Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power is a warm and lively dive into the often-overlooked Niyamas of Yoga philosophy, presented through a mix of ancient wisdom, storytelling, simple exercises, and meditation practices. Glenn Ballantyne and Bobby Hart set out to teach readers how self-discipline, self-study, contentment, devotion, and purification can bring authentic happiness and fulfillment. Using personal stories, beautiful illustrations, and clear, inviting language, they show how these old ideas can fit into very modern lives.

One of the first aspects that stood out to me was the book’s approachable and engaging tone. Rather than reading like a rigid yoga manual, it feels like an insightful conversation with two experienced and thoughtful guides, each drawing from decades of dedicated spiritual practice. The section where Glenn tells the story of being late for his high school dance because he got stuck spinning donuts in the snow made me laugh out loud. It perfectly sets up his larger point about how unconscious habits can steer our lives in the wrong direction. There’s a real emotional honesty here, no preaching, no pretending perfection, which makes the wisdom feel reachable rather than intimidating.

The second thing that stood out to me was the way they weave ancient and modern worlds together. The authors reference the Bhagavad Gita and ancient yogic practices but also talk about Steve Jobs, brain chemistry, and even teenage struggles with self-esteem. In “Your Vast, Unseen Storehouse of Potential,” they tell Steve Jobs’ adoption story as a way to show how hardship can lead to incredible innovation. That mix of old and new kept things fresh and alive for me. It also made the deeper message, about finding your purpose and connecting to your “hidden soul power,” feel very real and urgent, not like some distant, mystical ideal.

I really appreciated how actionable the book is. It doesn’t just inspire; it gives you things to do. Each Niyama section includes a meditation, a yoga pose, affirmations, and a self-reflection worksheet. Chapter 24, “Worksheet #3: Your Third Eye Visualization,” offers a fun, creative exercise that actually got me thinking differently about my personal goals. I’m usually skeptical of workbook sections in spiritual books, but here it felt natural and even exciting, like the authors were giving me little keys to unlock my own insight rather than handing down a list of chores.

Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power is a joyful and encouraging book. It would be perfect for anyone who’s a little burned out on “pop spirituality” and wants something deeper but still easy to understand. Beginners to yoga philosophy will find it accessible, and even seasoned practitioners might find their spirits lifted by the humor, personal stories, and fresh perspectives. Personally, it made me want to dust off my meditation cushion, and more importantly, it made me want to believe in my own hidden soul power a little more.

Pages: 304 | ASIN : B0DHT1DQ8C