Navigating the Challenges of Yoga Teaching: Mental Health, Peer Support, and Sustainable Practices with Brooke West, C-IAYT and Peer Support Specialist

In this deeply insightful episode, Amy Wheeler sits down with Brooke West to explore the intricate landscape of yoga therapy, mental health, and the critical need for peer support within the yoga community. Brooke shares her personal journey, including the development of her emerging program, Mad Yoga Network, which serves as a peer support platform specifically for yoga teachers and therapists. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by neurodivergent yoga professionals, the struggle of maintaining financial stability in the wellness industry, and the powerful potential of collaborative networks.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Mad Yoga Network:

• Brooke introduces her Mad Yoga Network, a consciousness-driven peer support group for yoga teachers and therapists. This network aims to create an open, supportive space where professionals can discuss mental health, financial challenges, and the unique experiences of neurodivergent individuals in the yoga community.

1. The Need for Peer Support:

• The conversation highlights the critical importance of peer support in the yoga industry, especially for those struggling with mental health issues. Brooke emphasizes that peer support allows for open dialogue about personal challenges, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.

1. Challenges in the Yoga Industry:

• Brooke and Amy discuss the difficulties of making a living as a yoga teacher or therapist, particularly in the post-pandemic world. They address the misconceptions about the financial stability of well-known yoga professionals and the reality that many are struggling to sustain their livelihoods.

1. Intellectual Property and Ethics:

• The episode touches on the sensitive issue of intellectual property theft within the yoga community. Brooke shares her personal experiences and the emotional impact of having her work appropriated without credit, highlighting the need for ethical practices in the industry.

1. The Future of Yoga Communities:

• Brooke discusses her vision for intentional communities based on the values of yoga, where individuals can share resources, responsibilities, and support. She draws from her experiences with various intentional communities and worker cooperatives, suggesting that this model could provide a sustainable way forward for the yoga community.

1. Yoga as a Tool for Mental Health:

• The episode explores how yoga can be a powerful tool for managing mental health, not just for practitioners but also for yoga teachers themselves. Brooke and Amy discuss the potential of yoga to support those experiencing spiritual awakenings, which can often be mistaken for mental health crises.

Resources and Upcoming Events:

• For more information about Brooke West and her work, visit Brooke West Yoga.
• Learn more about the Mad Yoga Network and how to get involved in upcoming peer support sessions.

Additional Resources with Amy Wheeler:

• University of Minnesota Therapeutic Yoga Series
• Polyvagal Institute Mighty App
• 7-Week Course on Yoga, Yoga Therapy & Polyvagal Theory
• Optimal State Mobile App
• Optimal State and Yoga Therapy Hour Patreon

·       Monday Night Yoga Therapy Clinic on www.TheOpimtalState.com

·       Join us for our Monday night Yoga Therapy Clinics, specially designed to address specific health and wellness topics. The sessions are held every Monday from 4:00-5:15 PM PST and are led by Amy Wheeler, a seasoned expert in yoga therapy. This clinic provides a supportive environment where participants can explore therapeutic yoga techniques to aid in addiction recovery and overall well-being.

·       For those seeking professional development, there is an option to stay longer after class and earn Continuing Education (CE) credits. This extended session offers in-depth training and valuable insights into integrating yoga therapy with addiction treatment.