Discover the traditional stories and wisdom behind your favorite yoga poses in this beautifully illustrated book of Indian mythology for yogis of all levels. A beautifully written introduction to Indian mythology, you will connect with the storyteller, scholar, and teacher, Dr. Raj Balkaran, and explore the unforgettable stories behind 50 essential yoga poses, such as: Vīrabhadrāsana II (the ancient warrior pose), Tāḍāsana (mountain pose), Bhujaṅgāsana (cobra pose), Garuḍāsana (eagle pose), Padmāsana (lotus pose), Vīrāsana (hero pose), Śavāsana (corpse pose). You may encounter iconic Gods and Goddesses, from Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of wisdom, to Shiva, the Lord of Yogis, and Kali, the Goddess of mind, body, soul, and death. Explore the rivalry between the wise Brahmarshi and Vishwamitra, and their cosmic conflict over a cow that grants wishes. Dive deep into one of the richest myths of Hinduism: the battle between demons and gods that churn the cosmic oceans in search of the elixir of immortality. And learn how Shiva got his blue throat! Through the mythology of the poses, learn more about the roots of this ancient practice and how you can use their teachings to appreciate and honor the true origins of yoga. Enhance your practice by reading a story before or at the end of class, and embody the poses and their lessons in your life, as well as in your yoga practice, and transform the way you see and practice this timeless art.