is divided into three main sections: Yoga of breathing, Yoga of posture, and Yoga of meditation. All aspects of yoga are comprehensively covered. Chapters on the different types of yoga are included (raja, mantra, yantra, kundalini, karma, bhakti, jnana, etc.). A useful reference for student yoga teachers.

Yoga for your Life
A Practice Manual of Breath and Movement
(M and M Pierce)
Contains a number of gentle sequences for home practice (viniyoga), fully illustrated. An attractively produced book with some interesting introductions to each chapter. Useful for home practice and lesson planning inspiration for teachers.

Yoga Mind and Body Book
(Sivananda Centre)
This is a comprehensive book covering all aspects of yoga, but without going into too much detail. Contains many colour photographs. Great for beginners and more experienced students alike. A delightful coffee table book or gift.

101 Essential Tips: Yoga
(Sivananda Centre)
A tiny book with quite a lot in it! A condensed version of Yoga Mind and Body (above).

The New Book of Yoga
(The Sivananda Yoga Centre)

Yoga for Health
(Richard Hittleman)