The best books on yoga philosophy for those who want to dig deeper

Why am I passionate about this?

As a long-time student and teacher of yoga, I have read extensively on the philosophy and practice of this ancient science. After 25 years, I still discover daily, new benefits as I deepen my understanding of this tradition’s peace-bringing principles. Because I have found so much personal wellbeing through yoga, I made a career as a yoga therapist, coaching others in the yogic practices which help us establish inner peace, balance, and joy. Hundreds of clients have given me feedback in the benefits they too have received by integrating these teachings. Through the embodiment of yoga philosophy, we can truly transform our consciousness and reunite body, soul, and spirit.


I wrote...

True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment

By Jennie Lee,

Book cover of True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment

What is my book about?

True Yoga is an inspirational and practical guide to living the eight limbs of yoga. It reaches beyond the popular physical practice to the timeless teachings of consciousness transformation outlined in the Yoga Sutras, making the wisdom and universal spirituality of the ancient yogis understandable and practical for all. Whether challenged by work, health, relationships, or parenting, this book will help readers achieve lasting happiness and freedom from the stress of modern living.

Effective methods for maintaining positive thoughts, managing stress, improving communication, and building new habits for success are included. Using daily practices, self-inquiry questions, and inspiring affirmations, yoga therapist Jennie Lee presents a way of living that leads to inner peace and spiritual integration.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Autobiography of a Yogi

Jennie Lee Why did I love this book?

If I were stranded on a desert island, the one book I would want would be Autobiography of a Yogi. It holds every principle we need for the evolution of consciousness, all within a captivating story of one yoga master’s fascinating life. I have read it 6 times now and every time I find new ah-ha’s and things that will improve my life. Since reading it the first time, I feel my capacity to love has increased exponentially and I understand far more about the purpose of life. 

By Paramahansa Yogananda,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked Autobiography of a Yogi as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Autobiography of a Yogi is at once a beautifully written account of an exceptional life and a profound introduction to the ancient science of Yoga and its time-honored tradition of meditation. Profoundly inspiring, it is at the same time vastly entertaining, warmly humorous and filled with extraordinary personages.

Self-Realization Fellowship's editions, and none others, include extensive material added by the author after the first edition was published, including a final chapter on the closing years of his life.

Selected as "One of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century", Autobiography of a Yogi has been translated into more…


Book cover of The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras

Jennie Lee Why did I love this book?

After reading more traditional versions of the Yoga Sutras and finding them a bit difficult to digest, this book made the classical yoga teachings much more understandable and applicable to my current experience of life. As a yoga teacher, I found new pragmatic ways to explain esoteric concepts to my students. This text was also a big inspiration for my own writing.  

By Nischala Joy Devi,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Secret Power of Yoga as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In The Secret Power of Yoga, world-renowned Yoga expert Nischala Joy Devi interprets Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the principles at the basis of Yoga practice, from a heart-centered, intuitive, feminine perspective, resulting in the first translation intended for women.

Yoga is well known for its power to create a healthy body, but few realize the emotional and spiritual benefits. Devi’s simple, elegant, and deeply personal interpretations capture the spirit of each sutra, and her suggested practices offer numerous ways to embrace the spirituality of Yoga throughout your day.


Book cover of The Map of Consciousness Explained: A Proven Energy Scale to Actualize Your Ultimate Potential

Jennie Lee Why did I love this book?

Although this book is not a ‘yoga’ text per se, it does outline the transformation of human consciousness in a way that is totally aligned with yoga philosophy. I found the explanation of the vibratory states of various levels of consciousness such as shame, desire, anger, joy to be fascinating, and the practical suggestions for applying theory into daily life have far-reaching effect. He also includes a section on addiction and the consciousness of recovery which is wonderful.

By David R. Hawkins,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Map of Consciousness Explained as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Map of Consciousness Explained is an essential primer on the late Dr David R. Hawkins's teachings on human consciousness and their associated energy fields.

Using muscle testing, Dr Hawkins conducted more than 250,000 calibrations during 20 years of research to define a range of values, attitudes and emotions that correspond to levels of consciousness. This range of values - along with a logarithmic scale of 1 to 1,000 - became the Map of Consciousness, which Dr Hawkins first wrote about in his New York Times bestseller, Power vs. Force.

In this book, readers will gain an introduction and deeper…


Book cover of The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita: An Introduction to India's Universal Science of God-Realization

Jennie Lee Why did I love this book?

The Bhagavad Gita is the most complete text of yoga philosophy. It can however be difficult to understand, as it is presented through an allegorical battle, which represents the inner battle of every human life between the ego and the soul. This version makes the essential teachings clear and very relatable and has helped me in my understanding of my own identity. I refer to this text often when helping my students connect to their divine nature as well as their human personality self.

By Paramahansa Yogananda,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With penetrating insight, Paramahansa Yogananda sheds a clarifying light on the deeper meaning of the Bhagavad Gita's symbology, and the true intent of India's timeless and universal scripture. He shows how the warriors doing battle on the field of Kurukshetra represent the negative tendencies of the human ego pitted against the divine qualities of the soul, and how the science of Yoga can help us achieve the joy of material and spiritual victory on the battlefield of daily life. An inspiring and concise introduction to the spiritual truths of India's most beloved scripture, these selections from Yogananda's critically acclaimed two-volume…


Book cover of The Holy Science

Jennie Lee Why did I love this book?

For the serious student of yoga philosophy, this tiny book packs a mountain of wisdom as it establishes the inherent unity between the religious teachings of east and west. I particularly appreciated the explanation of the ‘mean-nesses of the heart’ which impede our spiritual progress. I find it is important to be aware of the obstacles that present themselves on the spiritual path so that I can prepare to overcome them and become a more compassionate and service-oriented person. For those interested in science, he also includes a great explanation of the ‘yugas’ or cycles of human existence.

By Sri Yukteswar Giri,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Holy Science as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This extraordinary treatise explores parallel passages from the Bible and the Hindu scriptures to reveal the essential unity of all religions. Swami Sri Yukteswar is renowned as the revered guru of the great pioneer of yoga in the West, Paramahansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi). In this remarkable work - composed in the year 1894 at the request of the great Indian sage, Mahavatar Babaji - Sri Yukteswar outlines the universal path that every human being must travel to enlightenment. He also explains the vast recurring cycles of history - the yugas that mark the upward ascent of…


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Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

By Wendy Lee Hermance,

Book cover of Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

Wendy Lee Hermance Author Of Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

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Why am I passionate about this?

Wendy Lee Hermance was heard on National Public Radio (NPR) stations with her Missouri Folklore series in the 1980s. She earned a journalism degree from Stephens College, served as Editor and Features Writer for Midwestern and Southern university and regional publications, then settled into writing real estate contracts. In 2012 she attended University of Sydney, earning a master’s degree by research thesis. Her books include Where I’m Going with this Poem, a memoir in poetry and prose. Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat marks her return to feature writing as collections of narrative non-fiction stories.

Wendy's book list on why Portugal is weird

What is my book about?

Weird Foods of Portugal describes the author's first years trying to make sense of a strange new place and a home there for herself.

Witty, dreamlike, and at times jarring, the book sizzles with social commentary looking back at America and beautiful, finely drawn descriptions of Portugal and its people. Part dark-humor cautionary tale, part travel adventure, ultimately, Hermance's book of narrative non-fiction serves as affirmation for any who wish to make a similar move themselves.

Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

By Wendy Lee Hermance,

What is this book about?

"Wendy Lee Hermance describes Portugal´s colorful people and places - including taxi drivers and animals - with a poet´s empathy and dark humor. Part travel adventure, part cautionary tale, Weird Foods of Portugal is at it´s heart, affirmation for all who consider making such a move themselves."


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Interested in yoga, spirituality, and the Bhagavad Gita?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about yoga, spirituality, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Yoga Explore 112 books about yoga
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The Bhagavad Gita Explore 18 books about the Bhagavad Gita