The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras

Although I am a neophyte at yoga as a spiritual practice, I found this book a good overview and guide to starting toward a meditative practice. I can hardly fathom ever getting even close to what the author describes as I am very distracted by my physical being but it made me contemplate so much there is about our spiritual realm that on some level left me feeling elevated and very joyful about our true nature. For that I am truly grateful. It is an interesting read that I think I may have to read more than once to absorb more each time. I would recommend.

I've read the Yoga Sutras several times and have read several translations. This is the best book I've read on the subject. One reviewer commented that it wasn't a 'translation'. Well, maybe not, but let's not split hairs over 'translation' vs 'interpretation' and either way, it's an excellent read. It made the Yoga Sutras much more meaningful (less abstract) to me.The reason I like the book is because the author relates the meaning of the Sutras in ways that are meaningful to us in modern times. For example, a reflection about Sutra I.3 tells a story of how she remained patient (repeating Om Shanti) while a customer service rep took longer than usual to help her, and in the end, the service rep explained how deeply her patience impacted him (he was ready to quit his job before taking her call). She does a much better job explaining it than I do, but it is as if the customer service rep needed, and felt, the vibration from the mantra, and it showed a uniting of our consciousness.

Before reading this book, I read a "traditional" translation of the Yoga Sutras. I found Devi's book to be a nice contrast to the previous book, adding another dimension of understanding to the overall Yoga Sutras. I also highly appreciate her lack of the use of "God", making the Yoga Sutras much easier to understand from a non-Christian/Atheist perspective.Billed as a "Woman's Guide to the ... Yoga Sutras", I feel the need to address the representation of men vs. women in this book. Others who have reviewed this book say that Devi is doing nothing more than promoting the "usual" roles of men being angry & dominant and women being delicate & emotional.While I see how that could be interpreted, I simply disagree. Women have been fighting for all-encompassing equality for centuries, and we have come a long way. That being said, women are naturally more caring and compassionate - that's why we are given the biological ability to give birth & nurture children, or perhaps because of it.On the other hand, men are physically stronger and no-nonsense problem solvers - that is their natural duty since, classically, they don't spend as much time rearing children as they do protecting and providing for them.Please don't interpret my musings as derogatory or enforcing traditional roles - this is simply Mother Nature. I'm all for feminine equality, such as making the same amount of money and having the same opportunities as men. That's referring to social/cultural equality. I'm talking about nature/biology. There will always be exceptions to the rule, but the majority of men & women follow the traditional biological personalities at varying levels.All that being said, I didn't find Devi's interpretations of men vs. women to be offensive or derogatory - merely factual. Historically, women's "feminine" qualities have been interpreted as weak, which is entirely from a social/cultural perspective. That is what needs to change.Back to the book itself, I think it is a wonderful read for women AND men, providing yet another dimension of understanding to the widely-interpreted Yoga Sutras, especially in-relation to the exact words used & how they deeply impact your interpretation. The main thing I wish is that the book was longer & even more in-depth.

I loved the book. She knows how important language is and uses positive language to get her points across. It is wonderful to have a woman write about them.Some of these negative reviewers are most certainly men and I find it really odd that they make a big thing about her not being able to read Sanskrit and translate Sanskrit when so many of the other books translated were not originally translated by authors that could translate Sanskrit either. They hired people to do this.What people need to remember is the all of these books about the Sutra's is that are interpretations. I have read four of these books not including this one and they are all different. Get over it!Nischala has spent years as a yogi and lived in an ashram for eighteen years, etc. She is more authentic than many others that have written about the Sutra's so open your mind a bit and examine your own prejudices.

Yes, it's pretty non-traditional (doesn't cover all the verses of the Yoga Sutra). But it's packed with delightful information. And It's really nice to spend time reading these words. It feels very kind and loving. This is one of my favorite translations.

If you are truly on a spiritual path to find peace, joy, harmony and love in your life, then this book must be in your collection. It is written from a woman's perspective, simply explained and opens your mind to receive what you want to learn. How to find inner peace which is the ultimate secret of a joyful life. Her writing and phraseology enables you to carry her words with you through the day. If you want to travel this spiritual journey, then this is your guidebook

I really enjoy these book, her perspective of Patalanji’s Yoga Sutras is wonderful. I am in my 500hr and wish I would have discovered this book in my 200hr. I recommend reading another version at same time to observe differences in commentary.

After struggling through B.K.S. Iyengar's "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Pantajali", I felt like I needed a different text that uses less sanskrit and more actual yogic ideas. This text delivers the yoga sutras in a way that is easy to understand. It also takes the time to show how we everyday yogis can apply these sutras to our lives with specific exercises. A great text for people who want to deepen their understanding of the yoga sutras, but do not have the time to struggle through translating Sanskrit. Actually just a great book in general.

Awesome book!

If you are looking for complete commentary on Patanjali yoga sutras this is not the book to refer. Waste of time and money.

Compré este libro después de oír una fascinante entrevista con la autora. El contenido es excelente, vale la pena para cualquier persona que practique yoga más allá de las posturas. Sin embargo, la calidad editorial es muy pobre y no le hace justicia a la obra de la autora. El papel es de mala calidad, tanto en forros como en interiores, y los forros están mal cortados: las hojas sobresalen de la portada y cuarta. Una lástima, lo editan sin el menor cuidado.

You can get books written by women about yoga postures and health benefits but it’s rare to find a women writing more deeply about yoga. That remains almost exclusively a male domain so it’s very useful to read this book and get a different perspective.

I have learned a lot about the yoga sutras from this book. It's the only book about yoga sutras I possess. It brings me about thinking how to better myself.Thank you for the warm-hearted writing style!