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In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores three foundational teachings from Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra that describe how real transformation unfolds over time: abhyāsa (steady practice), vairāgya (letting go of attachment), and śraddhā (deep trust in the process). While these terms are often translated simply as “practice and detachment,” Patañjali presents them as a sophisticated framework for understanding how the mind stabilizes and how human behavior gradually shifts. Amy reflects on how these teachings describe the ongoing work of regulating the mind, working with habitual patterns, and cultivating a steadier relationship with our internal experience. The conversation begins with Yoga Sūtra 1.2 — yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ, the well-known description of yoga as the process of working with the fluctuations of the mind. Amy explains how these fluctuations influence behavior, emotional reactions, communication patterns, and the way we show up in relationships and daily life. From both a yogic and modern nervous system perspective, the mind tends to move along well-worn pathways shaped by conditioning and repetition. Patañjali offers a clear response to this reality. In Yoga Sūtra 1.13–1.14, he introduces abhyāsa, the disciplined effort to remain steady. Amy discusses how abhyāsa is not about intensity or dramatic breakthroughs. Instead, it reflects the quiet power of consistent practice over time. When a practice is sustained for a long period, practiced without interruption, and approached with care and sincerity, it begins to stabilize the mind and reshape patterns of behavior. Yet practice alone can lead to striving and tension if it is not balanced by vairāgya. Drawing from Yoga Sūtra 1.15, Amy explores vairāgya as the capacity to release our grasp on outcomes. This teaching does not suggest disengagement from life. Rather, it encourages freedom from excessive craving for particular results, identities, or experiences. In practical terms, this means continuing to practice while allowing the process to unfold naturally, without becoming trapped in cycles of evaluation, success, or failure. This balance between effort and release becomes essential in both personal practice and therapeutic settings. When individuals become overly attached to outcomes, the nervous system often moves toward anxiety, urgency, or self-criticism. Vairāgya creates space for psychological flexibility and a steadier relationship with change. Amy then introduces śraddhā, described in Yoga Sūtra 1.20, as a quiet but essential quality that sustains the path. Often translated as faith, śraddhā can be understood as a grounded sense of trust or confidence in the process of practice. It is the willingness to continue even when change is gradual or difficult to perceive. In therapeutic contexts, śraddhā often appears as hope, openness, and the willingness to keep engaging with practices that support healing and growth. Together, abhyāsa, vairāgya, and śraddhā form a practical framework for transformation: ·        Abhyāsa encourages us to return to practice consistently. ·        Vairāgya helps us release the need to control outcomes. ·        Śraddhā sustains our commitment to the path. Amy reflects on how these teachings continue to shape modern yoga therapy, where long-term behavioral change, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness unfold gradually through repeated experience rather than quick solutions. This episode invites listeners to consider how these three principles might influence their own lives: how we practice, how we release attachment to results, and how we cultivate the quiet trust that allows meaningful change to emerge over time.

Episode overview In 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 episode Key themes How 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 Benefit Practical takeaways Think “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%qq Contact Amy @  www.TheOptimalState.com   Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158   The Optimal State Mobile App https://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

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 Explore Why 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 Guest Joann 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=en Book she wrote: She is the author of Trauma Healing in the Yoga Zone   Subscribe, Share, and Stay Connected If 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-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 #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool     Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158   The Optimal State Mobile App https://optimalstateapp.com

Episode Summary In 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 & Topics What 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 Listeners Which 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 Note This 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  

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 Episode What 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 Themes The Mind Is Patterned The 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 App https://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  

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 episode What “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 series Amy 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 prompts Where 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?Closing Amy 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 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 trust Key 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 Podcast www.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 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 Explores Why 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 Season As 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.com About: Chair, Yoga Therapy & Ayurveda Department, Notre Dame of Maryland University Also Featured: insights informed by Amy’s work with the Polyvagal Institute   Subscribe, Share, and Stay Connected If 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-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 #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool     Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158   The Optimal State Mobile App https://optimalstateapp.com

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 Explore Why 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-judgment About Sara Sara 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 Reflection If 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.com 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 Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804

In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy welcomes back Kristine Weber for her third conversation on the podcast. Kristine is known for weaving together yoga philosophy, neuroscience, social justice, and policy in a way that is both grounded and deeply practical. This conversation ranges from marketing and entrepreneurship to self-regulation, somatics, and the future of yoga therapy as a profession. The episode opens with a candid discussion about what it really takes to build a sustainable yoga business in the current landscape. Kristine shares the story of how one comment in a Facebook yoga research group changed her entire approach, leading her to study marketing, hire a digital strategist, and invest consistently in paid advertising—while staying aligned with her values and with authentic, evidence-informed yoga. From there, Amy and Kristine move into the heart of the conversation: yoga as self-regulation and why the vagus nerve is only one piece of a much larger picture. Kristine contrasts Western models of self-regulation and the autonomic nervous system with yogic models that include doṣas, guṇas, the kośas, and ethical frameworks like the yamas and niyamas. Together, they explore how yoga invites us to move beyond mechanistic “fix the machine” thinking toward a biopsychosocial–spiritual, socio-ecological understanding of who we are. They also discuss: How to define self-regulation from both neuroscience and yoga perspectivesThe limits of a purely “vagus nerve–centric” approach and why it’s important to situate the vagus nerve inside broader models of health and meaningThe role of interoception, perception, ethics, and self-study (svādhyāya) in genuine regulation and resilienceWhen devices and vagal stimulators can be helpful, and how worldview shapes whether they support or undermine long-term healingThe emerging tension around somatic therapies in systems like the VA and APA, and why training and scope of practice matterISMETA and other advocacy efforts working on regulation and recognition for somatic modalitiesGrassroots versus federal-level advocacy, and why yoga therapists need to think locally and globallyLicensure, silos, and why it’s both necessary and problematic for yoga therapyKristine’s concept of “yoga in all policy” and the importance of bringing yoga into schools, treatment centers, public health, and beyondAmy also shares about her forthcoming co-authored book with Marlysa Sullivan, Applications of Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health: Reimagining Well-Being (Routledge Press Spring 26), which places the vagus nerve and neuroscience inside the larger arc of the eight limbs of yoga—rather than asking yoga to fit into a narrow biomedical frame. Kristine responds with enthusiasm for this more holistic paradigm and calls on yoga professionals to reclaim yoga as a complete system for human transformation and flourishing, not “just stretching” or a series of isolated techniques. Toward the end of the episode, Kristine describes ways to study with her, including: The Science of Slow – an on-demand course on fatigue, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and body imageNeuroscience of Yogic Meditation – exploring the distinctiveness of yogic meditation practicesHer Subtle Yoga breathwork certification and other nervous-system-focused trainingsWeekly classes through the Subtle Yoga Resilience Society membershipLive workshops in the U.S. and internationallyThis conversation is for yoga therapists, yoga teachers, and integrative health professionals who sense that yoga has far more to offer than “yoga for the vagus nerve” headlines—and who want to align their work with a broader, more humane vision of health, policy, and social change. Find Amy Wheeler on WWW.TheOptimalState.com Master of Science in Yoga Therapy https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/   Explore MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals.  https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/    Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: https://muih.edu/academics/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification/ #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool

In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy speaks with Valerie Hesslink and Jeanne Kolker, both from Insight Counseling & Wellness, about how yoga therapy has tapped into billing through Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. Jeanne and Valerie discuss the realities of providing trauma-informed, community-based care, the role of skill building in recovery, and the organizational standards required to deliver CCS services. Valerie also shares her personal journey and how yoga helped her reconnect with herself during a difficult period. The conversation offers a grounded look at the future of integrative mental health and the importance of embodied practices in long-term healing. Valerie Hesslink Valerie brings both professional training and lived experience to her work in CCS. She speaks openly about a period in her life marked by emotional struggle and a deep sense of disconnection—an experience that led her to yoga when traditional therapies were not enough. Through sustained breathwork, embodiment practices, and steady support, she found her way back into her body and rebuilt her internal sense of safety and clarity. This personal journey now informs the way she teaches. Valerie’s approach is patient, relational, and grounded in empathy. She understands the courage it takes for clients to begin again and offers tools that help them move through daily life with more steadiness and trust. Jeanne Kolker Jeanne is a therapist and yoga teacher with extensive experience in trauma-informed care. She works at the intersection of somatic awareness and mental health, supporting individuals through recovery with clarity and compassion. Jeanne offers insight into how yoga therapy fits into multidisciplinary care and what is needed to ensure clients receive safe, consistent, and high-quality services. Learn more about their work: Insight Counseling & Wellness Counseling Services: https://insightmadison.com/ccsYoga Studio: https://insightmadison.com/yogastudioLearn More about the MS in Yoga Therapy: 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   Contact Amy Wheeler at www.TheOptimalState.com

Episode summary Computer-science-turned-cognitive-science researcher and yoga therapist Chen Or Bach joins Amy to share a candid journey from academia to cancer survivorship, from mat-based practice to living yoga moment-to-moment. We trace how the pañca-kośa model reframed her healing, why standards and accreditation helped yoga integrate into Israeli healthcare, and what it means to let go of familiar tools and still remain fully in the path. It’s a forward-looking conversation about bringing steadiness (sthira) and sweetness (sukha) into real life—mountain trails, laundry folding, and all. Listen for Nature as practice: Boulder’s mountains as living teachers of stability in change.Pañca-kośa in plain life: tending annamaya, prāṇamaya, manomaya, vijñānamaya, and especially ānandamaya—not as theory but daily design.When the practice stops “working”: giving yourself permission to let go of certain tools (āsana, set routines) and allow yoga to become how you meet each moment.Healthcare integration: how Israel’s modular 1,000-hour training (500 teacher + 500 therapy with specialty tracks) supported hospital uptake.Karma yoga without burnout: serving the field while protecting one’s vitality (tapas with svādhyāya and īśvara-praṇidhāna—Kriyā Yoga in action).Key takeaways Ānanda is not optional. Many of us optimize the outer layers (food, steps) and starve ānandamaya kośa. Intentionally design joy-creating activities; the outer layers flourish downstream.Your practice can change shape. If a tool stops serving, it’s not failure—it’s viveka (discernment). Let the aim (clarity, compassion, steadiness) stay constant while methods evolve.Standards serve people. Thoughtful accreditation isn’t bureaucracy—it’s ahimsā and satya for clients and health systems: clear scope, reliable skills, safer care.Karma yoga needs boundaries. Service without self-regulation fuels burnout. Pair tapas with rest, supervision, and community—abhyāsa with vairāgya.Practical micro-practices (try today) Joy audit (5 min): List three ordinary tasks. For each, name one sensory element you can savor (temperature of water while washing dishes, sound of leaves on a walk).Kośa check-in (2 min): Ask: What does my body/energy/mind/wisdom/joy need right now? Choose one small step.Walk as yoga (10–20 min): No metrics. Attend to breath cadence, ground contact, and horizon/sky—let attention, breath, and body cohere.Resources mentioned Pātañjala Yoga Sūtra (as study companion during illness)Bhagavadgītā (as a source of resilience and meaning)IAYT-inspired standards and Israel’s modular specialty pathways (trauma, oncology, etc.)About our guest — Chen Or Bach Chen Or Bach blends cognitive/neuroscience training with decades of yoga practice and service. In Israel, she helped advance standards that enabled yoga and yoga therapy to integrate into mainstream healthcare, including rehabilitation settings (e.g., TBI). Now based in Boulder, she continues to teach, mentor, and model a life where all life is yoga. Pull quotes “Once your attention, breath, and body are in the same place, the game changes.”“If one tool stops serving you, the tradition still has a thousand doors.”“I stopped ‘doing’ yoga and started being it—moment by moment.”“Standards aren’t red tape; they’re how we protect people.”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

Episode snapshot Debbie Lamond (near London, UK) is a yoga teacher and yoga therapist specializing in support for people living with lymphoedema. After decades of personal practice and training with the British Wheel of Yoga, she blends breathwork, Yoga Nidra, gentle movement, self-care for the lymphatic system, and realistic habit tracking. This conversation feels like tea with a wise friend—practical, hopeful, and grounded in ahiṃsā, svādhyāya, and the steady courage of śraddhā. What we cover Debbie’s path: yoga since 1994, why it offered something team sports and fitness didn’t—time, calm, and coming home to self.Lymphoedema support, plain language: why movement, hydration, skin care, and compression are foundations—and how yoga fits in.Breath changes the body: how diaphragmatic breathing helps down-shift sympathetic overdrive and, anecdotally, can ease night-time swelling enough to return to sleep.Yoga tools that help: slow rhythmic movement, Yoga Nidra for nervous-system recovery, present-moment awareness to interrupt “what-if” spirals.Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD): “open the drains,” then move—pair with water intake and gentle activity.Ayurvedic lifestyle touches: cooling choices when heat aggravates symptoms, morning light, toxin reduction, and a simple habit tracker.Agency and dignity: building a daily routine you’ll actually keep—this isn’t a quick-fix pill.Practical takeaways (save/print) Three-minute reset: recline, elevate legs, one hand on belly; inhale gently through the nose, exhale a little longer; ~15–20 breaths. Notice if sensation and anxiety both dial down.Daily rhythm idea:Brief self-MLD (as taught by a qualified therapist).10–20 minutes of gentle yoga or a short walk.Hydrate and quick skin-check.Yoga Nidra or guided rest later in the day if swelling or fatigue rises.Get support: work with a qualified lymphoedema therapist for compression, self-care education, and monitoring.How yoga philosophy frames this work Ahiṃsā (non-harm): move/rest in ways that protect tissue and reduce irritation.Svādhyāya (self-study): track patterns—sleep, flares, foods, stressors—without judgment.Īśvara-praṇidhāna (surrender): accept today’s reality while practicing skillful effort. Together, these form a sustainable sādhana for long-term conditions.Resources mentioned British Wheel of Yoga (for teacher standards and CPD)Lymphoedema Support Network (UK)Manual Lymph Drainage (find a qualified therapist)Yoga Nidra recordings for regulation and restWho this episode is for People living with primary or secondary lymphoedema; those post-treatment or post-surgery; clinicians curious about integrating breath and gentle movement; yoga therapists seeking condition-specific insights. About our guest Debbie Lamond is a UK-based yoga teacher and yoga therapist focusing on lymphoedema support. She offers one-to-one sessions (including online), small therapeutic groups through a local cancer charity, and a complimentary 30-minute consultation to explore fit. Connect with Debbie Website: DebbieLamondYoga.co.uk Initial consultation: 30 minutes, no charge (book via her website) Disclaimer: This episode and show notes are for educational purposes only and are not medical advice. If you have new or worsening symptoms, seek qualified medical care promptly. Plans of Study for NDMU Yoga Therapy https://livendm.sharepoint.com/sites/Academics/SitePages/Yoga-Therapy-Plans-of-Study.aspx?csf=1&web=1&share=EeZhGMscDMFOl1Lk0PD6gOsBTxvKkWvbfjhHLmMMuNpLFw&e=ApOX4h&CID=45c542e6-5528-4c68-a8ac-5596fb4fc161 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

Episode Summary: Amy sits down with therapist–author Erin Byron for a candid conversation that moves from Erin’s lived experience of trauma to the practical tools that help people feel safe in their bodies again. They explore how yoga therapy complements mental health care, why personalization matters, and how joy, play, and creativity support nervous system recovery. Midway, they wade into today’s hot topic: scope of practice and the identity of “yoga therapist.” Erin offers a clear, compassionate take on keeping sessions yoga-centered while collaborating across disciplines. They close with concrete, do-today practices and a peek at Erin’s free community gatherings and the Women’s Writers Collective in Yoga Therapy. Guest: Erin Byron, MA — psychotherapist, certified yoga therapist, author of Safety in the Body: Foundations in Mental Health Recovery through Yoga Therapy, Expressive Arts, and Neurophysiology; co-author of Yoga Therapy for Arthritis. Key Topics & Takeaways: Coming home to self: How classical yoga practices (breath, relaxation, attention training) quickly shifted Erin’s stress and sleep in early practice.Neurophysiology 101: Why connection, co-regulation, and prefrontal cortex “thickening” matter for trauma recovery.Judith Herman’s 3-stage model: Safety & trust → reconnection with joy/identity → integration and contribution.Joy is not a bypass: Adding play, beauty, and expressive arts prevents rehearsing trauma and accelerates healing.Personalized yoga works fast: Tailoring asana, breath, mantra, and visualization to the individual often yields quick, embodied results.Scope & language: Keeping sessions yoga-centered (practice-forward) while naming scope clearly; how to redirect talk into practice without overstepping.The profession today: Why holding firm to “yoga therapy” as a distinct, skillful discipline matters—and how collaboration (not dilution) serves clients.Practical nugget: Small “yoga snacks” (e.g., a fear-soothing mantra + mudra) can shift state in minutes when practiced consistently.Memorable Quotes: “Yoga didn’t change who I am; it taught me who I’ve always been.” — Erin“Do the hard work in the presence of joy—otherwise we just rehearse trauma.” — Erin“Bring the yoga only you can bring. No other field has these tools in this context.” — AmyResources Mentioned: Safety in the Body by Erin Byron (info and community updates via her newsletter/IG)Yoga Therapy for Arthritis (co-author Erin Byron)IG: @erinbyron.maNewsletter & free twice-monthly community hour: sign up via her website (link in show notes)Call to Action: Share this episode with a colleague who supports trauma recovery.Join the Women’s Writers Collective author spotlight Leave a rating/review if this conversation helped you—your support grows the reach of yoga therapy.Women’s Writers Collective in Yoga Therapy: monthly author spotlights & free book-club style events: ·        https://happy-back-yoga.teachable.com/p/the-yoga-therapy-book-club     Plans of Study for NDMU Yoga Therapy https://livendm.sharepoint.com/sites/Academics/SitePages/Yoga-Therapy-Plans-of-Study.aspx?csf=1&web=1&share=EeZhGMscDMFOl1Lk0PD6gOsBTxvKkWvbfjhHLmMMuNpLFw&e=ApOX4h&CID=45c542e6-5528-4c68-a8ac-5596fb4fc161 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

Episode summary After losing her home, savings, and a 34-year marriage, pharmacist and integrative medicine leader Dr. Lisa Nezneski chose a different path: put herself first, grieve fully, and cultivate joy deliberately. In this candid conversation, we trace the arc from rupture to renewal—restorative yoga twice a week, twice-daily meditation, beach “walking meditations,” and the seven mindful questions that helped her rewire patterns. We also talk relationships after loss, somatic signs of awe, and how to make the “next right step” when you don’t know what’s next. This is a clear-eyed look at resilience, seen through yoga’s lens of abhyāsa (steadfast practice) and vairāgya (non-attachment): effort rooted in discernment, without clinging to outcomes. Dr. Lisa Nezneski — Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher; board-certified pharmacotherapist; Reiki Master; poet and author of Grounded in Chaos: Leaning into Adversity, Learning Joy (2020; updated edition forthcoming). Former clinical pharmacist and hospital administrator; taught at Duquesne University; past Chief Clinical Officer at Schatz Clinical Services; founder of Healthy Mindful Self. Website: lisanezneski.com Key takeaways Choose self-priority without apology. Midlife caretakers often land last on their own list; reclaiming agency is the hinge of recovery.Practice over prediction. Twice-daily meditation + consistent restorative yoga created the conditions for healing—abhyāsa in action.Non-attachment reduces reactivity. “This is this day.” Meet what is, breathe three times, then respond—classic vairāgya.Somatic joy is real data. Tingling, goosebumps, softening—felt sense can signal alignment more reliably than analysis.The “next right step” is enough. Use simple inner tests (Lisa’s “speedometer” method) and adjust course—no catastrophizing.Relational healing is possible. Mutuality, gratitude, and playfulness can re-pattern partnership after grief.Hands calm the nervous system. Repetitive handcrafts (e.g., finger-crochet) function like mudrā/nyāsa—bottom-up regulation.Resources Dr. Lisa Nezneski — lisanezneski.comBook — Grounded in Chaos: Leaning into Adversity, Learning Joy (1st ed., 2020; updated edition forthcoming)Listener reflection (journal prompts) Where in my week do I practice abhyāsa without clinging to a result?What does my body feel like when a choice is a genuine “yes”?What micro-ritual will I use as my three-breath reset cue?Call to action If this episode helped you locate a little joy inside the storm, share it with one person who needs a steady hand. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one practice you’re committing to this week. Plans of Study for NDMU Yoga Therapy https://livendm.sharepoint.com/sites/Academics/SitePages/Yoga-Therapy-Plans-of-Study.aspx?csf=1&web=1&share=EeZhGMscDMFOl1Lk0PD6gOsBTxvKkWvbfjhHLmMMuNpLFw&e=ApOX4h&CID=45c542e6-5528-4c68-a8ac-5596fb4fc161 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