Not everything I’ve learned about teaching came from a yoga mat or yoga book. Some of the most important shifts—like how I listen, reflect, or show up—came from books that had nothing to do with yoga poses. These seven books helped me become a better teacher and human. They live in the Lanka Yoga library and some have sat in my backpack on every long-haul flight since 2015.
Essays in Love – Alain de Botton
Philosophy meets heartbreak.
A novel that thinks deeply about why love works—and why it doesn’t. Full of “aha” moments that translate surprisingly well into classroom awareness.
Courage – Osho
Fear-busting primer.
Controversial author, timeless message: comfort zones are cages. This punchy read dares you to make the bold call, and applies just as well to stepping into a handstand as stepping out of a job you’ve outgrown.
The 4-Hour Work Week – Tim Ferriss
Design your work around your life, not the other way around.
Tactical, if sometimes extreme. This one rewired how I manage time, email, and what I say yes to.
Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari
Zoom out 70,000 years.
For perspective. Harari’s sweeping history helps you understand how we got here, through evolution, myths, rituals, money, and even diets. Handy when explaining why modern bodies (and minds) struggle on office chairs.
Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
Decode stress and trauma.
If you teach yoga, you’re working with nervous systems. This book helps you spot signs of stress, soften tricky situations, and overall read group energy more intuitively.
The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
Presence, minus the incense.
No fluff. Just practical ways to stay in the moment, even when it’s uncomfortable. Great for teachers who get nervous before class or students who overthink every pose.
Nonviolent Communication – Marshall Rosenberg
Speak so people listen (and vice-versa).
Observation over judgement, feelings over blame—Rosenberg’s framework upgrades feedback sessions, partner poses, and those tricky WhatsApp groups alike.
You don’t need to be reading Yoga Sutras 24/7 to teach from depth. These titles sharpen your perspective, stretch your worldview, and make you more grounded in any room—yoga or otherwise.
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