about balraj
Balraj is a yogin who teaches yoga philosophy and helps leaders better manage their emotions under pressure.
Balraj is a yogin who teaches yoga philosophy.
He helps leaders cultivate emotional composure to become more effective and valuable under pressure.
Balraj [pronounced bal-RAAJ] teaches the philosophy of yoga as a direct, phenomenological inquiry into the nature of experience. He works privately with leaders around the world to help them remain composed in high-pressure environments, high-stakes decision-making, and high-impact relationship-building.
Balraj’s approach to emotional composure is guided by the simple and profound wisdom of the spiritual traditions born on the Indian subcontinent. Managing emotions doesn’t require controlling them. Managing emotions just requires becoming aware of them before being consumed by them. Managing emotions, in other words, requires awareness. (For leaders navigating high-pressure decisions and relationships, learn more about working with Balrāj.)
What is yoga? Yoga is not the strategic and permanent destruction of the suffering of our inadequacies and vulnerabilities; yoga just is what remains once we’ve abandoned the quest to “fill up” ourselves with the world. Our desire to find permanent emotional/material security (to finally be “at peace”) actually reinforces the basic sense of lack/anxiety that we’re trying to eliminate. In other words, the quest for permanent freedom from our personal suffering—to never again feel small or invisible, ashamed or unworthy, guilty or defective, exposed or inadequate—might be the very thing keeping us from our deepest fulfilment. We each are irrevocably embedded in structures of dependence that precede and exceed us, the recognition of which is demanded for/by [our] “freedom”.
Balraj received a BA (Hons) and MSc (Oxon) studying South Asia and India respectively. He then obtained an MA in philosophy, defending his thesis on phenomenological method. He received a Diploma in Yoga from Annamalai University and the title of Yoga Vidyā from his teacher.
Leaders interested in emotional regulation and self-awareness are encouraged to connect with him on LinkedIn. Those interested in yoga are warmly encouraged to join him on Instagram, YouTube, and to subscribe to our newsletter (launching late 2025).
Balraj now offers talks and workshops for senior leaders across business, philanthropy, and government. His 2024 session for a group of senior Canadian provincial government officials introduced mindfulness as a tool for navigating pressure with greater composure and self-awareness—by becoming aware of the very patterns of striving and avoidance that often undermine our efforts to lead wisely and well. If you’re interested in booking Balrāj to speak at your event or facilitate a private workshop, please email [email protected] with your event details and objectives. Balrāj can then schedule a time to discuss whether—and how—he might be able to help.