Understanding Pain Science and Interoception in Yoga

Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen discuss the fascinating and hugely relevant topic of interoception and its connection to yoga, mindfulness practices, emotion, pain, and more.

Points of discussion include:

• Pain science and interoception science are intimately related
• The hugely integral role that interoception plays in how we experience and feel our bodies in the world is generally overlooked
• Interoception research is rapidly evolving, and it’s important for yoga teachers to stay on top of these developing insights
• Common claims we hear about interoception and yoga & mindfulness practices may be questioned by science
• There’s a plethora of outdated information about the brain in the yoga world (i.e. “neuromyths”)
• Emotions and pain are much more related than we realize – and their link is interoception
• Interoception science tells us that we don’t store emotions or trauma “in our body” or “in our hips”, etc.
• What is proprioception? What does having poor proprioception look like?
• Your entire experience of your body in the world is a construction of your brain
• What does it mean to have “good” interoception?
• What does it mean to “improve” interoception?
• It's commonly stated that yoga & mindfulness practices improve interoception, but this claim may not be accurate!
• …And much, much more!

Enjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Jenni’s email newsletter

Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis

Online yoga class library & yoga anatomy workshops with Jenni

Strength for Yoga email newsletter

Take Jenni’s Welcome to Your Brain course for free w/ 7-day free trial

Book: How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett

To find out more about Travis Pollen: website / Instagram

Music used with generous permission from Dischord A Cappella.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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