In “Yoga Off The Mat," host Divya Balakrishnan, ERYT-200, takes listeners on the profound journey of decolonizing yoga. Through discussions on philosophy, social justice, self-improvement, and mental and physical wellness, this podcast offers listeners a unique opportunity to dive deep and apply yoga in every aspect of their lives. By providing tools for self-inquiry, resources to deepen knowledge, and engaging discussion and journaling prompts, "Yoga Off The Mat" empowers individuals to embark on their own transformative path to embodying yoga on and off the mat.
The Hard Truth No One Tells You About Yoga Teacher Training
Host Divya Balakrishnan reveals the hidden costs and shortcomings of modern yoga teacher training, guiding listeners toward truly valuable programs.
22 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
A Yogi's Guide To Summer Solstice And Ayurvedic Morning Routines | Yoga Off The Mat | Divya Bala
Divya Balakrishnan explores Ayurvedic summer practices, revealing how to align your routines with nature for optimal well-being in this interview.
5 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Don't Quit Your Day Job: Going Full Time Won't Make You a Better Yoga Teacher
Divya Balakrishnan explores how everyday life, not just full-time teaching, embodies the true practice of yoga, offering insights into karma yoga and non-grasping.
8 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Beauty, Ritual, and Yoga Philosophy: Why Caring for Yourself Is a Spiritual Practice
Host Divya Balakrishnan explores how beauty and ritual are philosophical expressions of yoga, reframing self-care as a spiritual practice.
31 Jan 2026
Yoga Radicalized Me, And It Should Radicalize You Too.
My first episode of 2025 was a message to help you all, especially in the states, prepare for major societal transition using yoga as your toolkit. Unfortunately, a year later the horrors have not let up but only intensified. Humanity has always undergone cycles of destruction and rebirth, suffering and renewal. That doesn't mean we can look away from what's happening not just in America but around the world. How can we moderate our energy output in support of our communities and loved ones while also sustaining enough energy to care for ourselves? Yoga again has a number of solutions for how we methodically approach societal breakage through a lens of compassion, discipline, and duty. I hope this short podcast episode empowers you, equips you and inspires you into aligned action that upholds humanity.
Sending love and power.
Fundraiser for Keith Porter's daughter: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-franceolas-granddaughters-future
Resources to support Minnesotans: www.standwithminnesota.com
Script to ask your senators to not fund violence against immigrants: https://indivisible.org/actions/ice-out-senate/
Podcast & Host LinksWebsite:www.divyabala.comInstagram:Host: @divyabalaPodcast: @yogaoffthematpodcastYoutube:Youtube.com/divyabalaPatreon:Patreon.com/divyabala
31 Dec 2025
3 Major Lessons Yoga Taught Me In 2025 That I'm Taking Into 2026
What a whirlwind 2025 has been. Whether you're reflecting on the past year or planning for the year ahead, it's always worth thinking about how much you have grown. 2025 taught me many things but I wouldn't have gotten through it without my yoga practice. Here are a few lessons I learned - maybe they'll resonate with you.Stay til the end for 3 reflection prompts :)
Podcast & Host LinksWebsite:www.divyabala.comInstagram:Host: @divyabalaPodcast: @yogaoffthematpodcastYoutube:Youtube.com/divyabalaPatreon:Patreon.com/divyabala
10 Jul 2025
I'm Finally Answering Your Burning Questions About Yoga
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 yoga
02:56 My current yoga practice
06:12 My thoughts on modern yoga
08:06 How to start a yoga practice
09:20 Considerations when practicing asana
12:19 Posture tutorial
12:50 Decolonizing yoga
14:52 Yoga retreats
16:02 Books on yoga
16:44 Becoming a yoga teacher
19:10 Starting a yoga business
Podcast & Host Links
www.divyabala.com (www.divyabala.com)
Youtube.com/divyabala (www.Youtube.com/divyabala)
Patreon.com/divyabala (www.Patreon.com/divyabala)
Instagram: @divyabala @yogaoffthematpodcast
14 Apr 2025
Build Your Ideal Spring Morning Routine Using Yogic Wisdom | Yoga Off the Mat Podcast | Divya Bala
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.com
Instagram: @divyabala @yogaoffthematpodcast
Youtube.com/divyabala
Patreon.com/divyabala
17 Feb 2025
Yoga Has Mentally Prepared You For Major Societal Transition
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 Links
Website: www.divyabala.com
Instagram:
Host: @divyabala
Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcast
Youtube: Youtube.com/divyabala
Patreon: Patreon.com/divyabala
27 Dec 2024
How to Choose the Right Yoga Teacher Training Program: Key Factors To Consider
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
14 Oct 2024
The Surprising Truth About Building a Yoga Practice Nobody Tells You
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.com (applewebdata://5B05C73E-37D4-42C1-A2E2-A04C32113F54/www.divyabala.com)Host: @divyabala (https://www.instagram.com/divyabala)Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/yogaoffthematpodcast)Youtube.com/divyabala (https://www.youtube.com/@DivyaBala)
12 Aug 2024
Prana: How To Harness Your Vital Energy And Boost Your Quality Of Life
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/ (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/ (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/ (https://www.vedanet.com/the-secrets-of-the-five-pranas/)
Podcast & Host Links
Website: (changing soon!)
www.hidivya.com (http://www.hidivya.com)
Instagram:
Host: @divyabala (https://www.instagram.com/divyabala/)
Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/yogaoffthematpodcast/)
Youtube:
Youtube.com/divyabala (http://Youtube.com/divyabala)
20 May 2024
Ceasefire Is Ahimsa: A Yogic Perspective On Systemic Violence
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 (https://remix.aljazeera.com/aje/PalestineRemix/al-nakba.html#/17)
The Balfour Declaration
https://www.britannica.com/event/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 (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 (http://www.hidivya.com)
Instagram:
Host: @divyabala
Podcast: @yogaoffthematpodcast
Youtube.com/divyabala (http://Youtube.com/divyabala)
15 Apr 2024
The Four Types Of Yoga You Didn't Know About & The 8 Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga
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
30 Mar 2024
Pilot: It's Time To Get Off Your Mat And Do Some Yoga
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 (https://www.instagram.com/yogaoffthematpodcast?igsh=MTZieTRpNGZwNDJpaQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr) & @divyabala (https://www.instagram.com/divyabala?igsh=MWJuNGxpNnZwcGU1bw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)
Youtube.com/divyabala (https://www.youtube.com/divyabala)
Patreon.com/divyabala (https://www.patreon.com/divyabala?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator)
Website: www.hidivya.com (http://www.hidivya.com/)
Inside a recent episode
The Hard Truth No One Tells You About Yoga Teacher Training
Published 7 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] This should be the baseline for anyone who's considering becoming a yoga teacher. And right now, it's the exception and not the rule. So let's talk about how we got here, because it's a problem and it needs to be changed. Yoga teacher trainings in the West have become such a well-oiled pipeline. You pay anything from $2,000 to $10,000 to become a teacher, and the school gets a graduate, an ambassador, and someone who will likely buy more trainings from them, more certificates and more modules, and the cycle continues. What most of these programs are actually optimizing for is volume and profit. […]
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