In celebration of International Yoga Day, GlobalSpa spotlights five best yoga books that speak of yoga, immunity and matters of the mind that help us live harmoniously.

1. Decoding the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali By Acharya Kaushal Kumar and Jai Singhania, Vigyan Yoga

This book is an interpretation of the Yogasutras by Patanjali. The primary intent of the Yogasutras is to control and regulate our mind. Our consciousness, also known as the soul, is different from our mind. But, we think they are the same due to ignorance. In this state, we identify ourselves as the mind. When we associate ourselves with the mind, then it is called ego. Patanjali is establishing the fact that consciousness needs to separate itself from the mind in order to eliminate misery. Acharya Kaushal Kumar and Jai Singhania have simplified the core understanding of the yoga philosophies, essential to our spiritual traditions. To help readers understand and learn the science and inner workings of the mind and body, the authors have included 195 sutras, divided into four chapters in the book. The book has been written to clear misunderstandings and/ or myths about Yoga, by explaining each of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras logically and practically. The authors give their interpretation of calling out the unrealistic nature of superpowers, which many books in the past have tried to establish, and discuss every claim of theirs with science and logic.

2.  Yoga and Spiritual Retreats

Modern life is marred by hectic pace, stress, and negative environmental influences. Places to get away from the routine, where body and soul can find harmony again, to breathe deeply and feel good with oneself, are sought more and more. Beautifully designed retreats are turning up across the globe, usually in special locations in the midst of breathtaking, pristine nature. This volume presents buildings and spaces devoted specifically to contemplation, meditation, regeneration and the enjoyment of quietude. The designs are guided by lighting and color schemes, natural materials and views of nature, providing energy on the way to complete relaxation, self-awareness and inner illumination. Archi – texture creates the connection between the human being, space and nature.

3. The Immunity Diet: Fight off Infections and Live Your Best Life, By  Kavita Devgan, Rupa Publications

Conversations around immunity have taken centre stage ever since Covid-19 hit us. Everybody now realises that a strong immune system and precautions are the best weapons against the pandemic. In the book, nutritionist Kavita Devgan walks us through the importance of one’s immune system and how lifestyle changes can nurture or destroy it. She explains immunity as the ability of our bodies and minds to withstand the daily stress in life and to cope with imbalances and diseases. “It is the strength of our immune system which decides who gets sick and who doesn’t, who catches the newest bug in town and who stays fit,” she writes. To help readers understand better ways to develop an unbreachable immune system, she provides food solutions and recipes. The author has put together an extensive set of habits that can help to boost immunity and also touches upon the often overlooked topic of mental wellbeing. The book is also enriched with immersive descriptions, engaging tools, hacks and tips on nutrients. The book gives you an edge in a better understanding of how we can be the protectors of our own health.

4. Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation

The counter-intuitive guide tells us how to stay relevant–and employable–in the machine age. The author challenges the future scenario and says it may be different from what we have been taught to believe–that to compete with automation and AI, humans will have to become more like the machines themselves and build up technical skills like coding. He wonders what if this prediction is wrong; then what do we need to do to become futureproof? Kevin cites examples of automation: How the perceived blue-collar phenomenon is set to affect truck drivers, factory workers, and other people with repetitive manual jobs; When JPMorgan Chase built a software called COIN that uses machine learning to review complicated contracts and documents that the firm’s lawyers take 300,000 hours every year to review. The machine takes a few seconds and requires just one human to run the program; Last summer, a Chinese tech company built a deep learning algorithm that diagnosed brain cancer and other diseases faster and more accurately than a team of 15 top Chinese doctors. Kevin spent the last few years studying how people, communities, and organisations adapt to periods of change, from the Industrial Revolution to the present. He writes in an age dominated by machines, its human skills that really and eventually matter. His profound idea in nine prescriptive chapters is the antidote to the worries many people feel when they think about AI and automation. Kevin distills what he has learned about how we will survive the future. The only way to become ‘futureproof’ is to become incredibly and irreplaceable human, he says.

5. The Way of Nagomi – How To Live A Balanced and Harmonious Life The Japanese Way, By Ken Mogi, Hachette India