New Yoga Stories Book

Over 25,000 copies sold!


 
 

Reviews

  • “Dr. Raj Balkaran delivers a must-own book for yoga enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and students of mythology…The book invites anyone with a yoga practice to deepen their physical practices by internalizing the lessons from each tale and how it relates to the physical manifestation of the yogic posture…Manhattan Book Review

  • “Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, "The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian mythology that inspired 50 yoga postures" will be a treasured addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library lists.” Midwest Book Review

  • “Demonstrating the power of ancient myths to mirror and dramatize the complexity of one’s inner life, The Stories Behind the Poses shares a unique, commanding perspective that will enrich any yoga practice… Forward Reviews

  • “By adding richness to your yoga practice, the book is a guide to understanding yourself and your world deeper and more authentically…Yoga+Life

  • “The Stories Behind the Poses is a must-read for all who practice and teach yoga. Not only is the book visually beautiful and engaging, the stories within will deepen your personal yoga practice and connect you to the philosophical and spiritual roots of yoga.” Dr Lauren Tober

  • “The book is a great read, the illustrations are beautiful and very exquisite. I highly recommend the book to all those who are interested in seeing how Hatha Yoga, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas can be linked…Gold Coast Hindu

  • “Enhance your practice by reading one story before or at the end of class, and incorporating the poses and their teaching into your life, as well as your Yoga practice, and transform the way you view and practice this timeless art…Integral Yoga Magazine

  • “I have been waiting for this book to arrive in my life…The stories, drawn from Indian myth, are captivating and insightful, giving purpose and thoughtfulness to each asana we engage...South Okanagan Yoga Academy

  • “ During a recent trip to a bookstore…my eyes fell upon ‘The Stories Behind the Poses’ in the new arrivals section. I picked it up just to have a look but I couldn’t put it down…I walked out with a stunning copy of the yoga guidebook that I have been leafing through every single day since then.” The Annapurna Express

Podcast Interview

  • “Raj Balkaran's 200th podcast episode: Christa Kuberry interviews him on his beautifully written new book The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology That Inspired 50 Yoga Postures (Leaping Hare, 2022), and highlighting their significance for practice.” New Books Network


Invited Blog Post

Courses


Invited Yoga Teacher Training Modules

  • 2024    Ashtanga Yoga Hub: “Yoga Philosophy and Mythology” (3 modules)

  • 2024    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: “Myths of the Asanas”

  • 2021    Soma Yoga Institute: “Mythic Wisdom for Modern Life”   

Invited Yoga Talks

  • 2025    “Solar Symbology: Tales of the Rāmāyaṇa.” Alchemy Studio, June 16.

  • 2025    “Churning the Cosmic Ocean.” Satsang Berea, June 15.

  • 2025    “The Greatness of the Goddess.” Cultivate Yoga Avon, June 14.

  • 2025    “Shakti Stories.” Cultivate Yoga Lakewood, June 13.

  • 2025    “Sacred Sound: Tapping the Power of Sanskrit.” The Thread, Mar 10.

  • 2025    “Tapping the Power of Sanskrit Story.” All Mats Taken Summit, May 15.

  • 2025    “The Pedagogy of Storytelling.” Teach Yoga Online Summit, May 19

  • 2025    “The Stories Behind the Poses.” Earth Yoga, Hillsborough, North Carolina, Jan 27.

  • 2024   “The Descent 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, Oct 6.       

 
 
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