The Stories Behind the Poses
Official Companion Course
How do you harness these ancient Indian stories to deepen your teaching and practice?
Ancient Indian stories encode profound yogic wisdom. Geared towards the practical application of The Stories Behind the Poses, this “how to” course is brimming with strategies to take your practice and teaching to a whole new level.
This course integrates pedagogical content, captivating storytelling, and esoteric insight to teach you how to use these ancient Indian stories to deepen your teaching and practice.
This 4-week online course is taught by renowned wisdom teacher Dr. Raj Balkaran.
It is the official companion course to his new book The Stories Behind the Poses.
***This course counts as 12 hours of Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credit***
Stories Covered
While this course teaches you how to apply all of the 50 STORIES from the book, we will take deep dives into the following 8 stories/poses as case studies into key themes.
- ELEPHANT TRUNK POSE
EKA-HASTA-BHUJĀSANA, Gaṇeśa, Son of Śiva - WAR GOD POSE
SKANDĀSANA, Skanda, Son of Śiva - REVERENCE POSE
PRAṆĀMĀSANA, Salutations to the Sun - HORSE POSE
VĀTĀYANĀSANA, The Divine Healers - HALF-MOON POSE
ARDHACANDRĀSANA, Balancing Heaven and Earth - COW FACE POSE
GOMUKHĀSANA, Divine Nurturance - TREE POSE
VṚKṢĀSANA, Stretched Between Heaven and Earth - THUNDERBOLT POSE
VAJRĀSANA, Wielding the Secret Fire
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge of ancient Indian stories and their profound meanings
- Knowledge of core themes pervading Indian wisdom traditions
- Insight into the human experience and spiritual evolution
- Strategies for integrating the wisdom of these stories into your life and practice
- Strategies for how to productively transmit these stories in your teaching
Classes Include
- academic content
- live storytelling
- esoteric wisdom teachings
- examples and case studies
- personal experiences
COURSE OUTLINE
Module 1
The Significance of the Stories
Module 2
Major Story Themes – Part I
Module 3
Major Story Themes – Part II
Module 4
Applying the Stories
The Significance of the Stories
Module 1
What do these stories have to do with yoga poses?
How are they related to yoga postures?
What is the benefit of drawing on them?
Major Story Themes – Part I
Module 2
• Divine Animals
Case Study: HORSE POSE
VĀTĀYANĀSANA, The Divine Healers
• Overcoming Obstacles
Case Study: REVERENCE POSE
PRAṆĀMĀSANA, Salutations to the Sun
• Devotion
Case Study: ELEPHANT TRUNK POSE
EKA-HASTA-BHUJĀSANA, Gaṇeśa, Son of Śiva
• Surrendering Ego
Case Study: HALF-MOON POSE
ARDHACANDRĀSANA, Balancing Heaven and Earth
Major Story Themes – Part II
Module 3
• Divine Knowledge
Case Study: TREE POSE
VṚKṢĀSANA, Stretched Between Heaven and Earth
• Spiritual Power
Case Study: WAR GOD POSE
SKANDĀSANA, Skanda, Son of Śiva
• Sacred Feminine
Case Study: COW FACE POSE
GOMUKHĀSANA, Divine Nurturance
• Tantra and Kuṇḍalinī Śakti
Case Study: THUNDERBOLT POSE
VAJRĀSANA, Wielding the Secret Fire
Applying the Stories
Module 4
How do I use these stories for my own practice?
How do I integrate them in a class setting?
What should I share, and how?
Course Instructor
Dr. Raj Balkaran is an expert in Indian traditions. Skilled at applying ancient Indian teachings to modern life, he dovetails academic training, live storytelling, and life wisdom to nourish his students’ hearts and minds alike.
He is also an avid spiritual practitioner and initiate into ancient Indian wisdom practices, which he has been engaged in for nearly two decades. He has literally done thousands of hours of mantra practice.
He has extensive experience teaching academics, continuing studies learners, and practitioners alike, and is a seasoned online educator.
See https://rajbalkaran.com for more information.
Questions about this course?
Contact him directly at [email protected].
