It’s become a staple of modern yoga culture: the word that closes class, appears on merchandise, and is casually reinterpreted with supposed reverent meaning…

But what does Namaste actually mean?

In this episode, we explore one of the most recognizable—and often misunderstood—Sanskrit words in the modern yoga world. We look at its origins, its translation, and how it became embedded in Western yoga culture.

Rather than offering conclusions, this conversation opens a space for inquiry. An invitation into vichāra—to look closer, ask deeper questions, and decide for yourself how this word lives in your practice.

Whether you say Namaste at the end of every class or have never thought twice about it, this conversation may change the way you hear one of yoga's most famous words.

Additional Resources

The REAL Meaning of Namaste - Sandeep Parikh

Namaste - Mayuri Bhandari

Why You Shouldn't Use Namaste - Susanna Barkataki 

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In this week’s Deity Deep Dive, Leah explores the story and symbolism of Saraswati — the Hindu goddess of wisdom, creativity, music, intuition, and sacred knowledge.

As the goddess counterpart to Brahma, Saraswati emerges after creation itself, bringing order, and rhythm to the chaos of the Universe. Through ancient mythology, symbolism, and yogic philosophy, this episode examines how Saraswati’s energy continues to flow through our lives today, through learning and study as well as creativity, self-expression, intuition, and the moments we enter true “flow state.”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The mythology of Saraswati and why she is associated with swans
• The deeper symbolism behind creativity as divine energy moving through us
• Ways to invoke Saraswati’s energy through mantra, mudra, meditation, and movement practices
• How yoga can become a vehicle for creative expression, intuition, and spiritual insight

And much more!

From the ebb and flow of ocean tides to the feeling of being completely immersed in art, music, writing, movement, or study, Saraswati reminds us that creativity is not something we force; rather it is something we allow to move through us

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Yoga today is everywhere, from studios and gyms to activewear ads and social media feeds. But somewhere along the way, a practice rooted in spirituality, philosophy, and liberation became increasingly associated with handstands, hustle culture, and expensive memberships. 

In this episode, we unpack the complicated reality of modern yoga: how āsana became synonymous with the entirety of yoga, how accessibility has been replaced by exclusivity, and how teachers, students, and studios are all struggling inside an industry built around a practice that was never meant to function like one. 

We also dive into the role of organizations like the Yoga Alliance, the commercialization of teacher trainings, and the tension between preserving tradition and adapting yoga for the modern world.

This episode is part critique, part love letter because being a yogi doesn't just mean practicing yoga -- but also critiquing it

Extra Credit: read this eye-opening exposé on Yoga Alliance https://www.thesunlightexperience.com/insideyogablog/some-of-us-scrape-the-floors-others-can-afford-the-apartment-a-hard-look-at-yoga-alliances-executive-pay

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Welcome to the very first installment of Deity Deep Dives — a special series within On the Mat exploring the gods, goddesses, and stories woven into the heart of the yogic tradition.

In this episode, Leah dives into the fascinating world of Hindu mythology through the story of Brahma, the god of creation. Together, we explore how yoga is deeply rooted in philosophy and storytelling — far beyond the physical postures most of us associate with the practice today.

You’ll learn:

• ​Why so many yoga postures are named after sages, warriors, and deities
• ​The meaning behind the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
• ​The symbolism of Brahma’s four heads, the lotus flower, and the cosmic sound of Om
• ​How Brahma’s energy shows up in modern yoga practice

And much more!

This episode also offers an important and nuanced conversation around yoga, spirituality, religion, cultural respect, and accessibility — especially for listeners who may feel hesitant or uncertain about engaging with Hindu mythology.

Whether you connect with these stories spiritually, metaphorically, psychologically, or simply as beautiful mythology, this episode invites you to approach yoga with greater curiosity, reverence, and depth.

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EXTRA CREDIT

Watch this: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX7FZLENy39/?igsh=MWxucXM3aGs2eXFsMg==

And this: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYyZJBnBvJi/?igsh=MWIxaDR3cXdzZ2dpYw==

What if yoga had nothing to do with touching your toes, wearing matching sets, or stepping foot in a studio?

In this episode, inspired by a request from Leah’s very yoga-averse sister Jess, we’re busting one of the biggest myths surrounding yoga: that it’s only about what happens on the mat.

Together, we explore the true meaning of yoga beyond the poses with an in-depth look at the everyday choices that reflect yogic living. Through a deep dive into a “Day in the Life of a Yogi,” Leah shares how practices like mindfulness, moderation, honesty, self-study, breathwork, and compassion can show up in ordinary moments: from your morning routine to your commute to difficult conversations and setting boundaries… even deciding not to binge one more episode on Netflix.

No handstands. No foot behind your head. No spiritual perfection required.

Whether you’ve never taken a yoga class or you’ve spent years on the mat, this episode is an invitation to see yoga not as something reserved for studios, but as a practice woven into daily life, helping you realize maybe you’ve been a yogi all along…

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In this final episode of our 8 Limbs of Yoga series, we arrive at the eighth and final limb: Samadhi.

Often translated as complete absorption, Samadhi represents the culmination of the yogic path: the moment when the meditator, the object of meditation, and the act of meditation itself merge into pure consciousness. In this episode, we explore what Samadhi means across yogic traditions, the deeper philosophy behind the term, and how it relates to the journey we’ve taken through the previous seven limbs.

We’ll discuss:

• What Samadhi actually is (and what it isn’t)
• The relationship between Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi
• The stages of Samadhi described in the Yoga Sutras
• Mystical experiences sometimes associated with deep meditation

and much more!

This episode ties the entire path of yoga together and reflects on how these practices help create the conditions for profound inner union…you don’t want to miss it!

Today you’re getting a two-for-one as we unpack Dharana and Dhyana, the sixth and seventh limbs of yoga. These two branches are are deeply intertwined, with one leading directly into the other. And together they form the foundation of what we commonly call meditation.

We’ll explore why attention is becoming such a rare resource in the modern age, different meditation techniques from the Yoga Sutras to today, and how to choose the right focal point for your unique mind.

Then we’ll shift into Dhyana — what happens when concentration deepens into an unbroken flow of awareness — and I’ll share some personal experiences to help bring this abstract idea to life and show how it can unexpectedly arise both on and off the mat.

A practical, grounded exploration of these deceptively simple limbs, and the pathway from focus to flow.

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In this episode, we explore Pratyahara, the fifth limb of yoga—and the one most often overlooked. Sometimes called the “forgotten limb,” Pratyahara sits at the exact center of the 8 Limbed Path, acting as the essential bridge between yoga’s outer practices (ethical living, asana, breath) and the inner journey of concentration, meditation, and beyond.

We’ll break down the Sanskrit roots of the word, why yogic philosophy considers sensory withdrawal to be the gateway to meditation, and how our modern world of notifications, bright colors, and constant stimulation hijacks our attention.

You’ll learn the difference between “right” and “wrong” impressions, why controlling what we take in through the senses matters just as much as the food we eat, and practical ways to practice Pratyahara, both on the mat and in daily life.

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What happens to prana once it enters the body? 

In this episode, we explore the five Vayus  - the directional movements of life force energy that influence everything from digestion to emotional release. From the grounding energy of Apana to the expansive radiance of Vyana, we’ll discover how awareness of these inner winds can support balance, vitality, and harmony in all areas of life.

Tune in to discover how awareness of these subtle winds can help you find your energetic flow, on and off the mat.

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In this episode, we turn our attention to the fourth limb of yoga: Prānāyāma. Commonly translated as “breathwork,” Prānāyāma extends far beyond the physical act of breathing; rather it is the conscious regulation of prana, the life force energy that sustains us. 

Together, we’ll explore the deeper meaning behind this ancient practice, its roots in the Yoga Sutras, and the five categories of pranayama techniques that help us balance, energize, and calm both body and mind.

Join me as we discover how conscious breathing can transform energy, still the mind, and deepen your connection to self!

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