In this solo episode, a passionate Amy Wheeler shares candid reflections on the current state and future direction of the yoga therapy profession, with a specific focus on scope of practice, ethics, trauma care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Now serving as the Chair of the Department of Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda at Maryland University of Integrative Health, Amy is teaching a course on ethics, code of conduct, and scope of practice for yoga therapists. This class has reignited critical que...
Aug 22, 2025•43 min•Season 9Ep. 4
In this powerful and deeply moving episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , Amy Wheeler sits down with yoga therapist, educator, and caregiver Lisa Madden. Together, they explore the intersection of yoga philosophy and real-life caregiving through the lens of Lisa’s journey—supporting both of her aging parents through dementia, cancer, and mental health crises, while navigating her own transformation as a daughter, teacher, and practitioner. Lisa shares her personal story of discovering yoga in her mi...
Aug 15, 2025•56 min•Season 9Ep. 3
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...
Aug 08, 2025•44 min•Season 9Ep. 2
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 thera...
Aug 01, 2025•57 min•Season 9Ep. 1
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 int...
Jul 25, 2025•42 min•Season 8Ep. 21
Guests: Kenya DeJarnette , Yoga Therapist and Cancer Survivor Tina Paul , Yoga Therapist and Instructor at Memorial Sloan Kettering and MUIH In 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 practi...
Jul 18, 2025•53 min•Season 8Ep. 20
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...
Jul 11, 2025•51 min•Season 8Ep. 19
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 cent...
Jul 04, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 19
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, id...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 8Ep. 17
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 r...
Jun 20, 2025•55 min•Season 8Ep. 16
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 ...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr•Season 8Ep. 15
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 i...
Jun 06, 2025•51 min•Season 8Ep. 14
In this episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes back Kimberly Searl, a faculty member at Maryland University of Integrative Health’s M.S. in Yoga Therapy program. Kimberly brings decades of experience in teaching anatomy, kinesiology, and physical assessment through the lens of yoga therapy. Together, Amy and Kimberly explore what it truly means to assess the physical body in a therapeutic context, challenging old paradigms and illuminating a more holistic, compassionate approach rooted in curiosity, embo...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 8Ep. 13
In this deeply moving and enlightening episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , host Amy Wheeler welcomes Bobbi Lalach, a kinesiologist and yoga therapist from Cranbrook, British Columbia. Bobbi shares her powerful story of recovery after a traumatic car accident left her with a concussion—and a life turned upside down. At first, Bobbi didn’t realize she was injured. As a mother of five and a healthcare provider, she brushed off her persistent headache and fatigue as stress or a sinus infection. It wa...
May 09, 2025•53 min•Season 8Ep. 12
Opening Paragraph In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler invites listeners into a conversation about the intersection of childhood religion and the lifelong path of yoga therapy. What happens when the grace-filled teachings of Lutheran Christianity (insert your belief structure here) meet the depth and systematization of Indian philosophy? Can we honor both? Amy explores her own journey—from growing up in a progressive Christian household to becoming a devoted student and teacher of Yoga—unpacking ho...
Apr 18, 2025•44 min•Season 8Ep. 11
Episode Summary: In this compelling episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , host Amy Wheeler sits down with Alyssa Morales, a yoga therapist and registered nurse based in Rochester, NY. Alyssa shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming an eating disorder and how yoga became the catalyst for profound healing and self-empowerment. She also discusses how she mindfully integrates her background in nursing with her yoga therapy practice, offering a unique and holistic approach to care. This episode ...
Apr 11, 2025•41 min
Episode Description: In this deeply moving and profoundly insightful episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes yoga therapist, author, and pelvic health expert Cheri Dostal Ryba to share her personal story of healing, embodiment, and reclamation. Cheri’s journey touches on intergenerational trauma, family estrangement, caregiving for a parent in crisis, and the body’s remarkable wisdom in processing, protecting, and ultimately guiding us toward healing. Cheri vulnerably recounts the transformative chapter o...
Apr 04, 2025•55 min•Season 8Ep. 9
Welcome to this heartfelt episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , where we dive deep into the complex terrain of grief, loss, and healing with author and Ayurvedic practitioner Sweta Vikram . In this vulnerable and profound conversation, Sweta shares her personal story of losing both her father and father-in-law within days of each other and how her yoga and Ayurveda practices carried her through the darkest moments. Together, we explore what it means to lose a father , how grief reshapes our identit...
Mar 28, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 8
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , host Amy Wheeler welcomes Jenna Schissel, a yoga therapist based in Des Moines, Iowa, who brings a deeply personal and integrative perspective to the field. Jenna shares her journey of self-discovery, shaped by her experiences with social anxiety and introversion. She discusses how yoga became a natural path for inner healing, providing her with a structured way to cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and confidence. Rather than focusing on symptom man...
Mar 21, 2025•45 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Welcome to the Yoga Therapy Hour in 2025! Host Amy Wheeler kicks off the year by diving deep into Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.33, which offers a framework for improving relationships and cultivating inner peace. Amy reflects on how yoga has helped her heal physically, emotionally, and in her relationships, emphasizing the transformative power of clarity, compassion, and discernment. This episode focuses on the practical application of four key principles from the sutra: Maitrī (Friendliness) Karunā...
Mar 14, 2025•49 min•Season 8Ep. 6
In this inspiring episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , host Amy Wheeler sits down with Tracy Stonaker to explore her journey of healing and transformation through yoga and Ayurveda. Tracy shares her deeply personal story of navigating a challenging divorce, overcoming fear, and finding her inner strength through her yoga practice. She discusses the pivotal moments in her life that led her to Ayurveda and how it reshaped her relationship with food, health, and self-care. Amy and Tracy delve into th...
Mar 07, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 5
In this deeply insightful conversation, Amy Wheeler sits down with yoga therapist Mandy Henderly to explore her personal journey of healing and embodiment. Mandy shares her story of being diagnosed with a brain tumor at 13, how her nervous system responded to the medical trauma, and how yoga eventually became a key tool for reconnecting with her body and navigating mental health challenges. From discovering yoga in her teens (thanks to Madonna’s iconic Ray of Light era) to embracing a therapeuti...
Feb 28, 2025•46 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Episode Summary: In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , host Amy Wheeler welcomes Alex Sabbag, author of Soul Dive: My Journey Into the Deep , yoga studio owner, and soulful entrepreneur. Together, they explore the transformative power of life’s most challenging moments and the lessons learned along the way. Alex shares her powerful personal story, including how a life-altering event changed her perspective on control, surrender, and purpose. Listeners will be...
Feb 21, 2025•47 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Welcome to the Yoga Therapy Hour in 2025! Host Amy Wheeler kicks off the year by diving deep into Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.33, which offers a framework for improving relationships and cultivating inner peace. Amy reflects on how yoga has helped her heal physically, emotionally, and in her relationships, emphasizing the transformative power of clarity, compassion, and discernment. This episode focuses on the practical application of four key principles from the sutra: Maitrī (Friendliness) Karunā...
Feb 14, 2025•32 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Welcome to 2025 and an inspiring new episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour . Amy Wheeler kicks off the year with a heartfelt conversation with renowned yoga therapist, biomechanist, and movement expert, Susi Hately. As an accomplished athlete and founder of Functional Synergy, Susi shares her transformative journey from high-performance sports to a deeper understanding of the power of rest, recovery, and living in a balanced state. This episode is packed with insights on interoceptive awareness, rede...
Feb 07, 2025•55 min•Season 8Ep. 1
In this short and sweet solo episode, host Amy Wheeler reflects on an incredible year of The Yoga Therapy Hour as we prepare to go on winter break. Join Amy as she: Expresses Gratitude: Amy reviews some of the amazing guests we’ve had on the show in 2024, thanking them for their invaluable contributions to conversations about yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda. Encourages Exploration: Didn’t catch every episode? Amy invites you to revisit the season and discover any gems you might have missed. Thi...
Dec 12, 2024•15 min•Season 7Ep. 38
This week on The Yoga Therapy Hour , Amy sits down with Halli Faulkner, a trauma-informed yoga therapist and trainer specializing in working with survivors of sexual assault and violence. Halli shares her deeply personal journey of healing from childhood trauma and how it led her to develop workshops and one-on-one sessions designed to create safe, empowering spaces for survivors. With a focus on autonomy, choice, and compassion, Halli has created impactful trauma-informed trainings and retreats...
Dec 06, 2024•51 min•Season 7Ep. 37
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , we welcome Elizabeth Ralph, founder of The Spiritual Investor, a podcast and community dedicated to transforming our relationship with money through spiritual and energetic principles. Elizabeth shares her unique approach to managing finances with clarity, intention, and an elevated consciousness that aligns deeply with the values of yoga practitioners. Together, we explore the mindset shifts necessary to create financial flow without fear or grasping a...
Nov 29, 2024•49 min•Season 7Ep. 36
In this solo episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour , Amy Wheeler dives into the transformative science of Polyvagal Theory. Drawing on her experience as a pod leader for the Polyvagal Institute, Amy explores how understanding the body’s response to perceived threats can guide us to greater self-awareness, embodiment, and healing. This episode is a powerful resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection with their body and regulate their nervous system, enhancing resilience and well-being. Key...
Nov 22, 2024•44 min•Season 7Ep. 35
Welcome to this enlightening episode of the Yoga Therapy Hour! Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Ella Davar, RD, a longevity nutritionist whose work delves deep into the intersection of nutrition, lifestyle, and longevity. Ella brings a wealth of knowledge about gut health, the brain-gut axis, and the role of the vagus nerve in managing our stress response. She discusses how a well-functioning microbiome supports not only our physical well-being but also our mental, emotional, and even spir...
Nov 15, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 34
