Off the Mat Pod
Welcome to Off the Mat Pod, a podcast about living your yoga. This space is for seekers, thinkers, and the spiritually curious.Who Are We?Ashley D’Anna has practiced yoga for 14 years and taught for 11. Alongside her teaching, she studied Ayurveda — yoga’s sister science — as well as body-based therapies and the subtle energetic structures of the body and mind.Through her work, both one-on-one and in groups, she guides people to build capacity — not chase comfort. Through movement and breath, she teaches the discipline of staying present and meeting resistance directly. Her work centers on learning how to struggle w...
OTM004 - Hobbies as a Meditation Practice
What if your hobby could become a doorway to healing, clarity, and even the divine?
In this episode, Frank welcomes his first guest, Julianne—aka “Road Runner”—a former ballroom dance instructor turned thru-hiker who’s completed thousands of miles on trails like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest. What began as burnout from constantly pouring into others became a radical journey inward—one step at a time.
Julianne shares how hiking transformed into a moving meditation: a space where time bends, emotions surface, and life’s deeper truths demand attention. From injury and isolation to synchronicity...
OTM003 - What is Ayurveda?
What if your body has been speaking to you all along—you just didn’t know how to listen?
In this introductory episode, we explore the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, yoga’s “sister science,” and how it helps bring the body and mind back into balance so we can live with greater ease and clarity. Ashley breaks down the three doshas—Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (earth)—and explains why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health, diet, or lifestyle.
Along the way, we reflect on real-life challenges—from practicing truthfulness in tough moments to navigating stre...
OTM002 - What is Yoga?
Is yoga just stretching—or something more?
In this episode, Ashley and Frank break down the meaning of yoga in simple, real-life terms. Moving beyond the common misconceptions—like needing to be flexible or fit—they explore yoga as a practice of connection: between body, mind, and breath.
Through personal stories, beginner-friendly insights, and a guided three-part breath, they demystify the deeper layers of yoga—from physical postures to awareness, thought patterns, and everyday presence. Whether you’re brand new or returning to the basics, this conversation invites you to experience yoga not just on the mat, b...
OTM001 - Getting to Know You!
What does yoga look like off the mat—in the middle of sickness, parenting, graduate school, and real-life chaos?
In this first episode, Frank and Ashley pull back the curtain and introduce themselves—not just as teachers, but as humans navigating busy, imperfect lives. From deep breaths during a hectic move to chair yoga, yoga nidra, and the challenges of staying consistent, they explore what practice really looks like beyond the studio.
Ashley shares her journey from competitive dancer to yoga teacher and Ayurvedic practitioner, including the emotional turning points that shaped her path and how...
