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Yoga Off the Mat: A Practical Guide to the Wisdom of Yoga--Find Balance, Meaning, and Liberation in Your Daily Life
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26200 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
About the author
Sage Rountree
40 books40 followersSage Rountree is an internationally recognized authority in yoga for athletes, an endurance sports coach specializing in athletic recovery, and the co-owner of several wellness businesses. Sage is the author of thirteen books, including The Athlete's Guide to Yoga, Racing Wisely, Everyday Yoga, and, Lifelong Yoga and Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses, cowritten with Alexandra DeSiato. Her latest are The Professional Yoga Teacher's Handbook and The Art of Yoga Sequencing.
Sage moved from a career track in academia to one teaching yoga and training others to do the same, and to do it with clear standards and boundaries to the benefit of their students. She directs the Carrboro Yoga Company's advanced studies teacher trainings, which draw students from around the world. She also co-owns Hillsborough Spa and Day Retreat. Sage served as a faculty member at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health for over a decade, and she has offered workshops and taught at festivals both internationally and around the United States.
Sage’s in-person trainings and online courses include lessons in sequencing yoga classes, developing workshops, managing the yoga classroom, and being a professional movement teacher—the subject of her most recent book. A pioneer in yoga for athletes, she has worked with athletes at every level, from youth and amateur athletes to NBA and NFL teams, players, and coaches. In addition to writing and cowriting ten books, her work has appeared in several publications, and she has been a regular contributor to Yoga Journal and Runner’s World.
Sage moved from a career track in academia to one teaching yoga and training others to do the same, and to do it with clear standards and boundaries to the benefit of their students. She directs the Carrboro Yoga Company's advanced studies teacher trainings, which draw students from around the world. She also co-owns Hillsborough Spa and Day Retreat. Sage served as a faculty member at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health for over a decade, and she has offered workshops and taught at festivals both internationally and around the United States.
Sage’s in-person trainings and online courses include lessons in sequencing yoga classes, developing workshops, managing the yoga classroom, and being a professional movement teacher—the subject of her most recent book. A pioneer in yoga for athletes, she has worked with athletes at every level, from youth and amateur athletes to NBA and NFL teams, players, and coaches. In addition to writing and cowriting ten books, her work has appeared in several publications, and she has been a regular contributor to Yoga Journal and Runner’s World.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 13, 2026
review pending
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Calming, grounded, and thoughtfully written—this is the kind of book that meets you exactly where you are and gently guides you somewhere better.
Yoga Off the Mat is a beautiful reminder that yoga is so much more than the postures we do on a mat. Rountree and DeSiato weave together philosophy, mindfulness, and modern understanding with a clarity and compassion that feels both deeply knowledgeable and completely approachable. Whether you’re brand new to yoga or have practiced for years, this book offers something meaningful.
What I loved most is how accessible the authors make big, sometimes abstract concepts. Ideas like the koshas, kleshas, and chakras are explained with ease and purpose, never feeling academic or intimidating. Instead, they’re presented as tools—practical ways to understand ourselves more fully and navigate daily life with more steadiness and presence.
The exercises, reflections, and journaling prompts throughout the book are thoughtful and surprisingly grounding. They don’t ask you to reinvent yourself; they invite you to slow down, notice, and grow. The gentle shadow‑work sections, in particular, stood out to me—helping reframe fear, craving, and attachment not as flaws to fight but as signposts toward deeper insight.
The tone is warm without being sentimental, spiritual without being lofty, and always grounded in real-life application. By the end, I felt not only more informed, but more spacious—like I’d had a long, kind conversation with teachers who truly understand the heart of yoga.
If you’re looking for a book that honours yoga’s philosophical roots while offering thoughtful guidance for everyday living, Yoga Off the Mat is a wonderful companion. It’s insightful, calming, and filled with the kind of wisdom that lingers long after you close the last page. A gentle, wise, and beautifully practical guide to living your yoga beyond the mat. Highly recommend.
With thanks to Sage Rountree, Alexandra DeSiato, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Yoga Off the Mat is a beautiful reminder that yoga is so much more than the postures we do on a mat. Rountree and DeSiato weave together philosophy, mindfulness, and modern understanding with a clarity and compassion that feels both deeply knowledgeable and completely approachable. Whether you’re brand new to yoga or have practiced for years, this book offers something meaningful.
What I loved most is how accessible the authors make big, sometimes abstract concepts. Ideas like the koshas, kleshas, and chakras are explained with ease and purpose, never feeling academic or intimidating. Instead, they’re presented as tools—practical ways to understand ourselves more fully and navigate daily life with more steadiness and presence.
The exercises, reflections, and journaling prompts throughout the book are thoughtful and surprisingly grounding. They don’t ask you to reinvent yourself; they invite you to slow down, notice, and grow. The gentle shadow‑work sections, in particular, stood out to me—helping reframe fear, craving, and attachment not as flaws to fight but as signposts toward deeper insight.
The tone is warm without being sentimental, spiritual without being lofty, and always grounded in real-life application. By the end, I felt not only more informed, but more spacious—like I’d had a long, kind conversation with teachers who truly understand the heart of yoga.
If you’re looking for a book that honours yoga’s philosophical roots while offering thoughtful guidance for everyday living, Yoga Off the Mat is a wonderful companion. It’s insightful, calming, and filled with the kind of wisdom that lingers long after you close the last page. A gentle, wise, and beautifully practical guide to living your yoga beyond the mat. Highly recommend.
With thanks to Sage Rountree, Alexandra DeSiato, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yoga Off the Mat: A Practical Guide to the Wisdom of Yoga by Sage Rountree is an accessible, grounded book that thoughtfully explores how yoga philosophy can be applied to everyday life beyond physical practice. Rather than focusing on poses, this book centers on mindfulness, intention, and ethical living in a way that feels practical and achievable.
Rountree does an excellent job translating traditional yogic concepts—such as the yamas, niyamas, and mindfulness—into real‑world applications for work, relationships, and personal growth. The writing is clear, compassionate, and encouraging, making it approachable for both newer practitioners and those with more experience who want to deepen their understanding of yoga as a holistic practice.
At times, the content felt somewhat repetitive, and readers already familiar with yoga philosophy may wish for deeper exploration of certain concepts. Still, the simplicity works in the book’s favor, reinforcing its message that yoga is not about perfection but about awareness and intentional living.
Overall, Yoga Off the Mat is a meaningful and practical resource for anyone looking to integrate the wisdom of yoga into daily life with greater clarity, balance, and self‑compassion. It’s a gentle, thoughtful guide that serves as a useful companion both on and off the mat.
Rountree does an excellent job translating traditional yogic concepts—such as the yamas, niyamas, and mindfulness—into real‑world applications for work, relationships, and personal growth. The writing is clear, compassionate, and encouraging, making it approachable for both newer practitioners and those with more experience who want to deepen their understanding of yoga as a holistic practice.
At times, the content felt somewhat repetitive, and readers already familiar with yoga philosophy may wish for deeper exploration of certain concepts. Still, the simplicity works in the book’s favor, reinforcing its message that yoga is not about perfection but about awareness and intentional living.
Overall, Yoga Off the Mat is a meaningful and practical resource for anyone looking to integrate the wisdom of yoga into daily life with greater clarity, balance, and self‑compassion. It’s a gentle, thoughtful guide that serves as a useful companion both on and off the mat.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Yoga doesn’t start and finish on the mat. It is much more than a few poses repeated over and over again. So what is it exactly? That can be hard to explain, but the modern idea of mindfulness combined with a balanced lifestyle seems to point in the right direction. In this book, the authors try to grasp and express the true core of yoga—its philosophy and what it can mean in our everyday lives.
Many readers will likely find this book a helpful companion in their own practice, using it to deepen their understanding of what yoga really is. Written in a warm and thoughtful tone, it invites reflection rather than giving strict instructions, encouraging each person to discover their own connection to the tradition. Overall, it is a gentle and positive guide for anyone curious to look beyond the physical aspect of yoga and explore its wider meaning.
Many readers will likely find this book a helpful companion in their own practice, using it to deepen their understanding of what yoga really is. Written in a warm and thoughtful tone, it invites reflection rather than giving strict instructions, encouraging each person to discover their own connection to the tradition. Overall, it is a gentle and positive guide for anyone curious to look beyond the physical aspect of yoga and explore its wider meaning.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.
Yoga Off the Mat is a note worthy guide that shows you how to take the peace you feel on the yoga mat and apply it to everyday life. It's a must read if you're looking to slow down, stress less, and live a bit more intentionally.
I truly enjoyed the action sections and philosophical prompts in the book. They help you easily put what you’ve just what learned into practice.
Yoga Off the Mat is a note worthy guide that shows you how to take the peace you feel on the yoga mat and apply it to everyday life. It's a must read if you're looking to slow down, stress less, and live a bit more intentionally.
I truly enjoyed the action sections and philosophical prompts in the book. They help you easily put what you’ve just what learned into practice.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts:
This book takes the philosophy and vocabulary of yoga and breaks them down into bite-sized pieces for adding mindful mat moments to the rest of your day.
As someone working on healing and resetting their nervous system, this was a great read to help build my arsenal of tools.
This book takes the philosophy and vocabulary of yoga and breaks them down into bite-sized pieces for adding mindful mat moments to the rest of your day.
As someone working on healing and resetting their nervous system, this was a great read to help build my arsenal of tools.
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March 22, 2026NETGALLEY ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Really good insight into the philosophy of yoga and its traditions. I enjoyed it very much, thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews