Book Review: The Stories Behind the Poses

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Manhattan Book Review.

Dr. Raj Balkaran

Dr. Raj Balkaran delivers a must-own book for yoga enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and students of mythology in The Stories Behind the Poses. The fully illustrated hardcover volume tells the eternal stories from Indian myth anchored in the Brahmanic worldview underpinning the spiritual beliefs and the physical practice of yoga. Beyond merely a retelling of epic tales of the struggles and triumphs of gods, goddesses, kings, demons, and various characters, Balkaran delves into the transformative power of meaning-making. Artist Devika Menon brings each story to life with her inspired and informed illustrative interpretation of how mythology yielded each yogic pose.

The Stories Behind the Poses is an elegantly written and illustrated page-turner for anyone who appreciates origin stories from rich cultural traditions. The book is beneficial for yoga practitioners and anyone who appreciates Indian rituals and philosophy. Balkaran tells each story compellingly, creating a reason for the reader to empathize with moral and ethical dilemmas faced by powerful beings. Each story is itself a meditative tool to guide the yogi. The book invites anyone with a yoga practice to deepen their physical practices by internalizing the lessons from each tale and how it relates to the physical manifestation of the yogic posture.

Buy from Capital Books

Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto

In "Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto," renowned Marxian scholar and philosopher Kohei Saito offers a compelling argument against the relentless pursuit of economic growth that permeates contemporary capitalism. Saito’s thesis focuses on the concept of degrowth—a radical reduction in production and consumption that aligns with sustainable ecological limits rather than constant expansion. Pictured above is Kohei Saito Saito makes a significant and timely contribution to the ongoing conversation about sustainable living. Slow Down adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from environmental science, economics, and social theory to present a clear and urgent depiction of the current ecological crisis. Saito critiques the widely accepted belief that economic growth equates to progress and questions the sustainability of existing global consumption patterns. He advocates for a fundamental reshaping of our economic systems to prioritize human well-being and ecologica...

Enlighten Me

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Los Angeles Book Review . Author Minh Lê Standing up for oneself seems like doing the right thing. Binh did just that in the face of a racist school bully who was poking fun at his Asian heritage. But physically assaulting another student goes against school policy, and it was Binh who got in trouble. Binh shares a silent retreat with his family and younger siblings. Along with other children, he learns about stories from the previous lives of the Buddha. The stories are interesting, but for Binh, it is difficult to sit still and clear his mind when he misses his Gameboy. While he struggles with silence, he learns important lessons about friendship, community, and being present. In the graphic novel "Enlighten Me," award-winning author Minh Lê and bestselling illustrator Chan Chau tell the story of a boy who gains a better understanding of himself as he works on quieting the mind and reflecting on dharma. Lê and Ch...

Minding the Wealth Gap

As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America’s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices. In "Minding the Wealth Gap," Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic “gap closers,” Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others. Each success “play” or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cu...

Colors of Influence Reviews

Search This Blog