Yoga Off the Mat: A Practical Guide to the Wisdom of Yoga--Find Balance, Meaning, and Liberation in Your Daily Life

Millions of people turn to yoga for flexibility, fitness, and stress relief. But what if the most transformative part of yoga isn’t the poses at all?

Bestselling yoga teachers Sage Rountree, PhD, and Alexandra DeSiato, MA, know that the full power of yoga isn’t in the poses—it’s in the wisdom behind them. Yoga Off the Mat shows you how to bring yogic wisdom and philosophy into everyday life for deeper meaning, balance, and joy.

Drawing from ancient tradition, modern science, and more than 50 years of combined teaching experience, Rountree and DeSiato offer clear explanations, practical exercises, and compassionate guidance to help you integrate yoga’s timeless philosophy into your daily rhythms.

Through approachable teachings, mindfulness practices, journaling prompts, and reflections, they help you:

• Develop a grounded approach to presence, stillness, and mindful movement
  
• Understand and apply classical concepts like the kleshas, koshas, and chakras
  
• Engage in gentle shadow work to transform ego, fear, craving, and attachment into sources of strength and insight
  
• Explore the subtle body and harmonize your inner energies
  
• Foster vitality and growth through compassionate self-inquiry
  

Clear, compassionate, and deeply researched, Yoga Off the Mat honors yoga’s roots while meeting you where you're at today—offering timeless wisdom you can integrate into your daily life at home, at work, and out in the world.

Sage Rountree and Alexandra DeSiato have coauthored several books on yoga together. Sage is the co-owner of Carolina Yoga Company and the virtual platform Comfort Zone Yoga. She has proudly been teaching the same Monday-night yoga class for 20 years. Her work has been featured or cited in outlets such as The New York Times, Yoga Journal, Men’s Fitness, USA Today, and more.

Alexandra DeSiato is a yoga and Pilates instructor who specializes in yoga for healthy aging and for pre- and post-natal women. She leads Carolina Yoga Company’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program. Her work has been featured on NPR, Fox32 Chicago, and several podcasts.