Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing: A Practical Guide

By Dr Vasant Lad

This is a classic introductory book recommended by many Ayurvedic practitioners. Dr. Lad is an inspiration to many, and his school in America is part of the reason Ayurveda has spread so widely across the world.

I particularly like this book for its diagrams and pictures throughout. They make it easier for visual learners to absorb the concepts and make a complex subject able to be a flick read if one wants. The section on diagnosis is particularly interesting to many students with great pictures of the tongue, eyes, nails and more.

The strength of this book is its ability to compress so much Ayurvedic wisdom into just 170 small pages. This same strength is its weakness too; as some students find it a little hard to read and apply,  sometimes leading to a misconception of a principle because of such a small explanation.

All in all a great introductory book on Ayurveda, especially for those who know they are visual learners. However if you are completely new to Ayurveda and are not strictly a visual learner, I would recommend Prakriti or Perfect Health (both listed below) as the first step because of their writing style, which is easy to read and assimilate.

Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution (Your Ayurvedic Constitution)

By Dr. Robert Svoboda

This was the very first book on Ayurveda I was exposed to, and one of the reasons I became so passionate about this Science. Dr. Svoboda was also the very first westerner to graduate with a degree in Ayurveda from India, and he completed his degree at Tilak Ayurveda College in 1980, before I was even born. This college is one of the most respected Ayurvedic colleges in India and the same school that I studied at in 2010.

I like this book most for Svoboda’s way of writing and the way he unfolds the deeper esoteric meanings of Ayurveda. It’s a perfect choice for those who already have a tiny bit of knowledge on Ayurveda, and want to know more about your own specific constitution. As an introduction book it is very thorough and covers topics from diet and lifestyle to specific diseases and rejuvenation programs.

If you are just starting with Ayurveda this is one of my highlight recommendations because it covers many areas of Ayurveda, is truly traditional and authentic, and fairly easy to read.

Perfect Health: The Complete Mind Body Guide

By Deepak Chopra

Perfect Health provides a complete step-by-step program of mind/body medicine tailored to individual needs. A quiz identifies the reader’s mind/body type: thin, restless Vata; enterprising, efficient Pitta; tranquil, steady Kapha; or any combination of these three. This body type becomes the basis for a specific Ayurvedic program of diet, stress reduction, neuromuscular integration, exercise, and daily routines. The result is a total plan, tailor-made for each individual, to re-establish the body’s essential balance with nature; to strengthen the mind/body connection; and to use the power of quantum healing to transcend the ordinary limitations of disease and ageing  and for achieving Perfect Health.

Yoga Anatomy: Your Illustrated Guide to Postures, Movements and Breathing Techniques

By Leslie Kaminoff

This is best selling Yoga and Anatomy book of all time. I first read it in 2009 when I participated in my first 200hr YTT and loved it. Even after all these years it is still a great book and something I refer to.

Leslie was a student of Desikachar and is considered a leading expert in yoga therapy and breath anatomy. He has created the anatomy curriculum for many yoga schools across America.

The illustrator, Sharon Ellis, has worked as a medical illustrator for more than 30 years. Her contribution makes the anatomy drawings highly accurate, easy to learn from, and visually engaging.

The book is easy to use as a reference because it categorises the most common poses according to their grouped type and has an asana index in both Sanskrit and English names.

For every pose it outlines: the Sanskrit name and how to pronounce it; the key structures and ways to keep them in ideal alignment; joint actions from a physiological point of view; all the muscles involved in the pose including which muscles are predominantly working and which muscles are predominantly lengthening; focus of the breath in the pose; and common obstacles to performing the pose.

A special highlight of this book is the chapter on breathing anatomy and it’s accessory muscles.  The detail Leslie goes into is truly amazing. Great for the true anatomy geeks!

Yoga for your Type: An Ayurvedic Approach to Your Asana Practice

By Dr. David Frawley

Frawley is one of my favourite authors on Ayurveda. He has written so many books and I truly admire them all. This book co-authored with Sandra Summerfield, is no exception, and something I refer to regularly.

It focuses on the parts of Yoga which are more energy related, and uses the Ayurvedic system to understand the actions of each pose on your body and mind. It gives ways to modify the poses to suit individual doshas including: the time each pose should be held for; breath styles; where to place your focus; movement areas to focus on.

The introduction is great for people who are new to Ayurveda; outlining the relationship between movement therapies and balancing each Dosha. The back of the book has example sequences which can be used to balance each Dosha.

The focus of this book is Yoga and Ayurveda in relation to asana. There is no treatment of specific conditions, meditation or mantra practices for the doshas, or movement therapies related to the elements. For those areas you will need to refer to ThaiVedic manuals or Frawley’s other books.

Acupressure’s Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments

By Michael Reed Gach

Michael Reed Gach, is the founder and director of the Acupressure Institute of America and has been teaching for more than 25 years.

I consider this the best introductory book for learning the location of acupressure points and for what conditions they may be useful. It is especially good for a beginner because it demonstrates how to press the points on yourself, giving you the ability to gain experience with self-practice before trying on others.

This book can be used by professionals and beginners with easy to follow instructions and diagrams for all the points. It is best as a reference book because it is organised according to ailments and symptoms. Covering more than 40 ailments, it outlines simple techniques that enable you to relieve headaches, arthritis, colds and flu, insomnia, backaches, hiccups, leg pain, hot flashes, depression, and more, using the power and sensitivity of your own hands.

I highly recommend this book for every practitioner or family’s library. It allows you to have some great self-care techniques and increases connection and touch in communities.

Seven Peppercorns: Traditional Thai Medical Theory For Bodyworkers

By Nephyr Jacobsen

Seven Peppercorns covers the vast scope of traditional Thai medicine practices including: Thai element theory, physical therapies, medical Buddhism, herbal medicine for massage, divinatory practices, and spirit medicine; all held within the context of a Thai bodyworker’s instructional manual. This is not another step by step Thai massage photographic sequence book, but rather an in-depth training in the theory behind the steps, with instruction in a wide range of esoteric Thai physical therapies; designed to bring practical understanding of Thai bodywork as it is practiced by traditional doctors in Thailand.

The Ayurvedic Cookbook

By Amadea Morningstar, M.A

The Ayurvedic Cookbook is one of my favourite cookbooks of all time. Partly because I love Indian food (it has delicious Indian recipes), and also because of its great introductory chapters that explain individualised healing with food.

Amadea Morningstar, M.A., a western trained Nutritionist, and Urmila Desai, a superb Indian cook, are both well-versed in a variety of healing traditions. Their wisdom and experience shine through in this all-time classic. It includes an in-depth discussion of Ayurvedic nutrition, tridoshic perspectives and ways to make dietary changes that last. She also gives great information on different food groups such as dairy and how it is digested, carbohydrates and their Ayurvedic benefits, and full food lists showing the doshic affect of each food. There are over 250 taste-tested recipes specifically designed to balance each constitution, with an emphasis on simplicity, ease and sound nutrition.

“This is not just another recipe book, but a unique health manual that if applied with proper understanding can lead to a whole new dimension, in the enhancement of health.” – Yogi Amrit Desai.

“One of the most useful parts of this book is the outline of menus; different Ayurvedic constitutions are considered as well as a specific menu that is safe for all constitutions” – Dr David Frawley, Author of Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide.

If people have a passion for holistic cooking then I often recommend The Ayurvedic Cookbook as the first book to start with. Partly because of its balance between Ayurvedic nutritional theory and self-examination, alongside inspiring recipes and meal plans which make the learning more experiential and practical. For those more interested in cooking western foods; her secondary book Ayurvedic Cooking for Westerners (listed below) is an ideal companion to this, with more focus on western recipes and understanding their relationship to Ayurvedic principles.