10 Best Yoga Books in India 2021 (Mudras of India, Adiyogi, and more)

While the modern world displays many diverse forms of yoga, the Bhagavad Gita classified the ancient art of yoga into 4 categories- karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnāna yoga, and Raja yoga. This by Swami Vivekananda explains the four forms from scratch.

For a complete beginner, this book can be really useful as it mentions ancient asanas in detail, also you can learn about how yoga was perceived originally and have a deeper understanding of the art. 

The book is also filled with motivational quotes like: "let the ripples come and go, let huge actions proceed from the muscles and the brain but let them not make any deep impression on the soul". You're sure to get a new perspective. 

Unlike other autobiographies, the Autobiography of Yogi narrates a spiritual journey of the mystic Paramahansa Yogananda. Instead of physical asanas, this book aims at bringing spiritual development to light. The book has inspired pioneers like Steve Jobs, the Beatles, and many more.

If you are on the path to self-realization, then this book is perfect for you. It contains many stories from the author's life that show a new path of spirituality to the reader and help them think clearly and wisely.

This book is internationally recognized as one of the best manuals on yoga by users. Unlike other guides, this book contains clear illustrations that depict the step-by-step ways of performing and mastering a new asana. The illustrations part makes it a great fit for beginners.

The book talks about asanas falling in the category of hatha yoga and vinyasa yoga. The author concentrated on establishing clear instructions about mastering an asana rather than just talking about theoretical concepts. It is a simple and enjoyable manual and should be purchased by all.

Inner Engineering is a concept developed by the author Sadhguru, which seeks to align the mind and the body with spiritual energy within us. The concept of inner engineering can be used to create a world of limitless power and possibilities.

Being a book centered around the spiritual benefits of yoga, the read is filled with Sadhguru's personal experiences with spirituality and yoga. This helps the readers to relate better. This book serves as a guide to master the three main elements of our lives - body, mind, and energy. A brilliant portrayal of spirituality through personal experiences.

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is a story that puts the spotlight on a boy Siddhartha who journeys across the Indian subcontinent during the time of Lord Buddha. This book talks about a regular person and their journey to achieve enlightenment. The book makes you reflect on your understanding of spirituality and how you interpret the world around you.

The book in detail talks about yoga and connection with the divine, for beginners, this book can be great as it explains the spiritual benefits of yoga and meditation with the help of a compelling storyline that matches the real journey of Lord Buddha.

Adiyogi offers a new take on spirituality and yoga. The book offers a classic blend of yogic science and Hindu mythology. There are books on spirituality that mix these concepts but Adiyogi helps the reader deeper into the topic and explore the ancient relations of yoga in Hindu mythology.

However, the author Arundhathi Subramaniam has filled the book with seemingly difficult words to decipher even for a regular native English speaker. The readers have found this somewhat annoying, as they believe the content in the book is great, but the language kills the deal. Keeping the language aside, this is great for people seeking spiritual guidance through yoga.

This book is specialized aimed at beginners who are looking to learn from the start. The language used in the book is simple and precise, the author has restrained from using many technical terms to make it easy for newbies to understand. Although there are illustrations they are not as detailed as book number three Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha.

To give the reader a good overview of the vast landscape of yoga, the book is divided into 3 segments. The first segment talks about the basics of yoga, its nature, and its components. The second part talks about the asanas and kriyas, and the third part is all about pranayamas. It's a short and great read for people seeking true guidance in yoga.

The Modern Yoga Bible is another great yoga manual that you can refer to learn basic asanas and pranayamas. The author here puts special focus on asanas linked more to hatha yoga. Asanas like Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) are explained in a detailed manner.

The book however jumps directly into the asanas and pranayama without forming a connection with the reader about how yoga is connected to spirituality. To some, this point may sound appealing but for readers seeking spiritual growth, this might be a problem. However, the book has some great detailed explanations on postures which can be useful for beginners. 

Hand gestures play an important role in yoga, it is believed that the mudras are highly responsible for the manipulation of spiritual energy in our bodies. There are only a few books that cover the topic of yogic hand postures in grand detail. The Mudras of India is a great guide for people to master these gestures and to learn about their benefits.

Yoga & Stress Management is a systematic guide for people to get rid of pressure, stress, and anxiety. The book covers great details on meditation and how it can be practiced to get rid of mental stress.  the provides vivid details on the cure of psychological and psychosomatic disorders like anxiety, etc that are globally on the rise.

The author has established a clear connection on how yoga offers a holistic solution to erase conflicts, suppression, and sensitivity. While the book has received good popularity in India, the absence of the ebook version seems to be a worry as many readers want a version of the digital copy.