Cat’s Top Ten Book Recommendations

As a yoga teacher an ayurvedic counsellor, the study never ends. Looking back at the last decade or so, these books are the ones that had the biggest impact on me in terms of understanding this profound world and the bodies that we live in. Here are ten of my favourites from the fields of yoga, tantra, ayurveda and beyond. I hope you enjoy them as much as i did!

Yoga + Tantra + Ayurveda:

1. Meditation for the love of it - Sally Kempton

Sally speaks to my soul. Her approach to meditation is like a warm hug. Whenever i am feeling like i need some inspiration on my path, I open to one of the many highlighted pages in this book, and without a doubt, my inspiration returns.

2. Tantra Illuminated - Christopher Wallace

Getting to the root of the highly misunderstood spiritual tradition of Tantra. Wallace has a wonderfully eloquent and scholarly approach to tantra. It’s a dense book but well worth the read if tantra is something that piques your interest.

3. The Radiance Sutras - Lorin Ronche

This book is poetry. Literally. It’s a poetic interperetation of a tantric text called the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. Many scholars don’t vibe with it because it is a poetic interpretation - but it speaks to my soul, and that’s what matters.

4. Yoni Shakti - Uma Dinsmore-Tuli

This is a biggie. Yoni Shakti asks the very important questions about women and yoga. The yoga we see presented today is not necessarily made for women’s bodies. We have a different anatomy, a different energetic structure. This book is very important for all female yoga practitioners.

5. Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power - Laura Amazzone

Another one for the ladies - The mythology, rituals, philosophy, and spiritual practices of this distinctly female-centered and millennia-old tradition of Durga offer an alternative model of female potential and empowerment, focusing on peace, healing, spiritual liberation, and realization of inherent divinity.

6. Yoga & Ayurveda - David Frawley

The perfect yoga practitioners handbook. Frawley eloquently and in an approachable way shares the fundamental principles of yoga and ayurveda. Whether you are beginning on your yoga + ayurveda journey or you are firmly established on the path, this is an excellent guide.

7. Prakriti - Dr Robert Svoboda

All of Dr Svoboda’s books are wonderful. Not only is he scholarly, but a wonderful writer who does a great job at sparking joy and mystery. Prakriti is a great book to understand your ayurvedic constitution.

Other:

8. Already Free - Bruce Tift

Buddhism meets psycotherapy. I’ve read this book twice and will certainly read it again. Tift is the embodiment of smart meets heart.

9. Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants. A joyous and emotional book that brings us into closer understanding of our disconnection with Earth. A graceful, illuminating study of the wisdom of the natural world, from a world-renowned indigenous scientist

10. Breath - James Nestor

This is a must read to understand the power of our breath for health and thriving in a human body. Please read it!