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

Today's guest is Satpreet Kaur. Satpreet Kaur is a registered yoga teacher and is ready to launch her career as a Yoga Therapist with a specialty in Thyroid Health, Movement & Lifestyle Coaching. She is a versatile yoga teacher who loves to incorporate strength and mobility in different ways into her class. Her mission is to inspire others to get physically and mentally strong blending her knowledge of yoga with movement science and biomechanics. Amy and Satpreet discuss Yoga and Yoga Therapy for Thyroid, her experience with experiencing low thyroid and how Yoga Therapy helped, working daily with hypothyroidism, the importance of having a mentor, and much more.  Make a cup of tea, relax, and enjoy the conversation! They discuss the following topics:  · Satpreet’s interest in thyroid health started from her personal experience of healing· Different layers of the human system and how they relate to thyroid health· Hypothyroidism and lifestyle management· The importance of community in healing · What role does mentorship play in healing ourselves?· Tangible outcomes from sessions and mechanisms for supporting thyroid health· How to deal with self-doubts and disappointments when life places challenges in front of 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. 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 Satpreet’s offeringsfacebook.com/people/Preet-Yoga/https://www.instagram.com/preet.yoga/

Today's guest is Matt Erb, Integrative Physical Therapist and Yoga Therapist. Matt has worked extensively with persons experiencing acute and chronic health conditions using an integrative (holistic/whole-person, and mind-body integrated) model of care. He works with all forms of chronic pain, migraines, headache, craniofacial and spinal disorders, dizziness, and vertigo (vestibular conditions), chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and many more.  Matt and Amy talk about Yoga therapy as an emerging and an established field in healthcare. They speak about “How does Yoga Therapy fit within the healthcare system?” “How can Yoga Therapy not shapeshift and lose the essence of the wisdom tradition?” “How can we put all the separated parts of the human being back into wholeness, so that we are no longer splitting the whole person into different parts?” “What are the upstream factors that carry more influence than individual lifestyle choices on health?” “How do we support a balanced view of agency and causality and support individuals to do their best within the prevailing conditions that they are experiencing?” They discuss the following:  ·        Matt’s work as an Integrative Physical Therapist and Yoga Therapist·        Matt’s amazing book called “Integrative Rehabilitation Practice”·        The push and pull between Indigenous Traditions and Evidence Based Medicine ·        Social determinants of health and sociological considerations for the profession·        How Yoga Therapists can avoid implying excessive or unrealistic sense of moral agency in an individualistic model of self-care·        Privilege of receiving healing modalities and social connection with support·        Indigenous communities basic understanding of the important of community in healing·        Ways in which neoliberalism, capitalism, and colonialism show up in integrative health, including Yoga Therapy·        The Power-Threat-Meaning Model and similarities to Yoga Philosophy  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.comTo checkout Tracey’s offeringshttps://www.traceymeyerspsyd.com https://www.amazon.com/Yin-Yoga-Therapy-Mental-Health/dp/1848194153?asin=1848194153&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1 To checkout Matt Erb’s offerings:Association Clinical Director- CMBM.orgEmbodyYourMind.com is Matt’s websiteIntegrativeRehabPractice.com for Matt’s new book #YogaTherapyHourwithAmyWheeler #YTHPodcast #YogaTherapyHourPodcast #YogaTherapyPodcast #YogaPodcast #YogaTherapyTalk #YogaTherapy

Today's guest is Dr. Tracey Meyers, a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Dr. Tracey Meyers has 24 years of experience in the fields of clinical psychology and integrative medicine. She is the author of the book: Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health and has contributed several book chapters on yoga, addiction, and psychotherapy. Her research focuses on mindfulness and yoga for mental health and traumatic brain injury. In addition to her work as a clinical psychologist, Tracey has a strong commitment to integrative medicine. She is an E-RYT 500-hour yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, certified MBSR instructor, and certified iRest and Breath-Body-Mind teacher.  Tracey and Amy talk about Tracey’s background and how she got started with Yin Yoga, What Yin Yoga is about, her new book Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health, The benefits of Yin Yoga, and a lot more. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation! They discuss the following: · The idea of Yin Yoga· The difference between Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga· How Tracey discovered her interest in Yin Yoga· Yin yoga loads the connective tissue vs. Restorative yoga takes away the load and adds support· Japanese Dr. Motoyama who connected yin yoga and Chinese medicine through meridian therapy· How fascia is affected by Yin Yoga· Physical health benefits of Yin Yoga · The idea of Self -inquiry· Mental health and Emotional benefits of Yin Yoga· How to use yin yoga for PTSD, anxiety reduction, alleviation of depression, traumatic brain injury, and schizophrenia 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

Today’s episode is a solo episode with Amy Wheeler. Amy discusses a fundamental question that all C-IAYT Yoga Therapists need to be able to articulate with ease. How are you different than a psychologist who teaches breathing exercises in session? How are you different from a Physical Therapist that helps people heal from injury? How are you different than an Occupational Therapist that helps people live a more sustainable life? Listen to this episode to help you find the words to talk about how we are similar and different from other Allied Healthcare Professions. Amy talks about the following:·        Working with clients from the outside inward: the physical body, to the breath, to the mind and possibly towards spiritual growth or connection with their consciousness.·        The foundation of yoga therapy is the focus on connection with one’s consciousness.·        In Yoga Therapy we do not diagnose. We look at the qualities of the mind and body of the individual and try to shift those qualities towards more lightness, clarity and ease.·        Yoga Therapists help people move inward towards connection with deep consciousness through lifestyle medicine.·        Yoga Therapist help clients figure out a daily routine that will help them to stay in balance and formulate a sustainable life going forward.·        Yoga Therapists help people become more embodied, which then influences the qualities of both the body and the mind.·        Yoga Therapy has a framework from Indian Philosophy that helps the client suffer less and experience more joy. It is very akin to Buddhist Counseling.·        Amy finishes talking about Vasana and Samskara and promises a separate podcast on those topics coming soon!  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/AmyWheelerphd Check out Amy's website https://amywheeler.com/ 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 check out the Optimal State Mobile App:www.OptimalStateApp.comwww.GoldZoneBook.com