Photo via Pinterest.

Today's post in the Gifts from the Heart series features ideas for yogis who are interested in the deeper side of yoga.

Try these gifts for all your friends who love learning about the history of the practice, the meaning behind mantras, the spiritual benefits of the postures, and exploring the 8 limbs.

Sanskrit flashcards or a class on chanting mantras from Sanskrit Sounds (for those who already notice the difference when the teacher says adho mukha svanasana versus urdhva mukha svanasana in class, and who wants to know more about the sacred ancient language behind yoga).

A copy of a classic yoga text such as The Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga or The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (guidance from a well-trained yoga teacher is recommended!). If you can find a workshop or seminar on these essential spiritual readings, even better!

A subscription to Elephant Journal (for some entertaining reading on spirituality to break up the seriousness).

A handmade meditation cushion and incense (for awesome meditation).

A custom set of mala beads (to use while chanting and to wear around town).

A copy of Deborah Adele's Yamas and Niyamas, for a down-to-earth guide to yoga's spiritual and ethical principles (so you can apply ahimsa and satya to everyday life, or at least figure out what those words mean!).