As Yoga Educators, we are continually inspired by our students. Our many years of teaching experience and desire to make yoga philosophy and practice accessible to more people have caused us to write a few book over years - and there are few more new ones on the horizon! All of our books are available at the YogaLife bookstore and online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and many places where fine books are sold.
The Yoga Life: Applying Comprehensive Yoga Therapy to All Areas of Your Life by Ilene S. Rosen, MEd, Robert Butera, PhD, Jennifer Hilbert, MSc.
This innovative book shows you how to design and apply a personalized system of yoga to all areas of your life. The Yoga Life presents yoga's philosophy and guiding principles in a way that makes it easy to use them every day. Both scientific and spiritual perspectives are featured, merging Eastern and Western wisdom together to show you the ideal path to a happy, healthy, and comprehensive yoga lifestyle.
This practical book provides extensive yogic wisdom, real-world examples of the ideas in action, and thought-provoking questions to inspire you. Discover breathwork and meditation exercises, stress-relief techniques, and self-assessment sections. Explore the four steps for whole-person perspective, the five paths of yoga for self-realization, and the ten lifestyle areas for whole health. The Yoga Life has everything you need to build a unique practice that fits your needs.
Body Mindful Yoga: Create a Powerful and Affirming Relationship with Your Body by Robert Butera, Ph.D and Jennifer Kreatsoulas, Ph.D.
Body Mindful Yoga explores the relationship between body image and language and seeks to empower readers to create affirming relationships with their bodies. The first half of the book guides readers through insightful Yoga philosophies and self-study exercises to help transform attitudes that keep them stuck in disempowering body narratives influenced by personal beliefs and social messages.
The second half of the book teaches a variety of mental, physical, auditory, and visual Yoga practices for readers to integrate new, affirming "body mindful" language into their inner dialogue. In the final section, Body Mindful Yoga provides tools and tips for how to live "body mindfully," meaning to consciously, raise each other up through language that is not dependent on how well our bodies and lives match external values and ideals. Ultimately, Body Mindful Yoga leads readers to cultivate their great power of language as a tool for self-validation and a body affirming life.
Yoga Therapy: A Personalized Approach to Your Active Lifestyle
by Kristen Butera C-IAYT and Staffan Elgelid, PhD
Yoga is more popular now than ever. The benefits are recognized worldwide, and athletes and therapists rely on the practice. Yet its appeal is as varied as those who practice it. Regardless of your activity level and fitness background, yoga is truly for you.
This book will help you see your daily activities in a new light by giving you a new understanding of movement. Whether playing sports or exercising for fitness, you’ll recognize your movement patterns and identify the poses to make them more efficient. With detailed instructions and photos, you’ll be guided through exercises, breathing, and visualization techniques to improve your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Comprehensive and accessible, Yoga Therapy demonstrates the most effective poses for mobility, strength, recovery and balance as well as techniques to aid relaxation and help with stress management.
No matter your age, experience, or desired goal, Yoga Therapy will empower you to create personalized approaches that are as unique as you are and learn how to adapt your practice to your changing needs and goals throughout life.
Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety: Create a Personalized Plan to Balance Your Life by Robert Butera, PhD, Erin Byron MA and Staffan Elgelid PhD.
Create a personalized path to healing with this step-by-step guide to holistic change. Comprehensive and accessible no matter your skill level, Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety helps you understand what creates a stress-filled life so that you may choose a life of ease instead. Through yoga practice and the lesser-known lifestyle aspects of yoga, you will be able to face all situations from the calm perspective of the higher self.
Incorporating exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, and many other tools, this guide provides effective methods for repairing areas of imbalance and identifying your needs. Learn about the five yogic paths of psychology, intellect, health, work, and relationships. Apply a variety of yoga postures for relaxation, improved attitude and sleep, self-acceptance, and more. With the transformative power of a whole-lifestyle approach, you will achieve wellness in your mind, body, and soul.
“Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety brings readers a comprehensive and extremely accessible guide for modern health. Grounded in the ancient practices, the three authors weave modern understanding into practical tools that will serve all of us far into the future.” – Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD, E-RYT 500
“Beginning by noting the prevalence of complaints about stress in today’s world, YogaLife Institute founder Butera, psychotherapist Byron, and physical therapy professor Elgelid present a well-organized guide to using yoga to deal with this problem…for stressed-out yoga fans interested in a change for the better, this book could be a valuable beginning.” – Publishers Weekly
“Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety is an inclusive self-care manual that includes inspirational exercises paired with appropriate yoga postures. This book will assist with mind-body harmony …no matter what level of yoga experience.” - Wanda Davis, M.Sc., B.Ed.
Meditation for Your Life: Creating a Plan that Suits Your Personal Meditation Style by Robert Butera, PhD
The benefits of meditation are boundless: reduced stress and pain, peace of mind, and an improved sense of resilience. But which style of meditation is right for you? Engage in the process of self-inquiry and understanding with expert teacher Robert Butera. All meditation methods are valid forms of practice, but they don’t fit everyone alike. Meditation for Your Life explains the 6 different styles of meditation and guides readers in identifying which ones suit them best.
You will also learn how to prepare your mind with relaxation exercises, conscious breathing, and positive thinking. Discover the six basic forms of meditation, and identify the techniques that work best for you. Use guided questions, exercises, and journaling to personalize your practice. Learn what steps you can take to stay motivated and consistent over time, and let the benefits of meditation blossom for your entire life. Explore the different the techniques of breathwork, visualization, mantra or devotion, mindfulness or contemplation with a special emphasis on overcoming frequent blocks to inner growth.
“Highly recommended for teachers, students and health professionals.” —Larry Payne, PhD, Co-Author, Yoga for Dummies, Yoga Rx, and The Business of Teaching Yoga
“Grounded in age-old traditions yet using contemporary research, this book helps readers learn about the benefits of meditation and provides foundational instructions.”—Christopher Key Chapple PhD, author of Yoga and the Luminous
“You could have no better guide through the 6 major meditation styles than master yogi and scholar Robert Butera . . . Whether you teach meditation or are taking your first step into practice, this book belongs by your cushion!” —Amy Weintraub, MFA, ERYT-500, founder of the LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute, and author Yoga for Depression and Yoga Skills for Therapists
“Butera packs his book with insightful information for both beginners and more experienced meditators who want to tailor a practice to their individual needs. This manual can keep you occupied for months, even years – especially if you refer to it regularly as your practice evolves.” - Yoga Journal, Nov 2012
“Meditation for Your Life takes both the novice and veteran meditator on experiential discovery tour to refine, remind and invite the reader to practice. The careful treatment of familial faith practices is sensitive, but direct, while allowing readers to understand they have probably had meditative experiences under different names in their past. The text also lends itself as a great study guide for Yoga teacher trainings with transferable embodied lessons for teachers to share with their future students.”- Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD, E-RYT 500, Professional Yoga Therapist & creator of The Dynamic Systems Rehabilitation (DSR) Method.
The Pure Heart of Yoga: Ten Essential Steps for Personal Transformation by Robert Butera, PhD
Inner stillness. Perfect awareness. True beauty. Yoga is much more than just a physical activity. It is a conscious lifestyle that brings about a profound spiritual and personal transformation. This book on yoga invites you to experience yoga as the ancient masters intended it―a holistic way of life that unites the body, mind, and spirit for complete health and well-being.
With clear instruction, Dr. Robert Butera guides you through ten steps on the path of yoga that are based on traditional yogic principles and practices, yet designed to fit seamlessly into your life. Yoga enthusiasts of all kinds will discover effective tools for creating a life of healthful beauty and inner peace.
Understand the role of physical poses within the larger, holistic system of yoga. Practice breathing techniques (pranayama), work with your energy centers (chakras), and develop your concentration. Overcome psychological blocks, balance your emotions, and grow emotionally and spiritually.
"The Pure Heart of Yoga will bring increased depth to your yoga practice...It is an excellent book: thoughtful, reflective, deep and accessible." - Eleanor Criswell, Ed.D., author of How Yoga Works
"Dr. Butera's hard work and clarity on the subject of yoga is felt by us all. Yoga asanas are ultimately leading to the expansion of consciousness. The psychophysical practice of yoga is the main focus." - Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji Yogendra, authors and directors of the Yoga Institute of Mumbai, India
"Robert Butera's book is an important presentation of the deeper meaning of yoga postures that allows us to experience their full potential for balance and transformation." - Joseph LePage, founder of Integrative Yoga Therapy
"The Pure Heart of Yoga offers an illuminating exploration of the psychological and spiritual dimensions of the yoga asanas. It is an important contribution to weaving the asanas into the 8-fold fabric of Hatha Yoga." - Charles Eisenstein, author of Yoga of Eating
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Mindful Living
by Bob Butera PhD and Erin Byron, MA
Enhance your awareness, gain higher focus and happiness, and improve all levels of your health with the discussions and supportive practices in this guide to mindful living.
Bob and Erin curated, edited and contributed to the book that also features a number of leading meditation and mindfulness experts, including Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jack Canfield, Thomas Moore, Cyndi Dale, Guy Finley, and many others. Llewellyn's Complete Book of Mindful Living shows you how to develop your well-being and overcome the obstacles that stand in your way.
A comprehensive gathering of visionary teachers and authors, this book provides inspiration, discussion, and specific practices around the transformative applications of mindfulness: basic understanding and practices, better health, loving your body, reaching your potential, and connecting to subtle energy and spirit.
The Classical Yoga Study Guide by Bob Butera PhD
This 357-page comprehensive guide offers a transformative journey into the essence of living a yogic life. Dr. Butera, a seasoned scholar , shares personal anecdotes from himself and yoga students, engaging questions and answers, and a vivid portrayal of life at a yoga ashram, creating a rich tapestry of wisdom and experience.
The book serves as a philosophical workbook, seamlessly bridging the gap between theory and practice, making it a trusted companion for those seeking to integrate the profound principles of yoga into their everyday existence. Each chapter, from Vision of Yoga Therapy to Yoga Sutras, unfolds as a treasure trove of wisdom, offering practical insights and timeless teachings for both seasoned practitioners and those new to the transformative journey of yoga.
In essence, "The Classical Yoga Study Guide" is a beacon of guidance for anyone yearning to harmonize the demands of contemporary life with the profound teachings of yoga. Dr. Butera's expertise and genuine passion for the subject shine through, making this book an invaluable resource for those seeking a balanced and fulfilling life through the principles of classical yoga.