Yoga Beyond the Mat: Energy, Mantra, and Eternal Soul | Food for Thought #33
Thu Feb 05 2026
In this episode of Food for Thought by Greenfork, host Stephen Zabala interviews Kristen Nelson, owner of Yoga Mandali in Saratoga Springs, about her journey from college yoga classes to owning a heart-centered studio rooted in bhakti yoga—the path of love and devotion. They explore the full spectrum of yoga beyond physical postures, including breathwork, meditation, mantra, restorative practices, kirtan, gong baths, retreats, and teacher trainings that help release stored emotions, regulate the nervous system, and foster community.
You can find Kristen at Yoga Mandali by visiting yogamandali.com, following them on Instagram/Facebook (@yogamandali), or booking classes via the Mindbody app.
0:00 Welcome to Yoga Mandali and introductions
2:54 Kristen’s first exposure to yoga in college
5:29 The many limbs of yoga beyond asana
8:28 Bhakti yoga: the path of love, devotion, and heart-opening
11:13 Kundalini energy, group class power, and stored trauma release
14:07 Restorative, yin, reiki, gong baths, and studio vibe
16:44 Kirtan, mantra chanting, and freeing the mind
19:26 Vulnerability in voice work and throat chakra
22:11 Lineage of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Hare Krishna roots
25:11 Bhagavad Gita stories, upcoming Edwin Bryant workshop
27:56 Chakra series, bone health yoga, restorative trainings
30:41 Retreats to Bloom and India pilgrimage
33:24 200-hour teacher training and the studio’s 20+ year history
36:35 Donation-based community classes and charity support
39:00 Teaching cues, reading the room, and body inclusivity
41:58 Letting go of poses, eternal soul teachings
44:39 Mind as friend or enemy, personal transformation stories
47:27 Last meal question, closing, and how to connect
More
In this episode of Food for Thought by Greenfork, host Stephen Zabala interviews Kristen Nelson, owner of Yoga Mandali in Saratoga Springs, about her journey from college yoga classes to owning a heart-centered studio rooted in bhakti yoga—the path of love and devotion. They explore the full spectrum of yoga beyond physical postures, including breathwork, meditation, mantra, restorative practices, kirtan, gong baths, retreats, and teacher trainings that help release stored emotions, regulate the nervous system, and foster community. You can find Kristen at Yoga Mandali by visiting yogamandali.com, following them on Instagram/Facebook (@yogamandali), or booking classes via the Mindbody app. 0:00 Welcome to Yoga Mandali and introductions 2:54 Kristen’s first exposure to yoga in college 5:29 The many limbs of yoga beyond asana 8:28 Bhakti yoga: the path of love, devotion, and heart-opening 11:13 Kundalini energy, group class power, and stored trauma release 14:07 Restorative, yin, reiki, gong baths, and studio vibe 16:44 Kirtan, mantra chanting, and freeing the mind 19:26 Vulnerability in voice work and throat chakra 22:11 Lineage of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Hare Krishna roots 25:11 Bhagavad Gita stories, upcoming Edwin Bryant workshop 27:56 Chakra series, bone health yoga, restorative trainings 30:41 Retreats to Bloom and India pilgrimage 33:24 200-hour teacher training and the studio’s 20+ year history 36:35 Donation-based community classes and charity support 39:00 Teaching cues, reading the room, and body inclusivity 41:58 Letting go of poses, eternal soul teachings 44:39 Mind as friend or enemy, personal transformation stories 47:27 Last meal question, closing, and how to connect