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What happens when traditional public health science meets ancestral wisdom? In this episode, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Melissa Shah, MPH, C-IAYT, the founder of Find Your Breath, to explore the intersection of modern healthcare, lineage reclamation, and the physiological power of sound. Melissa breaks down the Western misconceptions surrounding mantra, reclaiming it as a potent, therapeutic practice. Whether you are a healthcare provider looking to expand your somatic toolkit or an advanced yoga teacher committed to honoring the true roots of the practice, this episode serves as a vital blueprint for the future of culturally respectful, therapeutic care.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Intersection of Lineage and Public Health: How Melissa navigates modern, institutional spaces by blending an academic Master of Public Health framework with lifelong roots in Yoga and Ayurveda.Decolonizing the Somatic Space: Why reclaiming and honoring the true cultural lineage of yoga is not just a philosophical duty, but a requirement for generating a deep felt-sense of nervous system safety for clients.Mantra as a Clinical Tool: Redefining mantra from a passive "mental affirmation" or aesthetic background track into a direct, active neurobiological intervention.The Psychoneuroimmunology of Sound: The science behind chanting—including chest vibration, tongue movement, vagal nerve stimulation, and how extended exhalations manually hack heart rate variability (HRV)."Digesting" Heavy Emotions: A practical breakdown of how specific, targeted chants can help a client shift stuck emotional and psychological tension (like anger, anxiety, or grief).Practicing with Humility & Respect: Crucial advice for yoga therapists who want to bring therapeutic sound to their clients while navigating Sanskrit pronunciation and avoiding cultural appropriation.Melissa Shah, C-IAYT, MPH, is a certified yoga therapist, public health leader, and the founder of Find Your Breath—an online sanctuary, virtual practice library, and mentorship platform dedicated to making yoga therapy truly collaborative, accessible, and inclusive. Grounded in the Viniyoga tradition and her lifelong ancestral relationship with Yoga and Ayurveda, Melissa integrates movement, breathing, and traditional sound with modern clinical and public health frameworks. She is also the author of an upcoming book dedicated to mantra as a therapeutic practice, releasing next year.Connect with Melissa:Website: FindYourBreath.netInstagram: @FindYourBreathResources: Explore Melissa's weekly community chanting classes, mentorship portals, and updates on her upcoming book directly on her platform.Support the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga TherapyEmail us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook
In this episode, I'm sharing a conversation with Kendra McEwen, a trainee in my Movement Detective program from Massachusetts. We talk about her journey from being a special education teacher to becoming a yoga teacher who is now learning to see the body through a much more functional and investigative lens. Even in just a few months of training, she's already noticing major shifts in how she observes movement and supports her clients. What stood out to me in this conversation is how quickly her perspective has evolved from "fixing problems" to understanding movement patterns. We also explore how pain is rarely isolated to one area, and how curiosity, observation, and whole-body awareness can completely change how we approach client care in yoga and therapeutic movement settings.
In this episode, Breathing Deeply founder Brandt Passalacqua speaks with Shelby Caffery, Breathing Deeply graduate about a 79 year old client who came in presenting knee & hip pain but revealed her real concern was severe depression that left her housebound and isolated. After 21 sessions over one summer that had a special focus on meditation techniques, Shelby's client was able to reclaim her life and her freedom. Tune in to hear her story. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - About Shelby's client suffering with depression 03:07 - What yoga therapy tools Shelby gave her client for depression 05:43 - The importance of meditation for Shelby's client 07:09 - How Shelby's client is doing now 09:52 - The power of chanting meditations for Shelby's client Yoga therapy is a growing clinical field that helps people work with mental health challenges and chronic health conditions using evidence-informed yoga practices. Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy School provides professional yoga therapy training programs designed to prepare you to work safely and effectively with real clients. Our graduates are trained to work with: • Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma • Chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases • Chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions • Fatigue, burnout, and complex long-term health challenges Learn about professional yoga therapy training: https://breathingdeeply.com If you're looking for yoga therapy for your own health, explore Breathing Deeply Wellness: Guided programs, practices, and support for mental health, chronic conditions, and long-term wellbeing. https://breathingdeeply.com/wellness
Send us Fan MailIn this deeply personal episode, host Andrea Atherton sits down with holistic anxiety coach, yoga therapist, and podcast host Sofia Fiotaki to explore how anxiety, survival patterns, childhood conditioning, and nervous system dysregulation shape the way we experience love, dating, relationships, and connection. Sofia shares her powerful journey from living behind a mask of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and social anxiety to discovering what it truly means to feel safe enough to be seen. Together, Andrea and Sofia unpack why so many people long for deeper connection yet unconsciously push it away when they have no idea where to start healing.For years, Sofia struggled with crippling social anxiety, panic attacks, addictions, eating disorders, and an overwhelming fear of being known. Like many people navigating relationships, she learned to adapt, perform, and become whoever she believed others would accept. Yet despite being surrounded by people, she often felt profoundly alone. Through her healing journey, Sofia began to understand the nervous system's role in protection, attachment, avoidance, and emotional intimacy. She shares how learning to work with her body, heal old wounds, and reconnect with herself transformed not only her relationship with anxiety but also her capacity to experience authentic love.Andrea and Sofia dive into the connection between emotional safety and intimacy, why survival patterns often masquerade as personality traits, and how healing allows us to stop abandoning ourselves in the pursuit of acceptance. This conversation offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone who has struggled with anxiety, fear of rejection, people-pleasing, emotional avoidance, or difficulty trusting others. If you've ever wondered why love feels difficult, why vulnerability feels scary, or what it takes to create genuine connection, this episode will remind you that real intimacy begins when we feel safe enough to take off the mask and let ourselves be fully seen.Sofia Fiotakihttps://www.instagram.com/sofia_c_fiotaki?utm_source=qrhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1ENdrcqCwm/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://www.tiktok.com/@holistic_anxiety_coach?_r=1&_t=ZN-974brFH6TBucoaching@sofiafiotaki.com (email)30-minute Consultation with Andrea https://www.andreaatherton.com/booking-calendarAndrea Atherton Websitehttps://www.andreaatherton.com/Love Anarchy Websitehttps://www.andreaatherton.com/podcasthttps://loveanarchypodcast.buzzsprout.comLove Anarchy Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/loveanarchypodcast/Andrea Atherton Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/andreaatherton-17/
In this episode, Tara explores the difference between stress and anxiety through the lens of yoga therapy, nervous system regulation and Polyvagal Theory.Drawing on her recent maternal yoga therapy cohort, Tara discusses why so many mothers find themselves feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stretched, hypervigilant or disconnected during motherhood — and why these experiences may be far more understandable than we often realise.If you've ever felt permanently switched on, emotionally exhausted, anxious, depleted or disconnected from yourself since becoming a mother, this episode is for you.WAYS TO WORK WITH TARATara Whyte is a trainee Yoga Therapist, Certified Infant Massage Instructor (IAIM/CIMI), photographer and maternal wellbeing practitioner based between the UK and Cayman Islands.Current offerings include:• Group Mother & Baby Yoga Therapy• Private Yoga Therapy Sessions (1:1 or 1:2)• Infant Massage Programs• Motherhood Photography & Storytelling SessionsLearn moreConnect / Instagram:@tarawhyteukThank you for listening.If this episode resonated, please consider subscribing, sharing with a fellow mother or leaving a review. Until next time, remember: Regulation is not something we achieve once and for all. It's a relationship we continue cultivating, one breath at a time.
In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores one of the most important psychological teachings in the yoga tradition: the five kleśas, described in Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These teachings help explain why human beings experience suffering even when they are sincerely trying to live well.Drawing from both Sāṅkhya philosophy and the Yoga Sūtra, Amy walks listeners through the deeper roots of suffering, beginning with the distinction between puruṣa (the witnessing consciousness) and prakṛti (the body, mind, senses, and the manifest world). When these two are confused, the mind becomes entangled in patterns of misperception, attachment, aversion, and fear. These patterns are what Pātañjali calls the kleśas.Throughout the episode, Amy explains how these ancient teachings remain remarkably relevant today. The kleśas show up in modern life as over-identification with our roles, addiction to approval or stimulation, avoidance of discomfort, fear-driven decision making, and the constant pressure to control life so that we feel safe.Rather than presenting yoga as a way to avoid suffering, Amy emphasizes that the deeper aim of yoga is to understand suffering clearly. Through practices such as movement, breath regulation, meditation, and ethical reflection, the practitioner gradually loosens the grip of these patterns and begins to remember their deeper nature.The episode concludes with a reflection on one of Amy's favorite teachings from the Yoga Sūtra: Yoga Sūtra 1.3, which describes the moment when awareness returns to its true nature and the seer rests in its essential state.In This EpisodeAmy explores:• Why human beings suffer even when they are trying to live well • The philosophical foundation of the Yoga Sūtra in Sāṅkhya philosophy • The distinction between puruṣa (the witnessing consciousness) and prakṛti (the manifest world) • How misperception leads to psychological suffering • The five kleśas described in Yoga Sūtra 2.3 • How the kleśas appear in modern life and clinical practice • Why yoga is fundamentally relational and practiced through human interaction • How meditation helps return awareness to clarity and discernment • The deeper meaning of Yoga Sūtra 1.3 and the experience of resting in one's true natureThe Five KleśasThe five kleśas are the underlying causes of suffering described by Pātañjali.Avidyā — Misperception The root kleśa. Avidyā occurs when we confuse the changing contents of experience with our deeper nature.Asmitā — Misidentification Over-identifying with personality, roles, reputation, or thoughts rather than recognizing the witnessing awareness behind them.Rāga — Attachment Clinging to experiences that feel pleasurable or validating, believing they will resolve deeper unease.Dveṣa — Aversion Avoiding experiences that feel painful or uncomfortable, which can lead to defensiveness, withdrawal, or emotional reactivity.Abhiniveśa — Fear of Loss The deep instinct to cling to life, identity, control, and stability. This fear can appear even in those who are wise and experienced.Key Yoga Sūtras ReferencedYoga Sūtra 2.3 Avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśāḥ kleśāḥ These five are the causes of suffering.Yoga Sūtra 2.5 Avidyā is mistaking the impermanent for the permanent, the impure for the pure, pain for pleasure, and the non-self for the self.Yoga Sūtra 1.3 Tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe 'vasthānam Then the seer rests in its true nature.Why This Matters for Yoga TherapyThe kleśas are not simply philosophical ideas. They describe patterns that appear frequently in modern life and clinical settings, including:• psychological distress • relational conflict • addiction and compulsive behavior • over-identification with roles or reputation • fear-based decision making • difficulty tolerating discomfortTherapeutic yoga practices—movement, breathwork, attentional training, and ethical reflection—help practitioners gradually recognize and soften these patterns.As clarity develops, individuals often experience greater nervous system stability, increased self-awareness, and a deeper capacity to observe thoughts and emotions without becoming completely defined by them.Reflection Questions from the Episode• What if the goal of yoga is not to become someone different, but to remember who we truly are?• Where in your life do you notice attachment to approval, comfort, or certain emotional states?• Where do you notice aversion or avoidance when something feels uncomfortable?• Can you sense the difference between the changing experiences of the mind and the steadiness of the witnessing awareness behind them?Final ReflectionThe teachings of the kleśas remind us that suffering is not simply a personal failure or something to eliminate at all costs. It is part of the human condition. Yoga invites us to understand it, learn from it, and gradually see through the patterns that amplify it.When the mind becomes clearer and less entangled in these patterns, the seer begins to rest in its true nature. From that place, life can be lived with greater steadiness, compassion, and freedom.School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification Amy's website:www.TheOptimalState.com Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com
In this episode, I sit down with Candice Bourgeois, who is currently in the certification program, to explore her journey from teaching with formulaic cues to becoming a true movement detective. We talk about what it actually means to see movement differently—not as something to fix, but as something to understand. Candice shares how she moved from focusing on shapes and peak poses to observing patterns, relationships, and compensation in a much more meaningful way. We also dive into how this shift has transformed not only her teaching, but her own body awareness. Instead of forcing outcomes, she now helps clients reduce pain by improving how they move and perceive their bodies. The result? More clarity, more confidence, and clients who feel stronger, more connected, and more empowered in their practice.
What if postpartum support looked beyond sleep schedules, pelvic floors, and feeding plans?In this episode, explore matrescence, the mother–baby dyad, nervous system regulation and why maternal yoga therapy offers a holistic approach to supporting women through one of life's greatest transformations: becoming a mother.
What does it mean to age well? In 2026, the conversation has officially shifted from lifespan—how many years we live—to healthspan—how well we live those years. In this episode, host Michele Lawrence sits down with pioneering medical doctor and certified yoga therapist Dr. Baxter Bell to discuss the intersection of Western medicine and yoga.Baxter shares his personal evolution from working as a busy family physician in the 1990s to stepping onto the mat full-time as a global leader in the yoga therapy community. Together, they dive into the medical science behind why strength, flexibility, and balance are non-negotiable for longevity, how the practice of equanimity translates into a physical felt-sense during times of uncertainty, and the cutting-edge neuro-protective elements of yoga that help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Whether you are navigating your own mid-life transition or supporting clients through the second half of life, this episode offers a masterful blueprint for building a resilient mind and body.Key Takeaways & HighlightsThe Doctor's Pivot: Baxter discusses the professional and personal drivers that led him to transition away from full-time family medicine to pursue yoga as a primary path.Healthspan vs. Lifespan: Why modern longevity is about optimizing physical and mental vitality, and how yoga therapy targets the physical "Big 3" (Strength, Flexibility, and Balance) fundamentally differently than a standard gym workout.The Anatomy of Longevity: The direct medical connection between maintaining supple, mobile tissues and long-term biological longevity markers.Equanimity as Medicine: Moving equanimity out of the realm of philosophy and into a practice for individuals facing difficult medical diagnoses or age-related transitions.Neuro-Protection on the Mat: Clinical insights into how a dedicated yoga therapy practice acts as an effective, preventative intervention against cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.Connect with Dr. Baxter BellWebsite: BaxterBell.comDiscover: Explore Baxter's Winter 2026 workshop series, latest courses, and upcoming global retreats.Read: Yoga for Healthy Aging: A Guide to Lifelong Well-Being (Co-authored by Dr. Baxter Bell)Support the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga TherapyEmail us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook
This epsiode explains how yoga therapy approaches balance dysfunction and neurological symptoms through a real client case study, including the specific practices used, how quickly results appeared, and what made this approach different from everything Bill had already tried. In this conversation, Breathing Deeply founder Brandt Passalacqua speaks with Sophie, a certified yoga therapist and Breathing Deeply graduate, and her client Bill, who had been experiencing severe balance dysfunction for several months and restored his balance completely within two months using a 15-minute daily yoga therapy practice.
Bring forth healing from the body's own intelligence. Yoga Therapist Thomas Klepper shares yoga therapy tools to support healing in addiction recovery. Learn how nervous system dysregulation drives cravings—and practices to restore health, wellness and mind-body balance.
What happens when we stop trying to "fix" our bodies and instead learn to negotiate our own terms of healing?In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with legendary movement educator, physical therapist, and yoga therapist Sherry Brourman, PT, C-IAYT. With an astonishing 53 years of clinical experience, Sherry shares her profound evolution from the rigid, biomechanical silos of 1970s physical therapy into the compassionate, integrated world of modern pain science and yoga therapy.Diving into her recent book, From Bodily Knowledge to Intuitive Movement: Where Physical Therapy, Yoga Therapy and Pain Science Meet, Sherry explains why our personal psycho-social stories shape how we move far more than simple biology. Together, Michele and Sherry discuss the myth of "perfect alignment," how moving by feel is an act of radical self-love, and why meeting clients exactly where they are already functioning well shifts the entire power dynamic of therapeutic care. Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Sherry's Website: SherryBrourman.com (Explore her gait clinics, continuing education, and private consultations)Featured Book: From Bodily Knowledge to Intuitive Movement: Where Physical Therapy, Yoga Therapy and Pain Science Meet by Sherry Brourman (Published by Singing Dragon)Sherry's Classic Text: Walk Yourself Well (Hyperion)Support the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga TherapyEmail us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook
This episode explains the difference between yoga therapy and physical therapy, including what each does exceptionally well, where they overlap, when to choose one over the other, and why some of the best healing outcomes happen when both approaches work together.
This episode explains what actually happens inside a yoga therapy session, including the intake process, how assessment works, how a practice is built for an individual, why yoga therapy is fundamentally different from private yoga, restorative yoga, or modified group classes and the type of training that is required.
In this conversation, Breathing Deeply Founder and Lead Teacher Brandt Passalacqua speaks with Jen Herndon, C-IAYT and Breathing Deeply Advanced Program graduate, about a client navigating multiple complex diagnoses including POTS, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto's disease, IBS, and EDS. Jen shares how she approached assessment and therapeutic design for someone with multiple autoimmune conditions that are debilitating and notoriously difficult to treat. Jen traces the progress her client made across 15 months of consistent yoga therapy work.
What happens when a legacy of "radical rest" meets the modern era of constant noise? In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, Michele Lawrence sits down with Lizzie Lasater—Restorative Yoga teacher, architect by training, and a vital voice in the evolution of modern yoga.As her mother, yoga pioneer Judith Hanson Lasater, prepares to retire at age 80, Lizzie reflects on the longevity of a teacher, the structural integrity of a healing practice, and why slowing down is actually an act of civil disobedience. We explore how restorative yoga serves as the "urgent medicine" our over-stimulated nervous systems need right now, and how the practice evolves to meet us across every season of life.Whether you are a long-time student of the Lasater lineage or a yoga therapist looking for deeper insights into the "architecture of rest," this conversation offers a profound look at staying present in the silence.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Longevity of a Teacher: Lessons learned as Judith Hanson Lasater steps into a new season of life at age 80.The Architecture of Rest: How a background in design influences the "structural integrity" and building of a restorative practice.Rest as Civil Disobedience: Why being still is a radical, necessary act in an era of over-stimulation.Yoga Through the Ages: Trusting the practice to meet us even when our physical capacity shifts.The Silent Wisdom Body: How to teach students to listen to their inner guide when there is no movement to distract them.Holding Steady: The vital importance of a personal practice for yoga teachers and therapists.Featured Guest: Lizzie LasaterLizzie Lasater is a Restorative Yoga teacher and architect who focuses on the intersection of design, stillness, and somatic healing. She produces digital courses, hosts international retreats, and writes a popular weekly newsletter exploring the deeper dimensions of yoga.Resources & Links:Lizzie Lasater's Website: lizzielasater.comSubscribe to 'Dispatches': Lizzie's Weekly NewsletterSupport the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga TherapyEmail us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook
Jess On The Mountain: Yoga, Chakras & Becoming Your Own Guru
This Labyrinth Walk Companion is inspired by my conversation with Abi Robins and their description of working with the Enneagram and Yoga Therapy. One of my favorite things Abi said was “the more we can find ways to relax and shed our sense of urgency, the faster we get to where we want to go.” And although we were talking about figuring out Enneagram types, this immediately makes me think of walking a labyrinth. Enjoy this walk to release the hurry, and receive the wisdom within you that is waiting to emerge.Join me in Chartres, France for Hidden Things: Pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral, October 3-10, 2026.Paid subscribers to Room to Evolve can download and print the Labyrinth Walk Companion Guide. Subscribe to Room to Evolve at https://roomtoevolve.com Locate a labyrinth near you at labyrinthlocator.com, hosted by The Labyrinth Society and Veriditas:HEREOrder a handheld labyrinth from Veriditas:HERE.Download a printable tracing labyrinth PDF:HERE
In this warm, clinical-and-traditional conversation, Amy and Lisa explore how chanting and mantra practice can shape the autonomic nervous system and the mind through repetition, meaning, vibration, and relationship. Lisa shares her journey from clinical psychology leadership in pediatric behavioral health to yoga therapy and chanting in Europe, and she offers grounded guidance for meeting students exactly where they are—especially when voice, vulnerability, perfectionism, or skepticism show up.This episode holds a steady bridge between allopathic settings and yogic tradition: chanting as both a deeply ancient transmission method and a contemporary, accessible tool for resilience, co-regulation, and sustained inner change.In this episode, you'll hearWhy Yoga Sūtra 1.12 (abhyāsa + vairāgya) is a practical map for habit change, neuroplasticity, and healingHow abhyāsa can function like a “secure base” (attachment lens): a reliable place to return for steadinessHow vairāgya supports discernment and letting go—especially of limiting beliefs like “I can't chant” or “My voice isn't welcome”Why chanting can be done silently, anywhere, and how that matters when life gets stripped down to essentialsThe difference between mantra japa, kīrtan, and “therapeutic repetition” versus compulsive repetitionHow teachers build a safe, predictable container where practice becomes possible—even for tender nervous systemsWhat it means to keep mantra “alive” through oral transmission, practice, and continuity across generationsReal talk about resistance: voice, self-consciousness, perfectionism, and how practice mirrors our livesA moving reflection on how relational rupture can impact practice—and how reconnection can unfold over time Core teachings that stood outAbhyāsa as a secure baseLisa reframes abhyāsa as more than discipline. It becomes an inner home you can trust—something you return to when the world is loud, when your mind is moving fast, or when life is uncertain.Vairāgya as discernment, not detachmentVairāgya is the “letting go” side of change: releasing old impressions, beliefs, and protective habits that no longer serve. In this episode, it shows up as the courage to experiment—without over-identifying with fear, shame, or “I can't.”Mantra as a multi-layered interventionMeaning, vibration, rhythm, breath rate, imagery/bhāvana, memory, and relationship all converge. When the whole system aligns, the “new track” becomes easier to lay down—steadily and over time.The teacher's job is to match the doseLisa offers a clinical yoga therapy lens: choose repetition amounts and methods that fit the person's capacity, life context, and readiness. Sustainable practice matters more than idealized practice.Voice is a clinical doorwayChanting can bring up themes of safety, expression, shame, silencing, and self-trust. Rather than forcing exposure, Lisa models progressive steps—silent practice, practicing “on mute,” or starting with simple sounds—so expression becomes possible.Practical takeaways you can tryChoose a “minimum viable” mantra practice you can keep: 3 repetitions, 11 repetitions on fingers, or a partial mala with a clear stopping point.Decide the purpose of repetition before you begin: regulation, steadiness, devotion, confidence, or easing fear.Use choice points (listen only, chant silently, chant softly) to reduce performance pressure and build safety.Notice what your resistance protects—then bring abhyāsa to the edge of that resistance, gently and consistently.Let mantra become familiar enough that it appears on its own when you need it—like a trusted inner companion.About LisaLisa is a yoga therapist and clinical psychologist with decades of leadership experience in pediatric behavioral health and integrative hospital settings. Now based in the Netherlands, she teaches and offers yoga therapy and yoga psychotherapy, integrating mind, body, and spirit with clinical discernment and deep respect for lineage.Lisa joins us from near The Hague and Leiden, within an hour of Amsterdam.Connect with LisaWebsite: LifeTreeYogaRecorded classes: available via her YouTube channel (integrated 90-minute practices)Ongoing option: online group class on Fridays + private yoga therapy / yoga psychotherapy sessions onlineConnect with Amy www.TheOptimalState.comSchool of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool
Diagnosed with breast cancer while living a health-conscious lifestyle, Nancy Martch aggressively battled her Stage 3B diagnosis head-on. Now, leveraging her yoga expertise, Nancy empowers others through personalized yoga therapy, blending acceptance and self-awareness into her healing approach. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Nancy discover her breast cancer? 2. What kind of lifestyle was Nancy leading when she was diagnosed with cancer? 3. How has yoga helped Nancy cope with her cancer diagnosis and treatments? 4. Which specific yoga poses does Nancy find beneficial for relaxation and stress reduction? 5. What is the importance of self-assessment in yoga according to Nancy? 6. What is the role of non-competitive self-acceptance in Nancy's yoga practice? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Yoga therapy is personalized; classes are generalized. 05:04 Yoga integrates body awareness and lifelong practice. 07:37 Advocate for yourself; misdiagnosis taught me. 12:50 Acceptance and awareness: adapting self-care through challenges. 13:57 Breathing techniques helped manage panic effectively. 20:03 Teaching relaxation and breath exercises for self-use. 22:33 Yoga is adaptable and tailored to individual needs. 26:12 Diagnosis doesn't define us; posture can improve. 28:22 Self-love empowers us to support ourselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are you a brilliant yoga teacher or therapist who feels paralyzed when it comes to the business side of your practice? You've done the trainings, you have the heart, and you're ready to reduce suffering—but the logistics of running a viable business feel like a separate, cold world.In this episode, Michele sits down with Erin Alexander and Katie Pine, both graduates of Inner Peace Yoga Therapy and co-creators of the Sacred Success Mentorship. Together, they explore how to stop info-hoarding and start taking embodied action. We dive into why systems are actually an act of nervous system regulation, how to work with the energy of money ethically, and why community is a mandate for your professional success.If you are ready to move from theory to a tangible, elevated offering, this conversation will show you that your business can be just as sacred as your practice.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Training Trap: Why we often seek more certifications as a shield against launching our work, and how to reclaim your inherent worth as a teacher.Systems as Self-Care: Katie Pine breaks down why organized structures are actually essential tools for therapist longevity and nervous system regulation.Defining Sacred Success: Moving beyond hustle culture to find a business model that honors your values and your unique dharma.Somatic vs. Logistic: A real-world look at hurdles like pricing and marketing, addressed through both an embodied lens (Erin) and a practical framework (Katie).The Energy of Money: How to stay grounded in your spiritual values while ensuring your business is financially sustainable.Finding Your Niche: Why trying to help everyone might be keeping you from helping the people who need you most.Community as a Mandate: The importance of the Soul Power Sangha and why we aren't meant to do this work in isolation.Resources Mentioned:Sacred Success Mentorship: A 6-month journey to launch your elevated offering. [https://www.allsoulsyoga.com/business-mentorship.html]Soul Power Sangha: Community support for yoga therapists. [https://www.allsoulsyoga.com/virtual-classes.html]Inner Peace Yoga Therapy: 300 and 800-hour professional certifications. [https://innerpeaceyogatherapy.com/]Connect with Our Guests:Erin Alexander: [https://www.allsoulsyoga.com/]Katie Pine: [https://www.reconnectionyogatherapy.com/]Support the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga TherapyEmail us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook
This video explains what yoga therapy training actually looks like from the inside, including how students develop real clinical skill, what the supervised practicum involves, and why the structure of clinical training matters more than hours or curriculum lists alone.
You finished your training. You passed your boards. You have the credential. And now you're discovering that the jobs you were promised aren't there. In this episode we name what the yoga therapy credentialing world has never said clearly: the job market doesn't exist the way you were told it did. That is not your failure. That is a promise that was never backed up with infrastructure — and it's time someone said it out loud.RESOURCESWorking In Yoga WebsiteWorking In Yoga NewsletterThe Back RoomInside Yoga Magazine
What if the biggest threat to your dental practice isn't competition… but your own physical health? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Len Tau sits down with Caitlin Parsons, dental hygienist and ergonomics and wellness consultant, to unpack how chronic pain and stress are silently impacting productivity, team dynamics, and patient experience. Caitlin shares her personal journey from nearly leaving dentistry due to pain to becoming a leader in helping dental professionals create sustainable, high-performing practices. From small ergonomic tweaks to integrating yoga therapy into your daily workflow, this conversation reveals how prioritizing wellness isn't just good for your body… it's a smart business move. If you've ever pushed through discomfort or felt burnout creeping in, this episode is your wake-up call to rethink how you care for yourself and your team. What You'll Learn Why chronic pain is so common in dentistry and what causes it The connection between stress, posture, and patient experience How poor ergonomics impacts productivity and team performance Simple ergonomic adjustments that can make a big difference Why "pushing through pain" can cost you long-term The role of yoga therapy in managing stress and improving focus Practical ways to support your team's health without major investments How small daily habits can improve longevity in your career — Key Takeaways 00:49 Introduction & Episode Overview 02:55 Caitlin Parsons' Background & Journey 05:55 Prevalence of Pain in Dentistry 07:05 Signs of Poor Ergonomics 09:20 Impact of Stress & Chronic Pain on Performance 12:00 Real-Life Story on Patient Perception 14:36 Desk Ergonomics & Daily Habits 16:41 What is Ergonomic Optimization? 19:04 Small Changes That Make a Big Impact 20:55 The Danger of Ignoring Pain 23:40 Introduction to Yoga Therapy 26:55 Actionable Steps for Practice Owners 31:00 Lightning Round Q&A 34:40 How to Connect with Caitlin — Connect with Caitlin Website: thealignedhygienist.com Email: hello@thealignedhygienist.com Instagram: @thealignedhygienist
This episode explains how yoga therapy treats anxiety, including the specific methods used, why they work on a physiological level, and how a structured yoga therapy practice produced a 90% reduction in anxiety symptoms in one client with a 20-year anxiety history.
If Part 1 made you believe a clinical yoga therapy job was possible, Part 2 is going to show you how to start going after one. Jenna Csont and Whitney Pasch get into the practical side — networking in spaces where yoga professionals are still a new concept, the education that makes these opportunities available, reaching out to therapy centers, and why knowing how to clearly explain what yoga therapy is may be the most underrated professional skill you can develop. Rebecca also reflects on what Jenna's path represents: solo, ground-up, door-building work that most of us weren't warned we'd need to do. If you're a yoga therapist who wants to work in clinical or medical settings, this episode is required listening.RESOURCESWorking In Yoga WebsiteWorking In Yoga NewsletterThe Back RoomInside Yoga Magazine
Jess On The Mountain: Yoga, Chakras & Becoming Your Own Guru
What if the way you move through the world is shaped by something deeper than you realize?In this episode of Room to Evolve, Jessica Goulding sits down with Abi Robins, certified Enneagram teacher and yoga therapist, to explore the Enneagram as a path of self-understanding, compassion, and transformation.Together, they explore the Enneagram not as a personality label, but as a living system—one that reveals the deeper motivations, patterns, and unconscious fears that shape how we show up in our lives.Abi shares how the Enneagram and yoga therapy intersect, offering both insight and embodied practice.In this episode, you'll hear:~ What the Enneagram actually is (and what it isn't)~The difference between behavior and motivation~How unconscious patterns shape our relationships~Why compassion is essential for real change~How to begin working with your patternsThis conversation is an invitation to become more curious about your inner world—and to meet yourself with greater awareness and compassion.Continue the journey:A labyrinth walk companion inspired by this conversation is coming next.About Abi Robins (they/them):Abi Robins is a certified Enneagram Teacher who studied with Helen Palmer, Marion Gilbert, Peter O'Hanrahan and others through The Narrative Enneagram. They are also a CIAYT Yoga Therapist. Abi's teaching combines the deep and transformative insight of the Enneagram with the holistic and down to earth practices of Yoga Therapy.Learn more:www.consciousenneagram.comwww.abirobins.substack.comwww.instagram.com/consciousenneagramwww.instagram.com/queergravel
This episode gives an honest answer to one of the most common questions prospective students ask: “is yoga therapy certification actually worth it?”, including who it is and isn't right for, what it realistically prepares you to do, and what determines whether the investment pays off.
This episode explains how to evaluate yoga therapy training programs, including the different educational models used across the field, what supervised clinical practice actually looks like, and how the Breathing Deeply clinical method develops real therapeutic competence.
Episode overviewIn this episode, Amy sits down with Steve Haberlin to explore what's changing in contemplative practice as artificial intelligence becomes woven into daily life. Steve shares why he created a customized GPT mindfulness guide (“MetaZen”), how he's studying its use with doctoral students, and why he advocates a “human-first” approach: learn from a skilled teacher when possible, then use AI as a supportive bridge—not a replacement.Together, they unpack the promise and the concerns: access and personalization on one side, and privacy, data harvesting, and ethical guardrails on the other. The conversation closes with a look at education's future, the pressures faculty may face, and Steve's upcoming book MetaMeditation.What you'll hear in this episodeKey themesHow Amy and Steve connected through LinkedIn and why that kind of professional relationship-building matters nowWhat a “custom GPT” is and how Steve designed MetaZen as a science-grounded mindfulness guideLive facilitation with AI: a brief demonstration of an AI-led mindfulness practiceWhy human relationship still matters in meditation training (and what's lost if we remove it)The “opportunity gap”: the vulnerable window between learning a technique and sustaining itWhy most meditation app users stop early and what might help people stay with practiceAI as a “technological mirror”—helpful feedback, with real limits and risksEthical concerns: hallucinations, red flags, over-agreeableness, and the dangers of using LLMs as therapyVR and avatars: what's already here (Trip app + “Kokua”) and what may be next (smart glasses)Privacy and biometrics: what data is collected, what can be sold, and where oversight is still catching upHigher education: personalization, AI tutoring, and the likelihood of increased productivity pressure on facultySteve's upcoming book: MetaMeditation: How Neuroscience, Virtual Reality, and AI are Changing Practice and How You Can BenefitPractical takeawaysThink “blended model,” not replacement. AI can extend a teacher's support—especially between sessions—without removing the relational core.Sustainability is the missing piece. Access is expanding, but adherence still drops off quickly; support structures matter.Attach practice to an existing habit. A 60-second breath anchor paired with a daily routine can build consistency.Keep humans in the loop for anything mental-health-adjacent. LLMs weren't built for therapy, and risks increase when people treat them like clinicians.Privacy isn't a side issue. As biometrics and usage data become standard, informed consent and oversight will be essential.Steve's Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-haberlin-ph-d-22390b55/Steve Haberlin, Ph.D.The link for Steve's talk on how to build an AI Chat Bot: https://ucf.zoom.us/rec/share/2qP180cbV182FF0_T7mLG-uhTbyA_3myEGXLaipzNNMD49CHpzrOmLzMizGSsoQY.cPMJvDoX23UIjaFY?startTime=1770148625000 Passcode: Av0=9%qqContact Amy @ www.TheOptimalState.com Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoptimalstate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimalStatebyAmyWheeler YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AmyWheelerphd/featured Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/yogatherapyhour Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-wheeler-ph-d-a3095566/Apple School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification Hashtags for NDMU#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool
Send us Fan MailIn this conversation, we explore religion, trauma, and how we can heal—not by fixing ourselves, but by learning to be with what is.Born into an Orthodox Jewish family in Montreal, Rachel Krentzman's early life was shaped by both devotion and deep disruption. The trauma of her rabbi father's arrest led her to question her beliefs, to shed old layers, and ultimately to rediscover herself through the body.Living with scoliosis and spinal injuries herself, Rachel developed a powerful, integrative approach that blends HAKOMI, a somatic psychotherapy, physical therapy, and yoga, supporting hundreds of people around the world in reconnecting with their bodies and rewriting their stories.She is also the author of several books, including Scoliosis, Yoga Therapy and the Art of Letting Go, and in her latest memoir, As Is, she shares her personal path of healing the past through yoga.New Book: As Is: A Memoir on Healing the Past Through Yoga. CONNECT WITH RACHEL:WEBSITE: happybackyoga.com.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelkrentzman/Download my FREE eBook: A Weekend of Feeling WellSchedule a FREE Discovery call with AnnaSign up for my free weekly newsletter: HEREBuy my book Living Your Best Life in CollegeTake the 2-minute Wellness QuizIf you enjoyed this episode, please FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW & SHARE!! Rates and reviews help the message get to more people! Thanks!Good is What Makes You Feel Well is Mamma Terra's PodcastCONNECT WITH MAMMA TERRA HEALTH COACHING:Instagram: @mammaterrahcFacebook: MammaTerra.HCLinkedIn: Anna ResendeIntro Music "Levitar" credits to Ricardo Ulpiano, Thiago Peixoto, Marcelo Luciano Menino, and Anderson Rodrigo de Oliveira.Podcast art credits to Caroline Kohls Thanks for tuning in!
This episode explains how yoga therapy approaches chronic low back pain, including the assessment process, the practices prescribed, and the real client results achieved over nine months of one-on-one work. In this case study, Breathing Deeply founder Brandt Passalacqua speaks with SarahLyn McConaughey, C-IAYT and Breathing Deeply Advanced Program graduate, about a client who lived with debilitating low back pain for over 10 years. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:52 - About SarahLyn's client with chronic back pain 01:41 - The yoga therapy assessment process for chronic back pain 02:27 - The practices that were prescribed for lower back pain 04:07 - Breathing and mindfulness elements used to heal chronic back pain 05:12 - The results SarahLyn's client received for her back pain Yoga therapy is a growing clinical field that helps people work with mental health challenges and chronic health conditions using evidence-informed yoga practices. Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy School provides professional yoga therapy training programs designed to prepare you to work safely and effectively with real clients. Our graduates are trained to work with: • Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma • Chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases • Chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions • Fatigue, burnout, and complex long-term health challenges Learn about professional yoga therapy training: https://breathingdeeply.com If you're looking for yoga therapy for your own health, explore Breathing Deeply Wellness: Guided programs, practices, and support for mental health, chronic conditions, and long-term wellbeing. https://breathingdeeply.com/wellness
A lot of yoga therapists were told — or assumed — that salaried, benefits-included jobs simply didn't exist in this field. Jenna Csont and Whitney Pasch are here to complicate that story. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Rebecca talks with Jenna and Whitney about their work at a trauma-therapy clinic in the Chicagoland area, where they bring yoga — in all its forms, not just movement — to clients who might never have found their way to a studio class. They get into what clinical yoga therapy actually looks like day to day, what level of training is required, the relationship-building it takes to earn real respect inside a western medical setting, and the bigger conversation about accessibility and yoga's roots. This one will have you thinking about what's possible.RESOURCESWorking In Yoga WebsiteWorking In Yoga NewsletterThe Back RoomInside Yoga Magazine
Discover how yoga reshapes your brain, reduces stress, and provides an integrated path to wellness in the city. From grey matter growth to trauma recovery, this conversation unpacks the science and soul of urban well-being. ASY studio City: Warszawa Address: 40 Studencka #10 Website: https://asy-studio.pl/
This episode explains the difference between yoga therapy credentials and clinical competence, including what actually makes an effective yoga therapist, how to evaluate certification programs, and the clinical framework that determines real outcomes with real clients. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:19 - About Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy School 02:10 - The different levels of credentials at Breathing Deeply 02:33 - Credentials vs. clinical competence 03:33 - The real work of yoga therapy: 3 core abilities of an effective yoga therapist 05:04 - The BDYT Clinical Method: What makes students the most confident yoga therapists 06:10 - What our students say about their confidence to apply their training 07:16 - How to evaluate which yoga therapy certification to take Yoga therapy is a growing clinical field that helps people work with mental health challenges and chronic health conditions using evidence-informed yoga practices. Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy School provides professional yoga therapy training programs designed to prepare you to work safely and effectively with real clients. Our graduates are trained to work with: • Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma • Chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases • Chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions • Fatigue, burnout, and complex long-term health challenges Learn about professional yoga therapy training: https://breathingdeeply.com If you're looking for yoga therapy for your own health, explore Breathing Deeply Wellness: Guided programs, practices, and support for mental health, chronic conditions, and long-term wellbeing. https://breathingdeeply.com/wellness
What happens when deep academic study meets 20 years of dedicated practice? In this episode, Michele sits down with Tova Olsson, a religious studies scholar, author, and PhD candidate at Umeå University. Known for her "user-friendly" approach to yoga and tantra studies, Tova explains how mythology serves as a mirror for our "stuckness," why humor is an essential ingredient for spiritual growth, and how the Tantric view of the body can transform a yoga therapy session.In This Episode, We Discuss:The 'Scholar-Practitioner' Balance: How historical context and academic rigor can actually deepen—rather than detach—one's personal relationship with yoga.Mythology as a Clinical Mirror: Using the stories of deities to help clients navigate difficult life transitions and internal "stuckness."Philosophy for the Skeptic: Grounded ways to introduce complex concepts like Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) to clients who are wary of "spirituality."The Tantric View of the Body: Shifting the therapeutic goal from "transcending" the body to honoring it as a sacred vessel—especially for those navigating trauma or illness.The Evolution of 'Global Yoga': Insights from Tova's PhD research and the one thing she wishes every yoga teacher understood about the history of the tradition.The Power of Humor: Why a lighthearted approach is often the most effective way to bypass the ego's defenses when dealing with the heavy topics of life and death.Personal Anchors: A look into Tova's personal practice and how she stays regulated while running Saraswati Studies.Key Resources & Links:Saraswati Studies: https://saraswati-studies.teachable.com/Follow Tova on Instagram: @saraswati_studiesSupport the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga TherapyEmail us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook
✨ NEW PODCAST EPISODE ✨This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I'm joined by special guest Lauren Oliver, Yoga Therapist & Integrated Health Coach.Lauren is passionate about helping individuals and teams create sustainable health and well-being through personalized coaching, group classes, and transformational programs—both online and in person.At The Vibrant Body, Lauren's approach goes beyond symptom management. She focuses on restoring connection through a powerful blend of evidence-based practices and deep energetic awareness.
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler is joined by Joann Lutz, psychotherapist and yoga therapist and educator whose work focuses on nervous system regulation, resilience, and the therapeutic application of yoga across a wide range of life contexts. Their conversation explores a central theme of this season: that nervous system regulation is not achieved through force, positivity, or performance, but through consistent, attuned yoga/ somatic practice over time. Together, Amy and Joann reflect on the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a coherent and practical framework for supporting autonomic nervous system stability—particularly within a culture that often prioritizes speed, productivity, and intensity over steadiness, reflection, and discernment. Joann shares how yogic tools support regulation not by suppressing or overriding stress responses, but by creating the internal and relational conditions in which the nervous system can reorganize itself. The discussion emphasizes the importance of pacing, repetition, and relationship—both within one's personal practice and within therapeutic, educational, and clinical settings. Rather than framing dysregulation as something to eliminate, this episode invites a more nuanced understanding: regulation as a dynamic capacity that is gradually strengthened through appropriate effort, self-study, and compassionate awareness. Amy and Joann also explore how yoga therapy serves as a bridge between ancient yogic frameworks and modern understandings of the nervous system. They reflect on why practices such as ethical inquiry, self-reflection, breath awareness, and embodied presence remain foundational—not as abstract philosophical concepts, but as practical supports for safety, clarity, adaptability, and sustainable change in daily life. This episode will resonate with yoga therapists, clinicians, educators, and practitioners who are interested in how nervous system regulation develops over time through intentional practice, relational support, and an integrated view of the human experience. In This Episode, We ExploreWhy safety, relationship, and pacing are essential for sustainable regulationThe role of discernment in selecting and applying yogic tools skillfullyHow yoga therapy supports resilience without pushing, bypassing, or overriding lived experience About the GuestJoann Lutz is a yoga therapist and educator specializing in nervous system regulation and therapeutic yoga. Her work emphasizes clarity, relational presence, and the thoughtful integration of yogic principles into both personal practice and professional application. She is known for a grounded, compassionate approach that supports individuals and communities in cultivating steadiness amid stress, change, and complexity.Her website:Her primary website is https://joannlutz.com/ Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-lutz-licsw-e-ryt-c-iayt-ba85739/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lutz124/?hl=enBook she wrote:She is the author of Trauma Healing in the Yoga Zone Subscribe, Share, and Stay ConnectedIf this season supports your personal practice or your professional path, consider subscribing, sharing an episode with a colleague, and following along as the series unfolds across 2026. School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-healthMaster of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com
Episode SummaryIn this solo episode, Amy Wheeler lays the philosophical foundation for the upcoming season by returning to one of the most essential—and often misunderstood—concepts in yoga philosophy: citta, the mind-field. Rather than approaching yoga as a collection of tools and techniques, Amy invites listeners to remember the deeper purpose of yoga as articulated in Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra—the reduction of suffering through clarity, discernment, and relationship to our deepest self.Amy carefully differentiates between the citta mind and the citta field, explaining how manas (sensory and processing mind), ahaṅkāra (identity and survival mind), and buddhi (discernment and intuitive wisdom) function together within the mind-field. She emphasizes that none of these aspects are inherently “good” or “bad”; the work of yoga is learning when and how to use each one skillfully.From this lens, the Eight Limbs of Yoga are reframed—not as techniques for calming or self-optimization—but as a regulatory and ethical pathway that guides us back toward buddhi and closer relationship with puruṣa, the witness. Amy walks through each limb, highlighting how social ethics (yamas), personal care (niyamas), posture, breath, sensory withdrawal, and meditation progressively support the inward movement of the mind.Throughout the episode, Amy reflects candidly on modern overwhelm, distraction, and survival stress, naming how easy it is to become trapped in manas or ahaṅkāra—especially in times of social and political intensity. She models a return to practice not as withdrawal from the world, but as the necessary ground for discerned, ethical service.This episode serves as a framing conversation for the season ahead—inviting yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and serious practitioners to clarify their orientation, remember the roots of the tradition, and consider what kind of inner cultivation is required if yoga is to remain a living, ethical, and relational science for generations to come. Key Themes & TopicsWhat citta really means in yoga philosophyThe distinction between mind, mind-field, and witnessManas, ahaṅkāra, and buddhi: functions and imbalancesSuffering as a signal of misused mental functionsThe Eight Limbs as a regulatory and ethical frameworkWhy the yamas come before self-careAsana and pranayama as preparation for inward clarityPratyāhāra as a natural outcome, not a techniqueMeditation as a progressive, non-linear processReturning to practice as an act of discerned service Reflection Questions for ListenersWhich aspect of the mind has been most dominant for you lately—manas, ahaṅkāra, or buddhi?Where might survival concerns be overshadowing discernment or meaning?How do your current yoga practices support clarity of mind, not just regulation of state?What would it mean to re-center your practice around relationship with the witness? Closing NoteThis episode sets the tone for the season: yoga as a rooted, ethical, relational path—not a collection of techniques, but a way of organizing the inner landscape so that we may suffer less and serve more wisely.Thank you for listening and for being part of the Yoga Therapy Hour community.www.TheOptimalState.com to contact Amy https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool
This episode is a vital deep dive into a life transition that has been underserved and misunderstood for far too long. Michele sits down with Petra Coveney, the pioneering founder of Menopause Yoga™ and author of the new book, Menopause Yoga and Wellbeing.Together, they explore why standard yoga often falls short during the menopausal transition and how a specialized, therapeutic approach—rooted in both endocrinology and the Five Koshas—can transform a woman's experience from one of "deficiency" to a powerful "Second Spring."In This Episode, We Discuss:The "Spark" of Menopause Yoga: Petra shares the personal and professional journey that led her to realize the need for a specific somatic protocol for menopause.Beyond Hormones: Using the Five Koshas to navigate the physical, emotional, and spiritual shifts of this life stage.Taming the "Fight or Flight": How to use the nervous system as an entry point to manage hot flashes, anxiety, and the sudden surges of cortisol common in perimenopause.The "Second Spring": Moving away from the medicalized view of menopause as a "decline" and reclaiming it as a season of renewal and power.Practicing for the Symptoms: Petra explains how to customize yoga therapy for the "heat and rage" of menopause versus the "brain fog and lethargy."Petra's Personal Sadhana: How the woman who supports the world stays regulated and grounded in her own daily practice.Resources & Links:Petra's New Book: Menopause Yoga and WellbeingVisit Petra's Website: Menopause-Yoga.comFollow Petra on Instagram: @Menopause_YogaSupport the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga TherapyEmail us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook
In this solo episode, Amy explores the patterned nature of the mind through the framework of the Yoga Sūtra of Pātañjali and its relevance to the autonomic nervous system.Rather than approaching change as something we force or “hack,” this episode returns to a classical yogic understanding: the mind is conditioned, the body follows, and awareness is the pathway to regulation.Drawing from Yoga Sūtra 1.1–1.4 and 1.12, Amy unpacks how repeated thoughts and emotional states create saṁskāras (impressions), which accumulate into vāsanās (deep tendencies), shaping identity and physiology over time.This conversation bridges ancient phenomenological observation with modern nervous system language — without collapsing one into the other. In This EpisodeWhat atha yoga-anuśāsanam (YS 1.1) means in lived experienceYogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ (YS 1.2) as regulation of mental fluctuationsHow saṁskāra and vāsanā shape behavioral and physiological patternsThe relationship between the guṇas — sattva, rajas, and tamas — and nervous system statesHow chronic emotional patterns reinforce autonomic conditioningThe kleśas (avidyā, asmitā, rāga, dveṣa, abhiniveśa) as drivers of repeated sufferingWhy yoga is not about eliminating activation, but cultivating flexibilityAbhyāsa and vairāgya (YS 1.12) as the yogic model of repatterningMeditation as a stabilizer of sattva and interoceptive clarityThe distinction between conditioned identity and the steady witness (YS 1.3) Key ThemesThe Mind Is PatternedThe fluctuations of the mind are not random. Repeated thoughts and emotions form grooves. These grooves influence perception, behavior, and physiology.Yoga names these grooves saṁskāras.When we live unconsciously from them, the nervous system reflects those patterns.www.TheOptimalState.com The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification
This episode explores how yoga therapy supports children aged 8–12 with anxiety and self-regulation, including the specific practices, and the effective approach behind Meg Vyas's course on the Breathing Deeply Wellness platform. In this conversation with certified yoga therapist Meg Voss, who has worked with children for 17 years, you'll discover: • Why ages 8–12 is a critical window for learning self-regulation skills • How yoga therapy differs from exercise for anxiety in children • The four pillars of how Meg helps kids self-regulate • A real case study: a 5-year-old in a paediatric ICU who shifted from distress to calm in one session Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:28 - Introducing Meg and her work as a yoga therapist 01:16 - What it's like working with children between the ages of 8-12 02:58 - The epidemic of childhood anxiety and how yoga can help 04:40 - The difference between yoga and exercise for self-regulation 06:12 - Meg's course: 4 ways to regulate children with yoga therapy 09:07 - Meg's story working with a child in ICU, how applying yoga therapy practices helped him ease anxiety in just 40 minutes 12:34 - The incredible knowledge Meg has after working with children for 17 years ——— Yoga therapy is a growing clinical field that helps people work with mental health challenges and chronic health conditions using evidence-informed yoga practices. Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy School provides professional yoga therapy training programs designed to prepare you to work safely and effectively with real clients. Our graduates are trained to work with: • Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma • Chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases • Chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions • Fatigue, burnout, and complex long-term health challenges Learn about professional yoga therapy training: https://breathingdeeply.com If you're looking for yoga therapy for your own health, explore Breathing Deeply Wellness: Guided programs, practices, and support for mental health, chronic conditions, and long-term wellbeing. https://breathingdeeply.com/wellness
This episode is an exploration of what it means to be truly seen. Michele sits down with world-renowned photographer and yoga practitioner Robert Sturman to discuss the intersection of art, trauma, and the human spirit. Robert doesn't just document yoga; he captures what he calls "figurative poetry." From the halls of maximum-security prisons to the lives of breast cancer survivors and veterans living with PTSD, Robert's lens serves as a mirror for dignity, helping his subjects reclaim their wholeness.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Power of Being Seen: How the act of being photographed serves as a therapeutic intervention for those who have felt unseen or broken by society.Body as a Battlefield: Reclaiming dignity and wholeness through the lens when the physical body feels like a place of trauma or illness.The Stillness of San Quentin: What men in maximum-security prisons have taught Robert about the ability to shift an internal state from bracing to being.The Photographer's Assessment: The visual cues Robert looks for that signal when a person has finally dropped into their own internal home.The Warrior & Vulnerability: Robert's extensive work with the Veterans Yoga Project and how visual storytelling bridges the gap between military service and trauma healing.Positive Propaganda: How capturing yoga in unlikely places can shift the cultural and clinical narrative around recovery and resilience.Clearing the Residue: How Robert uses his personal practice to process the heavy environments he enters so he can continue pointing to the beauty.Visit Robert's Website: RobertSturmanStudio.comFollow Robert on Instagram: @RobertSturmanLearn more about the Veterans Yoga Project: VeteransYogaProject.orgSupport the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.com Website Instagram Facebook
In this solo conversation, Amy Wheeler makes a clear case for yoga therapy as a distinct clinical discipline—not a “licensed healthcare modality + a few yoga tools.” She explores why yoga therapy has struggled to define its contribution, and she proposes a steady answer: yoga therapy's central work is helping people reorganize their inner landscape through a coherent philosophical and practical framework—most clearly articulated in Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra, with the Eight Limbs as a regulatory pathway for mind, nervous system, body, relationship, and meaning.What you'll hear in this episodeWhat “regulatory framework” means in this series: regulating mind, nervous system, body, perception, relationships, and connection to the EarthThe “golden thread” Amy feels the yoga therapy field risks losing aA practical comparison of domain-specific problem solving in other professions, including:Physical therapy: movement dysfunction, strength, mobility, pain through biomechanical/neuromuscular modelsOccupational therapy: functional capacity, ADLs, sensory integration, environmental adaptationPsychotherapy/counseling: cognition, emotion regulation, behavior patterns, diagnostic frameworks and treatment modelsSocial work: psychosocial context, systems, resources, advocacy, and the web of supportThe key distinction: yoga therapy does not start with “What is broken and how do we fix it?”Yoga therapy's starting question: How are you perceiving and relating to your lived experience—and what patterns are shaping suffering or freedom?The clinical emphasis on capacity (what's available, what can be strengthened) rather than diagnosisYoga therapy as an integrative map across “layers” of the human system (physical, energetic/breath, mental-emotional, relational, and sacred/spiritual)A clinical example: when “back pain” becomes a doorway into insight about life patterning, stress physiology, and meaning—not just mechanicsWhy we don't need to speak traditional yogic language in medical settings—but we do need to retain the models internally and translate skillfullyHow the guṇa model supports daily self-regulation by tracking fluctuations in mood, energy, motivation, clarity, and reactivityWhy “embodied awareness” becomes essential when people cannot access cognition reliably under stress, pain, or trauma—and why bottom-up regulation mattersA grounded caution: yogic models vary by lineage, can be oversimplified or “whitewashed,” and can be hard to standardize—yet they remain clinically powerful when held with integrityAmy's argument for where yoga therapy can be sustainable in healthcare: often on the health education / behavioral health / worksite wellness / stress reduction side, while remaining a parallel, adjunctive support to medical careThe call to action: yoga therapy needs a unifying clinical framework and clinical reasoning that stays aligned with its own scope and philosophical foundationThe culminating proposition: Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra offers a coherent, ethical, clinically applicable framework—especially through Chapter 2 and the Eight LimbsKey concepts and phrases from the episode“Regulatory framework” (broad, layered, relational)“Golden thread” (the essential philosophical lens of yoga therapy)“A different set of glasses” (a different starting question than biomedical/diagnostic paradigms)“Reorganization of the inner landscape” (a tangible way to describe yoga therapy's deeper aim beyond symptom management)“Translator” and “bridge” (the yoga therapist's role in interdisciplinary settings)“Whole person over diagnosis” (holistic mapping rather than narrow domain reduction)“Freedom = inner spaciousness” (not escape, but a changed inner relationship to experience)“Clinical reasoning within our framework” (not borrowing another field's logic to justify our work)Books Amy recommends (mentioned in the episode)T.K.V. Desikachar — The Heart of YogaT.K.V. Desikachar — Reflections on the Yoga Sūtra of PatañjaliRanju Roy & David Charlton — Embodying the Yoga Sūtra (Amy's strongest recommendation for translating Yoga Sūtra into yoga therapy)What's ahead in the seriesAmy shares that this year of The Yoga Therapy Hour will stay closely aligned with the Eight Limbs as a regulatory framework, and she's beginning a longer-term writing project to explicitly translate Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra into a clinically usable foundation for yoga therapy.Listener reflection promptsWhere in your work (or life) do you notice yourself defaulting to “problem-fixing,” and what changes when you shift to “perception and relationship”?If yoga therapy's domain is reducing suffering through clarity and self-regulation, how would you describe that in the language of your current setting?What is one way you can strengthen your ability to translate yogic models into interdisciplinary language without losing the model itself?What does “reorganizing the inner landscape” mean for you personally—and how do you recognize when it's happening?ClosingAmy closes by encouraging listeners to spend time with the Yoga Sūtra—not as an abstract philosophy, but as a practical guide for daily living, clinical reasoning, and long-term change through discernment, self-awareness, and the steady cultivation of freedom.School of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool
In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Nikki Myers—MBA, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, and founder of Y12SR: The Yoga of 12-Step Recovery. Nikki has spent decades at the crossroads of addiction recovery and somatic wisdom, teaching us that while the 12-Step meetings provide the "cognitive map," the yoga mat provides the "somatic laboratory" for true healing.We dive deep into the soul-level work of recovery, discussing how to come home to a body that has been through the fire. If you have ever felt like your body was an unsafe place to be, or if you've struggled to find the "space" between a trigger and a response, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we explore:The Birth of Y12SR: Why the "top-down" approach of 12-step programs needs the "bottom-up" wisdom of yoga to facilitate sustainable recovery.The Issues in the Tissues: A deep dive into how trauma, heartbreak, and addiction literally manifest in our fascia, our breath, and our posture.From Escaping to Befriending: How to stop numbing the body and start trusting it again, even when it feels full of cravings or anxiety.The Laboratory of the Mat: Using a yoga pose to practice staying present when things get uncomfortable, building the "resilience muscle" needed for daily life.Holding Space for the Healer: Nikki shares her personal practice for maintaining wholeness while holding space for thousands in their darkest moments.About Nikki MyersNikki Myers is an accomplished teacher, practitioner, and speaker who has been featured in The New York Times, Yoga Journal, and Huffington Post. As the founder of Y12SR, she has trained thousands of leaders across the globe to integrate the cognitive tools of 12-step programs with the somatic tools of yoga. Her work is a testament to the fact that recovery is not just a mental shift, but a full-body homecoming.Connect with Nikki:Website: y12sr.comInstagram: @nikkimyersy12srSupport the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.com Website Instagram Facebook
In this thoughtful and grounded conversation, Amy Wheeler is joined by Dr. Lauren Tober to explore two foundational pillars of ethical and effective yoga teaching and yoga therapy: scope of practice and the creation of a safe container.The episode begins with a clear and nuanced discussion of scope of practice—what it truly means, why it cannot be standardized across all practitioners, and how clarity protects both students and teachers. Dr. Tober emphasizes that scope of practice is shaped not only by formal training, but also by lived experience, competence, and confidence. Amy reflects on how her background in educational psychology and kinesiology informs her own scope, particularly in the areas of mental health and nervous system regulation.From there, the conversation moves into one of the most practical and quietly powerful parts of Dr. Tober's work: teaching yoga teachers how to create a safe container. Together, they explore why safety is not just about what is taught, but how space is held—relationally, predictably, and with nervous system awareness.Dr. Tober names an important reality: no space can ever be 100% safe for every person, given the diversity of lived experience and nervous system histories. Yet there is much teachers can do to increase the likelihood of felt safety—and doing so is foundational for healing, learning, and regulation. Without safety, students are less likely to return, more likely to become dysregulated, and less able to receive the benefits of practice.The discussion highlights how predictability, transparency, and thoughtful environmental choices support nervous system settling. Simple, often overlooked elements—starting and ending on time, explaining the structure of a class, orienting students to exits, maintaining consistent room setup, and letting students know how long a practice will last—can make a profound difference, especially for those who have rarely experienced spaces of welcome, inclusion, and belonging.Amy connects this directly to Polyvagal-informed teaching, emphasizing the importance of clearly naming what will happen during a class. While repeating this structure may feel unnecessary to seasoned students, it offers essential regulation cues to others—and does not limit creativity. Structure, as both Amy and Dr. Tober note, is not the opposite of freedom; it is what allows variation and creativity to land safely.Throughout the episode, a steady throughline emerges: clarity builds trust. Whether we are naming the edges of our scope of practice or the arc of a yoga class, transparency supports safety, integrity, and sustainability—for everyone involved.In This Episode, We Explore:· What scope of practice means in yoga and yoga therapy· Why scope is individual, contextual, and evolving· Mental health awareness versus mental health treatment· Trauma-informed yoga versus treating trauma· Referral as an ethical and relational skill· What a “safe container” actually is—and why it matters· How predictability supports nervous system regulation· Simple, practical ways teachers can increase felt safety· Why structure does not limit creativity, but supports it· How clarity and humility build student trustKey Takeaway: Safety and scope are not constraints. They are foundations. When we clearly name what we offer, how we hold space, and what students can expect, we create conditions for trust, regulation, and meaningful change.About the Guest:Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, Author + Host of A Grateful Life Podcastwww.yogapsychologyinstitute.com Host of the A Grateful Life Podcast - Conversations on mental health, yoga & living a good life. About the Host: www.TheOptimalState.com Amy Wheeler, PhD, C-IAYT, is the host of The Yoga Therapy Hour, an educator, yoga therapist, and leader in the integration of yoga therapy, psychology, and nervous system regulation. School of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool Listen & Subscribe: Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this soul-stirring conversation, I am joined by Mark Gardett, PhD, a yoga scholar, teacher, and author of the transformative new book, A Necessary Joy: Yoga and the Quest for Transformation.Mark sits at the powerful intersection of trans identity and ancient yogic philosophy. Together, we explore the idea that "transness" is not just a destination, but a spiritual practice of expansion—one that mirrors the yogic journey toward the unchanging Self (Atman). Whether you are navigating a gender transition, a career shift, or the "identity injury" of trauma, this episode serves as a map for coming home to a self that cannot be lost.In this episode, we discuss:The Practice of Transforming: Why the act of becoming is more vital than the final destination.The Unchanging Core: How the concept of the "Atman" (the witness) provides a steady foundation during profound life shifts and gender transitions.Protecting the Inner Light: Strategies for staying open to a turbulent world while preserving your divine spark.Redefining Liberation: Is freedom an escape from the world, or a radical new way of being within it?Yoga in the Margins: Reclaiming yoga's roots as a practice for those outside the "mainstream" centers of power.Sadhana as Foundation: Mark shares their personal daily practice and how it upholds their work as a coach and educator.About Mark GardettMark Gardett (they/them) is a transgender practitioner, scholar, and teacher of yoga with over 25 years of experience. They hold a PhD in English and specialize in therapeutic, trauma-informed yoga for individuals navigating PTSD and major life transitions. Mark is the founder of foundingqueers.com, where they coach LGBTQ+ business founders to operationalize their visions with integrity and joy.Connect with Mark:Book: A Necessary Joy: Yoga and the Quest for Transformation (Available via Tehom Center Publishing)Coaching: foundingqueers.comSupport the showConnect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.com Website Instagram Facebook
In this inaugural episode of Season 10, Amy Wheeler introduces the guiding framework for the year ahead: exploring the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a practical, integrated regulatory framework for the autonomic nervous system. Rather than offering “tools and tricks” for stress, this season centers a wider view—how yoga shapes the conditions for safety, stability, adaptability, and coherence across daily life. Amy explains why nervous system regulation matters across integrative health contexts. When we support autonomic balance, we support the whole person—how we sleep, digest, think, relate, decide, and recover from chronic stress and burnout. This season also bridges personal practice and professional application, supporting listeners who want yoga to be a private anchor, and those discerning how yoga therapy can responsibly integrate into healthcare, education, and community settings. A key reframe anchors the episode: the Eight Limbs are not a ladder to climb, but a circle with eight doors. Each limb is an entry point, and once you enter, every practice influences the whole system—physiology, perception, behavior, relationships, and purpose. Season 10 also aligns with Amy's forthcoming book (with Marlisa Sullivan), Applications of Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health(anticipated late spring/early summer 2026), designed as a companion guide to help practitioners translate yogic principles into accessible language for real-world settings. In This Episode, Amy ExploresWhy the autonomic nervous system is a shared meeting point between yoga and integrative healthcareThe Eight Limbs as a regulatory framework, not simply a set of techniquesHow regulation affects perception (viveka), behavior, communication, and ethical decision-makingWhy “coherence” matters: aligning life demands with inner and outer resourcesThe Eight Limbs as a circle with eight doors—interrelated, non-hierarchical entry pointsThe yamas and niyamas as the ethics of regulation, not moral perfectionHow yoga therapy differs from fitness-based yoga: assessment, client-centered care, scope, and responsibilityWhy this season includes more solo teaching episodes, with select guests across disciplinesHow listeners can develop simple language and metaphors (like the stoplight model) to explain regulation Invitation for the SeasonAs you listen this year, consider tracking phrases, metaphors, and explanations that help make complex ideas accessible. This season is designed as a shared learning laboratory—supporting personal regulation, while also strengthening the collective capacity to communicate clearly about yoga therapy in integrative health spaces. Host: Amy Wheeler at www.TheOptimalState.comAbout: Chair, Yoga Therapy & Ayurveda Department, Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityAlso Featured: insights informed by Amy's work with the Polyvagal Institute Subscribe, Share, and Stay ConnectedIf this season supports your personal practice or your professional path, consider subscribing, sharing an episode with a colleague, and following along as the series unfolds across 2026. School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-healthMaster of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com
In this week's episode Adrienne and cohosts interview Liz Albanis. She shares how she found yoga despite disconnection with her own body, found the right teacher training at the right time, and is deepening her yoga teaching through yoga therapy - which has a unique definition in Australia in comparison to the United States!Send a textWanna be on the show? Click here to fill out our guest info form or drop us a email at yogachanged@gmail.comFollow us on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@yogachangedFollow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/yogachanged/For more, go to https://howyogachangedmylife.comThe theme music for this episode, “Cenote Angelita”, was written and produced by Mar Abajo Rio AKA MAR Yoga Music. Dive deeper into this and other original yoga-inspired compositions by visiting bio.site/mcrworks. For the latest updates on upcoming events featuring his live music for yoga and meditation, be sure to follow @maryogamusic on Instagram.
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler is joined by Sara Klute Behn, a yoga therapist and health coach based in Iowa, for a thoughtful conversation about nervous system regulation, sustainable health behavior change, and the deep overlap between yoga therapy and health coaching.Together, they explore why willpower alone rarely leads to lasting change—and why regulation, safety, and support matter far more. Sara shares her personal journey through anxiety, life transitions, and healing, and how those lived experiences shaped her work supporting women who feel overwhelmed, overextended, and stuck in cycles that no longer serve them.This conversation invites listeners to slow down, reconsider how change actually happens, and reflect on what it means to create a regulated life—one small, compassionate step at a time.In This Episode, We ExploreWhy health behavior change is not a motivation problem, but a nervous system issueHow yoga therapy and health coaching naturally complement one anotherThe role of self-regulation in eating, movement, sleep, and emotional resilienceWhy consistency grows from safety, not forceReframing identity as a pathway to sustainable changeLetting go of all-or-nothing thinking around movement and wellnessHow slowing down can actually increase effectiveness and clarityThe importance of creativity, joy, and ritual in healingSupporting women through burnout, anxiety, and overachievement without self-judgmentAbout SaraSara Klute Behn is a yoga therapist and health coach who supports women in reconnecting with their bodies, values, and inner wisdom. Her work integrates yoga therapy, nervous system regulation, and holistic coaching to help clients move out of overwhelm and into steadier, more nourishing patterns of living.She offers individual coaching, group programs, corporate wellness, and seasonal offerings designed to support long-term change with compassion and clarity.Website: https://www.yourwiseselfwithsara.com Closing ReflectionIf you've ever felt frustrated by your inability to “stick with” healthy habits—despite knowing what to do—this episode offers a reframing worth sitting with. Regulation precedes change. Support matters. And slowing down may be the most strategic step forward.Contact Amy Wheeler: www.TheOptimalState.comSchool of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-healthMaster of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapyExplore NDMU's Post-Master's Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practicesTry our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchoolOptimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
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