Speaking
Invited Talks
The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
Continuing Studies Department
2024 “Mahabharata Morality,” Dec 11.
2024 “The Sanskrit Sound System,” Nov 7.
2024 “Hinduism and International Humanitarian Law,” July 29.
2024 “Shakti: The Feminine Face of Primordial Power,” May 25.
2024 “The Four Kinds of Karma: Theorizing the Mysteries of the Human Condition,” Feb 25.
2023 “Core Hindu Concepts,” Nov 19.
2023 “Hymns of the Goddess,” Aug 27.
2023 “The Search for Soma,” Feb 17.
2022 “Hinduism and Indian Astrology,” Nov 2.
2022 “Guru’s Grace: Insights from the Guru Gītā,” September 4.
2022 “Karma and Rebirth: Exploring Core Hindu Concepts,” Aug 10.
2022 “The Feminine Vision of the Devi Mahamtys,” May 18.
2022 “Yoga Stories: Telling Tales from India’s Storied Soil,” Feb 27.
2021 “Arjuna, Acyuta and the Strategic Structure of the Gītā,” September 5.
2020 “Tantra and The Goddess: Decoding the Devi Mahatmya,” Sept 19.
Encounter World Religions
2024 “Hindu Stories,” Oct 1.
2024 “Introducing Hinduism.” Feb 5.
2023 “Karma and Rebirth.” Sept 18.
2023 “Introducing Hinduism.” Jun 12.
2022 “Karma and Rebirth.” Sept 19.
2021 “Introduction to Hinduism.” May 3.
2020 “The Three Wishes.” July 6.
2021 “Introducing Hinduism.” Sept 13.
2021 “Introduction to Hinduism.” Apr 19.
2021 “Core Hindu Concepts.” Mar 1.
University Public Talks
2024 “The Glories of the Goddess in Ancient Sanskrit Text.” California State University Fullerton, Sept 25.
2023 “The Indian Epics and the Dharmic Double Helix.” Central University of Karnataka, Nov 30.
2023 “The Self-Employed Scholar: Thriving Beyond the Professoriate.” Department for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto, Mar 16.
2022 “The Spiritual Significance of Diwali.” McMaster University, Oct 24.
2022 “Yoga Stories of Ancient India,” Colgate University, Oct 19.
2022 “Karma and Rebirth”, Chapel House, Colgate University, Oct 19.
2022 “The Greatness of the Goddess,”
Women’s Studies, Colgate University, Oct 18.
2021 “The Syncretic Significance of Indian Spirituality: Reflections from working with Western Seekers.” Dept of Religious Studies,
Michigan State University, Nov 30.
2021 “Teaching the Hindu Tapestry.”
Dept of History, RTM Nagpur University, Sept 15.
2021 “The Mahabharata and the Dharmic Double Helix: Epic Wisdom for Modern Life” (SPARC Project) Dept of Philosophy,
University of Delhi, Feb 26.
2020 “The Self-Employed Scholar: Tips Toward Academic Success.” Alumni Talk, Department of Classics and Religion,
University of Calgary. November 27.
2013 “Hinduism and Interfaith.” Faith and Spirituality Centre,
University of Calgary Apr 4.
Public-Facing Institutions
2024 “A Conversation about Hinduism with Dr. Raj Balkaran.” Region of Peel, Canada, Oct 23.
2023 “Equality, Fraternity and Selfhood: Timely Teachings from Ancient India.” World Multicultural Festival, Indian Canada Consortium, Mar 17.
2022 “Vedic Wisdom on Mental Health.” Vishnu Mandir, Toronto, Oct 16.
2022 “Teaching Tales: Tapping the Power of Story.” Radical Teaching Conference, Embodied Philosophy, September 16.
2022 “Ganesha, Grounding and Yogic Storytelling.” Embodied Philosophy, Feb 28.
2022 “India’s Epic and International Humanitarian Law.” Hinduism and Humanity Panel, Indian Canada Consortium, Feb 27.
2021 “Why the Goddess cares about Climate Change.” Hindu Climate Action; Sept 30.
2021 “A Panel Discussion: What is Spiritual Activism?”
Spiritual Citizenship Conference, Embodied Philosophy, July 14
2021 “The Truth about Tantra.” Friends of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Public Talk, May 1.
2020 “Kālī, Karma and Global Transformation.” Friends of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Public Talk, Dec 5.
2020 “Endless Song.” Interview with Archana Venkatesan, Sant Jordi Literary Festival, Apr 23.
2020 “Karma, Rebirth, Free Will.” Centre Place, Toronto, March 10.
2019 “Introduction to Indian Religion.” Lifelong Learners Mississauga, Nov 25.
2018 “The Endless Sari.” Woman Unmasked Art Exhibit, Toronto, Mar 4.
2017 “The Entrepreneurial Hero’s Journey.” Mirasee Online Education,
San Diego. Jun 16.
2012 “The Slaying of Demons.” American Institute of Indian Studies, Pune, Oct 27.
2011 “Stories of the Sacred Feminine.” Wonderworks, Toronto, Dec 16.
2011 “The Goddess and the Bible II.” Edgemont Bible Study, Calgary, Dec 3.
2011 “The Goddess and the Bible I.” Edgemont Bible Study, Calgary, Nov 5.
2011 “The Ferocious Feminine.” Centre for Women’s Studies in Education, University of Toronto, October 14.
2011 “Healing Archetypes of the Sacred Feminine.” Spirituality and Healthcare Network, Toronto, Jun 1.
2010 “The Fierce Feminine: Visions and Revisions from Ancient India.” Wonderworks, Toronto, Nov 26.
2010 “Divine Engendering: Gender and India’s Feminine Divine.” Sherbourne Health Centre, Toronto, Mar 31.
Yoga Settings
2024 “The Decent of the Ganges.” Bianca Sapetto Yoga, Los Angeles, Nov 16.
2024 “The Stories Behind the Poses.” Lotus Flower Yoga Collective, Cleveland, Nov 2.
2024 “Teaching Yoga Wisdom.” The Thread Yoga Collective, Sept 14.
2023 “The Stories Behind the Poses.” Metta Hot Yoga, Calgary, May 31.
2023 “Yoga Stories of Ancient India.” Santosha Yoga, Calgary, May 28.
2023 “The Stories Behind the Poses.” The Thread Yoga Collective, Jan 4.
2023 “Shakti Workshop.” Yoga Centred, Hilo, Hawaii, Jan 14.
2023 “The Global Goddess.” Yoga Centred, Hilo, Hawaii, Jan 15.
2023 “Yoga Stories.” Still and Moving Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan 16.
2023 “Shakti Workshop.” Creature Yoga, Byron Bay, Australia, Jan 21.
2023 “The Global Goddess.” Creature Yoga, Byron Bay, Australia, Jan 22.
2022 “The Stories Behind the Poses.” Yoga Alliance, Jul 13.
2021 “The Greatness of the Goddess.” Yoga Alliance CE, Oct 6.
2013 “Seeing through Elephant Eyes.” Akhanda, Toronto, Aug 4.
2012 “Kārtikeya’s Lament.” Akhanda, Toronto, Aug 12.
2012 “The Churning of the Ocean.” Sānanda, Toronto, Jun 24.
2011 “Lakṣmī: Abundance Incarnate.” Sānanda, Toronto, Dec 22.
2011 “Uncovering the Unconscious.” Insite Yoga, Toronto, Dec 11.
2011 “Demons of the Unconscious II.” 7th Chakra, Calgary, Dec 4.
2011 “The Goddess and The Demons.” Yoga Rituals, Lethbridge, Nov 26.
2011 “Demons of the Unconscious I.” 7th Chakra, Calgary, Oct 29.
2011 “The Goddess and the Saboteur.” Yoga Rituals, Lethbridge, Oct 8.
2011 “Tales of Power.” Keynote Address, Yoga Community Toronto, Aug 21.
2010 “Gaṇeśa and the Goddess.” Sānanda, Toronto, Dec 29.
2010 “Divine Decapitation.” Renaissance Yoga, Toronto, Sept 19.
2010 “Living Purāṇa.” Yoga Community Toronto, Aug 22.
2010 “Storytelling and Yoga Philosophy.” Yoga Community Toronto, Aug 20.
2010 “Durgā: Principle of Power and Protection.” Yoga Rituals, Lethbridge, June 7.
2010 “India’s Feminine Divine.” Yoga Rituals, Lethbridge, May 3.
2010 “Hinduism’s Great Goddess.” Yoga Plus, Toronto, Apr 18.
Yoga Teacher Training Modules
2024. Ashtanga Yoga Hub: “Yoga Philosophy and Mythology” (3 modules)
2022. Radiant Spirit Yoga: “The Stories Behind the Poses”
2023. The Yoga Space (Perth, Australia): “Yoga Stories.”
2023. Yogi Flight School: “Yoga Philosophy,” “Yoga Mythology.”
2023. Passage Yoga (Calgary, Canada): “Shiva Stories.”
2022. Radiant Spirit Yoga: “Key Stories, Concepts, Teaching Tips”
2021. Yoga Lab (online): “Myths of the Asanas”
2021. Soma Yoga Institute (online): “Mythic Wisdom for Modern Life”
Interviews Given
“On the Stories Behind the Poses with Dr. Raj Balkaran”
Interview with Dr. Lauren Tober
A Grateful Life Podcast, Aug 19, 2024.“Online schools bridge the gap between yoga mat and Ph.D.”
Religion News Service, Aug 7, 2024.“War, Dharma and Justice: A Conversation with Raj Balkaran”
Meru Media, May 28, 2024.“The Ahimsa of Wa”
Political Hope Podcast, Jan 22, 2024.“Visions and Revisions in Sanskrit Narrative”
New Books in Indian Religions Podcast, Nov 21, 2023.“Episode 300: Christopher Miller interviews "New Books in Indian Religions" host Raj Balkaran”
New Books in Indian Religions Podcast, Nov 8, 2023.“New Books Connects Hindu Mythology to Asanas”
Podcast Stories (Hosted by Jaya Bhattacharji Rose)
Times of India, June 21, 2023.“World Yoga Day 2023: The mythological Stories Behind Yogic Poses”
Newspaper Interview, Times of India, June 21, 2023.The Stories Behind the Poses with Dr. Raj Balkaran and Dr. Christa Kuberry”
New Books in Indian Religions Podcast, June 27, 2022.“The Stories Behind the Poses with Dr. Raj Balkaran”
Susanna Barkataki Live, June 13, 2022.“The Significance of the Devi Mahamtya”
The Yogic Studies Podcast, March 21, 2022.“Narratives, Life and Timeless Wisdom: A Conversation with Dr. Raj Balkaran”
Podcast Interview with Mukunda Raghavan.
Meru Media, Dec 3, 2021.“The Wisdom of Air”
Cunning Folk Magazine, Dec 1, 2021.Panel Discussion: “Ganesha”
Beyond Belief. BBC Radio 4, Sept 6, 2021.“Dr. Raj Balkaran (Founder of the Online School of Indian Wisdom)”
Kajabi Edge Podcast, Aug 5, 2021.“Raj Balkaran on the Wisdom of Stories (#136)”
Embodied Philosophy Podcast, July 27, 2021.“Pandemic Perspectives: A Discussion with Raj Balkaran”
The Academic Life Podcast, May 10, 2021.“Jyotisha, with Dr. Raj Balkaran”
The Austin Devraj Show, Apr 11, 2021.“Narratives and the Puranas: A Conversation with Raj Balkaran”
Podcast Interview with Mukunda Raghavan.
Meru Media, Jan 26, 2021.“Puranas and Hindu Mythology”
Podcast Interview with Seth Powell.
The Yogic Studies Podcast, October 20, 2020.“The Goddess and the Sun in Indian Myth”
Podcast Interview by Chris Austin.
New Books Network, June 25, 2020.“The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth”
Podcast Interview by Craig Ginn.
New Books Network, April 17, 2019.“When Storytelling Becomes a Pedagogical Tool”
Newspaper Coverage by Sudhakshina Rangaswami.
The Wire, July 7, 2018.“Lead with the Destination, Not the Engine”
Podcast Interview by Jeffrey Howard.
Erraticus, April 17, 2018.“The Masks we Wear”
Leslie Feist Podcast, July 6, 2017.“Millennial Messenger”
Podcast Interviews (multiple) by Arjun Sawhney.
Victoria College Student Podcast, Spring Semester, 2017.“Mythology of Mars”
Radio Interview by Stephen Humphrey
CBC Ideas: Generation Mars, June 7, 2016.“Yoga Then and Now”
The Nikki Clarke Show, Nov 3, 2015.“Ancient Myths for Modern Life”
Radio Interview by Rishi Nagar
RED FM (106.7 FM), January 28, 2014.“Sacred Storytelling”
Blog Interview by Priya Thomas.
Shivers Up The Spine, Aug 18, 2011.“Tales of India”
Video Interview by Greg Mount.
Toronto Body Mind, Jul 27, 2011.“Raj Yoga”
Newspaper Coverage by Jeff Wiebe.
The Lethbridge Journal (Vol. 4, Issue No. 5.), Mar 3, 2011.
