Yoga Therapy Hour with Amy Wheeler

In this deeply reflective episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes meditation teacher and yogic scholar Earle Birney to share his personal journey through yoga, meditation, and values-based living. From an unexpected start with Light on Yoga in a New Zealand prison to co-founding a remote retreat center in the Arizona desert, Earle’s story is a testament to transformation, dedication, and spiritual growth.Earle shares how his early Ashtanga Yoga discipline evolved into a more integrated approach rooted in daily life—not confined to the mat, but extending into every interaction and breath. The conversation touches on Kriyā Yoga, Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra, core values, and how meditation serves as the anchor to cultivate integrity, presence, and love.Key Topics Covered:Earle’s first yoga experience and how it catalyzed his spiritual pathThe difference between physical yoga and yoga as a way of lifeThe relevance of Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sūtra for modern practitionersUnderstanding Kriyā Yoga and Aṣṭāṅga Yoga as practical, embodied frameworksThe concept of cognitive dissonance in ethics and how to track your personal integrityCreating non-negotiable time for meditation and reflectionThe practice of “Harvesting Joy” and retraining the mind for positivityA profound insight from a 3-year silent retreat: love as a non-object-dependent inner stateUsing core values as a moment-to-moment compass for yogic livingHow modern life erodes attention, and what we can do about itQuotable Highlights:“My yoga is not about a pose—it’s about how I walk through the room with elegance and grace.” – Earle Birney “Now. Yoga begins now. There’s always an opportunity to step into it.” – Earle Birney “Your spiritual practice shouldn't fit into your life. Your life should fit around your spiritual practice.” – Earle Birney “Love is not dependent on anything. It’s a state that arises when the mind is quiet.” – Earle BirneyAbout the Guest:Earle Birney is a meditation and philosophy teacher affiliated with Yoga Studies Institute and Three Jewels NYC. He co-founded Diamond Mountain Retreat Center, a remote off-grid refuge in the Arizona desert dedicated to deep retreat and advanced study. Earle specializes in Buddhist and yogic philosophy, one-pointed meditation, and guiding others to live from their deepest values. He is especially interested in helping modern practitioners reconnect with purpose and inner stillness.Learn More & Connect:Diamond Mountain Retreat Center: diamondmountain.orgYoga Studies Institute: yogastudiesinstitute.orgThree Jewels NYC: thethreejewels.orgConnect with Amy Wheeler: www.amywheeler.com- Yoga Therapy Bridge Blogwww.TheOptimalState.com- Classes with AmyOptimal State Mobile App- iPhone App StoreAmy Wheeler, Ph.D. is the Chair of the Department of Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and a leader in the fields of yoga therapy and Ayurveda. She played a key role in helping to set standards for Ayurvedic Yoga Therapists at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and served as President of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) from 2018 to 2020.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/

Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy Wheeler welcomes psychotherapist and yoga therapist Michelle Fury for an in-depth discussion on complex trauma, emotional healing, and the role of yoga therapy in mental health. Michelle shares her deeply personal journey, how yoga helped her navigate complex trauma, and how she now integrates yoga therapy into her work with children, adolescents, and families.Michelle was a pioneer in the field, practicing yoga therapy before it was even a recognized profession. She discusses her time at Colorado Children's Hospital, where she worked alongside art and music therapists, supporting young individuals dealing with self-harm, eating disorders, and trauma. Michelle recounts how her journey led her to develop therapeutic tools, including the use of Optimal State emotional regulation charts, to help children and families reconnect with their emotions and sensations.We explore topics such as:How trauma disconnects individuals from their bodies and emotionsThe impact of yoga therapy on young people in psychiatric careDifferentiating between dissociation and embodied awarenessHow yoga therapy bridges the gap between mental health and somatic healingThe process of guiding clients through self-awareness and emotional literacyThe power of pranayama and mantra in deepening healing practicesMichelle also discusses her upcoming book Yoga Therapy for Complex Trauma, set for release in August, which offers an integrative approach to healing through yoga. She emphasizes the importance of teaching both yoga professionals and mental health practitioners how to incorporate yoga safely and effectively within their scope of practice.If you're a yoga therapist, psychotherapist, or someone interested in using yoga as a tool for healing, this episode is packed with insights that will deepen your understanding of the mind-body connection.Resources Mentioned:Michelle’s first book: Using Yoga Therapy to Promote Mental Health in Children and AdolescentsUpcoming book: Yoga Therapy for Complex Trauma (August release)Optimal State mobile app for self-regulation and emotional trackingThe Minded Institute’s Yoga Therapy for Child and Adolescent Mental Health TrainingLearn More:Michelle Fury’s website (Launching February): www.rhythmyogatherapy.comThe Minded Institute Training: www.themindedinstitute.comOptimal State Mobile App (iOS & Android)Connect with Amy Wheeler: www.theoptimalstate.comListen & Subscribe: Find The Yoga Therapy Hour on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram: @optimalstateLinkedIn: Amy Wheeler Yoga TherapyYouTube: The Yoga Therapy Hour PodcastSupport the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps bring these important conversations to a broader audience! Connect + Take Action:Want to be a guest on Season 10? Email Amy with your desired topic from the 8 Limbs series!Explore Amy’s offerings at TheOptimalState.comSubscribe and leave a review if this episode touched you.Support the show by sharing this episode with a friend or colleague in the healing arts.

Episode Summary:In this deeply personal and reflective solo episode, Amy Wheeler closes out Season 8 of The Yoga Therapy Hour and sets the tone for a rich, story-filled Season 9.Amy shares how the theme of “being human” emerged as the guiding force of Season 8, inspired by the courageous individuals who came forward to tell their stories—many for the first time. These stories weren't just interviews. They were powerful acts of vulnerability, resilience, and truth-telling, offering a mirror into the ways Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Āyurveda can help us feel more, suffer less, and reconnect with ourselves and others.From feeding the birds on a crisp Minnesota morning to attending the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebration with the Tibetan American community, Amy reflects on the importance of embodiment, interconnection, and what it means to belong—to ourselves, to each other, and to something greater.She also speaks frankly about the state of the yoga therapy profession—naming the challenges in funding, insurance, job growth, and institutional integration—and invites listeners to return to the heart of the practice. Yoga was never meant to be a job market. It was—and still is—a sacred path for healing, presence, and service.What’s Ahead in Season 9:Season 9 will continue the storytelling format, focusing on real humans navigating real suffering and how they found relief and resilience through Yoga and Āyurveda.The season is already fully booked through December 2025, with Amy often recording two stories per week to keep up with the demand.The core question guiding the season: What does it mean to be human in an age of AI, disconnection, and overwhelm?Special Announcement: Season 10 PreviewAmy shares a glimpse of what’s coming in 2026:A 15-month podcast series dedicated to the 8 Limbs of Yoga, integrating ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience and lived experience. Topics include:January: Citta-vṛtti-nirodha & the Autonomic Nervous SystemFebruary: Abhyāsa & VairāgyamMarch: The Kleśas & SufferingApril–December: The Eight Limbs (Yamas through Samādhi)Interested in being a guest for one of these episodes? Amy invites you to email her to claim a topic!Key Quotes:“Maybe Yoga can’t be your sole source of income right now. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be your sacred path.”— Amy Wheeler“When we let go of trying to fit Yoga Therapy into a broken system, we begin to remember the soul of this work.”— Amy Wheeler“Humanity is not something we need to digitize—it’s something we need to feel again.”— Amy WheelerConnect + Take Action:Want to be a guest on Season 10? Email Amy with your desired topic from the 8 Limbs series!Explore Amy’s offerings at TheOptimalState.comSubscribe and leave a review if this episode touched you.Support the show by sharing this episode with a friend or colleague in the healing arts.

Guests: Kenya DeJarnette, Yoga Therapist and Cancer Survivor Tina Paul, Yoga Therapist and Instructor at Memorial Sloan Kettering and MUIHIn this powerful episode, host Dr. Amy Wheeler sits down with yoga therapist Kenya DeJarnette and her former professor Tina Paul for a deeply moving conversation on healing, resilience, and finding one’s path through cancer and beyond. Kenya shares her transformational journey from a breast cancer diagnosis to discovering yoga therapy as a lifeline—a practice that reconnected her to her body, her faith, and her purpose.Through heartfelt storytelling, Kenya reflects on how yoga helped her navigate infertility, grief, trauma, and the physical toll of cancer treatment. With grace and courage, she opens up about how being part of a supportive yoga and cancer care community reawakened her fighting spirit and taught her to embrace life with newfound openness.Tina Paul offers a behind-the-scenes look at the integrative yoga therapy work being done at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, describing the role of therapeutic presence, breath, movement, and research in supporting those undergoing cancer treatment.Together, the three explore themes of:Nervous system dysregulation and the role of breath and yoga in recoveryFaith, spirituality, and openness to healing across different modalitiesYoga Nidra as a gateway to deeper rest and reconnectionCommunity as medicine for trauma and illnessThe importance of clinical training in yoga therapyHow yoga can bring people back to their true selfKey Quotes:🌀 "I always say yoga helped me come back to myself." — Kenya DeJarnette 🌀 "You grow through what you go through." — Kenya DeJarnette 🌀 "The healing mechanism isn’t just one thing—it’s the integrated power of presence, breath, movement, and relationship." — Tina Paul 🌀 "There is a blueprint for healing, and yoga offers us the map." — Amy WheelerTopics Covered:Kenya’s diagnosis and the physical and emotional challenges she facedOpening to yoga as a spiritual and healing practiceOvercoming cultural and religious barriers to holistic careThe role of social connection and community in healingTina’s work in integrative medicine and current research on yoga for neuropathyYoga therapy education and the journey from student to teacherResources & Mentions:Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine DepartmentMaryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH)Yoga Nidra & Amrit Yoga InstituteBook: Year of Yes by Shonda RhimesResearch on yoga for neuropathy supported by NIHLoyola Marymount University’s Yoga Studies ProgramConnect with Our Guests:Kenya DeJarnette: www.ariseyogatherapy.com Tina Paul: www.yogawithtina.com Subscribe & Share: If you were touched by Kenya’s story or inspired by the power of yoga therapy, please share this episode with someone who needs hope and healing. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.If you are interested in our programs at Maryland University of Integrative Health, find more information here. We are merging with Notre Dame of Maryland University very soon. If you are seeing this after summer of 2025, just google NDMU Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda to find details.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/

Episode Summary: In this deeply moving and honest episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes Lisa Becks—a yoga teacher, clinical social worker, and long-time practitioner—who shares her lifelong journey with yoga as a steady companion through grief, motherhood, cancer, and healing. Lisa recounts how she first encountered yoga in her early twenties while grieving the sudden loss of her mother, and how that one class at a Zen Buddhist center in Michigan led to decades of inner transformation.From the profound influence of her first teacher Barbara Linderman (a direct student of Śrī T. Krishnamacharya) to her healing experience with Kate Holcombe after a breast cancer diagnosis, Lisa's story reminds us that yoga isn't about performance or ambition—it's about returning to ourselves, again and again. Throughout this conversation, Amy and Lisa reflect on parenting without a mother, the reverberations of our actions and emotions, and how the most healing practices are often the simplest and most sincere.Listeners will be inspired by Lisa’s vulnerability, her gentle wisdom, and the way she lives the teachings she practices. Whether you're new to yoga or have been on the path for years, this episode is a tender reminder that yoga, when approached with sincerity and self-awareness, meets us exactly where we are. Key Topics Covered:Grieving the loss of a parent and finding yoga as a healing anchorThe sacred presence of humble teachers and quiet transmissionEvolution of practice across life stages: young adulthood, motherhood, illnessSelf-awareness, self-regulation, and the nervous systemUsing observation instead of judgment to shift behaviorTeaching yoga as a form of service and continued self-discoveryCancer recovery, the role of gentle discipline, and meeting yourself with graceYoga as a way to parent consciously without inherited patternsComing home to the self—again and again Mentioned in This Episode:Barbara Linderman (student of Śrī T. Krishnamacharya)Kate Holcombe (teacher in the tradition of TKV Desikachar)Inward Bound Yoga Collective, Ann Arbor, MIOptimal State Yoga Therapy Training About Lisa Becks: Lisa is a yoga teacher, clinical social worker, and mother of two. She offers private yoga therapy sessions by request and believes in the quiet, transformative power of personalized practice. Lisa does not actively market her services, but those who find her often discover a steady, compassionate guide.Amy Wheeler, Ph.D. is the Chair of the Department of Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and a leader in the fields of yoga therapy and Ayurveda. She played a key role in helping to set standards for Ayurvedic Yoga Therapists at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and served as President of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) from 2018 to 2020. www.TheOptimalState.comMaster 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/

In this thought-provoking solo episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler explores the profound topic of safety in human relationships, drawing from recent co-creative discussions with seasoned therapists and yoga practitioners, as well as insights from Polyvagal Theory.Episode Highlights:The Foundation of Healing: Amy emphasizes that safety—both internal and external—is the essential foundation for healing, transformation, and authentic human connection.The Role of Nonjudgment: A central theme of this episode is how nonjudgmental presence, both in therapy and daily life, fosters safety and allows people to open up and be themselves.Artificial Intelligence & Safety: Amy reflects on the surprising role AI therapy bots play in creating a nonjudgmental space, and what this teaches us about human interaction.Key Qualities that Foster Safety:Comfort with silence and emotional presence.Ability to repair ruptures in relationships, not just avoid them.Unconditional positive regard without creating stories about others.Transparency balanced with cultural sensitivity.Openness to new experiences and flexibility in thinking.Clear and honest communication that eliminates guesswork.Self-awareness and the ability to reflect and take responsibility.Consistency, calm regulation, and respect for time and commitments.Attunement to the emotional state of others, with empathetic mirroring.A melodic, regulated voice that supports co-regulation.Genuine listening that seeks to understand, not just respond.Familiar rituals and environments that offer predictable support.Respect for diverse perspectives and willingness to stand up for justice.Key Takeaways:Safety isn't just about avoiding harm; it's about creating conditions where authenticity, trust, and transformation can thrive.Even positive judgments can feel like evaluations, reducing the sense of safety in a relationship.Sacredness in connection—showing up mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared—amplifies the healing potential of every interaction.Resources Mentioned:Polyvagal Theory – A framework for understanding how safety and social engagement are wired into our nervous system.Book Recommendation: Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud – Understanding when and how to bring closure to relationships in a healthy way.Connect with Amy Wheeler: For more episodes, resources, and information about Yoga Therapy, visit TheOptimalState.comSupport the Show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and share it with others who may benefit from these insights into creating safer, more authentic relationships.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/

Episode Summary: In this deeply moving and powerful episode, Amy Wheeler sits down with Dr. Steffany Moonaz—yoga researcher, author, educator, and founder of Yoga for Arthritis—to discuss her professional contributions to the field of yoga therapy, and the personal story that nearly shattered everything she knew about herself.What begins as a conversation about the CLARIFY Guidelines and the evolution of yoga research quickly transitions into a vulnerable and heartfelt dialogue about grief, identity, traumatic brain injury (TBI), caregiving, and the long, often invisible road to healing.Dr. Moonaz shares the inspiration behind her memoir Driving Home: Cancer, Concussion, Mom and Me, and invites us into the emotional terrain of a year marked by tragedy, disorientation, and ultimately, profound transformation. Through the lens of yoga, neuroscience, and lived experience, she offers wisdom on surviving loss—not just the loss of loved ones, but the loss of self as we once knew it.If you've ever questioned how the tools of yoga serve us not just in theory, but in the darkest moments of real life, this conversation is for you.Topics We Explore:The origin and impact of the CLARIFY Guidelines for yoga researchWhat makes yoga research replicable, credible, and useful for cliniciansDr. Moonaz’s academic leadership in yoga therapy at MUIH and SCUHSThe backstory of Yoga for Arthritis and its public health missionLiving through a year of compounded loss: traumatic brain injury, caregiving, and griefNavigating healthcare systems and trauma while healingWriting a memoir as a healing process and reflective practiceThe psychological and somatic experience of losing identity through injuryYoga therapy for grief, loss, and identity reconstructionSteffany's personal tapas (discipline) and her decision to keep showing upReclaiming wholeness post-trauma: a new “A-prime” version of selfFeatured Book:Driving Home: Cancer, Concussion, Mom and Me Now available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.  Audiobook coming soon—narrated by Dr. Steffany Moonaz herselfConnect with Steffany Moonaz:Website: https://arthritis.yoga Explore professional trainings in Yoga for Arthritis, mentoring opportunities, research publications, and continuing education courses. Upcoming offerings include:Online cohort: Yoga for Arthritis Level 1 Training (starting July 15, 2025)Self-paced options in yoga, Ayurveda, and pain scienceIn-person retreat at Yogaville, Summer 2026Quote from the Episode:“I had to grieve the things about me that I had lost, at the same time as grieving the loss of my mother... But I also believe that I have made up for the loss of function with who I have grown into as a human.” — Dr. Steffany Moonaz Special Thanks:To Dr. Moonaz for her honesty, strength, and generosity. And to our listeners—may this story remind you of your own resilience, your own wisdom, and the power of bearing witness to the full spectrum of the human experience.Information on Amy:www.amywheeler.comwww.TheOptimalState.com

In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler is joined by Tamala Floyd, LCSW, to explore the powerful integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and ancestral healing. Tamala, author of Listening When Parts Speak, discusses how generational trauma can be healed through connecting with our ancestors and unburdening our exiled parts. She shares her journey into the world of IFS, the importance of working with both personal and ancestral wounds and how healing these parts can reveal hidden gifts within us. Key Takeaways:Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: IFS teaches that we are made up of different parts or subpersonalities, each with its own roles and functions. Protectors guard vulnerable parts, which are often exiled due to past trauma. Healing occurs when these protectors are unburdened, allowing the exile to heal and the person to reclaim their wholeness.Ancestral Healing: Tamala introduces the concept of healing ancestral trauma by connecting with well-healed ancestors who are willing to release burdens passed down through generations. This process also allows individuals to access the gifts and heirlooms from their family line.The Role of Protectors: Protectors (e.g., people-pleasing, anger) arise as a response to exiled parts. These protective roles often result in behavior that feels out of control or unbalanced but are essential in safeguarding the individual from deeper wounds.Connecting with Gifts: Healing the generational wounds allows individuals to access the gifts of their ancestors, such as creativity, intuition, and emotional depth, that were previously blocked by trauma.Practical Tips for Exploring IFS: Tamala provides insights on how to begin the journey of identifying and interacting with your parts, including the use of externalizing exercises where others embody these parts to create a tangible, experiential understanding. Tamala Floyd’s Upcoming Events:Retreats & Workshops: Tamala leads transformative retreats and workshops around the world. She shares information about her upcoming retreat in Costa Rica for women healing generational trauma and her upcoming retreats in Morocco and California.Book & Audiobook: Listening When Parts Speak is available in both written and audiobook formats. Tamala is also releasing Healing the Wounded Mother, an audiobook focused on healing the mother’s wounds to create healthier relationships with children and others. Learn More & Connect:Website: Tamala FloydSocial Media: Follow Tamala for more insights on healing and personal growth. Related Resources:Listening When Parts SpeakHealing the Wounded Mother (available May 6, 2025) Join Us: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with friends who might benefit from this healing work. Contact Us:For more information, questions, or comments, please visit www.theoptimalstate.com or email amy@theoptimalstate.com.Tune in next time for more on yoga therapy, emotional intelligence, and holistic healing!Would you like to receive your Masters Degree in Yoga Therapy?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/

In this deeply moving and powerful episode, Amy sits down with Nicole Fitch, a yoga therapist-in-training and future occupational therapist from Brisbane, Australia. Nicole shares her inspiring story of transformation—from losing her father in a tragic accident at age 15, through years of shutdown, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, to a life of purpose, connection, and embodied healing.Nicole’s story is not just one of overcoming trauma—it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of integrative practices. We explore how her early experiences shaped her nervous system, her years of navigating mental health systems, and how yoga became her refuge, offering her hope, empowerment, and the tools to reclaim joy.From teaching yoga in community centers and mental health hospitals to stepping away from teaching to focus on self-care and finishing her degree in occupational therapy, Nicole's journey is a rich example of conscious healing, radical self-compassion, and the winding, non-linear path to wholeness. Topics Covered:The moment that changed her life: a tragic loss at age 15Trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and dorsal vagal shutdownThe dark period of numbing, partying, and intrusive thoughtsOCD diagnosis and navigating the biomedical mental health systemThe turning point: a dream, a move to Queensland, and discovering yogaThe power of japa, prāṇāyāma, and meditation in finding peaceYoga as a tool and a potential bypass—why integration mattersTeaching yoga in non-traditional spaces and building communityBalancing being a mother and maintaining a personal identityWhy she’s taking a pause—and how she’s preparing for what’s nextThe connection between OT and Yoga Therapy in mental health care Key Takeaway Quote from Nicole:"You can't rush your healing. Even if you are in complete darkness, there's always that glimmer of light through the clouds." Connect with Nicole: Nicole's offerings are currently on pause while she finishes her Occupational Therapy degree, but you can follow her journey and future updates via  Embodied Wisdom Therapies-https://www.embodiedwisdomtherapies.com.au/

In this heart-opening and deeply insightful episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes Jeffrey Shoaf—yoga therapist, Kripalu-trained teacher, bodyworker, and retreat leader—to explore the profound personal and professional transformation yoga brought into his life beginning at age 48. Jeffrey shares how yoga reawakened his childhood love of movement, helped him reconnect with his body after decades as a general contractor, and opened a gateway to breathwork, meditation, and spiritual integration. His story is one of rekindling wonder, embracing vulnerability, and learning to feel fully.Together, Amy and Jeffrey dive into:How Jeffrey found yoga at age 48 and became instantly hookedWhy the mind-body connection through āsana was life-changing for himThe role of breathwork in emotional regulation, anxiety, and physical recoveryWhy “less is more” when it comes to prāṇāyāma and nervous system regulationThe power of meditation in everyday life—without needing to sit cross-leggedThe emotional intelligence of yoga: learning to respond rather than reactWhy “anger is present” is more skillful than “I am angry”His inspiring work with men’s groups and mentoring at-risk youth through the Joshua ProjectHis upcoming Wander to Wonder yoga and reflective writing retreat in Portugal (September 2025)How nature, presence, and embodied practice continue to be his spiritual pathJeffrey reminds us that healing happens when we give ourselves permission to feel, breathe, and move authentically—whether on the mat, at the kitchen sink, or walking in the woods.Connect with Jeffrey Shoaf Website: www.jeffreyshoaf.com Join The Breathing Club: Thursdays at 7:00am ET Explore Portugal Retreat: Wander to Wonder – September 2025 Instagram: @jeffreyshoaf If this episode touched your heart, please share it with a friend and leave us a review. Stay connected with Amy at www.TheOptimalState.comMaster 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/