Recommended Reading for Yoga Teachers

Every yoga teacher’s journey is one of growth. Each class you teach and each student you meet adds to your experience. But growth doesn’t only happen on the mat — it also happens when you pause, reflect, and explore new ideas.

Reading has always been a powerful way for yoga teachers to reconnect with inspiration, deepen knowledge, and find new approaches to share with students. The right text can spark creativity, renew your passion, or even shape the direction of your career.

To support your path, we’ve gathered a list of books recommended by teachers in our community. Each one has been chosen not just for its wisdom, but for the opportunities it can awaken in your practice and teaching.

Foundational Texts That Ground Your Teaching

• Bhagavad Gita → Brings purpose and meaning into your teaching, helping you guide students beyond movement.
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali → Provides a timeless framework for self-awareness and teaching philosophy.
• The Upanishads → Expands your understanding of yoga as a way of life, not just a practice.

Modern Classics for Technique & Teaching

• Light on Yoga, by B.K.S Iyengar → A trusted resource for refining alignment and cues.
• The Art of Adjusting, by Brian Cooper → Practical advice to build confidence with safe, effective adjustments.
• Yoga Sequencing, by Mark Stephens → A roadmap to designing classes that flow with purpose and clarity.

Books That Expand Perspective

• Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda → A reminder of the spiritual depth behind the practice.
• The Heart of Meditation, by the Dalai Lama → Tools for guiding students into stillness and awareness.
• Yoni Shakti, by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli → A fresh perspective on yoga for women’s health and empowerment.
• Breath: The Essence of Yoga, by Sandra Sabatini → Gentle insights into breath as the foundation of practice.

Contemporary Insights That Build Careers

• Yoga Body, by Mark Singleton & Roots of Yoga, by Mark Singleton and James Mallinson → Historical and research-based context to strengthen credibility with students and institutions.
• Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, by Swami Satyananda Saraswati → A practical manual for advancing your teaching techniques.
• The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk → Essential knowledge for working with trauma and expanding into therapeutic or health-focused teaching.

Why This Matters for Your Career

Each book is more than information — it’s an opportunity. These texts:

Add depth that makes your classes unforgettable.
Sharpen skills so students and studios trust your expertise.
Open doors to teaching in schools, workplaces, and health settings.

Continuous learning is part of your Growth Path. Every page you turn builds confidence, strengthens your professional profile, and prepares you for the next opportunity.

Because when yoga teachers grow, opportunities grow.