Yoga Therapy Hour with Amy Wheeler

Manju Joshi, M.A. in Sanskrit, E-RYT500 & C-IAYT is the co-founder and research director of GYHC. She lives in Austin, TX. She has brought Yoga into Continuing Education Programs in universities, public schools, and health and fitness centers. Manju's journey in Yoga started in her teen years and has continued over the past 25+ years. She has turned her passion into a thriving institution of holistic learning serving the community. She is also the co-founder of FoodYogini, a new initiative co-founded in 2016 to advocate. Today Manju and Amy talk about one of her favorite topics, the application of how to assess using the chakras and find ways to balance them.·     Manju talks about all 7 chakras and talks about the colors·     Manju discusses how to assess using the chakras in yoga therapy·     Manju talks about the practical application of working with the chakras in yoga therapy·     She shares her wisdom and peaceful nature with us If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. You will have the opportunity to determine the Infographic Topics that you would like to receive. When The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast has a topic that corresponds to your choices, then you will receive an email for that week with the PDF’s for download.Topics you can choose from include: Yoga Therapy & Mental HealthYoga Therapy & Physical HealthSocial Justice in yoga & Yoga TherapyYoga/Ayurveda ToolboxYoga & Indian PhilosophyGlobal & Trending Yoga Therapy TopicsClick the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.https://amywheeler.com/subscribe Check out Amy's website Visit Amy’s training section on her website to check out the courses belowYoga therapy training courses 865-certified-yoga-therapist-program Contact Manju: https://www.gurukulyoga.com/about-gyhc/our-team/manju-joshi

Amy and Janet have a unique conversation about the corporate Field of Change Management, as Janet is a Change Management Consultant. Surprisingly, Janet has been able to bridge her management consultant job in corporate America with her deep knowledge of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. In fact, this has become her differentiating factor and she is proud to state it on her Linked In profile. And one more surprise, Janet is the daughter of a Christian Minister that loves Jesus, and also teaches Vedic Chanting in the South! This interview is full of heart and soul. It will make you believe that anything is possible. And it will give you hope and faith that you are on the right path. Just keep slowly moving forward with support and guidance from trusted mentors.·        Janet explains the corporate filed of Change Management and why Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is so perfect as the lens for her work.·        She explains that leadership is often impatience, overly busy and taxed and they move on to the next project before the organization and employees even know that a change has happened. This leaves no time for people to buy in and see why the change is necessary to the health of individuals and the organization.·        Her work includes a lot of listening, empathy mapping, identifying why the change is important – which is exactly what we do with our clients as yoga therapists. She is practicing yoga therapy at an organizational level and with the individuals inside the organization.·        Janet describes how she came to understand her calling. She says that at some point she could no longer deny who she has become. She accepted the assignment to be authentically herself and shine brightly.·        Janet describes What is Freedom, What is Faith and What is Inner Knowing.·        She talks about how healing requires relinquishing that which we once felt was precious (but was mostly causing us suffering) and what it means to grieve as we come to a new understanding of our true nature.·        Last, Janet talks about her life purpose of making yoga therapy more inclusive, breaking down barriers and obstacles, and how her ancestors are living through her to propel her into this new version of herself.·        Janet has raised 2 kind, confident, intelligent, and resilient daughters. She is on the Board of IAYT and has served on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force for IAYT. If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. You will have the opportunity to determine the Infographic Topics that you would like to receive. When The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast has a topic that corresponds to your choices, then you will receive an email for that week with the PDF’s for download.Topics you can choose from include: Yoga Therapy & Mental HealthYoga Therapy & Physical HealthSocial Justice in yoga & Yoga TherapyYoga/Ayurveda ToolboxYoga & Indian PhilosophyGlobal & Trending Yoga Therapy TopicsClick the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.https://amywheeler.com/subscribe Check out Amy's websiteVisit Amy’s training section on her website to check out the courses belowYoga therapy training courses865-certified-yoga-therapist-program You can find Janet Caldwell on Linked by searching her name and Nashville, TN.

Dr. Ram Tamang had a unique childhood where he grew up in a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. He learned about health and healing from his grandmother and the elders in the village. The hospital was a far distance away, so they had to depend on natural remedies. Through an amazing series of events, he somehow ended up in Orange County, CA and is an Ayurvedic Doctor with a brick-and-mortar clinic, as well as works online. Come hear the story of how he found his dharma and how changing your lifestyle habits can shift your life in a new direction.·        Listen to the magic of Dr. Ram as he explains how his attitude and mindset have been so essential to his life.·        See how he works with clients on helping them to make many small changes over time.·        Listen to the importance of relationship and how he builds rapport.·        Learn about how to track and then create lifestyle changes for a new trajectory.·        Believe in the magic of the Universe as you listen to his enchanting stories.·        Leave feeling lighter and happier because of being in his presence.·        Notice what this conversation brings up inside of your mind and heart.·        Do you believe that the Universe is benevolent and capable of magic? I do after listening talking to Dr. Ram. I hope you do too! If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. You will have the opportunity to determine the Infographic Topics that you would like to receive. When The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast has a topic that corresponds to your choices, then you will receive an email for that week with the PDF’s for download.Topics you can choose from include: Yoga Therapy & Mental HealthYoga Therapy & Physical HealthSocial Justice in yoga & Yoga TherapyYoga/Ayurveda ToolboxYoga & Indian PhilosophyGlobal & Trending Yoga Therapy TopicsClick the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.https://amywheeler.com/subscribe Check out Amy's websiteVisit Amy’s training section on her website to check out the courses belowYoga therapy training courses865-certified-yoga-therapist-programContact Dr. Ram: https://thehealingardens.com/the-center-dr-ram-tamang/

Amy shares a lecture that she gave to her students recently in the Yoga & Ayurveda Essentials Course for Yoga Therapists in training. Amy shares a Tip Sheet of common ideas from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and Indian Philosophy. This Tip Sheet has many of the common areas that Amy touches upon when she is helping her yoga therapy clients explore their internal world, spirituality, life experience and how to feel happier and healthier more of the time. This type of counseling is akin to Buddhist Counsel or Christian Counsel from a minister or priest. We know that reflecting on the spiritual scripture and ancient yogic texts gives us food for thought as we examine our own lives, and our clients learn to do the same. Learning to give appropriate counsel from the perspective of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is a big part of what our students in the Optimal State Yoga Therapy Certification course learn in their 2.5 year program.·        Amy discusses purusha and prakrti·        The three gunas·        Mahat or deep impressions that we come into this life with·        Ahamkara, or the survival mechanism·        Svabhava, the blueprint of our lives·        Co-assessment of the 5 layers of the human system·        Vasanas or subliminal tendencies·        Samskara or habitual patterns·        The 5 klesa-s or causes of suffering·        The 6 klesa vrttis or manifestations of the Klesas·        The 5 yamas or social attitudes·        The 5 niyamas or personal disciplines If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. You will have the opportunity to determine the Infographic Topics that you would like to receive. When The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast has a topic that corresponds to your choices, then you will receive an email for that week with the PDF’s for download.Topics you can choose from include: Yoga Therapy & Mental HealthYoga Therapy & Physical HealthSocial Justice in yoga & Yoga TherapyYoga/Ayurveda ToolboxYoga & Indian PhilosophyGlobal & Trending Yoga Therapy TopicsClick the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.https://amywheeler.com/subscribe Check out www.amywheeler.com Visit Amy’s training section on her website to check out the courses belowhttps://amywheeler.com/865-certified-yoga-therapist-program

On today’s episode, Amy chats with Shannon Crow. Shannon is the host of The Connected Yoga Teacher podcast and a consultant for yoga teachers. She is the co-founder of the MamaNurture Prenatal Yoga School and developed the Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training. Shannon is passionate about this work so that yoga teachers have more time and energy to share the yoga that lights them up. She became a yoga teacher in 2006 and continues to teach weekly group and private classes in Owen Sound, Ontario, with a specialty in Yoga for Pelvic Health. Shannon is dedicated to helping yoga teachers define their niche and thrive at marketing. She thrives in a community that is playful, diverse, and supportive. This is what inspired her to create The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group. Today Amy and Shannon talk about Choosing Your Niche and the fears, challneges and concerns that come with becoming a specialist in one area, How Shannon chose her niche and a lot more. Have a cup of tea or go for a walk and listen to this inspiring episode with Shannon. They discuss the following topics:  l The obstacles we feel in our minds about Choosing a Niche to work inl The fears about deciding to become a Specialistl How Shannon chose her Niche of Pelvic Floor Yogal The Scope of Practice for a Yoga Teacherl The Scope of Practice for a Yoga Therapistl Working with an Integrative Care Team as a Yoga Teacher who specializes in a particular fieldl A Yoga teacher’s goals of individualized practices and small specialized groups (yogapathy)l A Yoga therapist's goals of individualized practices and small specialized groups (salutogenesis)l The difference between a Physic Therapist, a Yoga Therapist and a Yoga Teacher Today’s podcasts is sponsored by: Optimal StateIf you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. Click the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 sec. to subscribehttps://amywheeler.com/subscribe Please download our new Mobile App that tracks mental and emotional well-being using yoga and ayurveda. Live classes, workshops and membership archive are coming in May of 2023!www.OptimalStateApp.comwww.GoldZoneBook.comFacebook: Optimal State by Amy Wheeler     https://www.facebook.com/OptimalStatebyAmyWheeler Instagram: Optimal State by Amy Wheeler    To checkout Shannon’s offerings.Visit https://shannoncrow.com/ and podcast@TheConnectedYogaTeacher.com

Amy and Crissy tackle a delicate topic in this episode. So many of us have been impacted by unhealthy religious and spiritual communities, or even been impacted by cult-like groups/ communities. Crissy tells her personal story of abuse and healing and a trigger warner may be in order. Please make sure that you have the support you need in place just in case this episode is difficult for you. She has bravely decided to tell her story, knowing there may be consequences with family and others. As a result of healing her own trauma, Crissy is committed to helping others who may feel alone, unable to make a big life shift or have given up on creating changes in life due to learned hopelessness. Crissy healed by receiving Yoga Therapy, which is the opposite of many dogmatic religions and spiritual cults. Yoga encourages us to go inward and listen to our deeper Self, to learn to trust ourselves, to make decisions based on our own perceptions of the Yamas (social disciplines) and Niyamas (personal disciplines). Yoga helps us to come home to ourselves and learn to live with an internal compass instead of looking to church or spiritual elders for the answers. ·        Luna tells her personal story of being a 15-year-old girl who endured abuse at the hands of her family and church.·        Luna talks about how many years she tried to escape and the deep psychological impact this had on her long-term, which she finally was able to free herself after studying yoga and getting permission to trust herself again.·        Luna talks about how it was challenging to leave her community, family and friends and feeling so alone.·        We discuss how yoga philosophy gave her permission to think, feel and be differently.·        We discuss how her program is laid out to meet people where they are, after leaving the dogma.·        And how to go towards a place of thriving, and not just surviving.·        You will be inspired at the story that Luna has for us, and how she healed herself. She is a powerful force for good in the world. If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. You will have the opportunity to determine the Infographic Topics that you would like to receive. When The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast has a topic that corresponds to your choices, then you will receive an email for that week with the PDF’s for download.Topics you can choose from include: Yoga Therapy & Mental HealthYoga Therapy & Physical HealthSocial Justice in yoga & Yoga TherapyYoga/Ayurveda ToolboxYoga & Indian PhilosophyGlobal & Trending Yoga Therapy TopicsClick the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.https://amywheeler.com/subscribe Check out Amy's website Visit Amy’s training section on her website to check out the courses belowYoga therapy training courses 865-certified-yoga-therapist-program  See Luna’s website:https://crissyluna.comhttps://crissyluna.com/events/

Neeta Das McMurtry has a wonderful podcast called, “Ask Me About Yoga Therapy.” Neeta and Amy wander and wonder together this hour about What is yoga therapy? What mechanisms create change in the human system? How can we as individuals and the field approach Healthcare? What is the role of secular spirituality in yoga therapy and healthcare? How is our personal well-being connected to the ecology and world around us, as well as connection to our communities? We finsiht the interview discussing our ability or inability to be with suffering and even death.Amy and Neeta discuss:·        Communication including the entire body.·        Our body is a journal for our life.·        Perfectionism and expectations for ourselves and others.·        Willingness to know ourselves deeply·        The delight of listening to ourselves in a new way (beyond thoughts)·        Yoga Therapy as a place and time to land and settle·        The Mind that is located in every cell of the body·        Well-being in relation to our community and society·        How we can help people sit with suffering·        Supporting curiosity and the unknown·        Spirituality in healthcare, Is it enough?·        Defining spirituality as a yoga therapist·        Patient centered healthcare and yoga therapy·        How Yoga Therapy as a field can find it’s niche in healthcare·        Many more shared wonderings…  If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. Click the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 sec. to subscribehttps://amywheeler.com/subscribe Please download our new Mobile App that tracks mental and emotional well-being using yoga and ayurveda. Live classes, workshops and membership archive are coming in May of 2023!www.OptimalStateApp.comwww.GoldZoneBook.comResources mentioned in today’s podcast: www.AskMeAboutYogaTherapy.comThe We Croke AppPema Chodron on Perfection and DeathBest of Humanity VM to recommend someone: #909-754-4092 

Laurie Angress is a Yoga Therapist and faculty member that specializes in Communication and Listening. Laurie points us to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Chapter 3 vs. 17 to help us understand why communication can be so difficult. Amy and Laurie talk about how to really listen from the heart using the tools of yoga and yoga therapy to self-regulate during the conversation. Laurie breaks down the work of Marshall Rosenberg and Non-Violent Communication into 4-steps. This is a conversation that is very applicable to the work as a yoga therapist, yoga teacher, friend, family member or colleague. Amy and Laurie discuss:·       What does it mean to be a good listener?·       Laurie’s origin story with listening and connection·       Ability to watch yourself while in the conversations and regulate as needed·       Desires to contribute to the well-being of others on the planet through listening·       Making requests and not demands·       How to show gratitude for how the work of another has contributed to us·       Ways to have empathy for yourself and others at the same time·       Ability to know when you have reached your listening capacity and kindly excuse yourself·       How to say Thank you and show appreciation and the feelings that came up for us·       How to create a win-win solution when there is a disagreement or different needs·       How to understand what your own needs are·       How to maintain curiosity in conversation with clients, family and friends If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. Click the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 sec. to subscribehttps://amywheeler.com/subscribe  Please download our new Mobile App that tracks mental and emotional well-being using yoga and ayurveda. Live classes, workshops and membership archive are coming in May of 2023!www.OptimalStateApp.comwww.GoldZoneBook.comResources mentioned in today’s podcast: www.Mindfulyogatherapy.netwww.sidewalk-talk.orgwww.cnvc.orgYou Tube Ted Talk: The Power of Human Connection

On today’s episode, Amy chats with Ashley McKeachie. Ashley is a registered yoga instructor, yoga educator, and yoga therapist. She graduated with her Masters Degree in Yoga Studies from Loyola Marymount University. Ashley spends half her time working as a yoga therapist, where she uses the tools of yoga to help alleviate the symptoms associated with chronic pain, and the other half as part-time faculty at Orange Coast College, leading and facilitating their Yoga Instructor Training Program and teaching about Integrative Health Coaching.  Amy and Ashley talk about the importance of being a part of a positive Sangha, or community, for self-regulation and self-actualization. We often hear the phrase “Yoga is Relationship” by TKV Desikachar. But what does that really mean? How do we achieve it? How can we better our relationships and pay attention to those we care about?   Have a cup of tea or go for a walk and listen to this inspiring episode with Ashley. They discuss the following topics:  l Creating a sangha or community that is happy, healthy and supportive of your authentic naturel Forming lasting relationships and why it is so important to the yogic pathl Figuring out, Who Am I as a young person or a newly self-discovered personl Feeling valued by your community and how to find a healthy communityl Being lifted up by your community and how it changes your self-perceptionl Learning to communicate well to create lasting and healthy relationshipsl Holding each other accountable and being firm is an act of lovel Finding self-love is a life-long journeyl Stop looking for outside validation and turn your attention inward to find YOU! If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. Click the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 sec. to subscribehttps://amywheeler.com/subscribe  Please download our new Mobile App that tracks mental and emotional well-being using yoga and ayurveda. Live classes, workshops and membership archive are coming in May of 2023!www.OptimalStateApp.comwww.GoldZoneBook.com To checkout Ashley’s offerings.Visit www.orangecoastcollege.edu and www.ashleymckeachieyoga.com

On today’s episode, Amy chats with Katherine Quayhagen. Katherine is a Registered Yoga Teacher and movement enthusiast. After spending two years in the Peace Corps in a rural village of Madagascar, Katherine realized the necessity of a multi-layered approach to mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. She incorporates mindfulness and meditation into all wellness activities at Longbranch Healthcare, from yoga and fitness classes to gardening. Amy and Katherine discuss the Addiction treatment industry, Working with Longbranch Health care as the Recovery Center Director of Wellness, Types of Addiction and dealing with it and much more. They recently created a research study to look at Veterans who are in a residential treatment center and using yoga therapy to help them heal from the inside-out. Katherine is a 500-hour Yoga Instructor and is just about to become a C-IAYT through the Optimal State Yoga Therapy for Mental Health Training Program. She has been teaching in the New Orleans since 2013. She specializes in yoga for addiction and recovery, and also received her Bachelor’s in Marketing and Asian Studies from Tulane University. They discuss the following topics:  l Longbranch Healthcare philosophy for whole person healing and services offeredl Katherine’s role as the Director of Wellness and how she shaped the programl Process Addiction and how it is different from Primary Substance Addiction servicesl The Longbranch lifestyle of connecting with nature, eating well, moving, communityl Katherine’s Peace Corps experience that laid the foundation for her wellness programl Katherine’s research project and outcomes, future research plans with the VAl Types of practice’s Katherine offers her clients for addiction recovery If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. You will have the opportunity to determine the Infographic Topics that you would like to receive. When The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast has a topic that corresponds to your choices, then you will receive an email for that week with the PDF’s for download.Topics you can choose from include: • Yoga Therapy & Mental Health• Yoga Therapy & Physical Health• Social Justice in yoga & Yoga Therapy• Yoga/Ayurveda Toolbox• Yoga & Indian Philosophy• Global & Trending Yoga Therapy TopicsClick the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.https://amywheeler.com/subscribeToday’s podcasts is sponsored by: Optimal StateWe have all benefitted from the ancient wisdom of India and her people, so it feels really great to be able to serve in this way. The Optimal State family has pledged on-going support of $250 per month, to go directly to KYM Mitra (www.kym.org). We will collect the monies and gift them each month. Please consider a recurring monthly payment to the fund. Even a small gift or intention makes a difference! If we make more than $250 in any given month, it will roll into the following month’s payment. The hope is that we can contribute for many years to come. If you even lose the link to donate, it is at the top of the homepage at www.amywheeler.com also. I will be reporting on the website the progress; how much money is coming in at any given time and where we are in the process of getting this project off the ground.Here is the link for you to get started with your donation. We are so happy that you have decided to join us. We thank you for the bottom of our hearts!Link to click in the description: http://Paypal.me/KymMitraDonationThe Optimal State and Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast also has a Patreon page. We now have 5 staff that help us product the audio and video versions of the podcast. Please consider donating to help us keep this good work for the field of yoga therapy going. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/yogatherapyhourThe new You Tube Channel for this podcast is: YouTube: AmyWheelerPhd    https://www.youtube.com/c/AmyWheelerphdCheck out Amy's website Feel free to use download our free eBook and mobile App by going to the websites below.www.OptimalStateApp.comwww.GoldZoneBook.comFacebook: Optimal State by Amy Wheeler     https://www.facebook.com/OptimalStatebyAmyWheeler Twitter: Optimal State of Living with Dr. Amy TikTok: Dr. Amy@OptimalStateofLiving Instagram: Optimal State by Amy Wheeler    Pinterest: TheOptimalState    https://www.pinterest.com/TheOptimalState To checkout Katherine’s offerings: www.longbranchhealthcare.com