34: Indian Mythology For Yoga Teachers with Dr. Raj Balkaran

Ever wonder why yoga poses have names like Hanumanasana or Garudasana, and what they actually mean? In this episode with guest Dr. Raj Balkaran we'll find out how asanas were named and how stories, from ancient mythology to cultural narratives, literally shape our consciousness, behaviors, and entire civilization. Plus discover how being aware of this can transform both your yoga teaching and your life.

As yoga teachers, we're familiar with the idea that our stories determine our actions and a large part of our practice is to quiet the mind so that we can get in touch with our true self or Ātman. But get ready to break this into a new level because today Dr. Raj Balkaran, Sanskrit scholar and spiritual teacher, is going deeper into how the mythology and stories that make up the fabric of our society influence us on deep personal, generational, and societal layers. These narratives, inherited from our cultural and civilizational backgrounds, unconsciously inform everything from our personal decisions to our scientific theories to how we treat the planet.

Dr. Raj explains how Western culture is unconsciously shaped by Genesis narratives of linear time and human dominion over nature, while Eastern traditions offer cyclical worldviews of endless creation and dissolution. Even our modern cosmology, for example, the Big Bang theory may be unconsciously influenced by these inherited "beginning, middle, end" story structures.

We'll also discuss how yoga teacher trainings often focus heavily on biomechanics and physical alignment, which makes sense for an industry often centered on fitness and physical relief. But by bringing the mythology into class, you can potentially help your students recognize patterns that no longer serve them, giving them the power to rewrite them.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a completely new understanding of how ancient stories influence modern life and practical tools to help your students rewrite limiting narratives through yoga.

In this episode, we explore:

• How inherited cultural stories unconsciously shape our worldview and behaviors
• Why Western linear thinking differs so dramatically from Eastern cyclical cosmology
• The profound difference between being a character in someone else's story vs. authoring your own
• How to recognize the subconscious narratives keeping you stuck in unwanted patterns
• Why yoga poses are named after mythological figures and what that means for consciousness
• Practical ways to incorporate meaningful storytelling into your yoga classes
• The concept of dharma as a guide for conscious living
• How detachment allows us to act from soul-level rather than ego-level caring

Meet Dr. Raj Balkaran

Dr. Raj is a scholar of Sanskrit literature, spiritual teacher, seasoned speaker, online educator and podcaster. He runs The Indian Wisdom School which provides students with the opportunity not only to learn about Indian Wisdom Traditions, but to learn from them. It integrates scholarship, storytelling, and profound spiritual teachings from ancient India to facilitate embodied online learning. Steering clear of over-intellectualization, reduction, delusion or dogma, the School leverages wisdom teachings from the mythological, philosophical, and spiritual traditions of ancient India to support meaningful living for modern student-seekers. 

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