10/16/2026
If I could recommend just one yoga-related book to every student, friend, and spiritual seeker I know, it would be Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda.
This book completely changed my life. It transformed my understanding of yoga from a physical practice into a profound philosophy, history, spiritual path, and way of living. I discovered a deeper perspective on consciousness, meditation, faith, parelells between the teachings of many great teachers including Jesus, and the limitless potential within each of us.
Yogananda was a true pioneer who helped bring the wisdom of the East to the Western world, coming to America in 1920, inspiring countless people to explore the deeper dimensions of yoga and spirituality - Something western yogis could benefit from exploring again today in these modern times of the mainstream commercialization of yoga packaged as just a fitness fad or class, a series of acrobatic postures we do in cute gym clothes for an hour on our mat, Or a multi thousand dollar retreat only the rich can afford, before we return back into our lives not giving the first thought to what it really means to be living yoga off the mat - to the fact that yoga is a deeply spiritual philosophy and entire lifestyle that goes so far beyond that.
As you can probably tell from this worn, highlighted, and well-loved copy, I've returned to these pages again and again over the years.
I love recommending this book to people who ask me for recommendations. You can find it in my Recommended Reading Book list in my bio 🔗
I also love loaning it out! I'm excited to be loaning it to a friend tomorrow, which is why I've pulled it back off the shelf tonight 😌 and what inspired this post 🙏🏼🩷
Have you read Autobiography of a Yogi? I'd love to hear what book has most influenced your spiritual journey. 💙🙏📖
