Yoga Off the Mat

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

Illustrated by Lasha Mutual
$21.95 US
North Atlantic Books
24 per carton
On sale Jul 14, 2026 | 9798889843603
Sales rights: World

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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.
"Phenomenal for beginners and more seasoned yogis ready to take their practice to the next level. The concept is brilliant—apply these ancient teachings to your busy life. This is how transformation happens, and this book can be your companion."
—ANN SWANSON, MS, author of the best-selling Science of Yoga and Meditation for the Real World

"The book I wish I'd had when I first started yoga.... It's both a guide to practicing yoga and to living well. Too often yoga is confined to the mat, but this book invites us to step off and make every action a practice. That reminder feels more essential than ever in today's world."
—GABRIELLE HARRIS, author of The Inspired Yoga Teacher, The Language of Yin, and Lessons in Meditation

"Now more than ever it is essential that yoga practitioners consider how to engage their practice more deeply and fully.... Sage and Alexandra have taken what can feel like very dense material based on philosophical frameworks and ancient contexts and made it applicable and accessible. Their teachings in Yoga Off the Mat inspire yoga practitioners to expand their understanding of yoga, therefore living the path more fully."
—MICHELLE CASSANDRA JOHNSON, author of Skill in Action and Illuminating Our True Nature

"Yoga isn't just postures you do on your mat. It's a complete philosophy, a set of ideas and guidelines to take you to union with the Divine—the true meaning of yoga. This book covers all the basics and is a must-have for any yoga practitioner.... If you need to bone up on yoga philosophy or want a spiritual teacher in written form, this book is for you."
—ANODEA JUDITH, author of Wheels of Life, Chakra Yoga, and Eastern Body, Western Mind

About

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.

Praise

"Phenomenal for beginners and more seasoned yogis ready to take their practice to the next level. The concept is brilliant—apply these ancient teachings to your busy life. This is how transformation happens, and this book can be your companion."
—ANN SWANSON, MS, author of the best-selling Science of Yoga and Meditation for the Real World

"The book I wish I'd had when I first started yoga.... It's both a guide to practicing yoga and to living well. Too often yoga is confined to the mat, but this book invites us to step off and make every action a practice. That reminder feels more essential than ever in today's world."
—GABRIELLE HARRIS, author of The Inspired Yoga Teacher, The Language of Yin, and Lessons in Meditation

"Now more than ever it is essential that yoga practitioners consider how to engage their practice more deeply and fully.... Sage and Alexandra have taken what can feel like very dense material based on philosophical frameworks and ancient contexts and made it applicable and accessible. Their teachings in Yoga Off the Mat inspire yoga practitioners to expand their understanding of yoga, therefore living the path more fully."
—MICHELLE CASSANDRA JOHNSON, author of Skill in Action and Illuminating Our True Nature

"Yoga isn't just postures you do on your mat. It's a complete philosophy, a set of ideas and guidelines to take you to union with the Divine—the true meaning of yoga. This book covers all the basics and is a must-have for any yoga practitioner.... If you need to bone up on yoga philosophy or want a spiritual teacher in written form, this book is for you."
—ANODEA JUDITH, author of Wheels of Life, Chakra Yoga, and Eastern Body, Western Mind