Yoga Resources

The Bhagavad Gita

This is part of the Indian epic Mahabharat and is considered to be the key Hindu text. It centres on the discussions between Arjuna a fearless warrior and his charioteer – the Hindu god Krishna – as he is about to enter battle in the midst of a family feud.  Arjuna loses his nerve and cannot fight knowing that he will fight his relatives.

It sets out the basic ideas of Indian philosophy such as Karma, reincarnation and yoga freedom. Again there are numerous translations and commentaries but I would particularly recommend:

• The Bhagavad Gita – Eknath Easwaren
• Talks Between the Soul and God – Ranchor Prime
• A More Ardent Fire – Eknath Easwaren – detailed look at bhakti yoga 
• Living Gita – Swami Satchidananda
• Bhagavad Gita according to Ghandi- Ghandi
• Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad Gita – Swami Rama
• The Bhagavad Gita – Nick Sutton

Pranayama and Meditation

• Pranayama – the breath of Yoga – Gregor Maehle
• Yoga Meditation – Gregor Maehle
• Light on Pranayama – BKS Iyengar
• Mindfulnes in Plain English- Gunaratana

General

More general books on how to live a yogic life etc:

• Bringing Yoga to Life – Donna Farhi- how to lead a yogic lifr off the mat
• Light on Life – BKS Iyengar – how to lead a yogic life of the mat
• The Yoga Bible – Christina Brown – straightforward compilation of asanas with instructions, modifications , counetrposes etc. Useful if you are building a home practice
• The Roots of Yoga – Jim Mallinson – an indepth look at historical yogic texts from all traditions. Some knowledge of yoga and toga philosophy would be useful before reading this book
• The Yoga Body- Mark Singleton –  based on his PHD a detailed look at the development of modern yoga
• Autobiography of a Yogi – Paramahansa Yogananda – the life story of probably the most famous modern day yogi who brought yoga to the West
• Guide to Yoga – Wei and Groves
• True Yoga – Jenny Lee – how to lead a yogic life off the mat
• Chakra Yoga – Anodea Judith- a comprehensive book on chakras and associated yogic practices
• One Simple Thing – Eddie Stern- a look at the science of yoga and how it can transform your life
• The Path of Modern Yoga –Elliott Goldberg
• Yoga Anatomy – Leslie Kaminoff
• The Truth of Yoga – Daniel Simpson 0- accessible look at the history of and aspects of modern yoga
• The Journey Within  andf the Journey Home – Radhanath Swami – 2 books on the authors – a Hare Krishna monk and his awakening and bhakti yoga

• Yoga Unveiled – Evolution and Essence of a Spiritual Tradition
• Breath of the Gods – A journey to the origins of Modern Yoga

• Nikki Slade
• Dave Stringer
• David Newman
• Girish
• Snatam Kaur

Places to go – all visited by me and highly recommended:

• Bhaktivedanta Manor – Dharam Marg , Hillfield Lane Radlet Watford – the HQ for ISKCON ( Hare Krishnas ) – a beautiful mock Tudor Manor House donated by George Harrison . There is a full programme of events or you can just spend time in the beautiful gardens, tea rooms , cruelty free dairy farm or shop  krishnatemple.com
• London Radha Krishna Temple – Soho Street London. London temple , shop and Govindas restaurant of ISKCON iskcon-london.org
• The Barn ( part of the Sharpham estate ) near Totnes. A Buddhist / mindfulness  based semi silent work retreat centre. You live as part of a small community working in the gardens , woodland or poly tunnels in the morning with time to yourself in the afternoon . Full programme of meditation, teachings and yoga. Some weeks are specialist retreats sometimes led by prominent Buddhist monks. sharphamtrust.org – the barn retreat
• Brahma Kumaris global retreat centre  – Nuneham Park Oxford. Meditation Centre which runs a varied programme of retareats and talks – globalretreatcentre.org

There  are lots of sites out there supplying yoga equipment , books , clothing etc . The one I prefer and the one which has by far the largest selection of products is yogamatters.com

If you are lucky you can also pick up decent bits of clothing, mats and props at TK Maxx but like anything at TK Maxx you cannot guarantee that it will be in stock when you visit .

I also like yogamasti.co.uk for funky hand painted yoga clothes.

lululemon.co.uk is also worth a look  for clothes and accessories but only their “ we made too much “ section as the rest is so expensive .

To find out more or to book a class, call me on 07803 586161 or get in touch via my contact page.