Books I love

YOGA, MINDFULNESS, MEDITATION

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansana Yogananda

This was the first yoga related book I ever read, so just for that reason it has to be in my recommended list. My first yoga teacher, Doris Blum, spoke about this book and I purchased it and was hooked. I wanted to learn so much more about the mysteries of yoga, meditation and self realization. I am so grateful for the path this book and Doris set me up on. Its an old classic and I really recommend giving this a go if you are interested in yoga history.

Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith

This is hands down the best chakra book that is accessible for everyone who wants to explore their yoga practice or energy body further. Anodea takes us through the chakras in a systematic way and I felt that everything was explained so well it made it easy to grasp the concept and work through the suggestions to balance our chakras. Definitely on the must have list. I have this well marked and dog eared book in my storage boxes in New Zealand as well as on Kindle as I like reminding myself of the practices and wisdom in this book.

Full Catastrophe Living & Wherever you go, there you are by Jon Kabat Zinn

Any books from Jon Kabat Zinn are great if you want to explore Mindfulness meditation. Full Catastrophe Living is the most comprehensive one with the full program that they teach at the stress reduction clinics. One I use all the time in my yoga and meditation sessions is Wherever you go, there you are. It has little snippets of inspiration and is not a book you read front to back.  I highly recommend all his books. They are well written and easy to understand. It takes practice and persistence to untangle our complicated, fast paced lives and Jon’s books help us to find a way within.

The complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark & Sarah Powers

One of my favorite books on Yin Yoga. I refer back to this book all the time. It has all the poses explained well and sample sequences.

Insight Yoga by Sarah Powers & Paul Grilley

Sarah Powers book was my first yin yoga book and is similar to the one by Bernie Clark. It has a bit of info about the philiosphy and history of yin yoga and all the poses explained well and sequence suggestions for all the different Meridians.

Your body, your yoga by Bernie Clark & Paul Grilley

Your upper body, your yoga by Bernie Clark

Your spine, your yoga by Bernie Clark, Dr. Stuart McGill & Dr. Timothy McGall

All Books by Bernie Clark are great for a deeper dive into the anatomy and functionality. These books are more for teachers and guides or students who want to dive deeper.

Breath by James Nestor

I listend to the audiobook version of Breath by James Nestor. Lots of the concepts in this book where already familiar to me through my yoga practice and other books I read over the years. But this book is a great compilation of research on breathing and how important it is for our overall health and well being to breathe correctly and pay attention to this important pillar of health.

SELF-HELP, PARENTING

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

This is a fairly recent read and I just couldn’t put the book down. Working on a constant basis on my own stuff I find it fascinated to read other woman’s stories of shedding all the layers that don’t serve us anymore. It feels like cheering each other on. Glennon writes in a very engaging, entertaining and uncomplicated style and there were so many moments where I felt like “yes this is just like me” and just being happy for her being happy.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Putting these 2 books below each other I realise how similar the covers are – both of them are favorite authors and empowered woman of mine. I seriously don’t know why I didn’t read Big Magic sooner. Its a book about how to let go of gear and live creatively. Its a book about discovering and following your creative endeavors. Its a book that really addresses all the lies we tell ourselves as to why we can’t draw, paint, write etc. and what it means to be successful and if we need to be successful. Is it just enough to do something that we enjoy? I really loved this book, as I am exploring my own creative projects like drawing and writing and often battle with doubts if its all a waste of time and that other people do the same thing much better anyway. If you want to start living more creatively, this is the book for you. Highly recommended.

 

Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown

I do recommend all Brene Brown’s books, but my favorite by far is Braving the Wilderness. Its almost a culmination of all her work before
this book. I have highlighted so many parts of this book and truly wished this was compulsory school reading for teenagers. Definitely a must read.

When the body says no and the Myth of Normal by Garbor Mate

Hold on to your kids by Garbor Mate and Gordon Neufield I highly recommend all 3 books. I don’t know anybody who is not stressed in some way, shape or form. It explores the relationship between stress and chronic disease or disease in general. Written by a doctor the book is well researched. Through my lifetime and especially since I have had children well-being has become so important to me and it lightens my heart that there are so many clinicians looking outside the mainstream box now. Everything in these books makes sense. It should be made compulsory to read this as basic life education. Hold on to your Kids has really opened my eyes on the fact that peer influence and pressure can wreak havoc on the relationship with our kids, just as I felt our teenager slip away.  I highly recommend any books from Garbor Mate.

Breaking the habit of being yourself & Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza

Dr. Joe Dispenza’s books are great if you really want to create change in your life and nothing seems to be working. You are getting quantum physics explained, examples from real life scenarios and what you can do to break the habit of being yourself or even better to become super natural. All his books are highly recommended.

 

The Biology of Belief by Bruce H Lipton

I read The biology of Belief many, many years ago and it really opened my mind to a whole new world. This was before I become a yoga teacher and was interested in meditation and spirituality. It was one of the books that set me off on a journey to learn more about what is beyond what we can see.

 

Things that join the sea and the sky by Mark Nepo

This book is full of contemplations by Mark Nepo from his personal journal entries. Its not a book that you read from back to front, rather one that you pull out to get some inspiration while you have a cup of tea. I often used this for readings in yoga sessions. Full of great ‘mindsmacks’

 

The Universe has your back by Gabrielle Bernstein

I used this book as inspiration to explore different tools to manage stress and just be inspired. Its not a book you necessarily read front to back. I sometimes just opened it on a random page to find exactly the the message and practice I needed. All other books by Gabrielle are inspiring, uplifting and empowering as well.

Out of our Minds & Finding your element by Sir Ken Robinson

These 2 books by Sir Ken Robinson are a must have in every household, school and university. I can’t recommend them highly enough. To warm up you could watch his TED talk and I would be very surprised if it wasn’t love at first sight. Unfortunately Sir Ken Robinson has since passed, but we are so fortunate to have his wisdom forever.

 

HEALING

Homeopathic Self Care  by Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman

This is by far the best Homeopathic Guide book if you want to look after your general health needs or help your kids. I had about 50 different Homeopathy books when I studied and this was always my first go to and I still use it on a regular basis. I highly recommend having this at home if you are at all interested in trying out a more natural way to look after yourself and your families. I have successfully used Homeopathy for the past 12 years for myself and my family.

Lost Connections by Johann Hari

Another empowering and enlightening book for those who struggle with depression and anxiety and finding no or little relief from the pharmaceutical pills they are prescribed. It really helped me to get a better picture of mental “illness” volunteering as a yoga teacher in a hospital in the Mental Health Unit.

MONEY / FINANCE

I really wished I had some proper education or inspiration around money, saving and investing. Unfortunately that was not really the case. I faked it most of the time and these books have all helped me to get understanding of how to better manage money and finances. I just wished someone had given them to me 30 years earlier…

The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist

Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape

Money, a love story by Kate Northrup

NOVELSEat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I read this book many years ago while still living in Germany in german, I also watched the movie in German. I kind of liked it but it didn’t leave a huge impact on me – I couldn’t really relate at the time. I just re-read this just when we moved on the boat in Greece and really loved the story. I could relate to so many things – how she felt lost, her dysfunctional relationships, the travel pause and the rediscovering in the India and finally finding a new path and love in Bali. My life version is slightly different but similar.

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert Once I was on a roll with my Elizabeth Gilbert reading of course had to read her latest novel. I am not a novel reader at all. I can’t stand violence, murder, drama etc. But this sounded promising and I was curious about the story, because I follow Liz on Instagram and had seen the process of this book unfold. Its a great story about showgirls in New York, relationships and a life unfold with all the ups and down and exciting bits in between. I think it is great novel. There is quite a bit of sex involved, so if you are adverse to reading about it, this book is not for you. I felt entertained, gripped and couldn’t put it down. I do recommend the read.

ART AND POETRY

The boy, the fox, the mole and the horse by Charlie Mackesy

I love Charlies drawings and inspirations. A great book to open and contemplate life.

Feel free to check out poetry books by IN-Q, Young Pueblo and Rupi Kaur. I like them all.

INSPIRATION CARDS

I love to use inspiration cards before my meditation, or before sleep or offer them in my yoga sessions.

Check out inspiration cards by Gabby Bernstein, Rebecca Campbell, Elena Brower. There are so many card decks but some of these have been my favorites.