Top 10 Best Yoga Books in 2020 (Sadhguru, Swami Vivekananda, and More)

This book is a New York Times Bestseller, written by a modern Indian mystic. Sadhguru has a refined ability to simplify the spiritual path into a traceable step-by-step journey, which makes true yogic spirituality available to all.

Negative reviews said they could not see any value in his words and felt the author was egotistical. Others wanted faster results. However, countless reviewers have attested to the powerful impact this book has had on them, giving them the tools to finally take control of the steering wheel of their own lives. 

Many who were only practicing yoga for stretching and exercise were amazed to discover through this book that there is a deeper experience of spirituality that lies behind the movements. The life of this yogi speaks for itself, and many say his words should be the first and last stop for a seeker.

Swami Saraswati has compiled a massive amount of details on yogasanas, pranayama breathing techniques, mudra hand forms, and bandha locks into one easily referenced book.

It is clearly and simply laid out with diagrams of the movements explaining how to do each properly. It goes further to provide details about correct breathing patterns, mantras, and points of focus during each posture.

Some wished it had more pictures of each movement, but many reviewers say this one book contains all the info you need on the physical practice of yoga. They say it also gives the framework to go deeper into the spiritual aspects than may be possible at the average yoga class at the local gym.

If you are a casual yoga practitioner or beginner and you want a simplified easy-to-use manual, then this book is for you! Thousands of reviewers praise the way this book clearly and logically illustrates over 170 core yoga asanas in beautiful and easy-to-follow photographs.

The core complaint was that users didn’t think this small and bulky book was designed very well to be a useful companion during their yoga practice. It is difficult to keep the book open to the right asana to follow it. Several reviewers took the trouble of having it professionally spiral-bound. Then they say it's perfect. 

Others praised how the book is arranged in logical groupings with a nice flow sequence that connects the asanas well. Those beginning yoga found it to be a very useful supplement to their classes. If you are looking for a resource that is simple but informative, check it out.

Swami Vivekananda is one of the first yogis to introduce yoga and Vedanta to Western society. His life and teachings were said to have had a major impact on both the West and India. Many yogis today, such as Sadhguru, still praise Swami Vivekananda for his divine ability to bring light to the four different paths of yogic liberation as expounded by Lord Krishna in ancient times.

The negative reviews were almost all about the poor quality of the paper and the printing itself. Some said their book was even missing entire sections and the publisher charged them to send it back.

Although the publishing quality may not be up to par, as far as yogic content is concerned, reviewers claim this book to be a gem. The understanding derived from it is capable of taking your yogic practice to a deeper level.

Iyengar is known for his own Iyengar Yoga, which is perhaps the most anatomically accurate and precise form of yoga in its execution of the movements. For those with a heavy focus on the physical aspect of Yoga, Iyengar is the master.

For many reviewers, this book is the go-to resource of reference on yogasanas. They say it takes the basic yoga asanas and puts them in a light of magnification which brings them to advanced levels of practice. Numerous reviewers say it has brought their practice to a very high level of precision.

Negative reviews also focus on the same thing, stating that focus on the form here is overly complex and detailed. For those who emphasize the spiritual aspect of yoga, such a heavy focus on the physical movements could be a hindrance to attainment. Nonetheless, check out Iyengar if you want expert methods in physical accuracy.

Sri Aurobindo taught his own Integral Yoga, which departs from the traditional view that life is a kind of prison to be liberated from. Instead, Integral Yoga asserts that through yoga, the divine can descend and integrate into the world to transform it into a living paradise or a divine life.

Reviewers say Sri Aurobindo’s material is mind-blowing. It has a depth and complexity to it that is rarely reached in any book on yoga. For those who are deep into yoga, his works are excellent to help balance the overly ascetic aspect of serious traditional yoga.

Negative reviews say that Aurobindo’s grammar is a bit off, making for a choppy read at times on an already complex subject. This may be understandable since English is not his native language and it was published many years ago.

It may not be an easy read for the casual or beginning yoga practitioner, but it has also been hailed as a yogic masterpiece. When you're ready for it, don’t skip this one!

This book is for all who like a logical and scientific understanding of the anatomy of the body in yoga. Reviewers say this book is excellent as an anatomy text showing the body’s physical form during practice. In this light, reviewers say, it very well may be the best of its category.

Many love it and its highly detailed illustrations that are drawn from unusual angles. Reviewers say it has greatly helped them understand how to correctly do each asana.

Some reviewers complained that the anatomical terminology can be overwhelming and that the scientific aspect of the text is overdone and could easily confuse a beginner. They say too many words are used to describe simple practices and that extreme logic goes against the basic principles of yoga.

Others say this book is quite impressive and has been praised as a modern masterpiece on the physical aspect of yoga. They recommend the paperback or even better, the spiral-bound version, which is great to use while practicing.

2,000 years ago, yoga and its elements were divided and scattered all over India. Patanjali sought to organize and unify yoga. It may be one of the last major ancient text sources of yoga surviving today. Reviewers say it’s required reading to touch the roots of yogic practices!

This translation and elucidation is expertly written by Swami Satchidananda and is praised by reviewers as being in its own league compared to other versions. Great care was taken to preserve the original meaning of the text in this translation. 

Some complained different parts of the text seem to contradict themselves. Others argue that spiritual teachings seem to do that because truth is circular in nature. It may not resonate with everyone, but the vast majority of reviews are positive.

They say that of all the versions available on the market, this one is by far the best. We recommend this version due to its clarity, effort to maintain the original message, and elucidation by an established yogi.

For those who want to learn true yogic practices, stick with the masters like Swami Sivananda. He is the guru of both Swami Satyananda Saraswati, and Satchidananda whose books are listed here as well. He is responsible for assisting the spiritual achievement of many yogis.

As one reviewer said, “These older books on yoga are the real deal.” However, some were put off by the explanation of extraordinary abilities that may arise from the consistent practice of meditation. For them, it seemed like a stretch of the imagination.

Reviewers comment that the book may be one of the best books on concentration and meditation ever written. This is the core of all yogic practices but is often not effectively taught. Reviewers say it is easy to see that Swami Sivananda has mastered what he is teaching and is not just explaining what he has learned.

A vast number of reviews of this book are from yoga instructors or trainees who use this book as a guide. Most are impressed with the level of instruction given by the author, who is the son of the famous yogi Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. His father taught that yogic practices are not set in stone, but must be flexibly adaptive.

Reviewers say the book lays out many details about how to structure your yogic practice and incorporate it into your life. It was praised for giving an understanding of the flexibility of breathing patterns for the yogasanas, which many had thought were unchangeable.

Negative reviews complained about the illustrations, which some feel are not up to par. In addition, some felt certain concepts were not explained well enough. Still, this book has become a kind of textbook for those undergoing teacher training and will greatly benefit anyone trying to customize an effective yoga routine.