Raj Balkaran - The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian mythology that inspired 50 yoga postures

This book tells the stories behind 50 yoga poses as found in Indian myth. For each pose, I have shared with you my own telling of each story, and included a passage at the end of each to break down the lessons of the pose, and help you embody these teachings in your life and in your yoga practice.

I have also highlighted three key themes of each tale to help you better understand their teachings, as well as to help you plan a themed yoga class into which you can incorporate the pose, its teachings, and its story.

If you are a yoga teacher, consider enhancing your classs experience by reading a story of your choice aloud to your class, and call to mind the themes of the story while teaching its pertinent posture. If you are a solo yoga practitioner, consider reading one story before or after class to set the stage for your practice, or close your practice, as you tap into the themes of the story for your personal growth as a yog.

Above and beyond facilitating a physical posture, the stories told in this book are aimed at aligning ones inner positioning, orienting one toward personal growth and yogic aspirations. Rather than being seated on a mat, these myths are seated in the play of consciousness. These stories are meant to be lived and relived within your heart so that you may embody the wisdom they encode.

THE POWER OF YOGIC MEDITATION

THEMES

Wisdom

Insight

Awareness

L ONG AGO, WHEN THE AGE WAS YOUNG, the Brahmin priests were performing rituals for the welfare of the world. They were wise, and understood the importance of auspicious beginningsthat how a thing begins can often color the way that it turns out. They rightly emphasized the importance of starting a relationship on the right foot, or getting up on the right side of the bed. So, a very important question arose: Who among the gods should be worshipped first? They completed a fire sacrifice to the great lord iva whereby, along with special herbs and clarified butter, their intention to learn which god should be worshipped before all others was carried up to ivas abode. The prayer entered the mind of iva, and so he interrupted his meditation to visit and consult with his consort, Prvat, the wise earth goddess. Prvat was delighted to see him, and even more so to learn of his inquiry.

Well, she said with a glint in her eye and an air of mystery in her smile, surely it should be one of our two sons, Krttikeya or Gaea. They contain the best of us!

iva agreed that this was an excellent idea, and the two of them agreed that whichever of their sons could prove himself worthy would be the rightful recipient of the honor.

But how will we determine which of them is more worthy? iva wondered aloud.

Prvat already had the answer on the tip of her tongue. How about a race? she suggested with a widening smile.

iva instantly took a liking to the idea. Becoming visibly excited, he asked, But a race from where to where?

It seems to me, she asserted, that for such an important prize, it would be only fitting for them to race around Earth itself. As she proposed the idea, iva remembered why he adored her as he did:

You are as wise as you are beautiful, my love.

The sons of iva and Prvat were summoned and given their instructions. They were to race around the world to decide which of them would henceforth be considered foremost among all gods. The second iva signalled the start of the race, Krttikeya, the proud Commander of the Celestial Army was off, riding his peacock, swift as lightning, over the horizon in the blink of an eye. Prvat and iva were in awe at his speed, and so too was Gaea. The round-bellied Lord of Wisdom was certain that the goddess had favored his brother, for how could he be expected to compete, riding a mouse? Though he was not feeling competitive, he knew he had to fullfill his duty somehow. So, he collected himself, took a deep breath and turned inward. After a moment of reflection, inspiration struck. He looked over at his parents iva and Prvat, resplendent, shining like the sun and moon sharing the sky, and reverently circled them. Once, twice, three times. He then returned to his meditative posture, connected with the grounding energy of the mountains, enjoying the blissful peace within his being.