Online mythology Course



Natalie Rousseau Sacred Stories Online Mythology Course

Each of us is living our own sacred story and we are all the hero of our own great adventure. Join me on a deep dive into the world of Indian mythology and discover yourself in these timeless mythic themes.

Sacred Story is an online immersion I have designed to take you on a journey and to support you in deepening your relationship with the powerful archetypes found within these ancient stories.

I have always been fascinated by mythology and this course represents a distillation of both my studies and my personal practice in the last few years. I believe that these stories are rich with teachings and can provide evocative food for thought for anyone on the yogic path of awakening, but they are also equally full of value for those who simply desire greater inspiration on how to navigate everyday life with greater grace and conviction.


Your Instructor


Natalie Rousseau
Natalie Rousseau

I am a woman who wears many hats. I identify as student, seeker, and storyteller. Mother, mentor and magic maker. I have been teaching yoga and meditation since 2001 and love to support others on the path of self-discovery through practices of personal ritual. My lifelong curiosity with nature's rhythms has led me to my studies in Ayurveda, Western herbalism, and various earth-based wisdom traditions. I bring a love of myth and story to my work as I have found symbolism to be a powerful teacher. This dance of seasonal reverence, embodied practice, mythic story, and kitchen medicine lie at the heart of all that I share.


COURSE OUTLINE

MODULE 1: GANESHA

In this module you will learn about Ganesha, The Lord of Thresholds and the Remover of Obstacles. Gain insight into how this elephant headed god can become an ally to you as you move through the challenges presented on your own life journey and tap into the power to transform your own obstacles into opportunities.


MODULE 2: SHIVA & PARVATI

In this class you will learn about the wild god known as Shiva and the power filled goddess known as Parvati. The union between these two great archetypes is a symbol of the Divine Marriage and their story can aid us in finding the place of sacred union in all our relationships.


MODULE 3: SITA

Sita’s story is found in the great Indian epic known as The Ramayana, which has been told and retold for generations. Hers is a story of great challenge and deep devotion, and though it is not always an easy story to hear, it has much to offer us. Through Sita discover ways to strengthen the power of your own devotion in daily life, and within the many relationships that enrich your experience.


MODULE 4: KRISHNA

Learn about one of the most beloved and intoxicating visions of the divine masculine in this class on Krishna, the beautiful god who makes life worth living. Hear stories of his childhood, his journey into adulthood, and ultimately how he became the great teacher of the Bhagavad Gita, singing his song on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Krishna teaches us how to delight in life and discover the deep love at the core of all our experiences.


MODULE 5: SARASWATI

Saraswati is the great muse, a goddess of both inspiration and knowledge, beloved of artists, musicians, writers, and students. She is a subtle goddess with a long history and when you awaken to her energy current in your own life you will be touched with the spirit of creativity and wisdom. Hear her stories in this class and learn how to invoke her in your daily life.


MODULE 6: DURGA

In this module you will get to know the warrior goddess known as Durga. One of the most empowering symbols of the divine feminine, Durga is the archetype of courageous and righteous action in the world. Bringing her into your own life you will discover an ally who can support you in the epic and universal battle we all fight daily, to align ourselves with the values we hold dear and to enrich the lives of those around us.


MODULE 7: HANUMAN

Hanuman is the son of the wind, and is known for his great strength, deep devotion, and immense humility. A playful monkey at heart he can teach us how to tap into the power that comes from divine inspiration, and how to balance that out with a humble approach to life that keeps us learning and evolving in the adventure of our own lives.


MODULE 8: KALI

One of the most iconic forms of the divine from the Indian tradition, Kali is a wild goddess who has lots to offer us. Though terrifying in her form, her teachings can support us in relinquishing control in a way that will empower us in finding greater freedom and trust in our lives. Learn all about her evocative imagery and how to tap into her power in your own practices.


MODULE 9: LAKSHMI

In this module we will get to know the beautiful goddess of earthly abundance and sensual delight known as Lakshmi. She yearns to teach us how to embrace the gifts of our material reality, come home to the pleasures of our body, and create beauty in the physical spaces we inhabit. In this class, we will contemplate our own relationship to the concepts of pleasure and abundance and learn how to invite Lakshmi into our hearts and our homes.

 
Sacred Stories Online Mythology Course

Frequently Asked Questions


I've never done an online course before. What do I need?
To take this course you need a computer or tablet device so that you can access the Teachable site where the course is housed, download the materials, and play the video or audio lessons. You do not need to be wildly tech savvy, but you must be comfortable with these basic computer skills.
I have a busy schedule, can I still take it?
The beauty of online learning is that you can make it work within your own schedule. There is no expectation that you will move through the material in a specific time frame, and it can all be downloaded, and yet I will encourage you to make time each week when you can to listen to the material and do the practices as this is what allows you to get the most out of the investment you will make in purchasing the course.
I am a yoga teacher and want to learn how to weave these stories into my class, should I take t this course?
Yes, I designed this program with both yoga students and teachers in mind. I get asked all the time about how to weave mythic themes into yoga classes, and my answer is always that first you must steep yourself in the stories and get to know these divine characters on an intimate level. It’s been my experience that from there you will naturally find their teachings being expressed in all that you do, including teaching yoga. As for specifics on how to weave themes into asana classes, this is something I cover in other programs that I teach, and truly it is best taught live. However knowing that many participants will be yoga teachers, and knowing that questions will come up, I will do my best to answer questions related to teaching if they are posted in our online forum.

WHAT THIS COURSE INCLUDES

This course includes nine full length modules as described above, three bonus lessons on the Wisdom Goddesses, and three Sacred Story inspired yoga practice videos.

  • EACH FULL LENGTH MODULE INCLUDES:

    • a presentation on a specific deity in video & audio form
    • a guided meditation practice
    • suggestions for mantra practice
    • informative handouts to support learning and contemplation
    • suggested practices to deepen your personal relationship with the deity for that lesson
    • membership in a private forum where you can ask questions and share insights

BONUS MATERIALS INCLUDE:

  • 3 shorter lessons on the divine characters of Dhumavati, Chinnamasta, and Bhairavi, unique goddesses from the set of ten Wisdom Goddesses known as the Mahavidyas
  • 3 Sacred Story inspired yoga practices that you can explore at home

“I would highly recommend Natalie’s course on mythology, I learned so much on each deity and loved the way Natalie combined story telling and personal story into each deity. The hand outs were great and the format was easy to download for reference to go back to later and listen to them again and again.”

- Tracey Mourre


“This Sacred Story program was truly amazing! By learning and tapping into all of these wonderful Gods and Goddesses through story, meditation and mantra was remarkable. It stirred up several things for me and it also made me recognize even more the importance of personal sadhana and then strength of intention. Thank you Natalie for sharing your passion of story and your knowledge!”

- Stephanie Cullen


“I loved diving into a mysterium of deities and all the stories surrounding them! As a yoga teacher I can now draw from a lot of material available to me and integrate it into my teachings as a practitioner, I enjoyed new ways of devoting my yoga practice or meditation to invoke a variety of gods and their powers in order to facilitate my own sadhana.”

- Daria Kilburn


“Natalie has pieced together a course of stories that are fascinating and relevant. I am amazed by her ability to organize so much information into a comprehensive and enjoyable course of study and wonder. She is a gifted story teller and shares her knowledge and wisdom in a practical and fun manner. The stories still continue to unfold in my consciousness as I reflect on the symbolism of the energies that flow through our lives. I am truly grateful and humbled by Natalie’s offering of this course.”

- Jacquie Wilson Peterson


“Sacred Story Immersion has been a wild adventure into the world of the gods & goddesses. You are given the tools to invoke these deities in your daily life, with access to an abundance of knowledge on a shared forum to ask questions, along with mantras, meditations and additional information into their symbology. Natalie offers you an intriguing way to learn and to be able to identify your self with these ancient energy currents.”

- Crystal Borrelli


“The course was fantastic and rich with material that I love being able to return to again (as opposed to a one-day workshop in person). Natalie you are a fantastic teacher and I feel so lucky to have been able to take this course with you! Thank you!”

- Julie Peters

Sign up for Sacred Stories Online Mythology Course

You do not need to have prior knowledge of Hindu mythology in order to participate in this course, nor do you need to have an advanced grasp of yogic philosophy. I have made every effort to present this material in a way that is fun and accessible, and yet still provide some context into the historical and cultural fabric onto which these stories have been woven. All through the program you will be encouraged to make the stories your own through contemplation and personal practice, so that the characters and themes come alive in your own life.

I hope that you will join me on this journey of discovery!