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Why are we always trying to become a "better" version of ourselves? In this episode of the Off The Mat Podcast, I sit down with Sophie Rumble - yoga teacher, writer, and psychotherapist-in-training - to explore how yoga can help us let go of constant self-improvement and reconnect with who we already are.
Filmed on the beautiful island of Gili Meno, Indonesia, during my 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training, this conversation begins with a grounding meditation before diving into burnout, nervous system regulation, yoga philosophy, and self-acceptance.
Sophie shares how years of striving eventually led to burnout and chronic back pain, and how her yoga practice evolved from chasing advanced postures to embracing pranayama, presence, and surrender. We also explore avidya (seeing clearly), contentment, psychotherapy, resilience, and the pressure to constantly optimise ourselves in modern life.
Whether you're navigating burnout, curious about yoga philosophy, or looking for practical tools to regulate your nervous system, this episode offers thoughtful insights into finding peace beyond achievement.
🌿 What You'll Learn in This Episode
- Why self-acceptance is more powerful than self-optimisation
- How burnout can manifest physically and emotionally
- Sophie's journey from corporate sustainability into psychotherapy
- The relationship between yoga and psychotherapy
- Understanding "avidya" and seeing ourselves more clearly
- Letting go of perfectionism and attachment to achievement
- Practical pranayama techniques for nervous system regulation
You'll also hear simple breathing practices and reflections that can help you move through stress with greater awareness and compassion.
🧘 About Sophie
Sophie Rumble is a yoga teacher, writer, and psychotherapist-in-training passionate about helping people cultivate a healthier relationship with themselves. Through yoga, philosophy, and psychology, her work explores themes of burnout, self-worth, nervous system regulation, and living with greater authenticity.
She shares thoughtful writing through her Substack Whole with Sophie, where she explores the intersection of yoga, wellbeing, and modern life.
Yoga isn't about becoming someone new - it's about remembering who you already are.
🌱 Yoga Off the Mat
In this episode we explore how yoga can:
- Support recovery from burnout
- Regulate the nervous system through breathwork
- Help release perfectionism and striving
- Cultivate self-acceptance and contentment
- Build resilience for everyday life
📚 Resources Mentioned
People & Authors
- Cat Meffan
- Stephen Cope
- Michael Stone
🌍 Connect with Sophie
- Instagram: @wholewithsophie
- Substack: wholewithsophie.substack.com
⏱️ Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:45 Meet Sophie!
02:08 Guest lead Meditation
07:48 Drink Ritual
08:37 Nothing to Fix Mindset
13:40 Sophie’s Story
15:26 Burnout and Physical Pain
18:26 Yoga Meets Psychotherapy
25:11 Why Do a 200 Hour TT
29:07 Avidya (Seeing Clearly)
34:29 Chasing Peak Poses
35:27 Lessons From Handstands
38:05 Injury and Letting Go
40:27 Contentment Over Striving
43:28 Pranayama
45:54 Nervous System Explained
49:09 Busy Culture
53:18 Final Flow
57:39 Closing
✨ Final Thoughts
If you're interested in burnout recovery, yoga philosophy, nervous system regulation, pranayama, mindfulness, and personal growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom for slowing down, letting go of perfectionism, and finding peace beyond the mat.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to support more conversations around yoga, mindfulness, philosophy, and conscious living.
#YogaPodcast #BurnoutRecovery #YogaPhilosophy #Pranayama #NervousSystem #Mindfulness #SelfAcceptance #PersonalGrowth #MentalWellbeing #OffTheMatPodcast
