There’s something about sitting on a chair at the park, pool, beach or wherever your summer plans take you with a good book in your hands. Reading can feed the mind, soothe the soul, and transport you into different worlds. Whether its mindfulness, non-fiction, self-help, parenting, philosophy or even a children’s book, you are bound to find a book to grab this summer from the list below. Happy Summer Reading!
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown – If you have ever struggled with the feeling of being “not enough,” then you will want to read this book. Daring Greatlyis a smart, well-written book detailing the impact that fear, shame and vulnerability has on life and how to transform your life by being more vulnerable or “wholehearted”. Our ability to live more wholeheartedly can lead to greater fulfillment, amongst other positive benefits, detailed within the chapters of this literary gem. You will finish this book feeling empowered, uplifted and ready to conquer fear and shame that creeps into so many aspects of our lives as we know it.
Breathe, Mama, Breathe by Shonda Moralis – I refer to the short, but effective, “mindful breaks” on these pages frequently. Moralis’ book contains easy-to-read chapters offering “mindful breaks” to address everyday challenges (from fighting siblings and morning chaos to road rage and teen ‘tudes). You could easily read a chapter a night over the course of the summer or sit down and finish it all in one read. And, this book is beginner friendly for those who are interested in starting a mindfulness practice.
There Is No App For Happiness by Max Strom - I have been a huge fan of Strom’s since his first book, A Life Worth Breathing. This book is equally as important a read, as it examines our society’s fascination and obsession with technology and happiness. Strom accurately points out that there is literally NO amount of app’s (despite the plethora of them out there) that can bring us happiness. In order to feel more alive, we need to put down our phones, unplug, disconnect, and obtain more real-life experiences and human interaction from among and within ourselves and the world around us.
Deep Listening by Jillian Pransky – Pransky’s book is so beautifully written, honest, and vulnerable. Pransky shares how her years of yoga, mindfulness and meditation have been transformative to her personally and professionally. Pransky’s pages are filled with accessible yoga flows, deeply restorative poses, and guided meditations to help decrease stress and relieve habitual tension we hold in our bodies. Pransky asks her readers to deeply listen to what your mind, body and heart space is saying, so I ask the same of you: Pick a meditation, flow or pose from within its pages; Set a timer on your phone; Let your body get heavy; and Start to deeply listen.
Do Less by Kate Northrup – With its seemingly simple title, I hesitated to pick this book up when it first came out in April, as I was disappointed with my last few purchases on similar topics. However, I adore this self-help book and its author. Northrup is spot on with the levels of exhaustion we all experience as women, moms, wives, daughters, and caregivers. She provides the reader with a road map of concrete ways to “do less”. Northrup includes access to an online community, downloadable planning pages and other materials. Have fun reading, experimenting and trying out some of the suggested tools presented in the book.
Yoga Mind by Suzan Colon – Colon takes you on a 30-day yogic journey to a more centered, connected, invigorated version of yourself. Each chapter is quick-read and a study of the benefits of notjust yoga poses (asana), but the breath (pranayama) and the yoga philosophy that underpins the heart of yoga. How often do we say in yoga classes – if you can breath, you can do yoga! There’s so much truth to that statement and Colon aptly reinforces that in her pages and her shared experiences.
Alphabreaths: The ABC’s of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard and Daniel Rechtschaffen – I would be remiss if I didn’t include at least one children’s book on this summer reading list. I still love reading children’s books, even as an adult. This is a brand-new children’s book that emphasizes both the ABC’s and mindful breathing tools. It’s beautifully illustrated and includes breathing exercises for each letter of the alphabet that are incredibly fun and easy to follow – to either do yourself or share with any little ones in your life.
Larissa Noto’s love for yoga begin in 1998 when she took her first yoga class for a gym requirement in college. From that moment on, she was hooked—and she has continued to practice yoga since that time. Larissa is a certified Childlight Yoga Instructor (Yoga & Mindfulness for Childrenand Advanced Teacher Concepts) and has completed a Yoga 4 Classrooms Professional Development Workshop. To further deepen her practice, Larissa completed 250 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Easton Yoga, Restorative Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky at Yoga Works, and is currently seeking her 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training through The Yoga Loft of Bethlehem. In teaching both children and adults, Larissa firmly believes that yoga can be made accessible to all those who seek to practice. She is passionate that yoga and mindfulness can and should be an essential component in all school programs from infancy through high school. Larissa currently teaches adults and children at Easton Yoga, Easton Yoga Allentown, The Yoga Loft of Bethlehem, and The Pratyush Sinha Foundation. When she isn’t sharing her love of yoga with others, she serves as a lawyer, professor and parent support guide for those whose children have special needs, and enjoys her life as wife and mom of 3 boys. You can connect with Larissa on Facebook and Instagram @thelovelylittlelotus. Her website is https://thelovelylittlelotus.com/ and she can be reached at thelovelylittlelotus@gmail.com.
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ChildLight Yoga Teacher Trainer Picks for End of Summer Beach Reading