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Off the Mat Pod

Off the Mat Pod

By: Ashley D'Anna / Frank de la Cruz
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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 well, transform intensity into clarity, and return to yourself.

Ashley's Website: https://www.ashleyayurveda.com/

Frank has been teaching Hatha yoga in the Central Florida area since 2012. It is his belief that yoga is for everyBODY! Through mindful movement and focus on the breath, anyone can reap the many benefits of a consistent yoga practice.

In late 2015, Frank joined Full Circle Yoga as an Instructor of Yoga History, Philosophy & Ethics for Full Circle Yoga’s 200-hour teacher training program. Frank has been heavily focused on teaching yogic philosophy and history. His focus is on the practical aspects of the application of yogic philosophy into everyday life.

Frank’s passion is to focus on the therapeutic and restorative aspects of yoga and delights in teaching beginner-level Hatha, Yin, Meditation, History, Philosophy, and Yoga Nidra.

Off the Mat: Frank loves coffee, reading, and is pursuing a Master of Divinity in Interreligious Chaplaincy and a Master of Arts in Religion & Theology.

Frank's Website: https://frankdelacruz.com/

Ashley D'Anna / Frank de la Cruz
Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • OTM005 - The Interviewee become the Interviewer
    May 21 2026

    What happens when the guest flips the script? In this deeply reflective episode, Julianne steps into the interviewer's seat and turns the conversation toward mindfulness, yoga culture, dance, community, religion, vulnerability, and the messy reality of personal growth.

    Ashley and Frank open up about their own journeys through yoga, teaching, identity, burnout, and healing while exploring some tough but important questions:

    • Why do some mindfulness communities feel… less mindful?
    • Can yoga teachers truly guide others while still struggling themselves?
    • How do mentorship, community, and accountability shape personal growth?
    • Why do students sometimes become emotionally attached to teachers?
    • Is yoga a religion, a philosophy, or something else entirely?
    • What happens when spirituality collides with Western religious beliefs?
    • How do we stay human while pursuing self-improvement?

    The conversation also dives into the parallels between yoga and dance culture, the importance of community over competition, and the beauty of embracing imperfection instead of chasing enlightenment.

    This episode is honest, thoughtful, humorous, and deeply human — a reminder that growth is rarely linear and that none of us have it all figured out.

    Follow Julianne: https://www.instagram.com/hikingdancer/

    Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/offthematpod/

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    37 mins
  • OTM004 - Hobbies as a Meditation Practice
    May 6 2026

    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 and spiritual encounters, her story reveals how the trail gives you not what you want, but exactly what you need.

    Together, the conversation explores the contrast between expressive and introspective movement (dance vs. hiking), the vulnerability required for growth, and the surprising ways we reconnect—with ourselves, others, and something greater.

    If you’ve ever felt stuck, depleted, or searching for meaning, this episode might just inspire you to find your own path—whether on a trail or in your everyday life.

    Follow Julianne: https://www.instagram.com/hikingdancer/

    Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/offthematpod/

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    29 mins
  • OTM003 - What is Ayurveda?
    May 6 2026

    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 stress, family responsibilities, and emotional ups and downs—and how yoga philosophy helps us respond with more resilience.

    You’ll also learn:

    • Why what works for someone else might not work for you
    • The difference between your “true nature” and your current imbalances
    • How everyday choices (like food, movement, and routine) can either support or disrupt your system
    • A powerful Ayurvedic perspective on the root cause of disease

    This episode is your invitation to slow down, tune in, and start building a more intuitive relationship with your body.

    Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/offthematpod/

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    34 mins
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