The 9 Best Yoga Books of 2020

B.K.S. Iyengar's classic 1966 book is still the gold standard for its encyclopedic illustration of hundreds of yoga poses and many breathing techniques. Without a doubt, "Light on Yoga" is must-have for any yogi's library. The subtitle is "The Bible of Modern Yoga" and that's no stretch.

If you want to do a little homework before hitting your first yoga class, check out "The Yoga Beginner's Bible." This book features clear illustrations of poses to know and instructions on how to do each one. If you're not as bendy as you would like to be (yet), the pages include creative modifications that you can use in class (your teacher will be able to provide more of these too, so don't be afraid to ask). An added bonus: This book also lays out breathing exercises, which are key to your practice.

The unique strength of "Yoga Anatomy" by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews is its illustrations. Rendered through a process of photography and medical illustration, poses are shown from the inside out so you can see exactly how each one benefits your body. It's a book that instructors and students alike will find helpful for deepening their practice.

In "Yoga for Everyone," author and yogi Diane Bondy sets out to celebrate what everybody and every body can do, regardless of age, weight, or physical abilities. People who often feel left out of the yoga or fitness community will find this book to be a breath of fresh air. Each pose photo comes with additional photos of multiple modifications, so you can find what works best for you.

In this memoir, author Claire Dederer takes readers on her yoga journey with a book that goes beyond the physical benefits of yoga. She discovered the practice while dealing with a back injury and breastfeeding. Her story is universal, though mothers who have struggled with finding balance in their lives after having children will find it particularly inspirational. (Hint: yoga helps.)

"Yoga Body" is a fascinating look by scholar Mark Singleton into the history of yoga asana. This book is a real game changer, taking everything you thought you knew about yoga's roots in ancient India and turning it on its ear. You'll find yourself questioning a lot of the conventional wisdom you hear in yoga classes after reading this one. 

Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa is a leading Kundalini yoga teacher who is especially known for her prenatal yoga classes. The yoga in "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful" is gentle, but the anecdotes and advice for pregnant women are unique in the sea of pregnancy books. It is empowering for anyone contemplating natural childbirth.

This holistic book aims to help women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth (whether it was a few days or a few years ago) reach physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual healing. Kimberly Ann Johnson, who has experience both as a doula and yoga teacher, explains everything from preparing your body for birth to dealing with complex postpartum emotions. Her words will help you rebuild your body and strengthen your familial relationships.

"The Goddess Pose" is a fascinating look at how yoga made its way into the mainstream culture of the West. Author Michelle Goldberg does this through the biography of Indra Devi, one of the first people to teach postural yoga in the United States. Your understanding of modern yoga is not complete without knowing the significance of Devi's influence.