What do you think?
Rate this book
The Yoga Sutras for Children
What are the Yoga Sutras? Instructions for bearded rishis who lived in the forests of ancient India? Or the complete manual of asanas?
Neither! In fact, the text may well have been called 'Maharishi P's Ultimate Handbook of Mind Control', for it is really a set of techniques to help us - all of us - awaken and harness the explosive power of our minds, through our actions, our attitudes and our awareness.
And not through asanas? That too, but not in the way you imagined it.
In this surprising, sparkling book, Roopa Pai unravels the secrets of Patanjali's compact 2,000-year-old text in ways both fun and accessible. Walk down the well-marked paths into a dazzling world where a whole new version of yourself - self-assured, fearless and free - awaits you.
Go on, then - what are you waiting for?
Neither! In fact, the text may well have been called 'Maharishi P's Ultimate Handbook of Mind Control', for it is really a set of techniques to help us - all of us - awaken and harness the explosive power of our minds, through our actions, our attitudes and our awareness.
And not through asanas? That too, but not in the way you imagined it.
In this surprising, sparkling book, Roopa Pai unravels the secrets of Patanjali's compact 2,000-year-old text in ways both fun and accessible. Walk down the well-marked paths into a dazzling world where a whole new version of yourself - self-assured, fearless and free - awaits you.
Go on, then - what are you waiting for?
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2023
16 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 24, 2023
#bookhoarderreviews
The title of the book might make you think that the book is about the importance of Yoga or maybe Yoga Aasanas. It is neither of the two. The Yoga Sutras are a 2000-year old text which have nothing to do with exercise but certainly a lot to do with how we conduct our mind, emotions and ourselves.
Though the book says 'For Children', I think we as adults need it more than the children. I also think it is difficult for children to read such books completely and assimilate them. Here's where we as responsible parents need to step in. We should read and suggest parts to the children for reading, talk to them about the book in random conversations and arouse their curiosity for it.
The book focuses on the essence of the 195 sutras and relates them to our daily life in a fun way. The examples from our mundane life, mindless forwards and scrolling on the social media platforms are used in an extremely effective manner. A simple forward which says the first five emojis speak about our thoughts for the day is so beautifully used to explain the concept of Vritti (thoughts, ideas and emotion) watching.
The author has an incredible sense of humour which she has blended interestingly to explain such a serious topic and made it relatable. The conversations with Maharishi P in Part 4 of the book were very interesting. Not to forget, the beautiful illustrations by Sayan Mukherjee complemented the text perfectly.
If a hardcore fiction reader like me can read a non-fiction book in two days and appreciate it immensely, you know you need to get this book for yourself and the children around you.
The title of the book might make you think that the book is about the importance of Yoga or maybe Yoga Aasanas. It is neither of the two. The Yoga Sutras are a 2000-year old text which have nothing to do with exercise but certainly a lot to do with how we conduct our mind, emotions and ourselves.
Though the book says 'For Children', I think we as adults need it more than the children. I also think it is difficult for children to read such books completely and assimilate them. Here's where we as responsible parents need to step in. We should read and suggest parts to the children for reading, talk to them about the book in random conversations and arouse their curiosity for it.
The book focuses on the essence of the 195 sutras and relates them to our daily life in a fun way. The examples from our mundane life, mindless forwards and scrolling on the social media platforms are used in an extremely effective manner. A simple forward which says the first five emojis speak about our thoughts for the day is so beautifully used to explain the concept of Vritti (thoughts, ideas and emotion) watching.
The author has an incredible sense of humour which she has blended interestingly to explain such a serious topic and made it relatable. The conversations with Maharishi P in Part 4 of the book were very interesting. Not to forget, the beautiful illustrations by Sayan Mukherjee complemented the text perfectly.
If a hardcore fiction reader like me can read a non-fiction book in two days and appreciate it immensely, you know you need to get this book for yourself and the children around you.
December 10, 2025
In 'The Yoga Sutras for Children' author Roopa Pai presents in an affordable language the basic principles of Yoga as laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
The book has an interactive format, that invites the reader to jump to different parts of the book for digging into the details of specific topics.
Pai's language register is close to the one used by youngsters, while maintaining a rigorous layout of the key aspects of the Yoga Sutras. The language is amusing, entertaining and with a pinch of criticism towards childish attitudes, that I understand as a reader as means to educate children in daily life's activities. In that sense Pai challenges and instigates children and youngsters to take responsibility of their cooperative life together with adults. Needless to say that adults like me can also greatly benefit from the application of Pai's reflections.
Before going into the details of some key concepts of the yoga sutras, as presented by Pai, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Roopa for her impressive work and for the friendly and fresh manner with which she presents this otherwise complex concepts.
Pai introduces the four broad main categories of yoga (Pai (2023), 38-42)
- jnAna, path of knowledge;
- karma, path of action;
- bhakti, path of devotion and surrender;
- dhyAna, path of introspection. This is the specific category that the book by looking into the Yoga Sutras as explained by Maharishi Patanjali, as a complementary means in order to live by any of the thee previous categories of yoga, wich by the way Lord Krishna in the Bhagavat Gita qualified as equally valid (Pai (2023), 42-44).
Avoiding spoilers, as the Yoga Sutras (YS) of Patanjali have been in circulation for a number of years thanks to the work of the interpreters of the YS (Pai (2023), 25), I would like to summarise here some of the key aspects of the essence of the Yoga Sutras:
There are 195 sutras, divided in 4 chapters (Pai (2023), 44-49):
1. SamAdhipAda (51 sutras), essential definitions and first steps in stilling the mind.
2. SAdhanapAda (55 sutras), practice of the 8 steps (ashtanga) of a 'ladder to freedom'
3. VibhUtipAda (55 sutras), advanced practice and access to supernatural abilities.
4. KaivalyaapAda (34 sutras), enjoying the freedom.
Pai strutures the explanation of the Sutras in what she calls the
A. 'Ten dazzling secrets from the Samadhipada' (Pai 2023, 51- 182):
1. There's no time like the present! (1.1); Bhagavat Gita (10.26)
2. Stay off the VRITTI train! (1.2); Bhagavat Gita (2.48)
- Chitta (the mind), Vritti (changes, movements), Nirodah (cessation).
3. You are not the storm, you are its calm centre. (1.3)
4. Rip off the labels - you can be anything, everything, nothing. (1.4)
- ShivOham mantra (first verse of the NirvANa ShaTkam or Atma shaTkam on p. 98.
5. Know your thought-buckets, and empty the unhelpful ones regularly. (1.5, 1.6)
6. You can change your nature - simply redisign your CHITTA. (1.8)
7. Find joy in the present, inspiration in the past and purpose in the future. (1.9, 1.11, 1.10)
8. Top hacks for success: long-term commitment, steadfast practice, great reverence. (1.12, 1.14); Bhagavat Gita (6.34)
9. For a clear, steadfast mind, start with faith. (1.20), Tao Te King (ch. 64, 'the 1000-step journey')
- shraddhA (faith), virya (courage and energy), smriti (recollection, memory), samAdhi (deep focus in the journey), prajnA (discernment, discrimination).
- Sattva, Rajas, Tamas explained as vibrations (p. 157)
10. A four-ingredient recipe for calmness (garnished with a most vital fifth ingredient). (1.33)
- Maitri (friendship), KarunA (compassion), MuditA (joy for others), UpekshA (equanimity).
- Ishvara praNidhAna (devotion to the Supreme, Aum meditation) (1.23, 1.27).
She continues in with the explanation of the SAdhanapAda in what she calls the
B. 'Nine powerful practices from the SAdhanapAda' (Pai 2023, 183- 288):
1. Base-camp drill: The three-step essential prep. (2.1)
- The 5 obstacles (KLESHAS) are: avidyA (ignorance), asmitA (egotism), rAga (attachment), dvesha (repulsion), abhinivesha (fear of death).
2. Before starting the journey, study the map. (2.29)
Ashtanga (8 limbs) (Pai 2023, 204-205, 298-299):
- 1) The 5 Yamas (must NOTs): Ahimsa (non violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non stealing), Brahmacharya (conscious use of energy), Aparigraha (non greediness).
- 2) The 5 Nyamas (must YESs): Shaucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment, gratitude), Tapah (commitment, sacrifice), Svadhyaya (solo time, self study), Ishvara Pranidhana (trust, surrender).
- 3) Asana or posture
- 4) PrANAyAma or breath control
- 5) PratyAhAra or soothing the senses
- 6) dhAraNA or concentration practice
- 7) dhyAna or entering into the meditation state
- 8) SamAdhi or union with the self.
3. As the first step towards a calm mind, banish these five fatal flaws (i.e. Yamas). (2.30)
- Specific on Satya (4.138) (p. 222): Hitam (beneficial truth), Mitam (necessary truth), Priyam (compassionate communication), Satyam (obective truth after the pratyaksha (direct perception)- anumAna (inference based on past experiences)- Agama (testimony, revealed, indirect) test in p. 104)
4. When you begin a practice, make it non-negotiable - no excuses allowed! (2.31)
5. Put cleanliness and contentment on top of the must-do checklist. (2.32, 2.33)
6. Feeling demotivated? Think of what's waiting at the end of this particular rainbow! (2.36-2.45)
7. Still the body so that you can focus on the mind. (2.46)
- The 7 chakras (pp. 264-270): moolAdhAra (root), svAdhishThAna (sacral), maNipura (solar plexus), anAhata (heart), vishuddha (throat), Ajna (third eye), sahasrAra (crown).
8. To invigorate your life force, regulate your breath. (2.49)
- The 5 life breaths (one prana, 5 vayus) (pp. 278-279): apAna (downward and outward; moolAdhAra), uDAna (upward; vishuddha and AjnA), samAna (equalizing, churning; maNipura), vyAna (distribution; circulatory system).
- Breaths as expression of emotions and bretah control as emotion bancing techniques (p. 280-283).
9. Hold firm the reins, and the horses will fall in line. (2.54, 2.55)
The book has an interactive format, that invites the reader to jump to different parts of the book for digging into the details of specific topics.
Pai's language register is close to the one used by youngsters, while maintaining a rigorous layout of the key aspects of the Yoga Sutras. The language is amusing, entertaining and with a pinch of criticism towards childish attitudes, that I understand as a reader as means to educate children in daily life's activities. In that sense Pai challenges and instigates children and youngsters to take responsibility of their cooperative life together with adults. Needless to say that adults like me can also greatly benefit from the application of Pai's reflections.
Before going into the details of some key concepts of the yoga sutras, as presented by Pai, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Roopa for her impressive work and for the friendly and fresh manner with which she presents this otherwise complex concepts.
Pai introduces the four broad main categories of yoga (Pai (2023), 38-42)
- jnAna, path of knowledge;
- karma, path of action;
- bhakti, path of devotion and surrender;
- dhyAna, path of introspection. This is the specific category that the book by looking into the Yoga Sutras as explained by Maharishi Patanjali, as a complementary means in order to live by any of the thee previous categories of yoga, wich by the way Lord Krishna in the Bhagavat Gita qualified as equally valid (Pai (2023), 42-44).
Avoiding spoilers, as the Yoga Sutras (YS) of Patanjali have been in circulation for a number of years thanks to the work of the interpreters of the YS (Pai (2023), 25), I would like to summarise here some of the key aspects of the essence of the Yoga Sutras:
There are 195 sutras, divided in 4 chapters (Pai (2023), 44-49):
1. SamAdhipAda (51 sutras), essential definitions and first steps in stilling the mind.
2. SAdhanapAda (55 sutras), practice of the 8 steps (ashtanga) of a 'ladder to freedom'
3. VibhUtipAda (55 sutras), advanced practice and access to supernatural abilities.
4. KaivalyaapAda (34 sutras), enjoying the freedom.
Pai strutures the explanation of the Sutras in what she calls the
A. 'Ten dazzling secrets from the Samadhipada' (Pai 2023, 51- 182):
1. There's no time like the present! (1.1); Bhagavat Gita (10.26)
2. Stay off the VRITTI train! (1.2); Bhagavat Gita (2.48)
- Chitta (the mind), Vritti (changes, movements), Nirodah (cessation).
3. You are not the storm, you are its calm centre. (1.3)
4. Rip off the labels - you can be anything, everything, nothing. (1.4)
- ShivOham mantra (first verse of the NirvANa ShaTkam or Atma shaTkam on p. 98.
5. Know your thought-buckets, and empty the unhelpful ones regularly. (1.5, 1.6)
6. You can change your nature - simply redisign your CHITTA. (1.8)
7. Find joy in the present, inspiration in the past and purpose in the future. (1.9, 1.11, 1.10)
8. Top hacks for success: long-term commitment, steadfast practice, great reverence. (1.12, 1.14); Bhagavat Gita (6.34)
9. For a clear, steadfast mind, start with faith. (1.20), Tao Te King (ch. 64, 'the 1000-step journey')
- shraddhA (faith), virya (courage and energy), smriti (recollection, memory), samAdhi (deep focus in the journey), prajnA (discernment, discrimination).
- Sattva, Rajas, Tamas explained as vibrations (p. 157)
10. A four-ingredient recipe for calmness (garnished with a most vital fifth ingredient). (1.33)
- Maitri (friendship), KarunA (compassion), MuditA (joy for others), UpekshA (equanimity).
- Ishvara praNidhAna (devotion to the Supreme, Aum meditation) (1.23, 1.27).
She continues in with the explanation of the SAdhanapAda in what she calls the
B. 'Nine powerful practices from the SAdhanapAda' (Pai 2023, 183- 288):
1. Base-camp drill: The three-step essential prep. (2.1)
- The 5 obstacles (KLESHAS) are: avidyA (ignorance), asmitA (egotism), rAga (attachment), dvesha (repulsion), abhinivesha (fear of death).
2. Before starting the journey, study the map. (2.29)
Ashtanga (8 limbs) (Pai 2023, 204-205, 298-299):
- 1) The 5 Yamas (must NOTs): Ahimsa (non violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non stealing), Brahmacharya (conscious use of energy), Aparigraha (non greediness).
- 2) The 5 Nyamas (must YESs): Shaucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment, gratitude), Tapah (commitment, sacrifice), Svadhyaya (solo time, self study), Ishvara Pranidhana (trust, surrender).
- 3) Asana or posture
- 4) PrANAyAma or breath control
- 5) PratyAhAra or soothing the senses
- 6) dhAraNA or concentration practice
- 7) dhyAna or entering into the meditation state
- 8) SamAdhi or union with the self.
3. As the first step towards a calm mind, banish these five fatal flaws (i.e. Yamas). (2.30)
- Specific on Satya (4.138) (p. 222): Hitam (beneficial truth), Mitam (necessary truth), Priyam (compassionate communication), Satyam (obective truth after the pratyaksha (direct perception)- anumAna (inference based on past experiences)- Agama (testimony, revealed, indirect) test in p. 104)
4. When you begin a practice, make it non-negotiable - no excuses allowed! (2.31)
5. Put cleanliness and contentment on top of the must-do checklist. (2.32, 2.33)
6. Feeling demotivated? Think of what's waiting at the end of this particular rainbow! (2.36-2.45)
7. Still the body so that you can focus on the mind. (2.46)
- The 7 chakras (pp. 264-270): moolAdhAra (root), svAdhishThAna (sacral), maNipura (solar plexus), anAhata (heart), vishuddha (throat), Ajna (third eye), sahasrAra (crown).
8. To invigorate your life force, regulate your breath. (2.49)
- The 5 life breaths (one prana, 5 vayus) (pp. 278-279): apAna (downward and outward; moolAdhAra), uDAna (upward; vishuddha and AjnA), samAna (equalizing, churning; maNipura), vyAna (distribution; circulatory system).
- Breaths as expression of emotions and bretah control as emotion bancing techniques (p. 280-283).
9. Hold firm the reins, and the horses will fall in line. (2.54, 2.55)
August 20, 2023
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “yoga”? Fancy yoga instructors on YouTube contorting their bodies into all possible positions? Meditation and pranayama which Indian aunties have been vouching for since forever? Well, set those thoughts aside because this book is about to change every perception you’ve had about yoga!
Because, in fact, yoga is all about MIND CONTROL! Maharshi Patanjali(a certain brand of products may or may not be named after him haha) or Maharishi P, as we adorably call him, gives us the essential tips and tricks to achieve absolute control of the mind and it looks like he’s chosen Roopa Pai to be his voice in this generation, because oh man, what an amazing job she has done indeed!
Maharishi P spoke all about mind control in just 195 sutras, which happen to be small sentences of two or three words each! Well, compared to other Indian scriptures which are HUMONGOUS, the Yoga Sutras seem like a pamphlet! BUT, in order to concise and compress all his teachings into this tiny little sheet, he didn’t explain what each of them means! Here come the real heroes, the interpreters! Wait, did I just INTRODUCE THE BOOK OVER THREE PARAGRAPHS? I shouldn’t be left unattended when I write reviews, you see? 😂
The Yoga Sutras consist of 4 pAdas (quarters or parts, if you will) but the last two deal with telekinesis and superhuman powers(which are best left to fantasy books for now) so this book focuses on the first two, the perks of having a mind as calm as a mountain lake and the nitty- gritties on how to achieve it!
Well, if you’re wondering if the book is going to be all preachy, you couldn’t be any more wrong! Pai has explained every single concept in the Yoga Sutras with a ton of everyday examples that make this book so so RELATABLE: Instagram reels, anxiety over vast syllabi to be covered for exams, best friend problems, to name a few! Did you EVER think an ancient Indian scripture would be remotely relatable in today’s scenario?
Being an avid fiction reader, non-fiction is the one genre I steer clear of. But having read and LOVED the first book of the series, The Gita for Children, I knew without a doubt that Roopa Pai is going to slay with this book as well! 💃🏾💃🏾
Scattered throughout the book are adorable illustrations by Sayan Mukherjee and snippets of what seems to be a fun conversation between the Maharshi and the reader! If there is one author who can turn the most dense and drab Indian scriptures into the most fun reads ever, for adults and children alike, it’s definitely Roopa Pai!
If you are someone who thinks this is all going on a very religious tangent and you’re an atheist, let me tell you one thing: most of these scriptures do NOT talk about God but talk about YOU. And how to BE a better version of you! Believe me, I was of the same assumption too and boy, was I wrong!
A minor flex here but I got to be in conversation with the author during the launch of this amazing book in Bangalore! Yay!
So, what are you even waiting for? Do you want to be one of those super calm people who aren’t swayed by any circumstance and take things as they come and overcome every single obstacle effortlessly and stay composed throughout? You’re in the right place! Read this book NOW!
Thanks to Hachette India and Funky Rainbow for sending a copy my way!
Because, in fact, yoga is all about MIND CONTROL! Maharshi Patanjali(a certain brand of products may or may not be named after him haha) or Maharishi P, as we adorably call him, gives us the essential tips and tricks to achieve absolute control of the mind and it looks like he’s chosen Roopa Pai to be his voice in this generation, because oh man, what an amazing job she has done indeed!
Maharishi P spoke all about mind control in just 195 sutras, which happen to be small sentences of two or three words each! Well, compared to other Indian scriptures which are HUMONGOUS, the Yoga Sutras seem like a pamphlet! BUT, in order to concise and compress all his teachings into this tiny little sheet, he didn’t explain what each of them means! Here come the real heroes, the interpreters! Wait, did I just INTRODUCE THE BOOK OVER THREE PARAGRAPHS? I shouldn’t be left unattended when I write reviews, you see? 😂
The Yoga Sutras consist of 4 pAdas (quarters or parts, if you will) but the last two deal with telekinesis and superhuman powers(which are best left to fantasy books for now) so this book focuses on the first two, the perks of having a mind as calm as a mountain lake and the nitty- gritties on how to achieve it!
Well, if you’re wondering if the book is going to be all preachy, you couldn’t be any more wrong! Pai has explained every single concept in the Yoga Sutras with a ton of everyday examples that make this book so so RELATABLE: Instagram reels, anxiety over vast syllabi to be covered for exams, best friend problems, to name a few! Did you EVER think an ancient Indian scripture would be remotely relatable in today’s scenario?
Being an avid fiction reader, non-fiction is the one genre I steer clear of. But having read and LOVED the first book of the series, The Gita for Children, I knew without a doubt that Roopa Pai is going to slay with this book as well! 💃🏾💃🏾
Scattered throughout the book are adorable illustrations by Sayan Mukherjee and snippets of what seems to be a fun conversation between the Maharshi and the reader! If there is one author who can turn the most dense and drab Indian scriptures into the most fun reads ever, for adults and children alike, it’s definitely Roopa Pai!
If you are someone who thinks this is all going on a very religious tangent and you’re an atheist, let me tell you one thing: most of these scriptures do NOT talk about God but talk about YOU. And how to BE a better version of you! Believe me, I was of the same assumption too and boy, was I wrong!
A minor flex here but I got to be in conversation with the author during the launch of this amazing book in Bangalore! Yay!
So, what are you even waiting for? Do you want to be one of those super calm people who aren’t swayed by any circumstance and take things as they come and overcome every single obstacle effortlessly and stay composed throughout? You’re in the right place! Read this book NOW!
Thanks to Hachette India and Funky Rainbow for sending a copy my way!
March 1, 2024
Roopa Pai indeed has the gift of simplifying the complex subjects. Very nicely crafted book. Must read for all of us. Introducing it to kids can make wonders in their growth at the emotional and rational level.
February 6, 2024
Must read!
July 6, 2024
As always, an easy and thoughtful read, ideal for beginners as well as a simple refresher course for adults! Cannot admire the author's writing style enough. Highly recommend.
September 26, 2023
Sigh!!!
Finally finished.
What to say?
I mean MAHARISHI P????? SERIOUSLY! SHOW SOME RESPECT Ms/Mrs. RP!!!
It was sooo dumb sometimes.
But the Do it parts were good so I will rate it 3 stars.
I would have given 4, but the Maharishi P part got me annoyed.
Finally finished.
What to say?
I mean MAHARISHI P????? SERIOUSLY! SHOW SOME RESPECT Ms/Mrs. RP!!!
It was sooo dumb sometimes.
But the Do it parts were good so I will rate it 3 stars.
I would have given 4, but the Maharishi P part got me annoyed.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews