The Teaching on Yoga as Therapy with Uma Alessandra Cocchi

In this episode, host, Jivana Heyman, reconnects with his guest and longtime friend, Uma Alessandra Cocchi, who shares Accessible Yoga internationally, leading trainings in Italy, London, and beyond. Jivana and Uma reflect on their memories together since first meeting in 2013 and discuss how Accessible Yoga provides a gateway to personal transformation, community, and empowerment.

Their conversation explores the connection between Accessible Yoga and yoga therapy, highlighting Uma’s scientific research on how yoga supports people with chronic digestive diseases. Uma also speaks about her upcoming in-person training in London with Rodrigo Souza, the significance of yoga philosophy in her teaching, and the life-changing impact of applying yogic principles to real-life experiences.

In the second part of the episode segment, Jivana and cohost, Deanna Michalopoulos, discuss the benefits and challenges of inversions in yoga practice. They discuss the importance of personalized attention in yoga practice and the benefits of having a well-trained teacher or therapist.

Topics Covered:

• Uma’s journey from fashion to yoga
• Accessible Yoga in Italy
• Accessible Yoga vs. yoga therapy
• Concepts of time and space as mental frameworks
• Yoga teaching as service
• Using yoga philosophy to guide asana classes
• Empowerment through accessibility
• Yoga practice and personal growth
• Finding a yoga teacher/therapist/studio you connect with

 

Train with Uma in London August 15-17! - Join the ACCESSIBLE YOGA TRAINING with Alessandra Uma Cocchi & Rodrigo Souza. Learn more and register at https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/london-2025

Join the FREE ACCESSIBLE YOGA SERIES: PRACTICE & WORKSHOP with Jivana Heyman. Register here: https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/fall-2025-ay-workshops

• Practice (1 hour) A New Perspective: Accessible Yoga Inversions with Jivana Heyman - Friday August 8, 2025

• Workshop (1 hour) Inverting Safely: How to Teach Accessible Inversions with Jivana Heyman - Tuesday September 16, 2025

 

We Want to Hear from You!

What story, teaching, or practice inspires your yoga journey today? Submit your answer or any other questions you have for Jivana via Google Form: https://forms.gle/NtijeM82dSgU5jVD7 or leave a voice message here (90 second maximum): https://www.speakpipe.com/AccessibleYoga

Selected responses may be featured in future episodes!

 

Connect with Uma:

Alessandra Uma Cocchi is an Accessible Yoga trainer for Europe since 2016. She is also an experienced Integral Yoga trainer, a certified yoga therapist involved in scientific research, and a mentor within the Integral Yoga Therapy faculty.

Based in Italy, Uma founded 'YAP Integral Yoga Centre' in 2004, a non-profit association dedicated to social advancement through Yoga. In 2015 she launched 'YAP Specialized Yoga', an organization focused on promoting Accessible Yoga in therapeutic settings and contributing to the field through scientific research.

www.accessibleyogaeurope.com | IG: @accessible_yoga_europe, @alessandra_uma_cocchi_yoga | FB: Yoga Accessibile Italia - Accessible Yoga, Italy, Alessandra Uma Cocchi Yoga

 

Connect with Jivana:

Check out Jivana’s books, Accessible Yoga, Yoga Revolution, and The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga, and get more information about Accessible Yoga at accessibleyoga.org

www.jivanaheyman.com | @jivanaheyman | facebook.com/jivanaheyman

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

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**Access the replay! July 31st at 12:30pm Pacific Time, Design a Registered Series That Sells Itself with Michael Jay

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Credit: Mikus Dharma (they/them), AY Podcast Sound Engineer