Explore every episode of the podcast Yoga Therapy Hour with Amy Wheeler
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Is Samādhi? Integrating the Yogic Path | 06 nov. 2026 | 00:30:16 | |
What does samādhi have to do with yoga therapy, chronic illness, fear, identity, and the challenges of everyday life? In this solo episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy Wheeler explores samādhi through both the classical teachings of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra and the practical lens of yoga therapy. Rather than presenting samādhi simply as an extraordinary state of meditation or transcendence, Amy asks a more immediate question: How much of our suffering comes from what is actually happening, and how much comes from what the mind adds to the experience? When something difficult happens—a health diagnosis, a relationship conflict, an unexpected loss or change—the body may respond immediately. The throat tightens. The chest contracts. Heat arises. Then, often within seconds, the mind begins adding layers: Why is this happening? What if it gets worse? What will happen tomorrow? What does this mean about me and my future? Amy describes these additional layers as the “second arrows” of suffering: memories, predictions, fears, interpretations, identities, and habitual patterns that become intertwined with the original experience. Patañjali does not ask us to pretend these thoughts do not exist. Instead, the teachings invite us to discern between the fluctuations of the mind and the deeper Self that observes them. This brings Amy back to one of the central teachings of the Yoga Sūtra, YS 1.3: when the fluctuations of the mind become quiet, the Seer abides in its own true nature. Amy shares a personal experience of waiting several hours for cancer surgery while listening continuously to the chanting of Om. As her mind gradually settled, she experienced a profound connection to something within herself that was not defined by the fear, diagnosis, or circumstances surrounding her. The experience offers a deeply personal illustration of how decades of yoga and meditation practice may support us when life becomes difficult. The episode then turns to Patañjali’s description in Yoga Sūtra 1.17 of progressively subtler states of meditative absorption: vitarka, vicāra, ānanda, and asmitā. Amy explores how attention may move from engagement with a tangible object of meditation, toward increasingly subtle internal experience; from there toward a sense of ease and contentment that arises as mental agitation decreases; and eventually toward a quieter experience of simple “I-am-ness,” without the usual collection of roles, preferences, labels, and identities. “I am Amy. I am a professor. I am a yoga therapist. I like this. I don’t like that.” As these identifications begin to soften, what remains? “I am.” Full stop. Amy also considers Yoga Sūtra 1.18 and the important reminder that even profound meditation experiences do not automatically erase our conditioning. Saṃskāras—our habitual patterns, attachments, fears, and latent impressions—may remain. The practice therefore becomes less about pursuing extraordinary states and more about sustained practice, nonattachment, observation, and discernment. For yoga therapists, this distinction matters. Yoga therapy can certainly help people address pain, stress, sleep, blood pressure, and other concerns that affect quality of life. Yet the deeper teachings of yoga invite another level of inquiry: Who am I beneath the condition I am experiencing? Who am I beneath my roles and identities? What remains when the mind becomes quieter? Amy closes with the image of the lotus growing from the mud. Meditation does not necessarily remove the mud of human life. Instead, it may help us see it more clearly, relate to it differently, and discover what can grow from it. In this episode, you’ll explore: • How samādhi can be understood within the context of yoga therapy • The difference between an experience and the “second arrows” the mind adds to it • How fear, memory, prediction, and identity can amplify suffering • Yoga Sūtra 1.3 and the experience of abiding in our true nature • Amy’s personal experience using meditation while awaiting cancer surgery • Vitarka, vicāra, ānanda, and asmitā in Yoga Sūtra 1.17 • The movement from tangible objects of meditation toward subtler awareness • Why ānanda is more than ordinary happiness or pleasure • The gradual loosening of “I, me, and mine” • The meaning of “I am” when familiar identities begin to quiet • Saṃskāras and what may remain even when the mind becomes still • Why samādhi is not simply about achieving an altered state • How serious life challenges can become opportunities for discernment about what truly matters • The relationship between sustained practice, nonattachment, and a steadier mind The central invitation of this episode is not to escape the realities of being human. It is to consider whether, alongside pain, uncertainty, illness, and change, there is also a deeper aspect of ourselves that can observe these experiences without being completely defined by them. Perhaps this is one of the gifts the classical teachings of yoga can offer contemporary yoga therapy: not the promise of a life without suffering, but the possibility of remembering who we are in the midst of it. | |||
| Yoga Therapy's Hidden Foundation: Why Indian Psychology Matters | 30 oct. 2026 | 00:31:23 | |
What makes yoga therapy truly unique? Is it the postures? The breathwork? Meditation? Lifestyle practices? In this solo episode, Dr. Amy Wheeler explores a different answer: Yoga therapy is distinguished not by its techniques, but by its orientation. That orientation is Indian Psychology. Inspired by the recent establishment of Indian Psychology Day, Amy reflects on why this recognition is significant for the future of yoga therapy. She explores how Indian Psychology provides the framework through which yoga therapists understand suffering, consciousness, transformation, and healing. Rather than simply applying yoga techniques to medical diagnoses or combining yoga with Western psychology, yoga therapy offers its own sophisticated model of human flourishing—one rooted in thousands of years of Indian philosophical and contemplative traditions. Throughout the episode, Amy discusses: • Why every healthcare profession has its own orientation • What Indian Psychology is—and what it is not • How Indian Psychology differs from Western psychological models • The classical sources that inform yoga therapy, including the Yoga Sūtras, Sāṅkhya, the Upaniṣads, the Bhagavad Gītā, Vedānta, Tantra, and Ayurveda • Why yoga therapy assessment looks different from conventional healthcare • How yoga therapists work with consciousness rather than symptoms alone • Clinical examples of anxiety, chronic pain, and burnout through the lens of Indian Psychology • Why preserving the philosophical foundations of yoga therapy is essential as the profession continues to evolve Amy also reflects on the future of yoga therapy, encouraging the profession to clearly articulate its own identity while continuing to collaborate with medicine, psychology, physical therapy, and other healthcare disciplines. Whether you are a yoga therapist, yoga teacher, healthcare professional, student, or simply curious about the deeper roots of yoga, this episode invites you to consider a fundamental question: What if yoga therapy's greatest contribution to healthcare is not another technique—but another way of understanding human consciousness? Key Topics • Indian Psychology • Yoga Therapy • Consciousness • Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras • Sāṅkhya Philosophy • The Five Kośas • Kleśas • Guṇas • Citta • Clinical Reasoning • Integrative Healthcare • Meditation • Transformation Resources Mentioned The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali Sāṅkhya Philosophy The Bhagavad Gītā The Upaniṣads Applying Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health by Marlysa Sullivan & Amy Wheeler Connect with Amy Wheeler Learn more about Amy's work in yoga therapy education, research, speaking engagements, and upcoming events by following her professional channels and podcast updates. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend who is interested in the evolving field of yoga therapy. | |||
| Gratitude as a Practice: The Quiet Leadership Skill That Changes Everything | 23 oct. 2026 | 00:55:15 | |
What if gratitude is not just a feeling, but a trainable skill—one that shapes leadership, relationships, and the way we experience our daily lives? In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy sits down with Paul Nardone, Director of the Workforce Center and faculty member in business, to explore gratitude as an intentional practice. Together, they unpack how small, consistent moments of appreciation can shift mindset, build trust, and create meaningful change within teams, organizations, and personal life. This conversation moves beyond surface-level positivity. It offers a grounded look at how gratitude functions in real-world settings—especially during challenge, conflict, and uncertainty—and how it can be cultivated as a steady internal discipline. Key Themes Explored Gratitude as a Bhāvana (Mental Training) Gratitude is not something that simply appears. It is cultivated through repetition and attention. Like any skill, it strengthens with practice and consistency. From Concept to Practice Rather than waiting for big moments, gratitude is built through small, daily acknowledgments—recognizing effort, presence, and contribution in real time. The Two-Way Exchange Gratitude benefits both the giver and the receiver. It reshapes perception, reinforces connection, and shifts attention toward what is working. Leadership and Culture In leadership, gratitude is not “soft.” It is strategic. It strengthens trust, improves collaboration, and contributes to psychological safety within teams. Authenticity vs. Performance There is a clear distinction between genuine appreciation and performative recognition. Sustainable impact comes from consistent, authentic engagement—not occasional gestures tied to outcomes. Gratitude During Challenge Gratitude is not about avoiding difficulty or bypassing real problems. It supports the ability to stay grounded while addressing challenges with clarity and respect. Reframing the Inner Narrative When the mind moves toward negativity or self-doubt, gratitude can help shift focus—not by denying reality, but by widening perspective. Cultural Change and Adoption Not everyone adopts new ways of thinking at the same pace. Modeling, storytelling, and consistency help others begin to see the value over time. Memorable Insights
Practical Reflection for Listeners Consider where gratitude currently shows up in your life.
Closing Thought Gratitude is not about ignoring what is hard. It is about choosing where to place attention—again and again—until it becomes a steady way of being. Over time, that choice begins to shape not only how we lead, but how we live. | |||
| Mindful Democracy: Compassion, Courage, and Interdependence in a Divided World | 16 oct. 2026 | 00:52:09 | |
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler welcomes Jeremy David Engels, PhD, professor at Penn State University, to explore how mindfulness, yoga philosophy, and compassionate communication can help us navigate an increasingly polarized world. Jeremy discusses his newest book, On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World(Parallax Press, February 2026). Structured in the spirit of Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny, the book presents 27 concise reflections that encourage readers to engage in democracy with clarity, courage, compassion, and a deep recognition of our shared humanity. The conversation explores what it means to move beyond "enemyship" and cultivate mindful civic engagement rooted in interdependence rather than division. Amy and Jeremy discuss how many of the principles found in contemplative traditions, including yoga, can support healthier dialogue, stronger communities, and more resilient societies. Jeremy also shares insights from his second recent book, Living Namaste (Inner Traditions, distributed by Simon & Schuster, June 16, 2026), which extends the practice of yoga beyond the mat and into everyday relationships, communication, and public life. Whether you are a yoga therapist, healthcare professional, educator, or simply someone seeking constructive ways to engage with others during challenging times, this episode offers practical wisdom for bringing mindfulness into both personal and civic life. In This Episode
Featured Books On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World Parallax Press (February 2026) Living Namaste Inner Traditions (distributed by Simon & Schuster) Published June 16, 2026 | |||
| Pratyāhāra: The Bridge Between the Outer and Inner Limbs of Yoga With Mona Shah | 09 oct. 2026 | 00:48:38 | |
What if one of the most transformative practices in yoga is also one of the least understood? In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler sits down with yoga therapist and educator Mona Shah to explore Pratyāhāra, the fifth limb of Patañjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga. Often translated as "withdrawal of the senses," Pratyāhāra is much more than turning away from the world. It is the profound shift from seeking fulfillment externally to discovering a deep source of nourishment within. Together, Amy and Mona discuss why Pratyāhāra serves as the bridge between the external practices of yoga and the deeper meditative practices of concentration, meditation, and absorption. They explore how cultivating mastery over the senses allows us to respond rather than react, develop greater clarity through buddhi (higher wisdom), and experience greater freedom from habitual patterns of suffering. The conversation also bridges ancient yogic philosophy with modern neuroscience, exploring how nervous system regulation, attention, neuroplasticity, and contemplative practice complement one another. Whether you are a yoga therapist, yoga teacher, meditation practitioner, or simply someone seeking greater peace amidst today's constant stimulation, this episode offers a thoughtful roadmap for living from the inside out. In This Episode • What Pratyāhāra really means beyond the common translation of "withdrawal of the senses" • Why Pratyāhāra is the pivotal transition between the outer and inner limbs of yoga • The relationship between Pratyāhāra, the nervous system, and emotional regulation • How the first four limbs prepare us for deeper meditation • The distinction between sensory suppression and genuine mastery over the senses • The role of buddhi (higher wisdom) in transforming our responses to life • How habitual conditioning (saṃskāras), the kleśas, and the guṇas influence perception • Why suffering is part of the human experience—and how yoga changes our relationship to it • Connections between yogic philosophy and modern neuroscience, including neuroplasticity and self-regulation • How Pratyāhāra cultivates compassion, self-awareness, resilience, and inner freedom • Why Patanjali's Eight Limbs remain remarkably relevant in an age of information overload, artificial intelligence, and constant distraction Key Takeaways Pratyāhāra is not about escaping the world. It is about changing where we draw our nourishment. The Eight Limbs of Yoga are not separate practices but an integrated developmental pathway that prepares body, breath, mind, and awareness for meditation. As our practice matures, we become less driven by external stimulation and more guided by discernment, clarity, and inner wisdom. True healing comes not from controlling external circumstances but from transforming our relationship to them. Yoga therapy empowers individuals to become active participants in their own healing rather than passive recipients of treatment. About Mona Shah Mona Shah is a certified yoga therapist, educator, and passionate student of the Yoga Sūtras. Her work integrates classical yoga philosophy with contemporary neuroscience and emphasizes practical tools for cultivating resilience, self-awareness, and lasting transformation through yoga practice.
Resources Mentioned • Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras • The Eight Limbs of Yoga (Aṣṭāṅga Yoga) • Pratyāhāra • Dharaṇā • Dhyāna • Samādhi • The Kleśas • Buddhi, Manas, and Ahaṃkāra • The Pañcamaya Kośa Model • Neuroplasticity and nervous system regulation | |||
| Pratyāhāra and Therapeutic Yoga Nidra: Turning Inward for Healing | 02 oct. 2026 | 00:30:05 | |
In this solo episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy Wheeler, Ph.D., explores Pratyāhāra, the fifth limb of Patañjali’s eight-limbed path, and how Yoga Nidra can become a powerful therapeutic pathway for turning the senses inward. Rather than presenting Yoga Nidra as a single technique, Amy explores the many ways it can be understood and applied. Some approaches emphasize embodiment and awareness of physical sensation, while others invite experiences of spaciousness, transcendence, or non-dual awareness. From a yoga therapy perspective, the central question is not which approach is “right,” but rather: What does the person in front of us need? Amy shares the development of the Optimal State approach to therapeutic Yoga Nidra, created over several years in collaboration with colleagues Colleen Carroll and Lori Angris. Together, they explored how Yoga Nidra could be adapted specifically for yoga therapy through individualized assessment, shared intention-setting, and ongoing reflection. In this episode, Amy explores:
The Optimal State Therapeutic Yoga Nidra Process Amy introduces the general framework used in the Optimal State approach:
The practice can then be recorded for the client to use regularly, often for approximately one month, before reassessing and determining what is needed next. A Central Question for Yoga Therapists Throughout the episode, Amy returns to a foundational principle of yoga therapy: meet the person where they are. Therapeutic Yoga Nidra does not require every person to move toward the same experience. One client may need to inhabit the body more fully and discover places of safety and ease. Another may need a temporary experience of spaciousness beyond pain, grief, diagnosis, or identity. In either case, the underlying intention remains Pratyāhāra: reducing the constant pull of the external sensory world so that we can develop a deeper relationship with our internal experience. The result can be a profound form of self-connection—an opportunity to become more intimate with our own body, breath, mind, emotions, and inner life. Mentioned in This Episode Amy developed this therapeutic Yoga Nidra approach with longtime colleagues Colleen Carroll and Lori Angress, drawing upon their different backgrounds and decades of experience with Yoga Nidra. Amy also discusses Pratyāhāra in the book she co-authored with Marlisa Sullivan, Applying Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health. About The Yoga Therapy Hour The Yoga Therapy Hour explores the principles, practices, research, and clinical applications of yoga therapy. Hosted by Amy Wheeler, Ph.D., the podcast brings together traditional yogic wisdom, contemporary healthcare perspectives, and practical approaches for supporting well-being. Whether you are a yoga therapist, yoga teacher, healthcare professional, student, or practitioner, this episode offers an invitation to reconsider Yoga Nidra not simply as relaxation, but as an individualized therapeutic practice and a pathway into Pratyāhāra. | |||
| Exploring Experiential Anatomy in Yoga Therapy Education | 25 sept. 2026 | 00:51:20 | |
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy welcomes two guests whose work intersects at the heart of yoga therapy education: Leila Stuart and Kimberly Searl from the School of Integrative Health at Notre Dame of Maryland University. The conversation centers on the integration of Experiential Anatomy into a graduate-level yoga therapy curriculum, and what it means to move beyond memorization of anatomy into direct, embodied understanding. Rather than approaching anatomy as static knowledge, this dialogue explores anatomy as a lived, perceptual experience—something that can be sensed, refined, and integrated into clinical practice. In This Conversation Amy, Leila, and Kimberly reflect on how experiential anatomy supports the development of skilled, perceptive yoga therapists. They explore how students shift from learning about the body to learning through the body. The discussion highlights the value of integrating subjective experience with objective anatomical knowledge. This approach allows future practitioners to better understand their clients, not just structurally, but relationally and perceptually. There is also a thoughtful look at how anatomy education can support interoception, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic presence—skills that are essential in yoga therapy but often underdeveloped in traditional anatomy courses. Key Themes Embodied Learning in Anatomy Anatomy becomes more meaningful when it is felt and explored internally, rather than only studied intellectually. Bridging Science and Experience The conversation clarifies how experiential anatomy complements traditional biomedical models without replacing them. Clinical Application Students trained in this way develop a more nuanced ability to observe, listen, and respond to the lived experience of their clients. Education that Transforms Practice The integration of this textbook into a master’s program offers a model for how yoga therapy education can evolve to meet the needs of modern healthcare environments. Why This Matters For yoga therapists and educators, this episode offers a clear direction: anatomy education can support deeper awareness, more refined clinical skills, and stronger therapeutic relationships. For those training practitioners, it raises an important consideration—how we teach anatomy shapes how practitioners perceive and work with the human system. About the Guests Leila Stuart is the author of Experiential Anatomy, a text that invites readers into a direct, felt understanding of the body through guided inquiry and exploration. https://leilastuart.com Kimberly Searl teaches anatomy within the Yoga Therapy Master’s program at Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she integrates experiential methods into graduate-level education. https://kimsearl.offeringtree.com Closing Reflection This episode invites a shift in perspective—from seeing anatomy as information to be mastered, toward experiencing it as a dynamic, living process. That shift has implications not only for education, but for the quality of care offered in yoga therapy settings. Contact Amy Wheeler:
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
Our Book is Coming August 10th 2026! "Application of Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health" by Wheeler & Sullivan #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool
Contact Amy Wheeler: | |||
| Move More, Breathe Less: Rethinking the Breath with Robin Rothenberg | 18 sept. 2026 | 00:53:12 | |
What if much of what we’ve been taught about the breath in yoga is backwards? In this episode, Amy sits down with yoga therapist and author Robin Rothenberg for a frank, eye-opening conversation that challenges one of yoga’s most cherished cues: “take a big breath.” After a respiratory crisis upended her own health, Robin discovered that the long, dramatic breaths she’d taught for years were making her symptoms worse, not better. The fix ran counter to everything she thought she knew about pranayama: breathe less, build CO2 tolerance, and let the body actually use the oxygen it already has. Robin opens with a short guided practice, then she and Amy dig into the physiology of carbon dioxide, why “move more, breathe less” became her motto, how nasal breathing transformed her exercise and energy, and why the heart of classical pranayama was never the long exhale but the extension of kumbhaka (breath suspension). It’s a warm, candid, occasionally myth-busting conversation for anyone who teaches, practices, or simply breathes. Key Takeaways
About the Guest Robin Rothenberg, C-IAYT, is a yoga therapist, educator, and author who has spent decades studying the breath. A past president and board member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), she trained in the Buteyko method and has worked to bring functional breathing science into the yoga world. She is the founder of Essential Yoga Therapy and creator of the Restore Your Prana (RYP) training program for yoga teachers and yoga therapists, which offers both personal and professional tracks. Books & Resources
Connect with Robin Website: EssentialYogaTherapy.com Instagram: @essential.yoga.therapy | |||
| Prāṇāyāma and Modern Breathwork: What's the Difference? | 11 sept. 2026 | 00:37:12 | |
Are prāṇāyāma and modern breathwork the same thing, or do they represent fundamentally different approaches to working with the breath? In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler explores one of the most common questions arising in yoga therapy, wellness, and healthcare today. While both prāṇāyāma and modern breathwork involve conscious breathing practices that can influence stress, mood, attention, and overall well-being, their origins, purposes, and underlying frameworks are quite different. Drawing from the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, the classical Haṭha Yoga texts, and contemporary scientific research, Amy examines how ancient yogic teachings understood the relationship between breath, prāṇa, and consciousness—and how those teachings compare with modern approaches that focus on nervous system regulation, respiratory physiology, emotional health, and performance. Whether you are a yoga therapist, healthcare professional, yoga teacher, or curious practitioner, this episode offers a deeper understanding of how traditional wisdom and modern science can inform our work with the breath. In This Episode, We Explore:
Contact Amy Wheeler:
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
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 | |||
| Breath as a Portal: Conscious Connected Breathwork with Laurie Angress | 04 sept. 2026 | 00:46:49 | |
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler welcomes yoga therapist, meditation teacher, and breathwork facilitator Laurie Angress for a thoughtful conversation about conscious connected breathwork and its potential to serve as a portal into deeper self-awareness, healing, and connection. Laurie shares her personal journey into breathwork, including how curiosity led her to explore a practice that initially felt unfamiliar, despite decades of experience in yoga, meditation, and yoga therapy. What she discovered was a powerful yet accessible approach that helped her access emotional release, profound stillness, and deeper layers of inner knowing. Together, Amy and Laurie explore:
Laurie also shares a deeply personal story about a breathwork session that occurred just hours before the passing of her aunt. The experience became a powerful reflection on love, grief, support, and the mystery of human connection. Throughout the conversation, Amy and Laurie emphasize that conscious connected breathwork is not about chasing extraordinary experiences. Rather, it is about creating a safe and intentional space where individuals can meet themselves more fully, cultivate presence, and reconnect with what matters most. Whether you are a yoga therapist, meditation practitioner, healthcare provider, or simply someone curious about the healing potential of breath, this episode offers a grounded and compassionate exploration of how breath can become a bridge between the seen and unseen, the conscious and unconscious, and the ordinary and sacred dimensions of life. About Laurie Angress Laurie Angress is a Certified Yoga Therapist, meditation teacher, Yoga Nidra facilitator, and Conscious Connected Breathwork Facilitator. Her work integrates nervous system awareness, mindfulness, embodiment practices, and breathwork to support healing, self-discovery, and connection. Laurie is passionate about creating trauma-sensitive spaces that honor the unique experience of each individual while inviting greater presence, compassion, and inner wisdom. @illuminated_breath on IG Key Takeaway "The breath is always available to us. Sometimes it helps us relax. Sometimes it helps us release. Sometimes it helps us remember who we are."
Contact Amy Wheeler:
Our Book is Coming Summer 2026! "Application of Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health" by Wheeler & Sullivan
Optimal State Mobile App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification | |||
| From Āsana to Lived Experience: Yoga, Tantra, Somatics, and Lived Experience | 28 août 2026 | 00:52:31 | |
In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores a fascinating question: What happens when we look beneath the physical practice of yoga and return to its deeper purpose? Beginning with the history of āsana, Amy traces how yoga postures evolved from simple meditation seats into the diverse practices we know today. Along the way, she examines the Tantric influence of the Śiva Saṃhitā, the rise of embodied awareness in modern somatic practices, and the importance of lived experience as a pathway to understanding ourselves more deeply. The episode invites listeners to consider how yoga therapy can serve as a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary understandings of human experience, healing, and transformation. In this episode, Amy discusses: • The Sanskrit root of āsana and its original meaning as a seat or stable posture for meditation • The role of āsana in the Yoga Sūtras and why Patañjali devoted only a few verses to posture • The evolution of āsana through the Haṭha Yoga tradition, including the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā, and Śiva Saṃhitā • Why the Śiva Saṃhitā is considered one of the most Tantric of the major Haṭha Yoga texts • The concepts of prāṇa, nāḍīs, chakras, and kuṇḍalinī as experiential maps of human transformation • How modern somatic approaches emphasize interoception, self-awareness, and embodied regulation • The importance of first-hand lived experience in understanding consciousness and healing • The connection between lived experience, yoga therapy, and the study of consciousness • How Indigenous ways of knowing value observation, participation, relationship, and direct experience • Why lived experience may be one of the most important meeting points between yoga, science, and healing Closing Thoughts One of the enduring gifts of yoga is its invitation to investigate experience directly. Whether we approach that inquiry through Classical Yoga, Tantra, somatic practice, lived experience, or Indigenous wisdom traditions, each reminds us that transformation begins with attention. The path of yoga therapy is not simply about changing symptoms or improving function. It is also about learning to observe, inhabit, and understand our lived experience more fully. In doing so, we may discover that the body, breath, mind, and spirit have been teaching us all along. Contact Amy Wheeler:
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
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 | |||
| Finding Your Way Back: Trust, Truth, and Regulation Through the Body | 21 août 2026 | 00:49:16 | |
Episode Summary In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy sits down with Danielle Burke, a certified yoga therapist and licensed professional counselor, to explore what happens when traditional talk therapy meets embodied practice. Danielle shares her journey from mental health counseling into integrative wellness, where she now blends yoga therapy, somatic awareness, and lived experience to support clients in reconnecting with themselves. Together, they explore what it means to feel “stuck in your story,” how breath and body awareness interrupt that pattern, and why self-awareness is not just insight—but a skill that must be practiced. This conversation offers a steady and honest look at anxiety, burnout, overgiving, and the quiet work of learning to trust yourself again. Through the lens of the yamas and niyamas, Danielle brings forward a practical framework for navigating uncertainty, building inner stability, and reducing unnecessary suffering. Key Themes Explored 1. When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough Danielle reflects on her work as a licensed counselor and the moment she recognized something was missing—clients could process their experiences cognitively, but often remained disconnected from their bodies. Yoga therapy offered a way to integrate both. 2. The Body as the Entry Point Clients often arrive stuck in patterns of thinking, or unable to access their thoughts at all due to overwhelm. Danielle highlights a simple but profound observation: many people stop breathing when recounting difficult experiences. Reconnecting to breath becomes the doorway back to regulation and presence. 3. Self-Awareness as a Practice, Not a Trait Awareness is not assumed—it is cultivated. Through consistent practice, clients begin to recognize their internal states, expand their capacity for choice, and shift from automatic reaction toward intentional response. 4. Working with Anxiety Without Trying to Eliminate It Rather than attempting to “fix” anxiety, Danielle reframes the work:
This introduces the possibility of holding multiple truths at once, rather than being defined by a single state. 5. The Yamas and Niyamas as a Regulatory Framework Ethical principles such as ahiṃsā (non-harming/kindness) and svādhyāya (self-study) become practical tools for daily living. They support clients in discerning how they want to show up—for themselves and in relationship with others. 6. Caregivers, Overachievers, and the Cost of Self-Abandonment Danielle’s primary clients are often women who have spent years supporting others while losing connection to their own needs. The work becomes one of reclaiming worth, voice, and internal alignment. 7. Letting Go of Control (Īśvara Praṇidhāna in Practice) Through simple, real-life moments—like dogs barking during a podcast—Danielle illustrates how acceptance reduces suffering. The shift is subtle but powerful: From “this shouldn’t be happening” → to “this is happening, and I can still be here.” 8. Change Requires Doing Something Different Insight alone is not enough. Sustainable change comes through practice, patience, and a willingness to step outside familiar patterns—even when those patterns are uncomfortable. What a Session with Danielle Looks Like Sessions are adaptive and client-centered, typically including:
The process remains grounded in yoga philosophy while accessible to clients regardless of their familiarity with yoga. Notable Reflections
About Danielle Burke Danielle Burke is a certified yoga therapist and licensed professional counselor with over a decade of experience in mental health. She now works through an integrative wellness model, combining yoga therapy, somatic practices, and psychological insight to support clients in reconnecting with their bodies, their values, and their sense of self. Based in interior Alaska, Danielle works with clients both in person and online. Connect with Danielle Burke
Closing Reflection This conversation invites a steady reconsideration of how we relate to ourselves. Not through force or perfection, but through awareness, practice, and a willingness to meet what is here—one moment at a time. | |||
| Satyam & Ahiṃsā: Telling the Truth Without Harm | 14 août 2026 | 00:37:02 | |
In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores the second yama, satyam (truthfulness), and its essential relationship to the first yama, ahiṃsā (non-harming). This conversation moves beyond simple definitions and into the lived complexity of speaking truth in real relationships, real bodies, and real moments. Drawing from personal reflection—including her own experience with illness and voice—Amy invites listeners into an honest inquiry: When do we speak too much, not enough, or avoid the truth altogether? In This Episode Satyam as Inner Coherence Satyam is not simply “telling the truth.” It is the alignment between:
When these are out of sync, confusion and disconnection follow. When they align, communication becomes clear, steady, and trustworthy. Amy emphasizes that most misalignment comes from incomplete information (avidyā) and unexamined assumptions. As clarity improves, so does our ability to speak in a way that others can receive and trust. Ahiṃsā as the Container Ahiṃsā is not just the absence of harm. It is the active cultivation of:
Satyam lives inside ahiṃsā. Truth must be expressed in a way that reduces harm and supports connection. This creates an ongoing inquiry:
Avoidance and harshness are two sides of the same imbalance. The Role of Relationship The yamas are relational practices. They are not abstract ideals. Amy highlights that we refine truth through feedback:
Over time, trustworthy relationships support the emergence of a deeper, more stable truth. Ṛtam: The Deeper Truth The episode introduces ṛtam (cosmic order) as the underlying intelligence of reality.
Amy describes this as learning to release control and personal agenda, allowing timing, context, and perspective to mature. Truth is not only about correctness—it is about alignment with something larger than the individual viewpoint. A Nervous System Lens Truth is not just cognitive—it is physiological and relational.
Interoceptive awareness becomes a guide:
Clinical and Practical Application In therapeutic settings, satyam is not blunt disclosure. Instead, it includes:
Often, simply reflecting a client’s words allows truth to emerge without force. Truth becomes something discovered, not imposed. Key Reflection Questions Amy offers a simple but powerful framework:
This triad supports more skillful communication and reduces unnecessary harm. Closing Insight Truthfulness is not a fixed achievement. It is a lifelong refinement. It asks for:
As Amy reminds us, this work unfolds over time, through relationships, and through the willingness to see ourselves clearly. Sanskrit Words of the Episode
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| Living the Niyamas: Ethics, Self-Study, and the Practice of Inner Alignment | 07 août 2026 | 00:52:12 | |
Episode Overview In this thoughtful and grounded conversation, Amy Wheeler sits down with Marlysa Sullivan, a physical therapist, yoga therapist, and educator working within the Veterans Administration and at Notre Dame of Maryland University. Together, they explore the Niyamas from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as living practices—less about rigid rules and more about ongoing self-inquiry, ethical reflection, and alignment in daily life. Rather than presenting the Niyamas as fixed ideals, this episode invites a more nuanced approach: one that considers context, relationship, and the evolving nature of what it means to act with integrity. The conversation weaves together classical yoga philosophy, modern clinical experience, and real-world application, offering a grounded pathway for both practitioners and clinicians. Key Themes Explored Ethics as a Living Inquiry Ethical practice is not static. Marlysa emphasizes that what is “right” depends on context, relationship, and discernment. This requires ongoing reflection: What is most relevant, kind, and supportive in this moment? Śauca (Clarity and Inner Cleanliness) The discussion reframes purity away from moral judgment and toward clarity. Rather than “fixing what is wrong,” the practice becomes one of noticing what clouds perception—habit patterns, past impressions, and emotional residue—and gently clearing space for more skillful action. Santoṣa (Contentment as Stability and Action) Contentment is explored as a steady inner ground, not passivity. True contentment allows for both acceptance and meaningful action. The conversation highlights the balance between deficiency (chronic dissatisfaction) and excess (avoidance or spiritual bypassing). Tapas (Right Effort and Friction for Growth) Tapas is described as the willingness to meet discomfort in service of transformation. It is the moment where inner clarity meets outward action—often requiring courage to move beyond familiar patterns. Svādhyāya (Self-Study and Honest Reflection) The practice of self-study calls for humility and relational support. Amy and Marlysa emphasize the importance of trusted relationships that can reflect blind spots and support deeper self-awareness. Īśvara Praṇidhāna (Surrender and Letting Go of Outcome) Surrender is presented as an essential counterbalance to effort. One does the work with integrity, then releases attachment to results. This is especially relevant in complex systems, where control is limited and trust becomes necessary. Integrating Kriyā Yoga The final three Niyamas—Tapas, Svādhyāya, and Īśvara Praṇidhāna—are explored as Kriya Yoga, a practical pathway for transformation. Together, they form a cycle:
This dynamic process supports both personal growth and therapeutic presence. Clinical and Real-World Application Drawing from her work in the Veterans Administration, Marlysa highlights how these teachings translate into practice:
The conversation reinforces that how we approach a simple movement—like stretching a hamstring—often reflects how we approach life itself. Practical Reflection For those beginning to work with the Niyamas:
Closing Insight This episode reframes ethics not as obligation, but as an enlivening and relational practice. When approached with curiosity and sincerity, the Niyamas become a guide for living with clarity, integrity, and connection—to oneself and to others. Learn More
Contact Amy Wheeler:
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
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
Our new book-
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| Posture, Presence, and the Language of the Body with Posture Ellie | 31 juil. 2026 | 00:48:43 | |
In this episode, Amy sits down with Posture Ellie, a posture specialist based in the Peak District of England, whose work bridges movement, awareness, and human transformation. Ellie shares her personal journey from corporate burnout and disconnection to discovering yoga as a turning point—one that ultimately led her to specialize in posture as a powerful, accessible entry point into healing. Together, they explore a central reframe: posture is not about “standing up straight.” It is about how the body moves, adapts, and expresses lived experience. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Posture as a Living System Ellie challenges the common idea of posture as rigid alignment. Instead, she describes posture as fluid, responsive movement—an expression of how well the body functions as an integrated whole. From Symptoms to Root Cause Rather than chasing tension or pain, posture work invites us to restore movement where it has been lost. This shift moves the work from symptom relief toward deeper resolution. Interoception as a Learned Language Amy and Ellie discuss how body awareness is not immediate—it develops over time. Many people begin disconnected from sensation and gradually learn to “read” their body through consistent practice. The Missing Middle of Movement Modern life often swings between stillness (desk, car, couch) and intensity (gym, running). Ellie highlights the importance of restoring gentle, everyday movement—the “middle ground” our bodies are designed for. Patterns of Stress in the Body The conversation explores two common expressions of stress:
Both influence breathing, posture, and nervous system regulation in distinct ways. Breath, Posture, and the Nervous System Postural patterns directly affect breathing mechanics. Restricted diaphragmatic breathing can reinforce stress responses, while restoring breath capacity can support regulation. From Numbness to Feeling A powerful theme in this episode is the movement from disconnection to awareness. Many people initially feel “nothing,” only to later recognize long-held tension and emotion as awareness grows. Posture as a Gateway to Self-Relationship Over time, posture work becomes more than physical. It becomes a way of listening, responding, and relating to oneself with greater clarity and care. Key Insight Posture is not something you hold. It is something that emerges when the body is supported, responsive, and free to move. About the Guest Posture Ellie is a posture specialist and educator helping people reduce pain, improve movement, and reconnect with their bodies. Her work draws from yoga, the Egoscue Method, and a deep understanding of how modern lifestyles shape the human body. She is the author of Posture Power, a practical and empowering guide to understanding and improving posture.
Contact Amy Wheeler:
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
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
Our new book-
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| The Niyamas and the Neuroscience of Inner Regulation: Creating the Conditions for Change | 24 juil. 2026 | 00:42:27 | |
Episode Description In this episode, Dr. Amy Wheeler continues the Season 10 exploration of the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a regulatory framework, turning inward toward the Niyamas—the personal disciplines that shape how we care for ourselves and engage in inner work. Rather than presenting the Niyamas as a checklist of ideals, this conversation reframes them as practices that create the internal conditions for nervous system regulation, clarity, and meaningful change. At the heart of this episode is a grounded inquiry: What happens when we reduce internal noise, increase awareness, and release the need to control everything? Through both classical teachings and modern neuroscience, Amy explores how daily practice (sādhana) supports a shift from overwhelm and reactivity toward steadiness, discernment, and trust. Key Themes Explored The Niyamas as Inner Regulation The Niyamas are not about perfection or moral pressure. They are about how we stabilize the internal environment so that clarity and integrity can naturally arise. You Cannot Offer What You Do Not Embody Our internal state directly shapes our professional presence. When we are cluttered, overwhelmed, or unreflective, it impacts how we show up with others. From Discipline to Daily Practice The Niyamas are lived through small, consistent actions—organizing our space, pausing for reflection, regulating the body, and observing the mind. Top-Down and Bottom-Up Regulation True transformation includes both:
Yoga therapy offers a unique bridge between these two approaches. The Niyamas Through a Neuroscience Lens Śauca (Clarity and Purification) Reducing allostatic load—our chronic stress burden—by organizing our external and internal environments. Less clutter leads to less cognitive overload, allowing the mind to settle and the prefrontal cortex to function more effectively. Santoṣa (Contentment) A present-moment orientation that shifts the brain’s predictive bias. As regulation increases, the brain becomes less focused on past threat and more open to possibility, safety, and “I am okay right now.” Tapas (Disciplined Effort) The steady repetition that builds new neural pathways. Tapas is neuroplasticity in action—choosing new responses, reinforcing them over time, and gradually reducing reactivity. Svādhyāya (Self-Study) Developing meta-awareness and interoception—the ability to observe thoughts, emotions, and sensations without immediately reacting. This creates a pause where new choices become possible. Īśvara Praṇidhāna (Surrender) Releasing excessive control reduces sympathetic overactivation and increases tolerance for uncertainty. When we soften the need to control everything, the nervous system becomes more flexible, resilient, and open to possibility. Clinical Insight When people struggle with the Niyamas, it is rarely a lack of discipline or integrity. More often, it reflects:
From this perspective, the work is not to try harder, but to create conditions where regulation is possible. A Practical Reframe Instead of asking:
We might ask:
From there, the Niyamas begin to emerge rather than be forced. Integration with the Yamas The Yamas (social disciplines) and Niyamas (personal disciplines) function as a continuous loop:
Together, they create a self-reinforcing cycle of regulation, discernment, and well-being. Reflection for Listeners Take a moment to reflect:
Closing The Niyamas invite a steady relationship with yourself. Not as a project to fix— but as a system to support. As internal noise decreases and awareness increases, regulation becomes more accessible,
Contact Amy Wheeler:
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
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
New Book Coming Out August 10th, 2026
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| Santoṣa: Meeting Life Without Resistance | 17 juil. 2026 | 00:47:09 | |
In this conversation, Amy sits down with Colleen Carroll for a thoughtful exploration of Santoṣa—often translated as contentment, but experienced as something much more nuanced. Rather than presenting contentment as a passive or idealized state, this episode examines it as a living practice—one that unfolds in the middle of uncertainty, chronic pain, changing identities, and the natural fluctuations of life. Together, they explore how the human tendency to strive, fix, and move away from discomfort can obscure what is already present. Through personal stories and clinical insight, they reflect on how contentment is not something we achieve once and for all, but something we return to—again and again—with awareness and discernment.
In This Episode, We Explore
Key Reflections from the Conversation Contentment is not the absence of difficulty. It is the capacity to remain in relationship with what is present, without immediately trying to change it. There is a subtle but important shift from striving for happiness to recognizing moments of ease already available. This shift often requires a willingness to pause and observe rather than act. For many, contentment becomes most accessible not in ideal conditions, but in moments of limitation—when the usual strategies no longer work. These moments can reveal new pathways of awareness, including a more honest relationship with the body and mind. The practice of Santoṣa is not about overriding pain or difficulty. Instead, it involves titrating attention—moving gently between what is challenging and what is supportive, building capacity over time. External environments can play a meaningful role. Beauty, order, ritual, and sensory experiences can help orient attention toward steadiness, making internal awareness more accessible. Relationships matter. Contentment can be supported through connection, but also disrupted through environments that do not align with one’s values or nervous system needs. Discernment becomes part of the practice. Contact Colleen www.colleencarrollyoga.com
Contact Amy Wheeler:
Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
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
New Book Coming Out August 10th, 2026
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| Daily Practice, Inner Guidance, and the Living Experience of Sādhana with Lee Mejewski | 10 juil. 2026 | 00:51:28 | |
Episode Overview In this conversation, Amy sits down with Lee to explore the role of daily practice—sādhana—as a living, evolving process rather than a fixed routine. Together, they reflect on what it means to cultivate steadiness in the mind, nervous system, and heart, and how consistent practice becomes a pathway toward deeper self-understanding, inner guidance, and connection to something greater than oneself. The discussion moves beyond technique and into lived experience—how practice shapes perception, builds trust, and gradually shifts one’s relationship to stress, identity, and life decisions. Key Themes Explored Sādhana as a Living Practice Rather than a checklist or obligation, sādhana is described as something that evolves over time—from structured daily sessions to an ongoing state of awareness woven throughout the day. From Effort to Integration Lee shares how practice can begin as something we do and gradually become something we are—an orientation toward presence, clarity, and responsiveness in daily life. Stability Through Routine Both Amy and Lee reflect on how consistent routines support nervous system regulation, especially in contrast to the disruption that comes with travel and constant change. The Role of Direct Experience Sustained practice is not maintained through discipline alone, but through experience. When individuals feel the shift—greater calm, clarity, or ease—they naturally return to practice. Witnessing vs. Identifying A central shift in practice is the movement from being immersed in thoughts and emotions to observing them. This creates space for discernment and choice. Inner Guidance and Trust Lee describes a deepening relationship with an internal “voice” or guidance system that develops through consistent practice. Trust is built gradually, through experience rather than belief. Different Pathways of Awareness The conversation acknowledges that inner guidance can arise in different ways—auditory, somatic, intuitive, or visual—depending on the individual. Spiritual Practice and Health Outcomes The episode highlights emerging research showing that spirituality and consistent inner practice are associated with improved physical, mental, and social health outcomes. Education and Responsibility in Yoga Therapy A key tension explored is whether sādhana should be optional or foundational within yoga therapy training. The conversation points toward a shared responsibility among educators to model and transmit its value. Therapist Presence as Intervention The qualities of the therapist—presence, compassion, equanimity, and self-awareness—are described as central to client outcomes, often more influential than specific techniques. Notable Reflections
Practical Takeaways
Closing Reflection This episode invites a quiet reconsideration of what it means to practice. Rather than striving for the “right” method or perfect routine, the conversation points toward something more steady: a willingness to return, to listen, and to stay in relationship with oneself over time. From that place, both clarity and direction begin to emerge. Learn More About Lee Lee is the founding director of Yoga for Health Institute, where she leads therapeutic yoga programs, professional trainings, and international retreats. Her work includes long-standing student communities and specialized offerings such as the Beyond Cancer retreat program, supporting individuals in navigating health challenges through consistent practice and inner development. You can learn more about her work here: Contact Amy Wheeler: 📚 New Book Coming August 10, 2026! Dr. Amy Wheeler's and Marlysa Sullivan new book, Applying Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health: A Guide for Re-Imagining Well-Being, will be released on August 10, 2026 and is available for pre-order now on Amazon. Bridging the timeless wisdom of yoga with modern neuroscience, psychology, and integrative healthcare, this practical guide explores how therapeutic yoga can support well-being beyond symptom management. Whether you're a healthcare professional, yoga therapist, or simply passionate about holistic health, this book offers evidence-informed tools for fostering balance, connection, and lasting transformation. Pre-order your copy today on Amazon and be among the first to read it when it launches. Optimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804
The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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:
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
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| Ahimsa in Action: What Aging Teaches Us About Kindness and Strength | 03 juil. 2026 | 01:01:40 | |
Episode Overview In this conversation, Amy Wheeler sits down with yoga therapist and educator Ashley McKeachie to explore the lived experience of ahimsa—non-harming—as it unfolds in real time with aging bodies and evolving nervous systems. Ashley shares how her work with older adults (ages 55–95+) has reshaped her understanding of yoga therapy, shifting from performance and outcomes toward presence, pacing, and relational care. What emerges is a grounded and practical view of yoga as a system that supports resilience, dignity, and connection across the lifespan. This episode offers a clear lens into how yoga philosophy becomes actionable—not as theory, but as daily practice. About Ashley McKeachie Ashley McKeachie is a yoga therapist, educator, and department chair at Saddleback College’s Emeritus Institute in Southern California. She teaches large-scale classes in yoga, balance, mobility, and wellness for older adults, integrating yoga therapy, breathwork, and philosophy into accessible, community-based education. Her work centers on helping individuals build confidence, regulate their nervous systems, and maintain independence through thoughtful, adaptable practices. Key Themes in This Episode Ahimsa as a Lived Practice Ahimsa moves beyond the idea of “non-violence” and becomes a daily inquiry:
For Ashley’s students, ahimsa often begins with self-permission—to slow down, to rest, and to shift lifelong patterns of over-effort. Aging and the Nervous System Working with a population ranging from their 50s to mid-90s, Ashley highlights:
Rather than decline, she often observes:
Breath as a Foundational Tool One of the most consistent takeaways from her students: “You’ve taught me how to breathe.” Breath becomes:
The Role of Sangha (Community) Ashley emphasizes that community is not secondary—it is essential. In her classes:
For many older adults facing isolation, this becomes a primary source of:
Slowing Down as a Therapeutic Strategy Ashley’s teaching approach prioritizes:
This creates:
A Dream Unplanned Ashley reflects on her professional path—from training younger yoga students to working with older adults—and describes her current role as: “A dream I didn’t even know I had.” Her experience highlights an important thread:
Practical Takeaways Listeners may consider:
Resources & Where to Find Ashley
Closing Reflection This conversation invites a steady reframing: Ahimsa is not passive. It is not avoidance. It is an active, moment-to-moment discernment— a willingness to support life, rather than override it. And in many ways, the later years of life offer a clear mirror: what we practice consistently is what carries us forward. | |||
| The Yamas and the Neuroscience of Trust: From Survival to Steady Ground | 26 juin 2026 | 00:42:48 | |
What does it mean to trust that life will work out—not as a belief, but as a lived, embodied experience? In this solo episode, Dr. Amy Wheeler explores the intersection of the Yamas—the ethical foundation of yoga—and the neuroscience of safety, regulation, and predictive processing. Rather than approaching ethics as a set of rules to follow, this conversation reframes them as natural expressions of a regulated, supported nervous system. At the center of this inquiry is a simple but powerful question: Can we live in alignment with our values when we feel unsafe? Drawing from yoga philosophy, polyvagal theory, and lived experience, Amy offers a grounded perspective on why ethical behavior becomes more accessible when the body feels steady—and why it often breaks down in states of survival. Key Themes Explored Ethics as a State, Not a Rulebook The Yamas are not imposed from the outside. They emerge when the system is regulated, resourced, and supported. Ahaṅkāra and the Survival Response The drive to secure, control, and protect—while necessary—can narrow perception and disrupt our ability to act with clarity and integrity. The Nervous System and Trust A flexible, regulated nervous system supports connection, openness, and discernment. When dysregulated, the system shifts toward threat detection, reactivity, and contraction. Predictive Processing and Learned Safety The brain continuously predicts what will happen next based on past experience. Trust is not naïve—it is built through repeated experiences of support, repair, and resilience. From Fear-Based Reactivity to Possibility Through intentional practice, the mind can shift from worst-case predictions toward openness, receptivity, and grounded optimism. The Yamas Through a Nervous System Lens
Clinical Insight Ethical challenges in yoga therapy—and in healthcare more broadly—are often not failures of character. They are reflections of nervous system states. When practitioners are exhausted, unsupported, or operating in survival mode, their window of tolerance narrows, and ethical clarity becomes harder to access. This reframing invites a shift from judgment to understanding, and from rules to regulation. A Subtle Reorientation As safety becomes more embodied:
From this place, trust is not forced—it emerges. Reflection for Listeners Consider where your system feels:
How might your ethical responses shift depending on that state? And what practices help you return to a place where clarity, connection, and trust are more available? Closing This episode offers a reframe that may feel both grounding and challenging: That living the Yamas is not about trying harder—but about creating the internal conditions where they can naturally arise. | |||
| Regulating the Inner Landscape: Mala Cunningham on Anxiety, Awareness, and the Nervous System | 19 juin 2026 | 00:50:20 | |
In this episode, Amy sits down with Mala Cunningham, a pioneer in integrating yoga therapy with mental health care. The conversation offers a steady and thoughtful exploration of how yoga therapy supports individuals living with anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, not by bypassing these experiences, but by helping people build the capacity to be with them differently. Mala brings decades of clinical experience into a grounded discussion on the relationship between the nervous system, attention, and perception. She outlines how anxiety is not simply something to eliminate, but something to understand through the body, breath, and patterns of awareness. Rather than focusing on symptom reduction alone, she emphasizes cultivating regulation, resilience, and a more stable inner environment. A central theme throughout the episode is the role of interoception. Mala describes how developing awareness of internal sensation creates a bridge between unconscious reactivity and conscious choice. This process supports individuals in recognizing early signs of dysregulation and responding with practices that restore steadiness rather than amplify distress. Amy and Mala also explore the clinical application of yoga therapy within mental health settings. They discuss the importance of meeting clients where they are, respecting pacing, and building trust through consistent, accessible practices. The conversation highlights how simple, well-sequenced interventions can support profound shifts over time when applied with clarity and care. Mala reflects on the importance of collaboration across disciplines and the need for language that resonates within clinical environments while maintaining the integrity of yoga’s therapeutic roots. This episode offers a clear and practical lens for clinicians, students, and practitioners who are working at the intersection of nervous system regulation, emotional health, and yoga therapy. It invites a steady approach to practice, one that values consistency, discernment, and the gradual cultivation of inner stability. Key Themes Explored
Practical Takeaways
Connect with Mala Cunningham
Connect with The Yoga Therapy Hour
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| Loving the Fire: Reinvention, Inner Power, and Living Your Yoga | 12 juin 2026 | 00:34:57 | |
In this episode, Amy sits down with Deborah Santana—author, philanthropist, and lifelong spiritual practitioner—for a conversation that explores what it means to live from inner sovereignty. While many may recognize her through her 34-year marriage to Carlos Santana, this conversation clarifies something more essential: Deborah Santana has lived a deeply self-directed life shaped by spiritual inquiry, service, and the willingness to begin again. Her memoir, Loving the Fire, becomes the thread through which we explore transformation—not as an abstract idea, but as a lived experience of loss, identity shift, and conscious rebuilding. Key Themes Explored 1. Early Life and the Roots of Inner Strength Deborah reflects on her upbringing in San Francisco, shaped by a family that quietly modeled independence and devotion. Her father, Saunders King, was a respected musician who chose presence over fame—offering an early model of values rooted in family rather than recognition. Her childhood was also grounded in spiritual diversity, moving between Pentecostal, Lutheran, and contemplative spaces. This early exposure created a foundation of spiritual curiosity that would later evolve into a lifelong meditation practice. 2. Identity, Culture, and Awareness Deborah shares her experience growing up in a multicultural environment, where belonging felt natural—until moments of racism revealed deeper social realities. These experiences did not define her, but they did shape her awareness. Over time, they became part of the “fire” she would learn to walk through rather than avoid. 3. The Fire: Loss, Transition, and Reinvention A central moment in Deborah’s life—and in this conversation—is her decision to leave a long-term marriage and step into the unknown. She describes this period with clarity:
Rather than rushing to rebuild, she allowed a period of stillness:
This was not framed as breakdown, but as disassembly for the purpose of reorganization. 4. Loving the Fire: A Different Relationship to Challenge The central teaching of Deborah’s memoir is simple, but not easy: Life is not happening to us—it is happening for us. She describes fire not as destruction, but as a condition for renewal. Like a forest that regenerates after burning, human life can reorganize into something more aligned—if we stay present through the process. This reflects a core principle in yoga therapy:
5. Spiritual Practice as a Stabilizing Force Deborah has maintained a meditation practice since her early twenties. During times of transition, this inner relationship became her anchor. She describes moments of:
These are not framed as extraordinary experiences, but as natural outcomes when external roles fall away and attention returns inward. 6. Rebuilding with Intention Following this period of reflection, Deborah began to rebuild her life in alignment with her values:
Her work consistently centers on women, girls, and collective well-being. 7. Education and Lifelong Learning In her 50s, Deborah pursued a master’s degree in Women’s Spirituality at the California Institute of Integral Studies. This experience reflected a pattern throughout her life:
8. Global Perspective and Humility Travel—particularly to Africa—played a significant role in reshaping her worldview. She describes:
This aligns with a therapeutic perspective: healing often expands when we move beyond our habitual frame of reference. 9. Current Work: Courage and Empathy Deborah is currently involved in developing the Courage Museum in San Francisco, a project focused on:
The intention is clear: violence can be unlearned, and empathy can be cultivated. Clinical and Philosophical Reflections This conversation offers several points of integration for yoga therapists and healthcare providers:
Closing Reflection Deborah Santana’s life illustrates a steady principle: We are not defined by our roles, relationships, or accomplishments. When those fall away, what remains is the foundation we build from. Her story is not about reinvention as performance. It is about returning to something more essential—and choosing, from that place, how to live. Learn More
Upcoming events and book tour information available online | |||
| Understanding Human Suffering: The Five Kleśas and the Return to Our True Nature | 05 juin 2026 | 00:51:16 | |
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 Episode Amy 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 nature The Five Kleśas The 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 Referenced Yoga 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 Therapy The 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 discomfort Therapeutic 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 Reflection The 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:
Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
The Optimal State Mobile App | |||
| When Theories Are Questioned: Polyvagal Critique, Clinical Wisdom, and the Enduring Map of the Guṇas | 29 mai 2026 | 00:43:58 | |
In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler brings clarity and steadiness to the recent scientific critique of Polyvagal Theory by Paul Grossman and colleagues. Rather than reacting defensively or dismissing prematurely, this conversation explores what mature fields do when a theory is questioned: they clarify, refine, and return to foundational principles. Amy examines: • What the critique of Polyvagal Theory actually addresses • The difference between scientific precision and clinical usefulness • The risks of oversimplifying complex neurophysiology • How public wellness language can unintentionally flatten biological complexity • Why yoga philosophy offers a time-tested phenomenological map of regulation This episode weaves together scientific dialogue, clinical reflection, lived experience, and classical yoga philosophy. What the Critique Is — and Is Not Paul Grossman and colleagues (2026) raise concerns about elements of Polyvagal Theory’s evolutionary framing, anatomical specificity, and evidentiary scope. One key issue discussed in this episode is the oversimplification of the vagus nerve in popular discourse. The vagus nerve contains approximately 100,000 fibers and plays a role in multiple complex regulatory systems, including cardiac, respiratory, inflammatory, and gastrointestinal processes. Reducing this complexity to a simple “on/off switch” or three-state ladder risks confusing metaphor with mechanism. This episode distinguishes between: • The measurable anatomy of autonomic regulation • The heuristic value of state-based language • The difference between metaphor and physiology Scientific refinement is not erasure. It is maturation. Clinical Reflection and Lived Experience Dr. Arielle Schwartz’s clinical reflections on the critique emphasize that debates about anatomical precision do not invalidate the lived experience of autonomic shifts observed in therapy. Clinicians consistently observe patterned shifts in: • Activation • Collapse • Social engagement • Relational presence Polyvagal language has helped many practitioners and clients understand safety, co-regulation, and state-dependent perception. At the same time, intellectual integrity requires us to refine language where necessary. Amy also reflects on how we conduct discourse in our field. How we respond to disagreement often reveals our own regulatory capacity. Regulation is not only theoretical — it is relational. Phenomenology and the Yoga Sūtra This episode situates the conversation within a broader philosophical frame. Phenomenology refers to the study of lived experience as directly perceived — before explanation, before measurement, before mechanism. The Yoga Sūtra begins from this place: Yoga Sūtra 1.1 — atha yogānuśāsanam “Now, the teaching of yoga.” The word atha signals presence and readiness. We begin from lived experience. Yoga Sūtra 1.2 — yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ “Yoga is the regulation of the fluctuations of consciousness.” Patañjali maps patterns of activation, dullness, clarity, and agitation long before neurophysiology named vagal pathways. The Yoga Sūtra functions as a guidebook for living because it trains discernment around these fluctuations. The Guṇas: A 2,000-Year-Old Map of Regulation Drawing from Sāṅkhya philosophy, Amy explores the three guṇas: • Sattva — clarity, coherence, luminosity • Rajas — activation, movement, agitation • Tamas — inertia, heaviness, obscuration At the level of lived experience, there is meaningful overlap between the guṇas and contemporary discussions of autonomic states. While not anatomically identical, the phenomenological parallels are substantial. The guṇa framework does not reduce regulation to a nerve or a switch. It describes qualities of experience across body, mind, and relationship. Rather than “turning on” calm, yoga cultivates flexibility across states and gradually increases the probability of sattva through lifestyle, perception, ethical alignment, and disciplined awareness. Yoga Therapy Is Not a Technique A central theme of this episode: Yoga therapy and therapeutic yoga are not techniques. They are not hacks. They are not state toggles. They are integrated ways of living. Yoga shapes: • How we eat • How we sleep • How we speak • How we relate • How we perceive • How we respond under stress Over time, practice softens identification with roles, biases, and reactive narratives. Yoga Sūtra 1.3 — tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe avasthānam “Then the seer abides in their true nature.” Regulation becomes existential, not merely physiological. Key Takeaways • Scientific critique strengthens intellectual integrity. • Oversimplification should be corrected. • Clinical lived experience still matters. • Ancient phenomenological models remain relevant. • Yoga therapy is a multifaceted path, not a nervous-system trick. Yoga does not stand or fall with any single contemporary theory. Its philosophical foundations have endured across time, even as scientific language evolves. | |||
| Sit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation with Oneika Mays | 22 mai 2026 | 00:52:14 | |
In this conversation, Amy sits down with mindfulness teacher and writer Oneika Mays to talk about her new book, Sit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation—part memoir, part meditation guide, and an unflinching look at what it means to practice loving-kindness in real-world conditions, including inside Rikers Island. Oneika shares what it felt like to work inside a system built on hierarchy and dehumanization, the tension of receiving a salary inside a harmful structure, and the moment she realized that “the system isn’t broken—it’s working as designed.” From there, the conversation widens into the heart of metta: not as softness or spiritual bypassing, but as grounded, actionable love that can hold anger, boundaries, and truth-telling without losing our humanity.
About Oneika and the Book Book: Sit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation (HarperOne / HarperCollins; on sale March 3, 2026). How Oneika describes it: “Meditation is for messy people… This book is part memoir, part meditation guide—and it’s about showing up exactly as you are.”
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Core Themes to Highlight (for your episode description) 1) Metta is not performative softness. It’s a disciplined practice of staying human—especially when it’s inconvenient, when you’re angry, and when you need boundaries. 2) The “system” is not abstract—it’s embodied. Hierarchy is felt through tone, access, positioning, and whose body is treated as more worthy. 3) Serving is different than fixing. When we see people as broken, we become controlling or paternalistic. When we serve, we stay in relationship with wholeness. 4) Choosing yourself can be an ethical act. Not as individualism, but as harm reduction—because depleted care can become harmful care. 5) Collective change is built from small refusals. Not pre-agreeing to dehumanization. Practicing “no” with steadiness, clarity, and community.
Resources Mentioned in the Conversation
Connect with Oneika
Book Details and Where to Find It Sit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation is published by HarperOne and is listed as on sale March 3, 2026. | |||
| Five States of Mind, Deeper Self-Reflection, and a New Tool for Titrated Practice | 15 mai 2026 | 00:36:18 | |
In this solo episode, Amy returns to one of the heart-teachings of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra: learning to observe the fluctuations of mind and how they shape behavior, communication, and the way we show up in relationship and daily life. Rather than analyzing or diagnosing, she frames this as svādhyāya—steady self-reflection rooted in classical yoga philosophy. Amy walks listeners through Vyāsa’s five states of mind (citta-bhūmi)—from restlessness and dullness to one-pointed focus and absorption—and then explores how a meditation practice naturally moves beyond surface thoughts into the deeper layers of experience: vijñānamaya kośa (discernment, beliefs, identity patterns) and ānandamaya kośa (inner coherence, ease, meaning, and trust). She also introduces contemplative inquiry through vāsanā (habitual tendencies), saṃskāra (deep patterning), and the kleśas (root causes of suffering)—not as labels, but as invitations to notice what is repeating and to support wise change over time. In the final section, Amy shares an emerging project: a Yoga Philosophy Self-Reflection Coach—a custom AI-based chat tool designed to support brief, titrated self-inquiry and help people choose a targeted meditation practice in small daily doses. She addresses common concerns about mixing yoga and technology, emphasizes that human connection still matters, and offers thoughtful privacy guidance.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear
A Few Reflective Questions to Take into Practice
Mentioned Resource Amy shares that listeners who want to beta test the Yoga Philosophy Self-Reflection Coach can contact her through her website: www.theoptimalstate.com.
Gentle Reminder This episode offers philosophical self-inquiry grounded in yoga tradition. It is not presented as diagnosis or mental health treatment. If you need more support, consider working with a qualified yoga therapist and/or licensed mental health professional. | |||
| Post-Traumatic Growth and Neuroplasticity: Healing in Present Time with Colleen Millen | 08 mai 2026 | 00:51:02 | |
What happens when we stop treating suffering as a fixed identity and start relating to it as a changeable state? In this conversation, Amy Wheeler is joined by Colleen Millen, a licensed marriage and family therapist and yoga therapist who works at the intersection of somatic psychotherapy, nervous system regulation, and post-traumatic growth. Colleen shares how “healing happens in present time,” why choice and consent are foundational to real change, and how small, repeatable practices can reshape patterns that once felt permanent. Together, they explore neuroplasticity in everyday language (“neurons that fire together wire together”), how somatic tracking restores access to the prefrontal cortex when stress responses take over, and why therapy and yoga therapy can be most effective when they are collaborative—rooted in agency, curiosity, and what is life-affirming for the individual.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear
Key Moments (listener roadmap)
Practical Takeaways (gentle, doable)
About Colleen Millen (LMFT-CA) Colleen Millen is a somatic psychotherapist and yoga therapist who supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, and the desire for post-traumatic growth. Her work emphasizes nervous system education, present-time stabilization, and collaborative inquiry that honors choice, pace, and lived experience. She currently offers telehealth and hybrid services in California.
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Colleen (California)
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| Cleaning the Lens: How Daily Practice Rewrites Belief, Body, and Behavior | 01 mai 2026 | 00:38:58 | |
In this solo reflection, Amy explores why daily practice matters beyond flexibility, strength, or stress relief. Using a simple morning ritual—cleaning her glasses—she offers a clear metaphor for what practice does: it helps us notice what has accumulated in the mind-body system and gives us a way to “wipe the lens” so we can see, sense, and choose more clearly. This episode weaves yogic psychology, behavior change, and neuroscience into one steady message: our beliefs don’t just shape our thoughts—they shape our bodies, our felt sense, and our default responses. The work of change is possible, but it asks for time, repetition, and a compassionate willingness to witness what’s already wired. In this episode, Amy explores
Key takeaways
Reflection question for listeners What is one familiar “loop” you notice in your mind-body system—and what might it feel like to pause, witness it, and choose a new response today? Mentioned in this episode
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| From Resistance to Resonance: Chanting, Co-Regulation, and the Healing Container | 24 avr. 2026 | 01:01:15 | |
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 hear
Core teachings that stood out Abhyāsa as a secure base Lisa 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 detachment Vairāgya 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 intervention Meaning, 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 dose Lisa 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 doorway Chanting 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 try
About Lisa Lisa 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 Lisa
Connect with Amy 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:
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 | |||
| Practice, Let Go, Trust: Abhyāsa, Vairāgya, and Śraddhā in the Yoga Sūtra | 17 avr. 2026 | 00:46:51 | |
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. | |||
| Meditation Meets AI: What the Future Holds for Contemplative Practice & Yoga Therapy | 10 avr. 2026 | 00:52:45 | |
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
Practical takeaways
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: Passcode: Av0=9%qq Contact Amy @
Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158
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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
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| The Autonomic Nervous System and Yoga | 03 avr. 2026 | 00:53:02 | |
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
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 | |||
| What Is Citta? The Mind-Field in Yoga Philosophy | 27 mars 2026 | 00:27:47 | |
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
Reflection Questions for Listeners
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:
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
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| Conditioning, the Mind, and the Autonomic Nervous System Through the Lens of Pātañjali- Solo Episode with Amy Wheeler | 20 mars 2026 | 00:48:34 | |
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
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.
The Optimal State Mobile App
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
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| The Golden Thread of Yoga Therapy | 13 mars 2026 | 00:41:42 | |
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
Key concepts and phrases from the episode
Books Amy recommends (mentioned in the episode)
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
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:
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
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| Scope of Practice and the Safe Container: Clarity, Trust, and Nervous System Safety in Yoga | 06 mars 2026 | 00:53:22 | |
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:
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. | |||
| The Eight Limbs of Yoga as a Nervous System Regulatory Framework | 27 févr. 2026 | 00:42:43 | |
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
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 | |||
| Regulate First: The Missing Link in Health Behavior Change | 20 févr. 2026 | 00:52:30 | |
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
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: 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: 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 | |||
| Yoga, the Vagus Nerve & the Future of Our Field with Kristine Weber, MA, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500 | 13 févr. 2026 | 00:50:57 | |
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:
Amy 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:
This 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 | |||
| Yoga Therapy, CCS, and the Future of Community-Based Mental Health Support | 06 févr. 2026 | 00:49:23 | |
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
Learn 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 | |||
| “All Life is Yoga”: Chen Or Bach on Joy and Healing | 30 janv. 2026 | 00:53:35 | |
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
Key takeaways
Practical micro-practices (try today)
Resources mentioned
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
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 | |||
| Yoga Therapy for Lymphoedema with Debbie Lamond | 23 janv. 2026 | 00:46:35 | |
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
Practical takeaways (save/print)
How yoga philosophy frames this work
Resources mentioned
Who 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 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 | |||
| From Trauma to “Safety in the Body”: Yoga Therapy, Joy, and Scope — with Erin Byron | 16 janv. 2026 | 00:53:25 | |
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:
Memorable Quotes:
Resources Mentioned:
Call to Action:
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 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 | |||
| Grounded in Chaos, Growing in Joy: Rebuilding a Life, One Mindful Step at a Time with Dr. Lisa Nezneski | 19 déc. 2025 | 00:53:49 | |
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
Resources
Listener reflection (journal prompts)
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 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
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| From Breast Cancer Survivor to Cancer-Care Yoga Therapist with Marcia Mercier | 12 déc. 2025 | 00:49:41 | |
Episode summary At 32, Marcia found a lump she assumed was “nothing.” It wasn’t. In quick succession came diagnosis (May 1998), surgery including mastectomy and reconstruction, and years of hormone therapy. The shock gave way to a long, messy recovery marked by anxiety, tears, and the fierce desire to “be there” for her two young sons. Yoga entered as a lifeline: first disciplined Iyengar classes that rebuilt physical strength and steadiness, then Aṣṭāṅga for rhythm, breath, dṛṣṭi, and mental focus, and eventually yoga therapy informed by the pañcamaya kośa model—meeting herself where she was, day by day. Part two of Marcia’s story is even more tender: years later, her 15-year-old son, Alex, was diagnosed with high-grade osteosarcoma. Eight months of aggressive chemotherapy, limb-saving surgery, infection, and eventual amputation followed. Through sleepless hospital nights and fragile windows at home, Marcia leaned on simple, steady practices—breath, gentle movement, and the sacred ordinary of hanging laundry in the sun. Key themes
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Host reflection Marcia’s story is a fierce testament to the human spirit yoked to practice. In yogic terms, she modeled tapas without self-punishment, svādhyāya without self-absorption, and praṇidhāna without passivity. This is what it looks like when philosophy leaves the page and enters a hospital ward, a nursery, a kitchen, and a yoga mat. Healing is not linear; it is rhythmic—breath by breath, five breaths at a time. Connect with The Yoga Therapy Hour
Content note & disclaimer This episode includes personal experiences with cancer and hospitalization. Yoga therapy is complementary and not a substitute for medical care. Please consult your healthcare team before beginning or modifying any practice. | |||
| Karma without the Hand-Waving : Philip Goldberg on “Karmic Relief | 05 déc. 2025 | 00:49:05 | |
Episode summary Author and teacher Philip Goldberg returns to unpack his new book, Karmic Relief (Monkfish). We cut through pop-karma clichés and ask the hard questions: Why do bad actors prosper? What about innocent suffering? Does “what goes around” really come around—and when? Phil offers a clear, practice-ready model grounded in Yoga and Vedānta: karma as lawful cause-and-effect, refined by intention (saṅkalpa) and awareness (svādhyāya), and lived through skillful action (kriyā/karma-yoga). No sugar-coating—just a compassionate, accountable path forward. About our guest Philip Goldberg is the author of the classic American Veda and many other works on India’s wisdom traditions. He writes, teaches, and speaks internationally about the practical application of yoga philosophy in modern life. More at philipgoldberg.com. What we cover
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Interested in advancing your own studies in Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda? Explore these graduate and certificate programs at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH):
Plus, join us on our Optimal State Mobile App for daily check-ins and simple, easy interventions to help you stay in balance. And explore our Online Community, where you’ll receive weekly classes and gain access to a library of classes you can enjoy anytime. Learn more at www.AmyWheeler.com. | |||
| Rewiring Pain: Yoga Therapy, Interoception, and the Brain with Danielle De Pillis | 28 nov. 2025 | 00:58:11 | |
Guest: Danielle De Pillis, MS Neuroscience, C-IAYT (12 Petals Wellness) Danielle De Pillis joins Amy from South Minneapolis for a clear-eyed conversation about chronic pain, interoception, and why “sending someone to yoga class” is not the same as yoga therapy. Danielle traces her arc from high-pressure ad agency life into a years-long recovery that rewired her relationship with her body—then back into graduate study in neuroscience at King’s College London to understand the brain networks behind what she and her clients were experiencing. This is a grounded dialogue where ancient yoga maps (kośas, guṇas, abhyāsa/vairāgya) meet modern neuroscience and trauma-informed care. Listen for
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About our guest Danielle De Pillis is a yoga therapist and neuroscience-informed practitioner based in Minneapolis. She holds a Master’s in Neuroscience from King’s College London and runs a global online private practice focused on trauma, chronic pain, and interoception.
Interested in advancing your own studies in Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda? Explore these graduate and certificate programs at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH):
Plus, join us on our Optimal State Mobile App for daily check-ins and simple, easy interventions to help you stay in balance. And explore our Online Community, where you’ll receive weekly classes and gain access to a library of classes you can enjoy anytime. Learn more at www.AmyWheeler.com. | |||
| Experiential Anatomy, Interoception, and the Golden Thread of Healing with Leila Stuart | 21 nov. 2025 | 00:56:59 | |
In this rich and heartfelt conversation, Amy Wheeler sits down with Canadian yoga therapist and author Leila Stuart to explore her life’s journey through yoga, Ayurveda, chronic illness, and the groundbreaking field of experiential anatomy. Leila shares how yoga first saved her as a 19-year-old in debilitating back pain, again when chronic fatigue and inflammatory arthritis nearly ended her career, and finally when Ayurveda and Panchakarma restored her vitality. Through these challenges, she developed a unique approach to anatomy—one that goes beyond memorization to help people truly feel their bodies from the inside out. Together, Amy and Leila unpack the profound role of interoception (the ability to sense internal states), the therapeutic power of somatics, and the importance of teaching anatomy as a lived experience. They also discuss the “golden thread” that guides each of us toward our dharma—even in times of suffering. This episode is both a personal healing story and a teaching in embodied practice, offering hope, inspiration, and practical insights for yoga therapists, teachers, and anyone seeking wholeness. What You’ll Learn in This Episode
About Leila Stuart Leila Stuart is a yoga therapist, somatic movement educator, and author dedicated to bringing experiential anatomy to the forefront of yoga therapy education. She is the co-author of Pathways to a Centered Body (with Donna Farhi) and author of The Anatomy of Yoga Therapy. Her work blends deep anatomical knowledge with embodied practices that reconnect people with their inner wisdom. Learn more at leilastuart.com. Resources Mentioned
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| Faith, Simplicity, and the Healing Power of Yoga with Shabana Safdari | 14 nov. 2025 | 00:54:23 | |
In this heartfelt conversation, Amy Wheeler sits down with Shabana Safdari, yoga therapist, teacher, and founder of Yoga with Shabana, based in Bangalore, India. Shabana’s journey into yoga began with a deeply personal health scare when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Faced with anxiety and fear, she turned to yoga—first for her own healing, and eventually as a lifelong path of service. Shabana shares:
Throughout the episode, Shabana emphasizes that yoga is not just postures—it is a holistic system of mindset, lifestyle, compassion, and self-regulation. Her clarity, kindness, and lived wisdom shine through, offering listeners a reminder that true yoga begins with simplicity and intention. Connect with Shabana: Find her on LinkedIn at Shabana Safdari (search Yoga with Shabana). Her website will be launching soon, featuring her offerings, including one-on-one yoga therapy, corporate wellness programs, and sound healing. Interested in advancing your own studies in Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda? Explore these graduate and certificate programs at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH):
Plus, join us on our Optimal State Mobile App for daily check-ins and simple, easy interventions to help you stay in balance. And explore our Online Community, where you’ll receive weekly classes and gain access to a library of classes you can enjoy anytime. Learn more at www.AmyWheeler.com. | |||
| Leaving the Comfort Zone for the Cosmic Zone: Sacred Rage, Quiet Revolutions & Astrology for Our Times with Madi Murphy | 07 nov. 2025 | 00:55:05 | |
Episode Summary: What does it mean to live in alignment with your soul’s purpose—especially when the world feels upside down? In this powerful and inspiring conversation, Amy sits down with astrologer, intuitive guide, and author Madi Murphy to explore how to harness life’s cosmic curveballs, leave the comfort zone, and step into your fullest, most authentic self. Madi shares how astrology can act as a “GPS for the soul,” guiding us through both personal transformation and collective upheaval. Together, Amy and Madi dive into the themes of Sacred Rage as a catalyst for change, the necessity of setting clear boundaries, and why “quiet revolutions” are already taking root across the globe. You’ll hear about: · How Pluto in Aquarius marks a 20-year cycle of transformation, innovation, and power to the people. · Why sacred rage—channeled wisely—can be a force for justice, creativity, and healing. · The art of saying “no” without over-explaining, and the empowerment that comes from it. · Why grassroots movements and personal authenticity will shape the next chapter of our collective story. · Practical ways to plant seeds for the future, even if you’re not the loudest voice in the room. This episode is both an invitation and a call to action: to fortify your values, live authentically, and play your part in shaping a more empathetic and connected future. Whether you’re navigating a personal rebirth or tuning into the shifting tides of our world, this conversation will leave you inspired, grounded, and ready to claim your cosmic zone. About Madi Murphy: Madi Murphy is an astrologer, intuitive, shamanic practitioner, and author of In the Cosmic Zone. With a gift for blending the mystical with the practical, Madi helps clients align with their “divine assignment” through astrology, intuitive insight, and grounded, actionable tools. Resources & Links: · Connect with Madi Murphy: https://www.instagram.com/thecosmicrx/?hl=en · In the Cosmic Zone – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/782212/in-the-cosmic-zone-by-madi-murphy/ · Follow Amy Wheeler and The Yoga Therapy Hour: www.TheOptimalState.com
Plans of Study for NDMU 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 | |||