Yoga Off The Mat

Allow me to *re*introduce myself! A lot of you have been curious to get to know my journey with yoga, what my practice looks like, my thoughts on the industry, the business of yoga, how to decolonize yoga in the wild...and I got you. This is a short and sweet episode to help you get to know me a bit better, and there are some great tips sprinkled in as well.Timestamps:01:03 My journey with yoga02:56 My current yoga practice06:12 My thoughts on modern yoga08:06 How to start a yoga practice09:20 Considerations when practicing asana12:19 Posture tutorial12:50 Decolonizing yoga14:52 Yoga retreats16:02 Books on yoga16:44 Becoming a yoga teacher19:10 Starting a yoga businessPodcast & Host Linkswww.divyabala.comYoutube.com/divyabalaPatreon.com/divyabalaInstagram: @divyabala @yogaoffthematpodcast

Ashton Hall and Mel Robbins may be trending right now for their...intense...morning routines. But your morning doesn't have to look like that for you to start your day on the best foot. This episode is the first in a seasonal series about how to use the principles of yoga philosophy and its sister science Ayurveda to customize your morning routine - both for your unique needs and for the season.Podcast & Host Links Website: www.divyabala.comInstagram: @divyabala @yogaoffthematpodcastYoutube.com/divyabalaPatreon.com/divyabala

Whether or not we like it -- change is in the air. Socially, politically, spiritually. You may not realize it but yoga has prepared you with the mental resilience to face it head on. Here's how.In this episode, I share 5 simple yogic tactics to fortify yourself ahead of major change.Podcast & Host LinksWebsite: www.divyabala.comInstagram: Host: @divyabala Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcastYoutube: Youtube.com/divyabalaPatreon: Patreon.com/divyabala

Some people think it's unethical. Some people think it's essential. Either way, it's a massive industry that's only gaining more and more traction: The Yoga Teacher Training. In this episode, I share the origins of how yoga was passed down and taught, and how that has evolved with the birth of the yoga industry. You'll also get a framework of inquiry to understand your intentions and whether YTT is right for you, PLUS a checklist to help you choose the right training program. Podcast & Host Links Website: www.divyabala.com Instagram: Host: @divyabala Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcast Youtube: Youtube.com/divyabala

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is "How do I build a yoga practice from scratch?"In this episode, I offer a 5-step framework to help you build a yoga practice of your own - and you might be surprised at how simple it is! You'll incorporate elements from the 8-limbed path and integrate your practice into your life, both on and off the mat. Yoga doesn't have to be hard or scary - it just needs dedication, compassion and a little discipline.Podcast & Host Linkswww.divyabala.comHost: @divyabalaPodcast: @yogaoffthematpodcastYoutube.com/divyabala

Learn about an essential element of yoga, Prana - your vital life energy. We unpack what it is, how to sense it, practices that enhance or deplete it, and how to optimize it to improve your quality of life. The episode ends with a short pranayama practice so you can experience the sensation firsthand. In this episode we discuss: What is that indescribable feeling yoga gives us? Where does it come from? What is energy, as it pertains to yoga? Yoga and it’s effects on our energy How our body and breath are conduits of this energy What is subtle energy? What are bandhas? How do they impact our energy? How does asana affect Prana? How do you apply these practrices to in a holistically engage your Prana? Resources and references Books Integral Yoga by Sri Aurobindo Light on Yoga by BKS Iyegar Mind Your Breathing by Sundar Balasubramanian Articles: ‘Understanding Prana’ by David Frawley https://yogainternational.com/article/view/understanding-prana/ Perception of Subtle Energy “Prana”, and Its Effects During Biofield Practices: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10498708/ 'Secrets of the five pranas' by Vamadeva Shastri https://www.vedanet.com/the-secrets-of-the-five-pranas/ Podcast & Host Links Website: (changing soon!) www.hidivya.com Instagram: Host: @divyabala Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcast Youtube: Youtube.com/divyabala

In this episode we discuss: The context of oppression and systemic violence The yogic definition of ahimsa versus himsa Modern interpretations of ahimsa Active versus non-active ahimsa Why Performative Activism doesnt work Ceasefire as ahimsa Reference Links A history of Al-Nakba https://remix.aljazeera.com/aje/PalestineRemix/al-nakba.html#/17 The Balfour Declaration https://www.britannica.com/event/Balfour-Declaration How to get started in activism for Palestine: https://www.pcrf.net/information-you-should-know/how-to-help-palestine.html#:~:text=This can include writing to,to bring about positive change. Books: Applied Ethics Primer by Letitia Meynell and Clarisse Paron Yoga - Anticolonial Philosophy by Dr Shyam Ranganathan The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda Podcasts: The Genocide of Palestinians: https://open.spotify.com/show/7jPGgYybr0lrmIHcpQlj93?si=726d2ccd8a3343f5 Eelam Tamil history: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dvVVja3BaGopbh59GTIwV?si=EOqa273hSXOIMC8MRMCW7g The war in Sudan: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xbzCipOMQPeKQoD3FuyFh?si=S8FxtD8ERqaWN9rV4JbdFA The civil war in DR Congo: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7svK7nxRct2LIx35onbEml?si=ttIXo8O-RKGf2M0w7QOKcg Credible social media sources to follow: @red_maat @sbeih.jpg @wizard_bisan1 @varathas @letstalkpalestine Podcast & Host Links www.hidivya.com Instagram: Host: @divyabala Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcast Youtube.com/divyabala

In the second episode of this podcast, I give you an overview of the vast landscape of Yoga and go deeper into just one of those forms of yoga that has been taken the west by storm - the 8 limbed path of Ashtanga yoga. Topics discussed: - The four major categories of yoga - The 8 limbed path of ashtanga yoga - 3 Journal prompts to help you begin your exploration of self Journal Prompts: 1. What was my first introduction to Yoga, and how did it shape my understanding of this practice? 2. How have I recently practiced one of the five Yamas (External ethics) in my day to day life? 3. What hobbies or activities make me feel like I'm in a state of Dhyana (meditation)? Yoga Off The Mat (YOTM) is available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify & Apple podcasts. If you enjoyed the episode and look forward to more, consider supporting my work on Patreon (@divyabala). Be sure to follow the podcast on all platforms below and leave me a rating! :) Resources: Instagram: @yogaoffthematpodcast & @divyabala Youtube.com/divyabala Patreon.com/divyabala Website: www.hidivya.com

Welcome to Yoga Off The Mat, the podcast! I’m your host, Divya - an E-RYT 200 yoga teacher, content creator, activist, writer and speaker (among other things). Whether you’re brand new to yoga and seeking to build a foundation, or maybe you’re a seasoned practitioner who wants to deepen your knowledge, here you’ll learn how to apply yoga on and off the mat as a tool for personal growth and social change. In this pilot episode, I’ll share my personal journey with yoga spanning 20 years and the moments of revelation that led me to this moment. I’ll also give you an idea of what you can expect from future episodes. This episode covers: - What you can expect from Yoga Off The Mat Podcast - My personal journey with yoga and what led to this project - What you can expect from future podcast episodes Yoga Off The Mat (YOTM) is available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify & Apple podcasts. If you enjoyed the episode and look forward to more, be sure to follow the podcast on all platforms below and leave me a rating! Resources: Instagram: @yogaoffthematpodcast & @divyabala Youtube.com/divyabala Patreon.com/divyabala Website: www.hidivya.com