The Stories Behind the Poses

Join Dr. Raj Balkaran for this illuminating Book Club series, spanning three sessions exploring the stories behind well-known yoga postures through his book, The Stories Behind the Poses.

One ticket provides access to all three live sessions.

Note: It’s not essential to have read the book to benefit from the sessions. Dr Balkaran will guide us through the key themes and ideas. That said, reading along will enrich your understanding and give you the chance to engage more deeply.

About The Stories Behind the Poses

Why are so many yoga postures named after gods, sages, and other mythic motifs?

The Stories Behind the Poses introduces readers to the mythological roots of fifty well-known yoga postures and shows how those roots can deepen both practice and teaching. These ancient stories illuminate the inner architecture of yogic life, revealing how each posture encodes a psychological movement, ethical insight, or spiritual quality. Drawing from India’s vast narrative traditions, the book demonstrates how myth and āsana mirror one another: posture becomes a story enacted in the body, and story becomes a posture enacted in consciousness. Accessible, engaging, and profound, this book guides practitioners through the storied wisdom worlds of ancient India, offering a masterful bridge between physical practice and the wellspring of mythic inspiration.

Myth as the Foundation of Practice

Session One | Friday 20 Feb | 12pm – 1:30pm AEDT

Perfection, Stillness, Strength, and Devotion

In our first session together we will look at how foundational postures encode the qualities needed for any meaningful practice—orientation, stability, purposeful action, and devotional courage.

In this session we will explore the following poses:

Perfection Pose (Siddhāsana) — The archetype of inner steadiness. The sages as models of clarity and discipline; why “perfection” is not an achievement but a posture of presence.
Mountain Pose (Tāḍāsana) — Embodying stability and orientation. Mountains as cosmic pillars; the mythic symbolism of verticality; how grounding is a sacred act.
Warrior Pose (Vīrabhadrāsana) — Fierceness, purpose, and righteous action. Śiva’s warrior Vīrabhadra; the psychology of rising to difficult tasks; aligning strength with dharma.
Monkey Pose (Hanumānāsana) — Devotion, courage, and the leap of the heart. Hanumān’s boundless bhakti; fearlessness as an expression of love; the mythic logic of impossible leaps.

Transformation Through Power and Stillness

Session Two | Friday 27 Feb | 12pm – 1:30pm AEDT

Discipline, Depth, Radiance, and Inner Thunder

In this second session we will be diving into how mythic figures and symbols illuminate the tension between force and stillness—and how postures can guide practitioners toward inner transformation.

In this session we will explore the following poses:

Hero Pose (Vīrāsana) — The noble heart of the practitioner. The hero as moral exemplar; courage as discipline; how posture can refine intention.
Scorpion Pose (Vṛścikāsana) — Power, shadow, and inward-facing strength. The scorpion as an image of hidden potency; taming intensity; the mythic psychology of facing one’s sting.
Lotus Pose (Padmāsana) — The blossoming of purity and insight. The lotus in Hindu mythology; emerging from the depths unsullied; the still point around which yogic life turns.
Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrāsana) — Unshakable presence. The vajra as Indra’s weapon of clarity; the symbolic union of power and purity; sitting as an act of inner lightning.

Narrative as Inner Journey

Session Three | Friday 6 Mar | 12pm – 1:30pm AEDT

Aiming True, Facing Bondage, Surrendering, and Returning to the Sage Within

This third and last session will explore how narrative reveals the practitioner’s inner pilgrimage—from aim and bondage through to surrender and ultimately back to the guiding sage within.

In this final session we will explore the following poses:

Archer Pose (Akarṇa Dhanurāsana) — Aim, attention, and the disciplined mind. The archer as archetype of single-pointed focus; mythic motifs of hitting the mark; the spiritual logic of unwavering attention.
Noose Pose (Pāśāsana) — Bondage, release, and the knots of karma. The noose in Indian mythology; what binds us and what frees us; twisting as symbolic unwinding.
Corpse Pose (Śavāsana) — Surrender, renewal, and the cycle of death and rebirth. Śava, Śakti, and the paradox of stillness; why surrender is an advanced practice; mythic frames for letting go.
Bharadvāja’s Pose (Bharadvājāsana) — The sage’s insight. Sage Bharadvāja as exemplar of perseverance and humility; turning inward; the twist as a return to wisdom.

Sessions are presented live via Zoom. Recordings will be available to registered participants after each session.

Purchase The Stories Behind the Poses

You can purchase Dr Balkarn’s book from Amazon.

About the Author

Dr. Raj Balkaran is a seasoned scholar of Sanskrit narrative literature, master storyteller, and teacher whose work bridges the worlds of myth, practice, and lived experience. He teaches widely on Indian storytelling, philosophy, and contemplative traditions, drawing on decades of academic study and traditional learning. A lineage holder as well as a university-trained scholar, he integrates these modes of knowledge through his online Indian Wisdom School. Beyond extensive research and teaching, he hosts the long-running Indian Religions podcast, featuring hundreds of scholarly interviews. His work is dedicated to rendering India’s wisdom traditions accessible, integrative, and alive for contemporary audiences. For more information, visit https://rajbalkaran.com.

Connect with Dr Raj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drrajbalkaran

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrajbalkaran/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianwisdomschool/

X: https://x.com/DrRajBalkaran

Upon completion of these sessions, Yoga Australia members will be eligible to claim 5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

This event is proudly supported by Yoga Australia and Amy Landry.

By registering for this event, you agree that your registration details (name and email address) will be shared with Amy Landry for the purposes of event delivery and post-event communications.