Ayurveda Book Suggestions & Reviews
Ayurveda: The History and Philosophy:
Ashtanga Hridayam Vol 1 by Dr. Sanjay Pisharodi
This is one of the major texts of Ayurved and this specific version can be pretty clinical in its delivery. This is because it’s one of the most concise collections of this ancient science. It sort of reminds me of how I study the Bhagavad Gita and The Bhagavatam for my spirit and my heart and how I study the Yoga Sutras for my mind. I keep returning to these texts and read them in Sanskrit and in English on a regular basis. This practice keeps me connected. This specific book can be a bit expensive, so it might not be your first pick for your Ayurveda library, but keep it on your radar.
Ayurveda and The Mind by David Frawley
If you’ve studied any yoga concepts before, this book might be the thread that ties those all together and takes you into a deeper (or the start to your) understanding of Ayurveda. The mind is a powerful tool and it’s often said that disease may begin in the mind. This important book takes us through the twists and turns of human consciousness and shines light on how we can control many of the experiences we have here in this lifetime.
Ayurveda and Self Care:
Love, Medicine & Miracles by Bernie Siegal
My biggest takeaway from this book is that love heals. There is a healing power that comes from love and when we understand that, we become inspired to love ourselves more and to invest in our own self care. Although this book focuses on a surgeon's path to finding the connection between love and healing, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of the mind. For yoga teachers, or anyone working with people, it’s a reminder that our belief in the practices we teach can be transformational to the people we teach them to.
Ayurveda and Asana:
Ayurveda, The Science of Self Healing by Dr Vasant Lad
This is one of the books I return to over and over again. It outlines so many of the basic principles of Ayurveda and is such a supportive text to Ayurveda and Asana. For a lot of people, asana is the entry point into the yoga practice. When we understand how the time of day and the seasons affect our practice, we can begin to use yoga asana as a tool to come to balance. This book provides the foundations of Ayurveda and defines and explains the concepts that we feel in our mind, body, and spirit. Although its main focus isn’t asana, it may provide inspiration for our balanced asana practices.
Ayurveda and Women's Health Suggested Reading:
Ayurveda Mama by Dhyana Masla
This beautiful book is a deep dive into conception, pregnancy, and the postpartum window through the lens of Ayurveda. So much of the information we receive around these topics tends to focus on the imbalances that come with these stages of life, but Dhyana Masla does a beautiful job of highlighting the ways these times of life can be empowering. The book focuses on finding and maintaining balance through all the stages of becoming a mother.
Ayurveda and Cooking
What To Eat For How Your Feel by Divya Alter
I learned that my cravings are not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to look into and have a conversation with. This book taught me that. It’s organized by season and filled with recipes that can help bring us back to balance as we move through changes and shifts in nature. Divya Alter has a beautiful restaurant in NYC and some of these recipes are right off her menu so I always feel a little fancy every time I prepare one of her meals or treats. They’re fun to make and actually really accessible as well.
The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook by Kate O’Donnell
This is one of the most accessible books on Ayurveda and cooking that I’ve ever found. If you’ve ever been intimidated by cooking, this book will help you move through that and come out on the other side. It’s divided into the seasons and is full of delicious recipes that are easy to make. Whether you live alone or have lots of people in the home, these recipes are pretty straightforward and accessible. I used to think I didn’t like to cook until I picked up this book.