Practice Human

BioDr. Leah Humphries is a Physical Health and Performance Coach passionate about empowering individuals to navigate their health journey through movement. Growing up on the bayou of Louisiana, Leah developed a deep-rooted connection to physical activity, exploring various sports, and immersing herself in the natural world. Her journey led her to a prep school in Lake Placid, NY, where she honed her athletic skills and gained a broader perspective on health and fitness.With a background in Exercise Science and Chiropractic, Leah brings a unique blend of knowledge and experience to her coaching practice. She specializes in helping clients navigate pain, injury, and performance goals, guiding them towards sustainable and effective movement strategies. Leah's commitment to personalized care and her ability to connect with individuals on a personal level make her a valuable resource for those seeking to improve their overall health and quality of lifeIf you'd like to learn more about Leahs work and movement philosophies, follow her on instagram @dr.leahhumphries. You can also reach her via email at lhumphries27@gmail.com Episode Summary In this episode of the Practice Human podcast, host Caitlin Casella interviews Leah Humphries, a physical health and performance coach with a rich background in exercise science and chiropractic care. Leah shares her journey from chiropractic care to fitness coaching, emphasizing the importance of sustainable fitness and movement-based therapy. They discuss Leah's approach to tailoring fitness programs to individual needs, managing exercise intensity, and ensuring long-term health and fitness. Leah also talks about her personal interests, including long-distance running and gardening, and the importance of integrating fitness into everyday life.Topics covered in this episode:What is sustainable fitness and how can we, as coaches, help our clients shift their mindset in this direction?How does mindset and behavior change come into play when building a fitness program for overall health and longevity?What lifestyle factors influence ideal exercise intensity and frequency? How can people more appropriately train for the phase or "season" of life they're in?How being flexible in our approach to various exercise modalities can benefit one's ability to make movement a way of life.How can we challenge our biases towards specific movement philosophies?How utilizing your immediate environment for movement can provide a more accessible, well rounded, and embodied approach to exercise.

BioMacklen Mayse is a strong believer that every woman should lift heavy things. That's why she specializes in weight lifting and mobility for women.Macklen was born and raised in a woodland area of Kansas City. She fell in love with fitness during graduate school while making durational performance art, video art and kinetic sculpture. She compressed her body into metal sculptures, held awkward body shapes while scaling walls, and flung herself at pillars for cold hugs. It was all quite weird and fun.Her focus then morphed into learning and teaching about the body. Macklen started as a Yoga Teacher and eventually became a Personal Trainer.She offers both in-person personal training sessions, and customized training programs you can do in your own time.If you want to fit into last year's jeans, start running again, join a sports league, or simply keep up with your kids but you just don't know how to stay consistent, email Macklen at Info@macklenmayse.com, message her on Instagram @macklenmayse, or visit her website www.macklenmayse.com.Join Macklen  for "The Strong Class" on Monday October 28, 2024. For details and registration CLICK HERE.Episode Summary The podcast episode features Macklin Mays, a personal trainer and advocate for women lifting heavy weights. Macklin's fitness journey began in graduate school through performance art, where she engaged her body in unique, kinetic ways. She transitioned from yoga to weightlifting after experiencing overuse injuries and wanting to build strength. Now, she specializes in strength training and mobility, primarily for women aged 30-70, many of whom are new to weightlifting or facing challenges like osteoporosis and menopause.Caitlin and Macklin discuss the importance of making fitness accessible and how they help clients overcome the intimidation of gym environments. Macklin emphasizes teaching independence in the gym and guiding clients through virtual coaching, allowing them to troubleshoot and grow in confidence. They highlight the role of lifting for women's overall health and address the societal pressure to look or act a certain way in fitness spaces, encouraging listeners to embrace the awkwardness and imperfections of learning.What's covered in this episode?How does your lived experience influence your relationship to fitness?How can other movement practices such as yoga, performing arts, and puppetry influence your strength training?What are some useful tools to overcome discomfort in an exercise setting?What are some strategies you can use to help navigate the progression toward higher intensity?Does making funny faces while strength training actually help?What are the benefits of weightlifting for women's health, especially as they age?

BioJuniper is dedicated to helping plus-size individuals discover the joy and benefits of exercise beyond weight loss. After struggling with his weight for most of his life and experiencing the frustration of restrictive diets and ineffective workout routines, he found a transformative experience in a welcoming HIIT class. This shift in focus from weight loss to strength-building led to increased energy, motivation, and overall well-being. Now, Juniper is on a mission to share this approach with others through his program, Movement Munchies, where he teaches the basics of strength-building for long-term, enjoyable fitnessJoin Juniper  for "Movement Munchies" on Fridays September 20-October 25, 2024. For details and registration CLICK HERE.Find out more about me at juniperjaye.com. And be sure to follow me on instagram @godisaqueerboyEpisode Summary In this episode, Juniper shares with Caitlin how a focus shift to strength training transformed his approach to fitness and significantly improved is relationships in life and with dieting. He highlights the importance of finding supportive, community-based gym environments, which helped him shift his focus from weight loss to building strength and confidence. Juniper emphasizes the value of representation in gyms and the need for inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome. He also discusses his upcoming class, "Movement Munchies," aimed at making fitness accessible to plus-size individuals and others who may feel excluded from traditional gym settings. Caitlin expresses her enthusiasm for Juniper's journey and the positive impact he's set to make through his work.What's covered in this episode?How can switching your focus from weight loss to strength training benefit your fitness journey?What is the significance of community in the gym environment?How can finding your go to exercise change your attitude towards working out?How to overcome common misconceptions about gym spaces as a plus size person?What role does diverse representation have in gym environments?How might someone overcome their own insecurities in regards to health and fitness?

BioGiulia Pline's journey has evolved from a career as a professional dancer to becoming an educator of movement and now a Doctoral student in Physical Therapy. Her experiences, including several injuries, inspired her to pursue extensive studies in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics. The years she spent healing and recovering from these injuries have equipped her with invaluable tools and a unique skill set that shape her approach to treating and caring for others on their own physical rehab journeys.Giulia's mission is to offer empathetic, intelligent, thoughtful, and thorough movement education and treatment through a science-backed, integrative, and multidisciplinary approach. Her work focuses on helping students and clients understand the body in an anatomically holistic manner, fostering discernment, discovery, learning, and healing.Find out more about Giulia's work at www.giuliapline.com, watch her on youtube @giuliaplinemovement, and follow her on instagram @giuliapline.Episode Summary In this episode, Caitlin and Giulia discuss their experiences and insights regarding the journey to obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and the various settings in which physical therapists work. They also delve into the different types of physical therapy (PT) settings, such as inpatient, outpatient, neuro rehab, and home care. Giulia recounts her personal experience with PT after a severe ski accident, highlighting the importance of personalized and attentive care, which she found more effective in private PT sessions compared to hospital outpatient care. She emphasizes the value of manual therapy combined with movement therapy, noting the psychological and physical benefits, and how it informs her current work as a movement coach. Giulia shares her father's recovery journey after a traumatic brain injury, illustrating the crucial role of PT in regaining independence and improving quality of life. They conclude by acknowledging the complexity and adaptability of the PT field, emphasizing its broad scope beyond just movement and exercise.What's covered in this episode?How do manual therapy and movement strategies impact recovery?How does personalized physical therapy aid in rehabilitation?How are different movement practices gateways to becoming a Physical Therapist?What manual therapy techniques can be used to address neurological conditions?How do past experiences with Physical Therapy and movement, inform how you approach to studying to become a DPT?

CHECK OUT THE SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE!Caitlin Playlists: Practice Human

Ben Cormack owns and runs Cor-Kinetic. He is a musculoskeletal therapist with a clinical background in sports therapy, rehabilitation, pain science & exercises stretching back 15 years. Ben specializes in a movement and exercise-based approach with a strong education component and patient-centered focus and runs evidenced-based courses nationally and internationally.Join us at Practice Human in NYC for Ben's course September 28-29, 2024. For details and registration CLICK HERE.Learn more about Ben's work and follow him via the links below.Website + blog: cor-kinetic.comInstagram : @corkineticEpisode Summary In this episode, Caitlin and Ben discuss nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), emphasizing its diagnostic challenges and the importance of understanding pain's multifactorial nature, including psychological and behavioral influences. They highlight the need for realistic patient conversations about pain recurrence and self-management strategies. Over-medicalization and its detrimental effects on patients are addressed, along with the concept of "movement snacks" as manageable exercises to aid recovery. Ben underscores the importance of understanding pain mechanisms rather than just focusing on exercise. The interview concludes with information about Ben's course promoting evidence-based approaches for clinicians.What's covered in this episode?What factors contribute to longer-term or recurrent episodes of low back pain?How can over-medicalization negatively impact patients with low back pain?What are movement snacks, and how do they help manage low back pain?How should clinicians address patients' expectations regarding the recurrence of low back pain?What is the significance of patient beliefs and psychology in the recovery process from low back pain?

Alia began teaching yoga in 2015, but quickly became frustrated with the limitations of a single discipline. It was clear that there was infinite value in helping people become stronger and more mobile beyond the purpose of performing yoga poses, but to improve function in daily life. She developed a passion for helping make inaccessible movements more accessible, especially for those left in the margins of the fitness industry – older adults, people with pain, and the average not-so-flexible-jane and joe. Alia uses a one-on-one style approach that allows her to build relationships with individuals and work with various movement disciplines to help people move, feel, and therefore live better. She operates from a belief system that the body is inherently strong and infinitely adaptable.Working with PainGrowing up, Alia witnessed loved ones suffer from chronic pain and the often dismissive treatment they received from medical professionals. This inspired her to support people with pain through empathy, encouragement, and scientific understanding. The evolving science of pain has reshaped her approach to her own pains and views on aging, fueling her belief in its potential to address the chronic pain epidemic. Alia is dedicated to contributing to this positive change and invites others to join her.PhilosophyAlia's philosophy is shaped by three guiding principles imparted by her mentors: treating each client as a whole person, listening attentively, and recognizing the body's infinite adaptability.If you'd like to learn more about Alia, or would like to work with her. Please follow the links below.MOB Membership Website: CLICK HERETo join Alia's free webinar "The Truth About Osteoarthritis": CLICK HERE Visit Alia's website: www.aliabisat.comFollow the MOB's Instagram: @themobmembershipEpisode Summary In this episode of the Practice Human podcast, Caitlin interviews Alia Bisat, a yoga teacher turned functional movement and strength coach. Alia discusses her transition from teaching yoga to incorporating strength and mobility training, driven by her own experiences with physical limitations and a desire to help people improve daily function. They also delve into the importance of understanding pain science and addressing the negative experiences people have with medical professionals, highlighting the significance of functional training for various populations, including older adults.What's covered in this episode?Why is strength training important for maintaining functional independence as people age?How can an understanding of pain science influence your approach to managing your own chronic pain or injury?How does your personal experience and history of pain/injury factor into finding the right coach or training format to meet your goals?How can strength and mobility training impact your physical capacity, and help lessen the impact of injuries?What is over-medicalization and how does it impact peoples' perception of their pain?

Greg Lehman will be presenting a weekend course on SATURDAY, July 13 - SUNDAY July 14, 2024 at Practice Human in NYC. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW.Greg Lehman is a physiotherapist and strength and conditioning specialist, specializing in musculoskeletal disorders within a biopsychosocial model.He teaches two internationally recognized continuing education courses: Reconciling Biomechanics with Pain Science and Running Resiliency, which have been conducted over 100 times in 40+ countries and 5 continents.Prior to clinical work, Greg conducted biomechanics research at the University of Waterloo, publishing 20+ papers. As an assistant professor, he taught Spine Biomechanics and Instrumentation and led numerous research experiments.Greg Lehman's expertise spans biomechanics and neuroscience, emphasizing simple yet effective techniques for managing musculoskeletal disorders. Greg enjoys actively engaging in knowledge sharing on social media.Find out more about Greg's work at greglehman.ca. Check out his youtube channel www.youtube.com/@glehman. Follow him on Instagram @greglehman. Additionally you can reach out via email at greglehmanphysio@gmail.com.What's covered in this episode?What is a “Movement Optimist”?When does exercise prescription need to be specific and when can it be generalized across a broad array of symptoms or diagnoses?How does prescribing exercise based on a patient's interests affect treatment outcomes?What is included in the ecosystem of factors that influence pain, function, and rehab prognosis?What are some strategies for prescribing cardio exercise in a rehab setting, and how does metabolic health change pain sensitivity?Pros and cons of cross training.When and how a clinician should integrate strength and conditioning into a treatment plan.What is non-specific low back pain? Why is this diagnosis useful and how does it relate to the biopsychosocial model?

Brian Nevison will be presenting a day of workshops on SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024 at Practice Human in NYC. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UPBrian is a playful person: Innately and intentionally. Professionally, he's a personal trainer, strength & conditioning coach, and mobility specialist. He loves games and sports of all kinds—he played many growing up and still plays Ultimate Frisbee competitively. He tries to bring a sense of joy, play, and wonder to everything he does.He has a BS in Kinesiology from Penn State and has been working as a trainer/coach for 13 years. In that time, he's come to understand that genuine, uninhibited self-expression is immensely powerful. He uses systems learned from Functional Anatomy Seminars (FRC, Kinstretch) and tries to blend scientifically sound principles with an empathetic, holistic approach to health and fitness.Find out more about Brian's work at smilestakeyoumiles.org. Check out his YouTube channel youtube.com/BrianNevison.  And be sure to follow him on Instagram @b_nevison.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR LAUREL'S FREE YOGA WITH RESISTANCE BANDS CLASSES!2 free classes + training Q&A sessions will be held live online January 23rd and January 30th from 12-1p EST. Replays will be available to watch for two weeks after the live classes.Laurel Beversdorf is an international yoga educator, certified kettlebell specialist, and strength and conditioning coach. She runs her own Virtual Studio with over 150 members. Classes blend strength training, rehabilitation practices, self-massage, and yoga. Laurel is a mom and a New York City transplant living in Huntsville, Alabama. When she's not taking care of her daughter or teaching, you can find her on long walks in the forested foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Find out more about Laurels work at laurelbeversdorf.com. And be sure to follow Laurel on Instagram @laurelbeversdorf. TEACHER TRAINING WEEKEND:Laurel's Yoga with Resistance Bands Teacher Training weekend will be available in hybrid format (in-person in New York City + fully online) February 17-18, 2024. Learn more about the training weekend and sign up here.

William Klein is a Brooklyn-based physical therapist specializing in treating men's health and pelvic floor. His background as a yoga instructor and passion for learning have helped inform his clinical practice. He can be reached at @willkdpt Instagram, and is currently working on posting educational content on that account. 

Dr. Shanté Cofield, The Movement Maestro is a physical therapist turned entrepreneur, who teaches health and fitness professionals how to build profitable online personal brands, with a focus on brand strategy and development in the ever-growing digital marketplace. Find out more about The Maestro's work at themovementmaestro.com and on Instagram @themovementmaestro 

Clayton Law is a marketing and sales coach who teaches health and fitness experts how to get more online clients from Instagram. He has over 13 years of clinical and professional experience in the health industry and has helped over 130 experts get more online clients and make more money.In this episode we discuss:How a "person first, client second" approach can support growing a business, enhance client relationships, and promote better results for our clientsStrategies for sharing more of yourself as a leader in a field, establishing a personal brand, and building trust on social mediaWhy establishing a niche is important for both business growth and being a more passionate and fulfilled practitionerGaining experience through messy repsStriking a balance between business and personal relationships, building community, and fostering healthy work-life balance habitsYou can best reach Clayton through DMs on Instagram @clayton.moves

Kathryn (she/her) has been teaching yoga and movement since the age of 17. Growing up in her mother's (Diane Bruni) yoga studio she has been learning about mindful movement her entire life. In 2012 Kathryn started exploring other modalities including powerlifting, gymnastics, and various forms of strength based exercise. She has competed in powerlifting, and has been coaching her own style of strength building to people of all ages. She has completed a professional pain science mentorship with physiotherapist Neil Pearson, has interviewed some of the worlds top researchers and teachers for her podcast, and has taught workshops in over 10 countries.Find out more about Kathryn's work at mindfulstrength.ca, follow her on Instagram @mindfulstrength.ca, or email support@mindfulstrength.ca

Elizabeth Wipff is on a mission to demystify strength training for women who want to get in the gym but just don't know where to start. As a Gen X woman, she sees strength and conditioning as the perfect way to deal with stress and anxiety, stave off aging, and gain confidence & power. She loves working with her peers to help them realize their strength potential. As a coach and teacher, Elizabeth is known for her keen eye and her ability to make complicated concepts simple and clear. An internationally ranked masters Olympic Weightlifter and National Champion, her athletic endeavors started early with soccer, dance, Iyengar yoga, and therapeutic movement modalities. Elizabeth's lifelong passion for movement, years of theater studies, enthusiasm for fostering healthy functional movement in her clients, and knack for communicating information concisely and convincingly, make her a sought after teacher and coach. She has been coaching and teaching nationally since 1999.Find out more about Elizabeth's work at elizabethwipff.com, follow her on Instagram @elizabethwipff, and be sure to check out her upcoming Intro to Strength Training Masterclass and Strength Training 101: 3-week Mini-Course here: https://elizabethwipff.com/work-with-me/

Brian is a playful person: Innately and intentionally. Professionally, he's a personal trainer, strength & conditioning coach, and mobility specialist. He loves games and sports of all kinds—he played many growing up and still plays Ultimate Frisbee competitively. He tries to bring a sense of joy, play, and wonder to everything he does.He has a BS in Kinesiology from Penn State and has been working as a trainer/coach for 13 years. In that time, he's come to understand that genuine, uninhibited self-expression is immensely powerful. He uses systems learned from Functional Anatomy Seminars (FRC, Kinstretch) and tries to blend scientifically sound principles with an empathetic, holistic approach to health and fitness.Find out more about Brian's work at smilestakeyoumiles.org. Check out his YouTube channel youtube.com/BrianNevison.  And be sure to follow him on Instagram @b_nevison.Finally, don't miss Brian's YouTube "Playtime" Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWDeaumTuS3GTjtylK6ALggwpayRwWvSh

Dr. Sarah Court is a physical therapist, movement mentor, and a yoga teacher trainer. She's the creator of Quantum Leap Community, a continuing education online mentorship group that helps movement teachers methodically and clearly understand how to work with their more challenging clients while staying within their scope of practice. She teaches public workshops and teacher trainings online and in person, bringing together the worlds of yoga, strength, and neuromuscular exercise. Sarah lives in Los Angeles, and splits her time between teaching and seeing patients. She has experience in orthopedic and neurologic settings, rehabilitating patients post-surgery or injury, and managing chronic neuromuscular conditions.Laurel Beversdorf is an international yoga educator, certified kettlebell specialist, and strength and conditioning coach. She runs her own Virtual Studio with over 150 members. Classes blend strength training, rehabilitation practices, self-massage, and yoga. Laurel is a mom and a New York City transplant living in Huntsville, Alabama. When she's not taking care of her daughter or teaching, you can find her on long walks in the forested foothills of the Appalachian mountains.Together, Laurel and Sarah created Movement Logic Tutorials to help teachers help their students bridge the rehabilitation process to get back to the activities that give their lives meaning. They also host the Movement Logic podcast. Find out more about their work at sarahcourtdpt.com, laurelbeversdorf.com, and movementlogictutorials.com. And be sure to follow them on Instagram @sarahcourtdpt, @laurelbeversdorf, and @movementlogictutorials.

Dinneen helps active people with low back pain develop the holistic think, eat, move skills they need to confidently retrain their back pain with ease. A true “teachers' teacher” with 23 years experience, Dinneen is the creator of Retrain Back Pain®. She is a Backfit Pro as well as a NeuroKinetic Therapist, a Craniosacral Therapist and a Certified Nutrition Counselor.Find out more about Dinneen's work at retrainbackpain.com or on IG @retrainbackpainKeep an eye out for the relaunch of Dinneen's Back Rehab Boss online program. And in the meantime, get a free back flare up solutions video tutorial by clicking here: https://www.retrainbackpain.com/free-back-flare-up-solutions-optin

Hey there! We're back on air. Listen in for a quick recap of why the Practice Human podcast began, how it has evolved, why the two year pause, and what I have planned for new episodes this fall. Thanks for being here and supporting the Practice Human community. Looking forward to continuing the conversation— Caitlin 

The Connective is cooperatively owned and powered by teachers. We provide a sustainable livelihood for yoga and movement professionals and raise industry standards for quality, diversity, anti-racism, and accessibility. We offer students an online space to explore movement, build community, and discover new potential. Our vision at The Connective is to ensure movement professionals have the tools to thrive, and make the practices of yoga, movement and fitness accessible to traditionally underserved and marginalized communities.On this episode I spoke with fellow founding members Tonie Warner, Markella Los, Sangeeta Vallabhan, and Liz Buehler Walker about what it means to create a cooperative business structure from the ground up, and our visions for the future.Find us on Instagram @theconnectivestudio, and practice with our teacher-owners on The Connective Platform.We’re currently raising money for three endeavors to grow our business and expand our impact: Teacher Support + Advancement, Technology, and Community Programming. Please help support our mission by making a one time donation or a monthly contribution via our Patreon page.

Avita Bansee is a yoga teacher specializing in pre- and postnatal. The birth of her children and continued study in yoga philosophy, anatomy, pranayama and biomechanics inform her teaching and self-practice. Avita's group classes are centered on breath, strength and active rest while maintaining a sense of playfulness. Her work for the last seven years includes training private clients, aiding them with pain management, birth recovery or general well being through yoga and exercise. In addition to teaching yoga, Avita has a Masters in Political Science from the New School of Social Research and is a passionate advocate of social justice, feminism and anti-racist activism within and beyond the wellness industry.You can find out more about Avita and her work at avitayoga.com and on Instagram @yogawithavita. Check out her September workshop with Eleni and Liz on The Connective, Earth, Fire, Water. And find out more about her collaboration with Tejal Yoga and Social Justice at tejalyoga.comThe book Avita referenced, What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg can be found here.

Jenn Pilotti is a movement educator and personal trainer and has studied a variety of techniques, including strength and conditioning, yoga, Feldenkrais, bodyweight conditioning, MovNat, and dance/somatics. She has a B.S. in exercise with an emphasis in physiology from UC Davis, a M.S. in human movement from A.T. Still University and has taken a variety of courses and workshops in neuromuscular techniques and psychology. For the last eighteen years, she has worked with people of a wide range of ages and abilities in a one-on-one setting. She is the author of the book, "Body, Mind, Movement: an evidence based approach to mindful movement."Find out more about Jenn's work at jennpilotti.com follow her on Instagram @jenn_pilotti and check out her new book by clicking here.

Isidora is a Registered Massage Therapist, provider of Medical Contemporary Acupuncture, yoga and Pilates teacher based out of Toronto. She holds additional certifications in FRC and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization. Her yoga teacher training program which we discuss in this episode and other educational offerings are through Modern Yoga Method. We’re cross pollinating podcasts with this interview as Isidora recently interviewed me on her podcast, Bent Over Wellness.Find out more about Isidora and her work at modernyogamethod.com and on Instagram @isidora_romantini

Anietie Ukpe-Wallace, also known as Tia, has had a life-long fascination with the human body and its inner workings. Beginning with a formal introduction to movement in college, she has continued that journey ever since. As a yoga teacher of 8 years in the Bay Area, CA, her practice morphed from one of structure and ego to one of humility and independent thinking. After her own struggles surrounding her pelvic floor, she has grown a love for learning and understanding this part of the body that is rarely talked about and sometimes even misunderstood. Being a mom has also introduced her to the necessary world of self care. She is extremely passionate on the topic of self care being accessible and attainable to all and she has developed The Masterful Art of Self-Care’s 4 tenets: nutritional health, physical health/movement, mental health and pelvic floor/sexual health as being key components to everyone’s self care. She recently graduated with a Doctorate degree in physical therapy in August 2019 and practices as an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist in Oakland, CA. She is a practicing Women’s Health Coach through the Integrative Women’s Health Institute and is also the host of her podcast, The Masterful Art of Self-Care.Find out more about Anietie on IG @selfcarephysio and themasterfulartofselfcare.com

I sat down with Nikki to hear her thoughts on short and long term strategies for yoga and fitness teachers in a pandemic.Nikki Naab-Levy PMA®-CPT is a Pilates teacher, licensed massage therapist, and certified functional strength coach with over a decade of experience helping clients build strength and overcome injury. She holds B.S. in Exercise Science and B.S. in Magazine Journalism from Ohio University. Her fitness wisdom has been featured in Girls Gone Strong, The Seattle Times, and Men’s Fitness. She is a Master Trainer for the Balanced Body Bodhi Suspension System and has presented for national conferences and educational organizations included Fusion Pilates Edu and the Pilates Method Alliance. When she's not teaching a sneaky hard Pilates class, you can find her using her journalism experience to help movement teachers find creative and effective ways to market their workshops, classes, and online programs.Find out more about Nikki at naablevy.com and follow her business page on Instagram @psbuymyshit

Over my January break, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kenneth Axen who taught our exercise physiology class at Hunter College in my first year of PT school. We’d previously connected over a shared love of the great street photographers of the mid-twentieth century. Dr. Axen is a photographer, artist, writer, scientist, teacher, father and traveler. I was eager to hear more about his outlook on life, inspired by the “Yes, and...” rule of improvisation. We discussed the ways art and illustration serve as tools for sharing complex ideas, how constraints spur creativity, and the intersections between science and spirituality. We were joined in our discussion by Dr. Kathleen Axen who currently serves as Professor and Department Chair of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College. Together, they shared stories of their world travel adventures with young children.Dr. Axen has an incredible eye. View his photography on Instagram @kenaxen and take a look at the film referenced in the beginning of the episode, TempusFugit.

Aisha Fakhro is a yoga teacher, psychotherapist, and hypnotherapist. She teaches embodied movement practice blended with neuroscience to tap into the body and brain’s capacity to adapt, rewire, and transform to overcome difficulties. Her podcast, Soft Strength presents her philosophy for life on and off the mat—one lived with with insight and ease, that celebrates unique individuality, but also our deep interconnectedness.Find out more about Aisha's work at aishafakhro.com, on Instagram @aishafakhro, and check out her podcast Soft Strength.

Erin has a degree in art and considers creativity in its many forms to be a core value in her life and work. In addition to writing and making music, teaching and movement have been a mainstay in her life since as a child she taught dance to her stuffed animals. She has been offering yoga & movement instruction and manual therapy to a wide range of ages and abilities since 2004.In 2014 following the birth of her son and a delve in to modern postural yoga history, she was compelled to pivot away from traditional yoga toward multidisciplinary movement and the burgeoning field of applied neuroscience, rekindling her long-standing love of the brain. She considers it vital to assess and improve the way our nervous system functions because movement output quality and quantity hinges upon how we absorb and process informationShe offers unique, brain-centered education for yoga and movement teachers looking to expand their knowledge base in a competitive market via online courses.Her writing about the business of teaching yoga and challenges of transitioning into other modalities inspired her serialized audiobook podcast The Whole Beautiful.Follow Erin on Instagram @movementfluency

Unionize Yoga is a group of yoga and mindful fitness educators in New York City coming together to have a voice in the industry, raise industry standards, and create a more equitable and sustainable profession for all. Their goal is for employees, students, and business to thrive.I sat down with Tamar Samir, Markella Los, and Liz Buehler Walker to find out more about what spurred their motivation to organize, where they currently stand after a successful first vote, and next steps for teachers in New York City and beyond.You can find out more about their work on Instagram @unionize_yoga, Facebook @yogateacherunion, and Twitter @unionize_yoga.

In this episode, Keisa Parrish shares her stories of working as a dancer, artist, and fitness teacher in New York City while raising a child. Keisa writes about her experiences as a single parent making ends meet in the hopes that her story will help others navigate this challenging terrain and better manage stress. Find out more about Keisa on Instagram @singlemomdamncity and read her blog, Single Mom. Damn City. at www.facebook.com/singlemomdamncity

Joe has a passion for teaching how the body works. He currently teaches yoga classes in New York City, offers private sessions, and teaches anatomy and physiology courses around the country and worldwide. A lifelong interest in biology and anatomy led Joe to study with several yoga anatomy teachers, and eventually to a master’s degree in applied physiology from Columbia University. He is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA. He writes extensively about yoga, anatomy, physiology and health on social media and for popular websites and publications.Find out more about Joe at joemilleryoga.com and on Instagram @joemilleryogaHis 60-hour Functional Anatomy and Physiology for Yoga course at Now Yoga begins in January, 2019.

After spending over a decade in corporate sales, Christine dropped everything to become a full time yoga teacher and business coach. She uses her vast business knowledge & experience to coach other teachers on how to build a sustainable and profitable yoga business. Her techniques are proven because she used them herself to build a successful yoga business in South FL that is still flourishing today.Follow Christine on Instagram @movementyogaFind out more about her business coaching by visiting her website or click here to join her mailing list.

Sangeeta Vallabhan has been teaching yoga for over fifteen years in New York and around the world. She enjoys training new teachers, which she's been doing since 2009. Sangeeta currently teaches classes and trainings at Yogavida NYC. Her trauma informed yoga training, solemarch, was presented at Yogavida in July and will run again at The Yoga Loft in Bethlehem, PA in November. Be sure to read her piece, What It's Like Being an Indian-American Yoga Teacher, and collaboration with Rumya Putcha, Are You Traveling to India for the Right Reasons?Find out more about Sangeeta at sangeetavallabhan.com

Anita grew up in Norway but spent 20+ years in New York as a Yoga and Fitness Instructor. Anita started her YouTube channel ‘Anita Goa TV’ in 2010 to extend her love of yoga, fitness and life philosophy to serve people all over the world. Over the years she has developed a love for the Moon and started to design her yoga practices around the moon phases. Presently she is writing a Moon Phase Yoga, Fitness WellBeing Book.For the last 5 years Anita has lived in London with her husband, Sanjay and 11 yr old son, Lars. Find out more about Anita at anitagoa.com and on her YouTube channel.

Susan”Lip” Orem began practicing yoga when the thrill of bench aerobics was gone. Her first teachers were Sharon Gannon, Dana Flynn and Cyndi Lee. Her checkered past as a dancer in Las Vegas revues, Off Broadway actress, Ringling Brothers clown and sign language interpreter left her no choice but to teach yoga. She was too old to be a cowgirl or an astronaut. She was first certified by Cyndi Lee before there was an OM Yoga. She has been a student of Rodney Yee since 1996 and continues to be inspired by his teaching. She is honored to be part of the teaching staff of Yoga Shanti NY. Here in NYC Genny Kapuler , Rodney Yee and Carrie Owerko keep Lip’s feet steady on the path. The most influential teachers have been all the students willing to take this trip with her. Susan “Lip” is grateful every day that what she does is what she loves. Learn more at heathenhillyoga.net

Carrie Owerko has been teaching yoga and exploring the relationship between body, breath, and mind for several years. She holds a Senior Intermediate Iyengar teaching credential, is a certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRCms).Before studying yoga, Carrie earned a BFA in Dance and Theater and became a Movement Analyst (CMA) from The Laban Institute in NYC. She has spent years enthusiastically exploring human movement with the intention of helping people develop clearer, more fully embodied communication and expression.Curiosity, openness, and affection are of the utmost importance in her approach to Iyengar Yoga, as is the integration of science, yoga philosophy, and the poetic imagination in the yoga practice. Find out more at carrieowerko.com

Markella Los is a yoga and movement teacher and teacher trainer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is certified in the YogaWorks, Yoga Tune Up® and Trauma-Conscious Yoga methods and as a FRC Mobility Specialist. Find out more at markellalos.com

Laurel is a yoga teacher and teacher trainer in New York City. She is an outside the box thinker, innovative movement practitioner, and skilled educator. Find out more about Laurel at laurelbeversdorf.com

Born and raised in Venice Beach, California, and after traveling around the world, Sarah now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Being a cancer survivor, artist and food lover she incorporates resiliency, courage and humor in her on-going group, corporate and private yoga classes. Her writings have been published for Yoga City NYC, Prevention Magazine, Self and Furthermore. As an educator she is always learning and celebrates the challenges we greet in our daily lives. Find Sarah at sarahgirardyoga.com and on Instagram @sarahgirardyoga.

Fitzie is a truck driver and delivery guy in Local 25. He teaches yoga to calm up and coaches mobility to improve everyday life. Check him out on Instagram @fitzie_says_hi

Stefanie is a Pittsburgh-based maker, mover, and mama. She primarily shares yoga classes with inventive and playful uses of props, but also teaches hooping as a dynamic movement modality. Although Stefanie primarily earns a living as a movement educator, she identifies first as a maker. Her background is in studio art, and I she enjoys exploring a host of different mediums, primarily painting and fiber arts. Stefanie lives in the east end of Pittsburgh with her husband, Jonathan, their son, Harvey, and their two Scottie dogs, Penny and Dooley.Find her at stefaniezito.com and on Instagram @stefanie_zito

Mike Ramos is a Trainer, US Marine and the founder of MVNG.project. He runs meetup groups around New York City that use the lessons learned through an interdisciplinary movement practice and applies them to other aspects of life.Find Mike on Instagram @mvng.project or his website mvngproject.com

Diana Zotos Florio is a Physical Therapist and Yoga Teacher. She received her Masters in Physical Therapy at Hunter College and has attended numerous post-graduate continuing education courses. She enjoys teaching about Yoga and Physical therapy and has been an adjunct professor and researcher at Hunter College and Columbia University.Diana is co-creator of Threes Physiyoga Method, committed to delivering premium quality education to yoga teachers, practitioners, and physical therapists.Find out more at dianazotos.com and threesphysiyoga.com

Hedy is a yoga teacher, Franklin Method Movement Educator, anatomy enthusiast, embodied mover, and mindfulness practitioner. She specializes in working with people new to yoga, 'golden agers', and people seeking an intelligent movement practice. She is also now working with pregnant women through all stages of their beautiful journey.Find out more about Hedy on her website, or at her home studio Reflections Yoga.

Trina Altman is the creator of Yoga Deconstructed® and Pilates Deconstructed®, which take an interdisciplinary approach to foster an embodied understanding of yoga and Pilates and their relationship to modern movement science. In this episode, we discuss strategies for bringing variety into movement practice, and the importance of in person social interaction.Find out more about Trina at trinaaltman.com, check out her Yoga Deconstructed® online course, and new book, Yoga Deconstructed®: Transitioning from rehabilitation back into the yoga studio.

Nia shared how she expresses and embraces herself through writing, meditation, performance, relationships, and her journey through recovery from eating disorder.We talked about striking a balance between discipline and freedom, strength and softness, and the power that comes from trusting ourselves as experts on our own bodies.Find out more about Nia and read her blog at niacalloway.com or follow her on Instagram @metaphase.nia

Tara Tonini is a yoga teacher, Doula, Reiki Master and Acupuncture student with a passion for women's health. She leads trauma informed teacher trainings for Exhale to Inhale and mentors teachers serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in New York and Los Angeles.Find out more about Tara and Exhale to Inhale at taratonini.com and exhaletoinhale.org​

Tori teaches person centered yoga classes in Edmonton. After a season of fire tower lookout in Alberta, she shares her tales of re-entry into society. We discuss the ways societal structures and pressures effect yoga and meditation practice, and she shares teaching tools gleaned from her background in social work. Find out more at torilunden.com and @badatyoga on Instagram. Stay tuned for her upcoming eBook, "How Not to Teach."

Macklen teaches yoga to kids and adults in New York City. Her upcoming Playtime Yoga Workshop on Sunday, October 21st, is kids' yoga for adults! Find out more on Dou Yoga's website, dou-yoga.com.We mention a book in this talk. The book is "The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science" by Norman Doidge.Be sure to follow Macklen on Instagram @macklenmayse

John Ford teaches Kinstretch, TRX, and yoga in New York City. Find out more about John on Instagram @know.body.move

Laurel is a yoga teacher and teacher trainer in New York City. She is an outside the box thinker, innovative movement practitioner, and skilled educator. Find out more about Laurel at laurelbeversdorf.com