By Mike Shreve| This article is a pictorial presentation revealing the true meaning of various yoga poses and the gods to which they are dedicated. Practitioners may or may not be consciously aware of this spiritual connection, but it still exists. Consequently, participation in the physical exercises (asanas) and breathing disciplines (pranayama) opens a door to the spiritual realm and to supernatural influences. This connection is proposed in many yogic writings and yoga websites, including the following:
“As a way of connecting to, revering and paying respect to deities, many yoga postures represent not just what the deity looks like, but also everything they stand for. As we practise the posture, we put our focus on the energy and essence of the deity and look to embody their qualities.”[1]
You may want to read that again, slowly. When adherents assume certain various yoga poses, dedicated to specific gods and goddesses, a spiritual association takes place transferring “the energy and essence” of those deities into the devotee. The desired end result is the embodiment of “their qualities.” In other words, yoga positions are acts of worship (pujas) and through them, the personality traits of spiritual entities worshiped enter the hearts and lives of practitioners. If these beings truly existed, and if they were good and perfect gods, such a connection might be deemed beneficial and healthy. But what if they do not exist? What if they are merely imaginary, nothing more than humanly created myths? If so, what is the source of this ‘transformational influence’ touted by those who believe in this aspect of the yoga practice? The answers to these pivotal questions will progressively unfold as we proceed.
Incidentally, the traditional number of deities in Hinduism is 330 million (some sources say 33 million). Surely, that is not intended to be an exact calculation of the number of gods and goddesses in that pantheon, but a poetical way of expressing the vast number of divine beings who can be worshiped. At one time, I adhered to a Far Eastern mindset (a blend of Sikhism, Hinduism, and New Age spirituality). I spoke reverently of some of the deities mentioned in this article, as if they existed. If you happen to believe in any of these belief systems, please continue reading. Know that I love you and respect the heart you have toward spirituality: living a life that is dedicated to higher values. Quite possibly, I have walked a path similar in some ways to yours—so hopefully, we will be able to relate to each other.
In 1970, I was a personal student of a well-known Indian guru. I taught Kundalini Yoga at four universities and ran a yoga ashram in Tampa, Florida. A normal day involved at least about 12-14 hours of yogic disciplines. All of that changed dramatically in a day’s time, many years ago, when I encountered the true God. That day I discovered the true revelation of Ultimate Reality (yes, it can be experienced and grasped). I mention this because I want you to know, I am not an uninformed outsider trying to address a subject unfamiliar to me. Quite the contrary, I have walked the path of eastern religions myself in a very deep commitment yet I eventually discovered that it did not lead where I desperately wanted to go. However, my personal transformation story is not the focus of this article. You can download a free mini-book on that, on the Home Page of this website. (It is titled The Highest Adventure: Encountering God.) But now, let’s examine ten of the most popular yoga poses and their connection to Hindu deities. In laying the foundation, though, let me first describe the meaning of one of the most basic positions assumed in meditation.
The Lotus Position
The lotus flower has roots in the muck and mire beneath a body of water. However, the plant pushes its way upward so the blossoms can unfold, floating on the water, basking in the light of the sun. In like manner, the “lotus” position represents rising above the muck of the base, lower nature, through the dark waters of delusion (maya), to achieve an enlightened state of “God-consciousness.” Many Hindus and New Agers interpret this to mean a conscious awareness that human beings are actually manifestations of God. I once upheld this view, based on the related concepts of Pantheism and Monism (as found in Advaita Vedanta Hinduism). However, now, I unequivocally refute it as a false idea, the polar opposite of the truth, and one of the greatest deceptions to ever be proclaimed in the name of religion or spirituality. Even the Hindu teacher, Madhva, who embraced Dvaita Vedanta Hinduism (Dualism), claimed it is blasphemous to believe that a perfect God changes himself into an imperfect world.
This seated position (the Lotus Pose / Padmasana) is often assumed along with the Gyan mudra (a symbolic hand gesture, with the hands usually resting on the knees). The positioning of the forefinger and thumb on both hands represent the yoga devotee’s longing that his or her soul (atman: represented by the forefinger) will consciously merge into oneness with Ultimate Reality, an impersonal life-force called Brahman (represented by the thumb).[2] Brahman is a divine essence that, according to Hindu theology, already resides within every human being. This life-force is impersonal and all-pervasive. It is definitely not the same as the Everlasting Father of the Bible, a personal God, who exists outside of human beings, who is perfect in all His ways, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, who delights to enter into a relationship with those who love Him and surrender to Him, dwelling within their hearts. Brahman is depicted as a mere cosmic level of consciousness out of which a plethora of gods and goddesses manifest who have many imperfections. Both these interpretations of the nature of the Godhead cannot be correct. Truth is not subjective; it is objective. If one is right, the other must necessarily be wrong. Now let’s examine ten primary yoga poses.
Ten Yoga Poses Dedicated to Hindu Deities
1. The Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) is generally believed to be an act of devotion toward the goddess Sita (the consort of Rama, who is an incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver-God at the head of the Hindu pantheon).[3] This pose represents an elaborate story about Rama and his wife, Queen Sita, who was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana (as told in the epic Ramayama). Outside of Ravana’s palace was a grove of Ashoka trees, which are symbols of love in Hinduism. The Tree Pose relates to the dramatic development of this fable, because Sita drew strength and comfort from nature (likely, because she is mythically presented as the daughter of Bhumi, the earth-goddess). Gazing on an Ashoka tree helped her focus on Rama and thus, maintain courage and confidence. Like an erect tree, she remained stable as she waited for divine intervention in a challenging time.
In this pose, yoga devotees are sometimes encouraged to imagine themselves as both the goddess Sita and a tree. The Tree Pose asana is also considered a position yogis assume to portray an attitude of deep penance. In this application, it is also called Bhagirathasana, in honor of a legendary Emperor, Bhagirath, who was also a yogi from India. According to legend, he stood on one leg for a very lengthy period in a penitential display to convince the Hindu god Shiva to allow the sacred river Ganges to be brought from heaven to earth. Whichever story and attribution is correct mythologically, the tree pose represents strength, determination, and perseverence in petitioning Hindu deities for supernatural intervention.
2. The Dancer Pose (Natarajasana) is in honor of, and an invocation toward, the god Shiva. The word Nataraja means “Lord of the dance” or “King of the dance” in Sanskrit because Shiva is the revered deity who oversees the “Cosmic Dance”: the process of reincarnation, as well as the destruction and remanifestaton of the universe.[4] As the god of death and rebirth, Shiva is sometimes imagined in his terrible aspect, as Lord of Destruction, who meditates among the corpses on a cremation ground and at times, is covered with their ashes.[5] He wears a garland of skulls and a cobra serpent around his neck. Shiva is a member of the Hindu Triumurti (meaning three forms—Brahma: the creator god, Vishnu: the preserver-god, and Shiva: the destroyer-god). On his forehead is a depiction of “the third eye,” a symbol of enlightenment. Some Hindus, called Shaivites, consider Shiva the supreme God.
3. Warrior I-II-III Poses (Virabhadrasana I-II-III)
These three poses represent stages in the life of Virabhadra, whose name means “auspicious hero.” He was a god supposedly created by Shiva to avenge the death of his wife/consort, Sati, who killed herself because of her father’s rejection of her marriage to Shiva. The myth states that Virabhadra came into existence when Shiva furiously threw one of his dreadlocks to the ground. The energy released in that act caused the eruption of a ferocious-looking celestial deity with a warlike capacity.
The Warrior I Pose represents Virabhadra bursting forth from the ground propelled by Shiva’s desire for vengeance. The Warrior II Pose symbolizes Virabhadra’s violent entrance into a banquet feast being conducted by Daksha, Sati’s father, the beheading of Daksha, and the slaughter of the guests at the festival (including other gods). The Warrior III Pose is a dramatic reenactment of placing Daksha’s head on a stake. [6] Shiva later regretted his outburst of anger and its devastating results and made amends by placing the head of a goat on Daksha, who had been decapitated. Do you really want out-of-control anger and murderous attitudes like that contaminating your character? Do you really want to exhibit that kind of violent behavior, depicted in a fictional character that is neither “auspicious,” nor “heroic”? Whether you want it or not, every time you assume the three Warrior poses, that’s what you’re asking for.
4. Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)
The Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) is dedicated to Ganesha, the god who is depicted as having a human-like body but the head of an elephant. He was decapitated by Shiva because of a misunderstanding. So Shiva had his servants cut off the head of an elephant and put it on Ganesha. Because of this remarkable recovery, he is considered the “remover of obstacles” (understandably—decapitation is quite an obstacle to overcome). He supposedly takes the “obstacles” of his devoted ones and turns them into “sweets.” The story of Ganesha includes a time when he gorged himself on too many sweets causing his belly to break open and the sweets to pour out. The moon god, Chandra, laughed at him. In a display of anger, Ganesha jerked off one of his tusks and threw it at Chandra.
This humanly-authored, mythical story is being replicated every time a yoga devotee assumes the Half Moon Pose in a yoga class. The hand down represents picking up sweets; the hand up represents throwing the tusk at the moon. It is also an invocation to that deity to intervene for the yoga devotee and turn his or her obstacles into sweets. Hmmm. Now think critically and intelligently. Ponder this for a moment. Do you really think that such a story could even remotely be true? I know that millions of precious Hindu people greatly revere this god. My heart is burdened for those who do, because I remember how I, too, unquestioningly repeated ancient stories similar to this as a yoga teacher. But then, once I met the true and the living God, I realized I was actually enshrining imaginary entities who had no power to intervene in anyone’s behalf. [7]
5. The Splits Pose (Hanumanasana)
The Splits Pose (Hanumanasana) is a worshipful posture toward Hanuman, who is part monkey and part human in his appearance and is considered the god of wisdom, courage, and self-discipline. A yoga advocate offers, “This is one posture that really does require dedication and the patience of a saint to master. The monkey god Hanuman represents devotion, selfless service, dedication, and power.” [8]
6. The Standing Pose (Natvarasana), with the hand mudra that mimics the playing of a flute, is a worshipful offering to the Lord Krishna. It can shift from one side to the other and is intended as an aid to concentration and awareness, as well as a preparation for meditation.
According to ancient Hindu writings, Krishna had 16,108 wives while on earth and 10 children by each wife, which are evidently mythological imaginings about a non-existent deity. The most popular writing about Krishna is the Bhagavad Gita, which I read almost every day when I was a yoga devotee—until I had an encounter with the true God that changed my heart, my life, and my entire worldview.[9]
7. The Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana) is a worshipful offering to the fierce, dark, intimidating goddess named Kali.
Kali’s appearance could be described as terrifying—with a garland of skulls, a skirt comprised of ripped-off arms, a bloody extended tongue, while brandishing a bloody sword and a decapitated head, with one foot on the chest of the god Shiva.[10] One Hindu writer explains, “Kali is a Hindu goddess of death, time, and destruction. She is the Shakti…the divine feminine power…regarded as the mother of the entirre universe” and is “a symbol of contemporary womanhood, especially in the West.” [11] Now, that’s a dark and dreadful thought. Look at the image again and ask yourself, “Is that gory goddess of death really ‘the mother of the universe’?” Then dare to add, “Is that blood-covered, violent, female entity really a role model for independent and strong women?” While you are shaking your head, imagine what would happen if all the women who do yoga—who assume “the goddess pose” in their practice—actually began seriously taking on the attributes of this humanly-manufactured, gruesome ‘goddess’ they invoke. Not a pleasant thought, is it? Some of the participating yoga studios might end up getting roped off and declared to be crime scenes.
8. The Crocodile Pose (Makarasana) is associated with the river goddess Ganga (a personification of the sacred river Ganges) and the sea god Varuna (the guardian of moral law) who both use Makara as a vehicle, a creature that is a mixture of a crocodile, elephant, and peacock. [12]
9. The Cat/Cow Pose (Marjariasana-Bitilasana). The words marjari (meaning cat) and bitila (meaning cow) come from Sanskrit. It is a worshipful offering to the female deity Saraswati, the consort of Brahma, the goddess of education. One advocate suggests, “Use this practice to call on Saraswati whenever you need to remember your highest truth from within, when you are standing at a crossroads in life, and when your rational mind is dominating your decision-making. Ask for a balance of receptivity and courage to follow your highest path. Trust your intuition and follow the inner YES of your life.” [13]
10. The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is a series of up to 12 poses in honor of a deity named Surya. The word Namaskar means greeting or salutation. “In Hinduism, Surya is the God of the sun, understood to be the creator of the universe, and in Vedic tradition the sun is symbolic of consciousness and the Divine. As such, Surya Namaskar is considered to be one of the most important yoga practices.” [14]
The Bible teaches the vanity of this kind of devotion. To the Israelites under the Old Covenant, Moses warned: “And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.” (Deuteronomy 4:19)
Then in the New Testament, Paul the apostle spoke sternly concerning these idolatrous practices, saying: “They have exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, by worshipping and serving created things, rather than the Creator—praised be he for ever. Amen.” (Romans 1:25 CJB)
Often, in polytheistic religions, various parts of the universe are associated with specific deities. Even the earth itself is deified. For instance the ancient Greek goddess Gaia is considered the personification of the earth. That pagan deity is mirrored in the Hindu pantheon as Bhumi (also known as Prithvi). However according to the Bible, the natural creation is just that—natural (not supernatural) and not to be assigned any kind of divine essence or association with various sub-deities.
Irrefutably, Yoga Poses Are Worship Offerings to Hindu Deities
As already stated, in the mind of serious yoga advocates, these poses are invocations to the associated deities, a prayerful physical statement requesting that these false gods manifest supernaturally in their hearts and lives. Even though most yoga advocates are deeply desirous of a true experience of the spiritual world, what actually happens is demonic deception and possession. All of these deities have associated idols, and the apostle Paul was very clear in warning against anything connected to idolatry. The following scripture was a reference to food offerings placed before the pictures or statues of these deities.
What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. (1 Corinthians 10:19-20 NLT)
Most importantly, the first commandment, spoken from fiery Mount Sinai by the true God and engraved in tablets of stone with His fiery finger, unequivocally declares, “You shall have no other gods!” (Exodus 20:3). Why would He demand that? Because He wants people to know truth and not be misled by myths. He longs for those who are sincerely hungry for a relationship with the Father to actually find Him instead of being deceived and sidetracked by fables.
SHIVA IS “THE LORD OF YOGA”!
The previously mentioned god, Shiva (the god of destruction in Hinduism), is also called, “The Lord of yoga.” He is often depicted doing yoga, as well as dancing in a circle of fire which represents the endless cycles of manifestation and destruction of the universe. As already explained, this is a picture of the cosmic dance of death and rebirth.
Shiva is expected to be very much a part of the ultimate yoga experience. This involves the awakening of something called “the kundalini” (also known as “the serpent power”) which is supposedly spiritually located at the base of spine. When this coiled, dormant energy called Shakti (named after the goddess of destruction and death) rises in serpentine fashion to the head of a yogi or yogini, it merges with Shiva (the god of destruction and death) at the crown chakra and according to Hindu yogic tradition, that is when Samadhi takes place.[15] That’s when the devotee supposedly reaches “God-consciousness,” also called Self-Realization (a realization that the individual self and the Supreme Self are one and the same!) For many practitioners of yoga, that is the ultimate goal of yoga, a delusion as ancient as the Garden of Eden. Look at the symbolism—the god of death and destruction, and the goddess of death and destruction, uniting together to consume the soul of the one meditating. A disturbing description indeed!
The Ultimate Goal of Yoga
So, the declared goal of yoga is enlightenment. The word “yoga” means “yoked”—and those who believe in it, insist it means being yoked with Universal Consciousness. This ‘enlightened’ state supposedly happens when the kundalini power rises through the spine, activating and aligning something adherents call “the chakras” (seven energy discs in the body, which incidentally are also each associated with a different Hindu deity).
The existence of chakras has never been proven scientifically. The guru I studied under in 1970 taught they were “imaginary,” merely an aid to meditation. Nevertheless, back then, I personally believed in the chakras. That is no longer the case. Now I believe the goal of serious seekers of truth should not be the aligning some fictional, internal energy centers, but rather, aligning their lives with the Word of God and by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, into their hearts. The difference between these two approaches is immense. The former is mechanical; the latter is relational. The former is invented; the latter is inspired. The former is an attempt by human beings to achieve some kind of celestial bliss; the latter is God’s effort to reach human beings and make them whole.
Jesus promised the absolute value of submitting to His Lordship; it is a spectacular gift, “He who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). This heaven-sent gift comes, not by a serpent-power being awakened from within, but by the Spirit of God entering into a yielded person from without, resulting in the experience of being “born again” (spiritual rebirth, the restoration of a right relationship with God). The fulfillent of these promises is infinitely more effective than indulging in all the occult and mystical practices that the world offers that can never connect a human being with the Creator of all things.
My Appeal to You
All of the false gods and goddesses I have mentioned in this article are inseparably a part of the yoga experience, whether they are acknowledged or not by practitioners. There is a spiritual connection that takes place to the demonic spirits that impersonate these deities even if you do not profess faith in those deities. Do you really want to expose yourself or your children to beliefs like this? Do you want such dark spiritual entities infiltrating your heart and influencing your life?
Do you dare endanger yourself, by participation in yoga classes, knowing it could cause a possible awakening of the “serpent power” (a biblical symbol of something satanic and evil)? Even the gurus and swamis warn that if a person is not properly prepared by yogic disciplines and submission to the teachings of a guru, “awakening the kundalini” can result in serious mental problems and dark occultic powers being released. That in itself is proof enough that this experience is a false and deceptive one. No person in the Bible ever had an encounter with the true God and suffered such a spiritual backlash. Of course, most of those who pursue this spiritual experience do not realize that it opens the door to serious demonic influences. So let me be blunt: yoga is not of God and does not lead to God. No wonder Acts 15:29 warns in no uncertain terms: “Abstain from things offered to idols” and that includes yoga poses.
I know that millions of yoga devotees are deeply sincere in their practice. Many are passionately pursuing truth and willingly subject themselves to very challenging disciplines in the hope of attaining oneness with the “Oversoul.” I did when I was devoted to the yoga path. I spent 12-14 hours a day doing asanas, pranayama, chanting mantras, meditating, and many other disciplines geared toward achieving God-consciousness. But Jesus very boldly proclaimed, right before He went to the cross to offer Himself for the sins of humanity:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
The One who voiced that statement could only be one of two things: either a self-deluded egomaniac leading many astray, or the One He claimed to be: God incarnate in a human body, leading many to the glory of heaven. I absolutely know the latter to be the truth. This was not a veiled, mysterious statement insisting that truth-seekers must achieve His “I AM” consciousness in order to be one with the Father. It is a very plain assertion, with an obvious interpretation. Jesus was not just one of many Ascended Masters and celebrated Avatars. He alone stands as the only “image of the invisible God,” the One who came into this world to guide us into the next (Colossians 1:15). Only Jesus was born of a virgin. Only Jesus lived a sinless life. Only Jesus died on a cross for the sins of all humanity. Only Jesus rose from the dead victoriously. And only Jesus can open the door to a relationship with the Everlasting Father.
If you are a born-again believer and a true follower of Jesus, but also a practitioner of yoga, I urge you to receive the following exhortation:
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the LORD. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
If you embrace a different belief system than Christianity, especially if you are a Hindu, a Sikh, or a New Ager, I urge you to receive Jesus’ loving invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Exchange the “yoke” of yoga for the “yoke” of the Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot have both simultaneously.
You can do asanas and pranayama the rest of your life and never find spiritual fulfillment. But if you find Jesus, the Bible clearly reveals that you will be “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10). He loves you deeply with an everlasting love and He will overwhelm your heart with that love when you surrender to Him. If you are willing to set aside any biases or preconceived ideas about Christianity—even if you are not fully convinced—I encourage you to open your heart and pray this prayer sincerely:
“Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to You. Come into my heart. I repent of all my sins. I ask you to wash away all the evil and wrong things I have done by Your precious blood. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Your peace, and Your joy. I believe You died on the cross for the sins of humanity and that You rose again victorious over the grave. By faith, I receive the gift of eternal life that You promised and by Your grace, I choose to serve You the remainder of my life. Deliver me from all false religious practices and establish me in the truth. In Your holy name, Jesus, Amen.”
Saying that prayer is a wonderful start, but becoming a true disciple will involve much more. Start reading the New Testament, especially the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and apply those truths to your life. Begin attending a Bible-believing church. Be baptized (full immersion) as a statement that “the old person is buried” and the “new person dedicated to the true God” is resurrected in Christ. Seek God to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit (see the article under “Biblical Writings” titled “The Baptism with the Holy Spirit”). Rid your home and your life of all vestiges of former false religious beliefs and practices (books, CDs, statues, images, crystals, and jewelry with false religious symbols). Depart from any immoral relationships and all the things that corrupt the heart and mind. All this is a part of “walking in the light.” (See 1 John 1:7.)
Most importantly, turn aside from the belief that millions of deities exist, flawed supernatural beings that according to Hindu cosmology only have a temporary existence. Instead, embrace the biblical view: that the Godhead is comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and is everlasting and unchanging. This is the One True God and there is no other. Jesus, the eternal “form of God” (pronounced Yeshua in Hebrew), is the epitome of perfect love and He desires to pour that love into your life (Philippians 2:6). No spiritual experience can compare to the wonder of such a heaven-to-earth encounter. Once you know this immeasurable love that “passes knowledge,” you will never be the same. (Ephesians 3:19).
Speaking the truth in love,
Mike Shreve
Suggested further reading (especially recommended for Hindus, Sikhs, Yoga advocates and those who embrace New Age Spirituality: “Is There Really Only One God?”
SEVEN REASONS I NO LONGER PRACTICE YOGA
If you would like to explore this subject even deeper, I suggest that you purchase this small booklet that is available in the store on this website or on Amazon (where you can get both a physical copy and/or an e-book). I believe it is the most concise and most convincing presentation I could share on this vitally important subject.
This article was originally published on The True Light and was republished with permission from the author.
[1] https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/practice/6-sacred-yoga-poses accessed 8-30-21
[2] https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6444/gyan-mudra accessed 8-29-21
[3] https://yogainternational.com/article/view/the-mythology-behind-vrikshasana-tree-pose/#:~:text=In%20this%20pose%2C%20imagine%20yourself,but%20her%20mind%20is%20free, accessed 5-20-24
[4] https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/lord-of-the-dance-pose/ accessed 5-20-24
[5] https://saumyakasi.org/wp/symbolism-of-lord-shiva/ accessed 5-20-24
[6] http://www.whenlifeisgood.com/the-story-of-the-yoga-warrior-poses/ accessed 9-1-21
[7] https://www.yogatrotter.com/the-story-of-ardha-chandrasana-half-moon-pose-and-the-god-ganesha/#:~:text=As%20the%20moon%20god%20continued,a%20tusk%20at%20the%20moon accessed 1-4-2024
[8] https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/practice/6-sacred-yoga-poses accessed 8-29-21
[9] https://www.yogicwayoflife.com/natvarasana-lord-krishna-pose accessed 8-29-21
[10] https://www.openfit.com/goddess-pose-yoga accessed 8-29-21
[11] https://progressivehindudialogue.com/2020/02/13/what-does-goddess-kalis-unusual-and-scary-look-mean accessed 9-1-21
[12] https://www.blueosa.com/10-hindu-deities-everyone-know-pilgrimage-india accessed 8-29-21
[13] https://avaniyogaacademy.com/ecourse-page/embodying-saraswati/ accessed 5-20-24
[14] https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5503/surya-namaskar accessed 8-29-21
[15] https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5308/kundalini-shakti accessed 8-29-21
