We’re so excited to share this book list for Yoga Teacher Training. You’ll love these books whether you’ve signed up for training, you’re teaching or love practising Yoga. The hardest decision, which book to read first?!
When you sign up for your Yoga Teacher Training prepare for a transformative journey. It’s a journey that goes beyond the physical practice of asanas (the Yoga poses and exercises) and delves into the spiritual and philosophical realms. This adventure is not just about learning sequences and poses, it’s an invitation to get curious about the depths of your inner world, it’s about exploring Yoga’s rich history and profound teachings.
In our MerryBody 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Course, the required reading is streamlined to just two essential books. However, we’ve also added an extensive list of books we love that have influenced our lives and the way we teach Yoga and Pilates.
Each book has been selected with the intention of deepening your understanding of Yoga. From ancient texts that have stood the test of time to contemporary works that explain Yoga in our modern world. Each book will expand both your knowledge and your Yoga practice.
Books for Yoga Teacher Training
These 2 books are required reading for the 200 hour MerryBody Yoga Teacher Training (MBTT). If you have signed up (yay we are so excited), you do not need to read before we begin. You can read them at your own pace, read them before you begin, wait until you begin the live aspect of the training or even read them afterwards! Whatever works for you.
The Secret Power of Yoga
Yoga is famous for promoting physical health, but it also improves emotional and spiritual well-being. In FgodsThe Secret Power of Yoga, Nischala Joy Devi offers a beautiful and unique take on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. She views these foundational Yoga guidelines through a more intuitive, female-focused lens. Devi makes each sutra easy to understand and relatable to women. You’ll read the book and discover many practical suggestions for incorporating Yoga’s spiritual side into everyday life. It’s amazing and always on our bedside tables. We use this text throughout the MerryBody Training.
Get your copy of The Secret Power Of Yoga
Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation
The Bhagavad Gita is one of Hinduism’s most revered ancient scriptures. It’s renowned as a global spiritual and literary masterpiece. This particular version by Stephen Mitchell is filled with the vibrancy, clarity, and passion that matches the original text. We use this book within the history and philosophy module of our Teacher Training.
Find the Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation over here.
Other amazing books we talk about a lot!
We talk about many of these books within our Yoga Teacher Training Program but also in general. If you’re a Get Merry Podcast listener you would have heard us talk often about some of these!
Wheels of Life
Anodea Judith’s loved chakra guide is THE ultimate guide on the Chakras. The book makes this ancient spiritual system (the Chakras) easy to understand. It’s a tool to help you engage with and understand your Chakras. Within our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training we often refer to the Chakras so this book makes a great additional reading.
You can find Wheels of Life: A User’s Guide to the Chakra System over here!
One Simple Thing
Oh, this book is so good! One Simple Thing by Eddie Stern links modern neuroscience with ancient Yogic knowledge. The book provides proof that consistent physical and mental Yoga practices can transform your body, brain, emotions and life experiences.
Light on Pranayama
Light on Pranayama (Yogic breathwork) is essential for any aspiring Yoga Teacher or advanced Yogi. Written by one of the most respected Yoga teachers in the world, B.K.S. Iyengar, offers the most comprehensive and instructive work on Pranayama available.
The Surrender Experiment
The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer shares a remarkable story. It’s an autobiography of spiritual awakening and how he truly lived one of the core principles of Yoga, surrender, or in Sanskrit, Ishvara Pranidhana. This book will help you move through hardships and doubts about your life. It helps you let go of the ‘Should Be’s’ and welcome more contentment. Can you tell… we really LOVE this book!
Purchase your copy of The Surrender Experiment.
This Is That
We were lucky enough to attend a live breathwork session and meditation by Anand Mehrotra, it was so amazing, so of course, we needed to buy his book. This Is That, is a radical interpretation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Amazing one-liners that will shift your thoughts and help you get curious about everything. Carla also refers to it throughout the MBTT, along with our core Sutra translation (above).
Find This Is That – Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras Padas 1 and 2 over here!
Myths of the Asanas
If you’re a fan of mythology this book is for you! In Myths of the Asanas you’ll read the stories that link the Gods, Sages, and animals to each asana. It enhances your spiritual and physical journey. It’s beautifully illustrated and connects you with the deeper meaning of the poses. This book helps you understand the origins of Yoga.
Myths of the Asanas: The Stories at the Heart of the Yoga Tradition, get it here!
Eat Like You Love Yourself
Chara Caruthers is an amazing Ayurvedic practitioner and Yoga Therapist. She is the Ayurvedic Teacher within the MerryBody Teacher Training. This book breaks down the fundamentals of Ayurveda in an easy and relatable way. It shares simple guidelines for understanding what it means to nurture and nourish your whole self as your needs change from season to season and year to year.
Eat Like You Love Yourself: A Modern Guide to Ayurvedic Cooking and Living
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika presents Maharshi Swatmarama’s original Sanskrit writings, along with English commentary from Swami Satyananda and Swami Muktibodhananda. This guide explains the full scope of Hatha Yoga. It highlights Hatha Yoga’s deeper purpose, beyond enhancing health and fitness, it’s about awakening vital energies and transformation.
We talk about this book within the MBTT however, it’s not our favourite and we personally disagree with many of the practices. However, as Yoga Teachers and practitioners, it’s important to have an interest and understanding of the vast history and origins of Yoga.
Get a copy of Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
The Essence of Yoga
Another amazing translation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Carla references this copy within our training too.
Find The Essence of Yoga; Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali right here.
Women Who Run With The Wolves
Ahhh, this book changed our lives! I bought a copy after being dumped just before Christmas. It was a major low time for me. If you’re in need of some poetic help to get you out of a funk THIS is the book for you. It’s not exactly a Yoga book, but it’s a spiritually connected book. So, therefore, it’s a Yoga book!
Get your copy of Women Who Run With The Wolves: Contacting the Power of the Wild Woman.
If you have any books you think we need to add to our reading list, let us know! Get in touch on Facebook over here or Instagram right here!
Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla
Ps. Learn more about our next round for the MerryBody 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Course.
