SUGGESTED READING
What is Stress?
by Cindy von Miller
This article examines the most current research on stress factors for a thorough understanding of this critical body response. Click on the title to download a 57 kb pdf.
AYURVEDA
The Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadea Mornignstar with Urmila Desai
This is an excellent book for someone who is interested in exploring the health and healing possibilities of an Ayurvedic diet. It includes an introduction to Ayurveda, tools for identifying your individual constitution, as well as lifestyle and dietary suggestions for restoring balance. It also provides a list of supplies that are needed in an Ayurvedic kitchen, menu suggestions, and easy to follow recipes.
Eat, Taste, Heal: An Ayurvedic Guidebook and Cookbook for Modern Living by Thomas Yarema, MD, Daniel Rhoda and Chef Johnny Brannigan
A Best Books Award Winner – an absolutely beautiful and informative book which provides an overview of Ayurveda including chapters titled: The ABC’s: Ambiance, Blessing and Consumption, The Rhythms of Nature, and Food as Medicine. Recipes vary in complexity.
MEDITATION
A Gradual Awakening by Stephen Levine
This book is described by ElisabethKubler-Ross as “a simply and gently written book by a man who shares his own personal experiences and insights into how meditation can work andhow we can become aware of ourselves”. My own practice of vipassana meditation began 25 years ago when I first read this book.
Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh is a Buddhist monk who spoke out for peace during the Viet Nam war. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His beautiful words help us to appreciate the present moment and to discover the many simple blessings that we all share.
Foundations for Centering Prayer and the Christian Contemplative Life by Thomas Keating
This is a triple whammy – three books bound together in one (Open Mind, Open Heart, Invitation to Love, and The Mystery of Christ). This is a must for those of Christian faith who would like to deepen their faith journey.
PHILOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALITY
The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi (available at the San Marcos Public Library)
This is an inspired translation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Nischala provides a heart centered, intuitive, feminine perspective and includes practical exercises which encourage living the sutras from a place of compassionate wisdom.
Prayer of Heart and Body: Meditation and Yoga as Christian Spiritual Practice by Thomas Ryan
Thomas Ryan is a Christian counselor and guide as well as a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher. He provides an excellent and scholarly explanation of Christian meditation practices and explains how the practice of yoga helps us to move more deeply into our Christian faith experience.
The Gospel of Thomas: Wisdom of the Twin by Lynn Bauman
This text is a living interpretation of the Gospel which was preserved by the disciples of Thomas. It represents one strand of early Christianity which was lived and practiced in eastern regions of Syria outside of the Roman Empire. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus is presented as a Master of wisdom, quite different from the figure of dogma known to most Christians today.
The Healing Breath by Neil Douglas-Klotz (CD collection offered by Sounds True)
According to Neil Douglas-Klotz, the Beatitudes hold the key to Jesus’ healing power. We are given the opportunity to listen to these healing words chanted in Aramaic (the original language of Jesus). We are instructed in the importance of the healing quality of sound. We are given an opportunity to sing along and to create the vibrations of healing in our own bodymind. Dr. Douglas-Klotz shares his vast knowledge of the Aramaic language and helps us to get to know Jesus as a healer and a Master of Wisdom.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
The Cortisol Connection by Shawn Talbott, Ph.D.
This book provides recent research on the biochemistry of stress and its physiological effects. Dr. Talbott promotes a program called SENSE which includes stress management, exercise, nutrition, and supplementation. It is a great resource for folks who are not prepared to take the big leap of faith into the kind of life transformation that dedicated yoga practice has to offer.
FULL CATASTROPHE LIVING by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.
An excellent and comprehensive resource that has helped many people improve the quality of their lives despite stress, pain and illness. This is the original manual of the Mindfulness Based Stress Management program that is gaining nationwide popularity. Yoga and Mindfulness meditation are utilized.
THE MASTER OF STRESS by Paul Skye
This is another excellent resource with a focus on stress in the work place and in our environment.
MONEY AND THE MEANING OF LIFE BY Jacob Needleman
I have to include this book because of the dramatic increase in socioeconomic stress across all groups in our culture today. Jacob Needleman , a modern philosopher, raises questions (and awareness) of how money influences or emotional and spiritual lives. It is entertaining and enlightening at the same time. I highly recommend it.
YOGA PRACTICE
Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat by Richard Faulds and Senior Teacher of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
This is an excellent resource that will reinforce the style of practice taught in Yoga and Health yoga classes. It is the primary recommended resource for all Yoga and Health students.
Yoga for Transformation by Gary Kraftsow
This is an excellent resource for deepening your practice. Mr. Kraftsow does an excellent job of relating theoretical principles of yoga philosophy to your practice as well as to your daily life.
An Invitation to Christian Yoga by Nancy Roth
Nancy Roth is an Episcopal priest and writer with an ecumenical ministry in spirituality. In this book she relates yoga asana to the Psalms and provides an excellent resource for a prayerful yoga experience.
