the divine
Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System
This is the definitive text for detailed muskuloskeletal structure. The images in this book are brilliant in their clarity and depth of dimension. This is the first of a three–volume set covering the entire body. See the others below.
Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: Neck and Internal Organs
The second stunning Thieme atlas, covering the neck and internal organs.
Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: Head and Neuroanatomy
The third Thieme atlas, covering the head and neuroanatomy.
This is the fourth edition of Frank Netter’s anatomical classic. The details and perspective are not as clear as what you’ll find in the Thieme books, but Netter compiles everything into one volume for convenience. The visceral body illustrations are excellent.
Anatomy Trains is a revelation in structural anatomy, from a progressive myofascial wizard. This book will give you global body context into which you can insert all the nuts and bolts detail you want.
The Physiology of the Joints, Volume 1: Upper Limb
This first in a three volume series will change forever your understanding of the joints in the upper limb, as well as the lines of pull and tension between the bones and the ligamentous and muscular tissue. The drawings are technical, and take some getting used to, but with patience and study it will become clear. This series is undergoing a revision, with improved illustrations and an index.
The Physiology of the Joints, Volume 2: Lower Limb
The second brilliant volume from Kapandji covering the lower limb. Irreplaceable for understanding the complexities in the hips, knees, and feet.
The Physiology of the Joints, Volume 3: Trunk and Vertebral Column
The third volume from Kapandji covering the spine and the systems in the torso that support it. This book is essential for understanding the truth of twisting, the sacral platform, and much more.
Ida Rolf is responsible for what is now known as “rolfing”, a form of structural integration. In these pages you may glimpse Ida's genius, as she articulates her intuitive perspective on what being upright is all about. In her own passionate words she explores the nature of human verticality, and what must be in balance to maintain it.
This is an amazing text offering some of Ida Rolf's outlook on the world and our relationship with it. It is her philosophy and perspective on many of the critical aspects of living and relating with gravity.
Understanding the core support system in the body can be daunting, in all its anatomical and energetic profundity. Although the translation is a bit rough, this book illustrates Durckheim’s understanding of the soft core, or effortless lift that is inherent, and yearning to come into balance in the human form.
The Architecture and Design of Man and Woman
This is an insightful look into the cosmos of the human body, using progressive artistic and medical imaging techniques. The results are inspirational, especially the photos comparing the microstructures in our bodies to those in nature.
yoga
This is Iyengar’s perspective on the overall practice, and a great resource for any practioner. Iyengar writes with love and devotion to a lifetime of practice, and shares his knowledge, experience, and insight.
This is Desikachar’s perspective on the overall practice, and also a necessary resource for any practioner. Look in the back of this book for his father Krishnamacharya’s personal slokas or aphorisms, which are simply amazing, and which give good context for what he offered as a teacher.
The Bhagavad Gita is just a small part of the classic multi–volume text, the Maha Bharata. The Gita tells a pivotal part of the story, and is a must read for anyone, especially yoga practitioners. This translation by Sargeant is exceptional for its word–for–word translation, with complete written sanskrit (devanagari).
A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy
This book is an excellent chronology, useful for learning about Indian Philosophy from its early beginning to modern times. There are many examples of literature from each period, giving context to the commentary.
learning
There are many translations of Patanjal’s yoga sutras, most with long commentaries throughout. This translation by Vyaas Houston, with devanagari by Nicolai Bachman, is an excellent translation and resource for learning the sutras. Each sutra is shown in devanagari, with excellent word–for–word translation, and no commentary. This preserves the nature of the aphorisms that comprise Patanjali’s work, maintaining its profound and mystical power.
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
An excellent translation of the sutras from Iyengar’s perspective. This is a great reference to compare with the above listed yoga sutra workbook, for enhanced understanding of Patanjal’s message.
Considered by many to be the asana ‘bible’, Iyengar’s instructional detail, insight, and the demostrative pictures throughout make this text irreplaceable for practitioners needing a reference for the practice of yogasana.
A very good book, again by Iyengar, with great detail and practice techniques for practioners of pranayama. An excellent resource for how–to, with wonderful philisophical insight along the way.
If you are serious about sanskrit and its proper pronunciation and translation within the context of yoga practice, this is your definitive guide. CDs are included featuring Nicolai speaking the words and chanting with great clarity — a great way to learn! On his website you will also find other excellent sanskrit learning resources, like his 108 sanskrit flashcards.
An overlooked yet essential parallel to the classic yoga practice is the emergence of lifeforce through the chakra system. Anodea Judith takes us on a beautiful journey through the energetic body, giving us ways of balancing and supporting the chakras as we walk along our path to freedom.