Reading List for TTC

Required reading for online modules:

OM1  March
OM1 Getting Started: Introduction to the Sati Yoga journey:

Chapter 1 and 2 of any translation of The Yoga sutras of Patanjali.
We recommend Alistair Shearer’s translation.
There are also a number of translations available online, for ex
ample
https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-yoga-sutras-of-patanjali-e38251608.html

 

OM2  May
OM2 Establishing Mindfulness:

Any translation of the Satipatthana Sutta. We recommend
https://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/articles/SatipatthanaSutta.pdf
also useful https://www.wisdompubs.org/landing/satipatthana-sutta
and
https://oneminddharma.com/four-foundations-mindfulness/

 

OM3  June
OM3 Yoga: What is being united?

Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life, by Charlotte Bell plus Chapter 1 and 2 of any translation of The Yoga sutras of Patanjali (see OM1 above)

 

OM4  July
OM4 Positioning the Practice:

Any translation of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. We recommend either Brian Dana Akers concise and faithfull translation, or the Bihar School of Yoga translation with commentaries, which is available online at  https://terebess.hu/english/Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika-Muktibodhananda.pdf
this translation may also be useful
https://dailycupofyoga.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/hatha-yoga-pradipika-by-yoga-swami-svatmarama.pdf

 

OM5  August
OM5 Finding Balance through the principles and practices of Ayurveda

Prakriti: Your Ayurivedic Constitution by Robert E. Svoboda, or if funds are tight Everyday ayurveda, available online for free here

 

OM6  September
OM6 Anatomy 1

Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews available online at
http://nitayoga.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Yoga_Anatomy.pdf
and
The Anatomy Coloring Book (any edition) by Kapit and Elson

 

OM7  November
OM7 8 Limbs / 8-fold Path: Yoga, Buddhism & Ethics

Yoga for a World out of Balance by Michael Stone plus additional articles to be confirmed

 

OM8  January
OM8 Working from the Heart: the Bramaviharas

Boundless Heart: The Buddha’s Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity
by Christina Feldman

 

OM9  February
OM9 Individual Project check-in, choose a book from the recommended reading list.

 

OM10  March
OM10 Anatomy 2, Required readings to be confirmed

Please note: The schedule for online modules and reading assignments is subject to change.

 

Recommended additional reading for TTC

Intelligent Yoga : Re-educating Mind and Body by Peter Blackaby, an excellent manual charting the innate intelligence of the body (and how to take heed of it).

Awakening the Spine by Vanda Scaravelli The classic and very beautiful exposition on gravity, breath and the spine

Yoga and You by Esther Meyers, simple and very clear articulation of foundational yoga postures with an emphasis on gravity and the spine

The Tao of Natural Breathing by Denis Lewis An excellent exposition on the natural breath

The Breathing Book: Vitality and Good Health Through Essential Breath Work by Donna Farhi
An accessible guide to breathing including a very useful section on unhealthy styles of breathing

Breath, Mind and Consciousness by Harish Johari Insight into Swara yoga (the art of balance)

Breath by Breath, by Larry Rosenberg A comprehensive study of the Anapasati Sutta

Breathe! You Are Alive: Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing by Thich Nhat Hanh
A excellent translation of the Anapasati Sutta with commmentaries

The Issue At Hand: Essays On Buddhist Mindfulness Practice by Gil Fronsdal
An inspiring and accessible compilation of essays and edited talks on mindfulness and Buddhism
Free download at https://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/documents/iah/IssueAtHand4thEd.pdf

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh, a lucid guide to learning the skills for being awake and fully aware
Download it for free at https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Thich%20Nhat%20Hanh%20-%20The%20Miracle%20of%20Mindfulness.pdf

Satipatthana – The Direct Path to Realization ~ Analayo A comprehensive studyof the Satipatthana Sutta
Download it from http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Satipatthana_Direct%20Path_Analayo_Free%20Distribution%20Copy.pdf

For a future to be possible by Ticht Nhat Han An eloquent articulation of the five principle of Buddhist ethics

A Path with Heart and The Wise heart by Jack Kornfield Two important and accessible guidebooks to Bhuddism for Westerners

How to Train a Wild Elephant: And Other Adventures in Mindfulness by Jan Chozen Bays, a practical, entertaining guide to practicing mindfulness in daily life

Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits by Martine Batchelor Accessible approach to understanding how patterns of thought limit us

After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age, & Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World by Stephen Batchelor; two books which outline Batchelor’s contemporary understanding of Buddhism from a thoroughly contemporary and secular perspective

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by Desikachar A modern classic by Krishnamacharia’s son. Contains an excellent commentary on the yoga sutra of patanjali

Yoga Rahasya by Sri Nathamuni
Very useful book by Krishnamacharya. Valuable advice on asana and pranayama practice

Yoga Yajnavalkya, translation by A. G. Mohan
Useful classic, offering a different perspective on the 8 limbs path and, 4 chapters on pranayama practice.

Moving into Meditation: A 12-week Mindfulness Program for Yoga Practitioners by Anne Cushman An excellent and practical guide to integrating yoga and mindfulness

The Ethics of Touch by Cherie M. Sohnen-Moe and Ben E. Benjamin
An important book for yoga teachers doing physical adjustements on their students

Yoga Morality: Ancient Teachings at a Time of Global Crisis by Georg Feuerstein

Not About Being Good: A Practical Guide to Buddhist Ethics by Subhadramati
A practical book that brings Buddhist ethics to life, for real people living in the real world.

Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists, by Thomas W. Myers, presents a unique understanding of the role of fascia in healthy movement

Reference books

Light on Yoga, by BKS Iyengar
available online at https://www.pdfdrive.com/iyengar-bks-light-on-yoga-e55025891.html

Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha by Bihar school of yoga
available online at https://www.pdfdrive.com/asana-pranayama-mudra-bandha-e1951658.html

Prana and pranayama by Bihar school of yoga
available online at https://www.pdfdrive.com/prana-and-pranayama-e33215204.html

Light on Pranayama, by BKS Iyengar
available online at http://avalonlibrary.net/ebooks/Iyengar%20BKS%20-%20Light%20on%20Pranayama%20%5BOCR%5D.pdf

Please Note: This list is not exhaustive! It represents only some of the influential books that we have found useful in our practice and teaching.
We are also interested in hearing of texts that you have found important, contact us for suggestions.