What wisdom can we learn from Ancient Indian Goddess stories?
Indian Goddess Stories are rich, featuring diverse and powerful feminine faces. From devout consort Goddesses such as Sītā to fierce martial mothers such as Durgā, these captivating characters have much to teach.
In this course, your will:
- Learn about the myths behind 8 popular Goddess-inspired poses
- Transform your asana practice into a source of spiritual growth and creative power
- Support your development beyond the mat with traditional yoga teachings
- Honor the yoga tradition by learning about Its origins and lessons
This 4-part online course is taught by renowned online teacher Dr. Raj Balkaran. It draws from his book The Stories Behind the Poses.
6+ Hours of Video Lessons
Valuable for the simply curious, longtime yogis, expert practitioners and everyone in between
Downloadable Notes
Easily follow along with and refer back to the class slides
Access Anytime, Anywhere
Whether day or night, wherever you are, you have forever access to this course
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Applications
Learn mantra and other techniques to apply teachings to your life
Join The Indian Wisdom School
Become a part of our community and gain access to exclusive events and lessons
Yoga Alliance Credit
This course counts as 12 hours of YA Continuing Education Credit
"I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for your Goddess Stories online course. Completing it has been a truly enriching experience.Your delivery of the course was impeccable, and I found it to be both insightful and accessible. I particularly admired how you seamlessly connected lessons from the past to our present moment, showcasing their enduring relevance.
As someone with a strong feminist perspective, I was especially drawn to your interpretations of Durga and Kali. However, it took me a few days of reflection to fully grasp and appreciate the gentle strength embodied by Sita—an embodiment of the power of water over rock, as the saying goes."
Rashita
Goddess Stories Student
"Over the past 5 months I have had the pleasure to study with Dr. Raj Balkaran on a number of different platforms, and have thoroughly enjoyed each class. Dr. Raj presents challenging topics and information in an approachable manner, welcoming all students, no matter where they are on their life path. Ideas that I have been trying to grasp in my yoga studies for years have been illuminated in new ways through these courses and discussion sessions."
Lauren Brown
Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Hawaii, USA
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Raj Balkaran is the founder of The Indian Wisdom School and a scholar of Sanskrit literature specializing in the Devī Māhātmya. He holds a doctorate in Religious Studies, serves as a Continuing Studies Tutor at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and is the author of two academic monographs on this very text — including The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth: Ring Composition, Royal Power, and the Dharmic Double Helix. He is the author of the popular The Stories Behind the Poses — with over 35,000 copies sold — hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast, and has been interviewed by the BBC, CBC, and other major media as a public intellectual on Indian wisdom traditions.
Alongside his academic career, Dr. Balkaran was initiated into Indian wisdom traditions by multiple lineal teachers and spent over a decade in apprenticeship with a renowned spiritual master. What he brings to this course is the fruit of over twenty years of daily practice, academic study, recitation, initiation, and spiritual contemplation — the Glories of the Goddess not merely as object of study, but as living wisdom much needed for our modern moment.
