In this episode, Amy Wheeler sits down with Machiel Klerk, an esteemed dream guide and the author of the book "Dream Guidance". Together, they delve into the profound and transformative topic of dreams and their impacts on our waking life. This episode ties nicely into Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Chapter 1, vs. 38. Patanjali tells us that dream exploration is a valid way to understand our deeper self, our psyche and connect with something deep inside of ourselves. Highlights of the Episode: Dream Rea...
Aug 25, 2023•56 min•Season 5Ep. 19
In this captivating interview, we are delighted to introduce Beth Gibbs, an inspiring author who is set to publish her transformative new book titled "Bitchcraft: Sassy & Self-Aware" in early 2024. Join us as she takes us on a journey of self-discovery, guiding us towards authenticity, emotional awareness, and self-acceptance. Beth, a self-proclaimed recovering maladaptive perfectionist, shares her profound insights on how to embrace our true selves and navigate the complexities of emotions,...
Aug 18, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Welcome to The Yoga Therapy Hour , the podcast that delves deep into the realms of Yogic & Ayurvedic Psychology, unlocking the wisdom of ancient traditions and guiding you on a transformative journey towards holistic well-being. Arun and Amy are thrilled to bring you an abundance of life-force, or prana, as we embark on this illuminating conversation together. In this episode, we'll embark on a journey of self-discovery, starting with an insightful overview of Yogic Psychology as bestowed by...
Aug 11, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 17
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy delves into the intricate dynamics of regulating the autonomic nervous system and the importance of establishing healthy boundaries. Through her extensive work with clients, Amy explores both successful and unsuccessful attempts at autonomic nervous system regulation and sheds light on the concept of co-dependency within relationships. Key Points Explored: Understanding Co-Dependency and Inappropriate Co-Regulation: Amy shares vivid examples of ...
Aug 04, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 16
In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy engages in a captivating conversation with Barrie Risman, a long-time yoga teacher deeply rooted in the Iyengar and Anusara traditions. Barrie's expertise and insights have been recognized in esteemed publications such as Yoga Journal, Yoga International, and Elephant Journal. Together, they delve into the profound notion that our yoga practice extends beyond mere structural alignment, encompassing the intricate balance of our body, mind, and sp...
Jul 28, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 15
In this powerful episode with Pamela, we delve into the realm of courage, resilience, and personal growth with an incredible guest who exemplifies what it means to be truly brave. Join us as we explore the inspiring story of Pamela Brinker, a woman who has faced her deepest fears head-on and emerged stronger than ever before. In her book and interview, Pamela's unwavering determination to confront life's challenges becomes evident, proving that she is one of the exceptional few who fearlessly em...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Mala talks in the podcast about the nexus of neuroscience, yoga, and Psychology and how it can be used to help us have peak performance both internally and externally. That is to say, how you feel inside, while becoming your best self on the outside. Mala has many suggestions for training your mind that come from the practices of yoga and ayurveda, as well as modern Psychology. She talks about alternate ways to cope with stress and anxiety and depression and gives practical examples of how to ch...
Jul 14, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Andy and Amy talk about how the daily practice of yogic living can nourish us, cleanse us, and ultimately transform our lives. Of course, the definition of yoga is living all the 8 limbs outlined by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. Andy talks about enjoying life and exploring our highest potential as human beings. He discusses how most of us have too little movement in our lives, and too much mental simulation causing us to not feel well. He goes on to give many helpful and practical suggestions about ho...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Michael Hutchinson has been studying the breath in the KYM tradition for over 4 decades both experientially and scientifically. He has recently written a new book called Breath for Health, using the main tenants of the teachings from TKV Desikachar, to express how to breathe simply and effectively. Amy interviews Michael and discovers that he offers a rare glimpse into how we can use breath for as little as 10-minutes per day and it will change our lives. Michael knows this because he has felt t...
Jun 30, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Beth and Amy talk about how small traumas and big traumas throughout all the years of our life leave their imprint on the autonomic nervous system. Beth explains that the nervous system almost has scar like residuals that cause problems later in life, impacting many other systems of the body: digestive system, immune system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system and more. Beth has recently written a book called Trauma-Aware Yoga & Movement Therapeutics for Older Adults: Managing Common Con...
Jun 23, 2023•49 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Anne and Amy discuss the beauty and challenges of aging, both for us and our elderly parents and clients. They talk about how yoga therapy can assist aging parents in those times between physical therapy appointments and after insurance no longer approves more sessions. The approach of yoga therapy is a Wholistic approach that focuses on physical improvements, breathing exercises, mental and emotional well-being, combatting loneliness and creating connection, and possibly even feeling the spirit...
Jun 16, 2023•56 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Introduction: Discover the transformative power of healing pelvic floor dysfunction in this enlightening episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour. Join Amy and Leslie as they delve into the depths of urinary incontinence, chronic pain, painful sex, and other difficulties associated with pelvic floor dysfunction. Leslie, a renowned expert, shares her personal journey of overcoming pelvic floor dysfunction and her subsequent specialization, which led to groundbreaking research studies at the prestigious U...
Jun 09, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Often times when we are in the middle of a stage of life that is causing us to transition to a new way of being, we feel confused, and we are not sure what to do next. We find ourselves searching for the next thing that will make us happier. Our focus is often outward on the search. In this episode Amy suggests that we go inward and practice self-reflection, or svadhyaya. We can look at those areas of our lives that are increasing our joy and those that are decreasing it. We can evaluate our val...
Jun 02, 2023•42 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Carrie Heeter, Ph.D., RYS200 and meditation designer in the tradition of Viniyoga has written a fascinating book called ‘An Inside Look at Meditation: Experiences for healing, support and transformation.” Amy and Carrie discuss what it means to have an interactive meditative experience and how this might be different than what most of us think of when we imagine going into meditation. It is a co-creation that can be guided by the meditation facilitator/ designer but leaves space for the meditato...
May 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Leslie is a Yoga Teacher and has also completed her certification in Yoga for Mental Health with Optimal State. She has made it her life mission to share her journey from depression, hopelessness, helplessness & mental health difficulties to the woman she has become. She has been able to transform her own nervous system, mental patterns and lifestyle habits into ones that support and nourish her daily. It is from this place of peace that she can share her superpower of helping others to take...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 5
· The first episode in this series of Counseling from the Perspective of Yoga Philosophy was on March 10, 2023- in case you would like to go back and listen to that one · Amy discusses the spiritual nature of this type of counseling clients. · Amy outlines the feelings and sensations in the body that help us to understand we are suffering (because many of us don’t even know we are suffering). · Amy talks about how yoga therapy can help set up the environment or container for a deep self-reflecti...
May 12, 2023•42 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Many of us know Helene Couvrette as the Founder of the Canadian yoga therapy conference called MISTY. Now I introduce you to Helene, AKA Mama Caretaker. Helene has been on a year-long journey of supporting her 18-year-old daughter through Leukemia, blood cancer. Today on the podcast she shares how both she and her daughter got through these difficult times: diagnosis, treatments, anxiety about the future, fear, letting go and more. They both continue to rely on the tools of yoga and yoga therapy...
May 05, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Amy discusses how different the Lens of Yoga Therapy is from other Allied Healthcare Professions. She likens Yogic Counseling to that of Buddhist Counsel or Christian Counsel based on a buddhist Koan or the teachings of the bible. Yoga Therapy has it’s own lens for helping human beings to suffer less as a result of meditation and studying the ancient scriptures. This talk is part 3 in a series that began with Episode 25 for Part 1, then continued in Episode 33 for Part 2. If you want to go back ...
Apr 28, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Danny White is a C-IAYT (certified yoga therapist), yoga studio owner and musician. Danny has used all three of these avenues to aid in his own healing, allowing him to give back and offer healing of others. Danny has witnessed how exclusionary yoga can be to those that might be put off by the images, sounds, and rituals that have been made popular in our culture. He has decided to change his approach to the work that he does. He sees himself as a missionary, or disciple who can bridge the gap b...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Amy is hearing from so many of you that you enjoy the podcast, listen over tea or when you are walking. These deep conversations seem to be nourishing our collective souls. Many of us are yoga teachers or yoga therapists (certified or in training). The goal of the first 4 Seasons has been primarily to give voice to the field of Yoga Therapy and help us to connect with colleagues. But change is coming! Amy announces in the Season 4 Wrap-Up that we will bring the message to the people/ public in S...
Apr 14, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Maya is a soon to be Certified Yoga Therapist and Integrative Ayurvedic Counselor. She shares her story of growing up in Catholic school, being advised to be on prescription drugs from a very young age and finding herself in addiction. She became an idealistic high-school teacher that quickly understood how to put all her own basic needs aside for the kids in her classroom and landed herself in burnout, with the praise of her school administrators. Then Maya found how to self-regulate her energy...
Apr 07, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 14
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 c...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 13
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...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 12
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 ...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 11
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 C...
Mar 10, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 10
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, Ontari...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 9
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...
Feb 24, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 8
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 o...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 7
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 a...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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 ...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 16 min
