The Stories Behind the Poses The Indian mythology that inspired 50 yoga postures

by Balkaran, Raj

• ISBN13: 9780711271883
• ISBN10: 0711271887
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2022-07-26
• Publisher: Leaping Hare Press

Summary

Discover the traditional stories and wisdom behind your favourite yoga poses in this stunningly illustrated book of Indian mythology for yogis of all levels.

A beautifully written introduction to Indian mythology, join storyteller, scholar and teacher, Dr Raj Balkaran, and explore the unforgettable tales behind 50 key yoga poses, such as:

• Vīrabhadrāsana II, the original warrior pose
• Tāḍāsana, mountain pose
• Bhujaṅgāsana, cobra pose
• Garuḍāsana, eagle pose
• Padmāsana, lotus pose
• Vīrāsana, hero pose
• Śavāsana, corpse pose 

Meet iconic Gods and Goddesses, from Gaṇeśa, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, to Śiva, Lord of Yogis, and Kali, goddess of mind, body, soul and death. Explore the rivalry between the sages Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra, and their cosmic feud over a wish-fulfilling cow.

Plunge into the depths of one of the richest myths in Hinduism: the battle between the demons and the gods who churn the cosmic oceans in search for the elixir of immortality. And learn how Śiva got his blue throat!
 
Learn, through the mythology of the poses, more about the roots of this ancient practice and how you can use their teachings to better appreciate and respect yoga’s true origins.
 
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.
 

Author Biography

Dr Raj Balkaran is a renowned scholar of Hindu mythology and author of The Goddess and the King in Indian Myth (2018) and The Goddess and the Sun in Indian Myth (2020). He holds advanced degrees in Hinduism from the University of Toronto and University of Calgary. A seasoned online educator with a global cohort of students, Dr Balkaran also teaches online courses privately and at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. He apprenticed with an Indian master for twelve years as part of a living oral tradition dedicated to the preservation and application of Hindu mythology and philosophy. He therefore brings hundreds of hours of traditional transmissions of yoga philosophy tothe table, which he dovetails with academic rigor and captivating storytelling.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 ŚIVA, LORD OF YOGA
PERFECTION POSE
ELEPHANT TRUNK POSE
WAR GOD POSE
MOUNTAIN POSE
WARRIOR POSE
TERROR POSE
DOG POSE
COBRA POSE
LORD OF DANCE POSE
CORPSE POSE
 
CHAPTER 2 VIṢṆU THE COMPASSIONATE
RECLINING POSE
EAGLE POSE
FISH POSE
TORTOISE POSE
LION POSE
THREE-STRIDES POSE
MONKEY POSE
CHILD POSE
TWO-HEADED BIRD POSE
YOGIC SLEEP POSE
 
CHAPTER 3 DEVI AND HER MANIFESTATIONS
SWAN POSE
LOTUS POSE
PLOUGH POSE
CRANE POSE
CRESCENT MOON POSE
THRONE POSE
NAVEL POSE
HERO POSE
SCORPION POSE
LEG BEHIND HEAD POSE
 
CHAPTER 4 THE POWER OF THE GODS
REVERENCE POSE
HORSE POSE
HALF-MOON POSE
COW FACE POSE
WHEEL POSE
ARCHER POSE
TREE POSE
NOOSE POSE
THUNDERBOLT POSE
YOGIC STAFF POSE
 
CHAPTER 5 THE WISDOM OF THE SAGES
SAGE MARĪCI POSE
SAGE KAŚYAPA POSE
SAGE ṚCĪKA POSE
SAGE VASIṢṬHA POSE
SAGE VIŚVĀMITRA POSE
SAGE GĀLAVA POSE
SAGE AṢṬĀVAKRA POSE
SAGE DURVĀSAS POSE
SAGE MATSYENDRA POSE
SAGE BHARADVĀJA POSE
 
CONCLUSION
INDEX
FURTHER READING
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY