Ecstatic Unfoldment Reading List

A cross section of books ranging across all topics of importance within the broader path of Ecstatic Unfoldment. We use a plethora of these books in the various curriculum. Please note this list is not exhaustive nor exclusive. They are suggestions of reading to inspire and from which this work pulls influence, lineage, and purpose.

Happy Reading!

Trauma, Shock, Resourcing

  • Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine 
  • In an Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine 
  • Healing Trauma by Peter Levine 
  • We Are All In Shock by Stephanie Mines 
  • Trauma and the Body by Pat Ogden 
  • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
  • Trauma Informed Yoga by David Emerson and Bessel Van Der Kolk

Neuroscience

  • The Polyvagal Theory by Steven Porges 
  • Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert 
  • Mindsight by Daniel Seigel 
  • The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy by Louis Cozolino
  • The Neuroscience of Human Relationship by Louis Cozolino 
  • Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 
  • Creativity by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Asana:

  • Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar 
  • Light on Life by BKS Iyengar 
  • The Art Of Teaching: Manual and Workbook by: Christina Sell
  • Yoga Resource Practice Manual by: Darren Rhodes
  • Art of Attention by Elena Brower and Erica Jago

Tantra, Philosophy and Reference:

  • An Introduction to Hinduism By Gavin Flood
  • The Triadic Heart of Shiva by Paul Eduardo Muller-Ortega

Meditation:

  • The Path of Meditation by Sally Kempton 
  • Meditation for the Love of It by Sally Kempton

Body-Centered Developmental Psychology

  • Bonding by Stanley Keleman
  • Object Relations and Self Psychology Michael St Clair
  • Body-Mind Psychotherapy by Susan Aposhyan 
  • Attachment in Psychotherapy by W. J. Wallin 
  • The Meaning of Movement: Developmental and Clinical Perspectives of the Kestenberg Movement Profile by Janet Kestenberg Amighi
  • Natural Intelligence by Susan Aposhyan

Shadow

  • Meeting the Shadow by Zweig and Abrams
  • The Guru Papers by Joel Kramer
  • The Serpent Power by John Woodroff
  • The Red Book by Carl Jung

Personality

  • The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
  • The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron
  • Quiet by Susan Cain
  • Nature and The Human Soul by Bill Plotkin
  • Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
  • The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown

East-West Psychology and Spirituality

  • Light on Life by BKS Iyengar
  • Toward a Psychology of Awakening by John Welwood
  • Wheels of Emotion by Anodea Judith
  • A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield
  • Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith
  • Of Water and the Spirit by Malidoma Patrice Somé
  • Ritual: Power, Healing and Community by Malidoma Patrice Somé

Soul

  • Soulcraft: Crossing into the Mysteries of Nature and Psyche by Bill Plotkin
  • The Anam Cara by John O’Donohue
  • Yoga and the Quest for the True Self by Stephen Cope
  • Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankle

Somatics

  • The Power of Focusing by Ann Cornell
  • Getting in Touch by Christine Caldwell
  • Smart Moves by Carla Hannaford
  • Maps to Ecstasy by Gabrielle Roth
  • Authentic Movement by Andrea Pallaro
  • Sweat    Your Prayers by Gabrielle Roth
  • Sensing Feeling and Action by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
  • Body Mind Centering by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
  • Somatics by Thomas Hanna

Body Image/Self Esteem/Addiction

  • Yoga from the Inside Out by Christina Sell
  • My Body is My Temple by Christina Sell
  • Addiction to Perfection by Marion Woodman
  • Fierce Medicine by Ana Forrest
  • Diary of an Exercise Addict by Peach Friedman

Power, Privilege and Dynamics

  • Non-Violent Communication by Marshal Rosenberg
  • The Uses of the Erotic by Audre Lorde
  • The Way of Council by Jack Zimmerman
  • The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy by Irvin Yalom
  • The Ethical use of Touch in Psychotherapy by Mic Hunter

Women, Sexuality, Intimacy

  • In a Different Voice by Carol Gilligan
  • The Uses of Darkness by Laurie Gagne
  • Chalice and The Blade by Riane Tennenhaus Eisler
  • Red Hot and Holy by Sera Beak
  • The Book of She by Sara Avant Stover
  • The Red Tent by Anita Diamont

Myth, Archetype, Religion,

  • The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
  • Man and his Symbols by Joseph Campbell
  • Turning Straw into Gold
  • Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
  • The Sacred and the Profane by Marcea Eliade
  • Awakening Shakti by Sally Kempton