Yoga Therapy Hour with Amy Wheeler

Епизоди

• Ahimsa in Action: What Aging Teaches Us About Kindness and Strength 03.07.2026 1ч 1мин

  Episode OverviewIn this conversation, Amy Wheeler sits down with yoga therapist and educator Ashley McKeachie to explore the lived experience of ahimsa—non-harming—as it unfolds in real time with aging bodies and evolving nervous systems.Ashley shares how her work with older adults (ages 55–95+) has reshaped her understanding of yoga therapy, shifting from performance and outcomes toward presence, pacing, and relational care. What emerges is a grounded and practical view of yoga as a system that supports resilience, dignity, and connection across the lifespan.This episode offers a clear lens into how yoga philosophy becomes actionable—not as theory, but as daily practice.About Ashley McKeachieAshley McKeachie is a yoga therapist, educator, and department chair at Saddleback College’s Emeritus Institute in Southern California. She teaches large-scale classes in yoga, balance, mobility, and wellness for older adults, integrating yoga therapy, breathwork, and philosophy into accessible, community-based education.Her work centers on helping individuals build confidence, regulate their nervous systems, and maintain independence through thoughtful, adaptable practices.Key Themes in This EpisodeAhimsa as a Lived PracticeAhimsa moves beyond the idea of “non-violence” and becomes a daily inquiry:How am I treating myself right now?Am I pushing, or am I listening?Is this choice supporting stability or creating strain?For Ashley’s students, ahimsa often begins with self-permission—to slow down, to rest, and to shift lifelong patterns of over-effort.Aging and the Nervous SystemWorking with a population ranging from their 50s to mid-90s, Ashley highlights:The persistence of “push through” mentalitiesThe challenge of changing patterns that have “worked” for decadesThe opportunity to reintroduce softness, pacing, and awarenessRather than decline, she often observes:Increased strength and balanceImproved confidence and postureGreater emotional regulation and clarityBreath as a Foundational ToolOne of the most consistent takeaways from her students:“You’ve taught me how to breathe.”Breath becomes:A tool for managing medical procedures and stressA way to regulate the nervous system in real timeA lifelong skill that extends far beyond the classroomThe Role of Sangha (Community)Ashley emphasizes that community is not secondary—it is essential.In her classes:Students learn each other’s namesGroup work is intentionally structuredSocial connection is actively facilitatedFor many older adults facing isolation, this becomes a primary source of:BelongingEmotional supportContinued engagement with lifeSlowing Down as a Therapeutic StrategyAshley’s teaching approach prioritizes:Slow pacingChoice and autonomyExploration rather than performanceThis creates:A sense of safetyReduced fear of movementIncreased willingness to participateA Dream UnplannedAshley reflects on her professional path—from training younger yoga students to working with older adults—and describes her current role as:“A dream I didn’t even know I had.”Her experience highlights an important thread:Direction mattersEffort mattersAnd there are moments where something larger organizes the path forwardPractical TakeawaysListeners may consider:Where am I pushing when I could be listening?What would ahimsa look like in my daily routines?How can I support both independence and connection as I age—or support others who are aging?Am I allowing enough time for stillness and internal awareness?Resources & Where to Find AshleySaddleback College Emeritus InstituteFree or low-cost classes for adults 55+Many online options available across multiple statesRancho La Puerta (Mexico)Wellness retreats where Ashley teaches periodicallyFocus on nervous system balance, nature, and immersive learningClosing ReflectionThis conversation invites a steady reframing:Ahimsa is not passive. It is not avoidance.It is an active, moment-to-moment discernment— a willingness to support life, rather than override it.And in many ways, the later years of life offer a clear mirror: what we practice consistently is what carries us forward.
• The Yamas and the Neuroscience of Trust: From Survival to Steady Ground 26.06.2026 42мин

  What does it mean to trust that life will work out—not as a belief, but as a lived, embodied experience?In this solo episode, Dr. Amy Wheeler explores the intersection of the Yamas—the ethical foundation of yoga—and the neuroscience of safety, regulation, and predictive processing. Rather than approaching ethics as a set of rules to follow, this conversation reframes them as natural expressions of a regulated, supported nervous system.At the center of this inquiry is a simple but powerful question: Can we live in alignment with our values when we feel unsafe?Drawing from yoga philosophy, polyvagal theory, and lived experience, Amy offers a grounded perspective on why ethical behavior becomes more accessible when the body feels steady—and why it often breaks down in states of survival.Key Themes ExploredEthics as a State, Not a Rulebook The Yamas are not imposed from the outside. They emerge when the system is regulated, resourced, and supported.Ahaṅkāra and the Survival Response The drive to secure, control, and protect—while necessary—can narrow perception and disrupt our ability to act with clarity and integrity. The Nervous System and Trust A flexible, regulated nervous system supports connection, openness, and discernment. When dysregulated, the system shifts toward threat detection, reactivity, and contraction. Predictive Processing and Learned Safety The brain continuously predicts what will happen next based on past experience. Trust is not naïve—it is built through repeated experiences of support, repair, and resilience. From Fear-Based Reactivity to Possibility Through intentional practice, the mind can shift from worst-case predictions toward openness, receptivity, and grounded optimism.The Yamas Through a Nervous System LensAhimsa (Non-harming): Begins internally. A regulated system reduces reactivity, blame, and harsh self-judgment.Satya (Truthfulness): Requires humility and discernment. When fear and ego soften, truth becomes less about being right and more about being aligned.Asteya (Non-stealing): Trust reduces grasping. When we feel supported, we are less likely to take what is not ours—ideas, credit, or energy.Brahmacharya (Moderation): Regulation is sustained through balance. Excess and depletion disrupt clarity and ethical consistency.Aparigraha (Non-grasping): Letting go of fear-based holding creates space for discernment, freedom, and right timing.Clinical InsightEthical challenges in yoga therapy—and in healthcare more broadly—are often not failures of character. They are reflections of nervous system states.When practitioners are exhausted, unsupported, or operating in survival mode, their window of tolerance narrows, and ethical clarity becomes harder to access. This reframing invites a shift from judgment to understanding, and from rules to regulation.A Subtle ReorientationAs safety becomes more embodied:The breath becomes more adaptableThe heart rate more flexibleSocial engagement comes onlineAmbiguity is interpreted with more generosityThe future is no longer predicted as threat, but as possibility From this place, trust is not forced—it emerges.Reflection for ListenersConsider where your system feels:Steady and openContracted and protectiveHow might your ethical responses shift depending on that state?And what practices help you return to a place where clarity, connection, and trust are more available?ClosingThis episode offers a reframe that may feel both grounding and challenging: That living the Yamas is not about trying harder—but about creating the internal conditions where they can naturally arise.
• Regulating the Inner Landscape: Mala Cunningham on Anxiety, Awareness, and the Nervous System 19.06.2026 50мин

  In this episode, Amy sits down with Mala Cunningham, a pioneer in integrating yoga therapy with mental health care. The conversation offers a steady and thoughtful exploration of how yoga therapy supports individuals living with anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, not by bypassing these experiences, but by helping people build the capacity to be with them differently.Mala brings decades of clinical experience into a grounded discussion on the relationship between the nervous system, attention, and perception. She outlines how anxiety is not simply something to eliminate, but something to understand through the body, breath, and patterns of awareness. Rather than focusing on symptom reduction alone, she emphasizes cultivating regulation, resilience, and a more stable inner environment.A central theme throughout the episode is the role of interoception. Mala describes how developing awareness of internal sensation creates a bridge between unconscious reactivity and conscious choice. This process supports individuals in recognizing early signs of dysregulation and responding with practices that restore steadiness rather than amplify distress.Amy and Mala also explore the clinical application of yoga therapy within mental health settings. They discuss the importance of meeting clients where they are, respecting pacing, and building trust through consistent, accessible practices. The conversation highlights how simple, well-sequenced interventions can support profound shifts over time when applied with clarity and care. Mala reflects on the importance of collaboration across disciplines and the need for language that resonates within clinical environments while maintaining the integrity of yoga’s therapeutic roots.This episode offers a clear and practical lens for clinicians, students, and practitioners who are working at the intersection of nervous system regulation, emotional health, and yoga therapy. It invites a steady approach to practice, one that values consistency, discernment, and the gradual cultivation of inner stability.Key Themes ExploredUnderstanding anxiety through the lens of the nervous systemInteroception as a foundation for self-awareness and regulationThe role of attention in shaping internal experienceBuilding capacity rather than eliminating symptomsClinical pacing, safety, and therapeutic relationshipIntegrating yoga therapy into mental health care settingsCollaboration between yoga therapists and licensed cliniciansPractical TakeawaysSmall, consistent practices often create more sustainable change than complex interventionsAwareness of internal sensation is a skill that can be developed over timeRegulation begins with recognizing early cues in the bodyTherapeutic progress is not linear; it requires patience and discernmentSupporting the nervous system is foundational to emotional resilienceConnect with Mala CunninghamWebsite: https://www.cardinalpointyoga.comPrograms and trainings in yoga therapy and mental healthConnect with The Yoga Therapy HourWebsite: www.TheOptimalState.comExplore courses, certifications, and clinical training opportunitiesListen to more episodes focused on yoga therapy, emotional intelligence, and integrative health
• Loving the Fire: Reinvention, Inner Power, and Living Your Yoga 12.06.2026 34мин

  In this episode, Amy sits down with Deborah Santana—author, philanthropist, and lifelong spiritual practitioner—for a conversation that explores what it means to live from inner sovereignty.While many may recognize her through her 34-year marriage to Carlos Santana, this conversation clarifies something more essential: Deborah Santana has lived a deeply self-directed life shaped by spiritual inquiry, service, and the willingness to begin again.Her memoir, Loving the Fire, becomes the thread through which we explore transformation—not as an abstract idea, but as a lived experience of loss, identity shift, and conscious rebuilding.Key Themes Explored1. Early Life and the Roots of Inner StrengthDeborah reflects on her upbringing in San Francisco, shaped by a family that quietly modeled independence and devotion.Her father, Saunders King, was a respected musician who chose presence over fame—offering an early model of values rooted in family rather than recognition.Her childhood was also grounded in spiritual diversity, moving between Pentecostal, Lutheran, and contemplative spaces. This early exposure created a foundation of spiritual curiosity that would later evolve into a lifelong meditation practice.2. Identity, Culture, and AwarenessDeborah shares her experience growing up in a multicultural environment, where belonging felt natural—until moments of racism revealed deeper social realities.These experiences did not define her, but they did shape her awareness. Over time, they became part of the “fire” she would learn to walk through rather than avoid.3. The Fire: Loss, Transition, and ReinventionA central moment in Deborah’s life—and in this conversation—is her decision to leave a long-term marriage and step into the unknown.She describes this period with clarity:A sudden shift from a full, externally defined life into silenceThe loss of roles, identity, and structureThe necessity of sitting with herself, without distractionRather than rushing to rebuild, she allowed a period of stillness:Studying the work of Wayne Dyer and Thich Nhat HanhEngaging in self-inquiry through Al-Anon principlesReturning to yoga and meditation as stabilizing practicesThis was not framed as breakdown, but as disassembly for the purpose of reorganization.4. Loving the Fire: A Different Relationship to ChallengeThe central teaching of Deborah’s memoir is simple, but not easy:Life is not happening to us—it is happening for us.She describes fire not as destruction, but as a condition for renewal. Like a forest that regenerates after burning, human life can reorganize into something more aligned—if we stay present through the process.This reflects a core principle in yoga therapy:We do not eliminate discomfortWe change our relationship to itWe allow it to inform growth5. Spiritual Practice as a Stabilizing ForceDeborah has maintained a meditation practice since her early twenties. During times of transition, this inner relationship became her anchor.She describes moments of:Deep peace in solitudeHeightened perception in natureA sense of connection beyond identityThese are not framed as extraordinary experiences, but as natural outcomes when external roles fall away and attention returns inward.6. Rebuilding with IntentionFollowing this period of reflection, Deborah began to rebuild her life in alignment with her values:Founded the nonprofit Do A Little, inspired by Desmond TutuProduced documentary films to support global humanitarian effortsWorked with organizations connected to Nelson MandelaBecame a founding donor of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureHer work consistently centers on women, girls, and collective well-being.7. Education and Lifelong LearningIn her 50s, Deborah pursued a master’s degree in Women’s Spirituality at the California Institute of Integral Studies.This experience reflected a pattern throughout her life:Learning as a form of self-developmentIntegrating intellect with lived experienceValuing wisdom traditions alongside modern inquiry8. Global Perspective and HumilityTravel—particularly to Africa—played a significant role in reshaping her worldview.She describes:A felt sense of humanity’s originsA reorientation away from individual-centered thinkingA deep respect for cultural wisdom beyond the U.S. lensThis aligns with a therapeutic perspective: healing often expands when we move beyond our habitual frame of reference.9. Current Work: Courage and EmpathyDeborah is currently involved in developing the Courage Museum in San Francisco, a project focused on:Understanding violence as a learned behaviorTeaching empathy as a skillCreating immersive experiences like “Empathy Mirrors,” where individuals witness and feel others’ lived experiencesThe intention is clear: violence can be unlearned, and empathy can be cultivated.Clinical and Philosophical ReflectionsThis conversation offers several points of integration for yoga therapists and healthcare providers:Transformation often begins with disruption of identityStillness and reflection are not passive—they are reorganizing forcesSpiritual practice provides continuity when external roles dissolveGrowth requires both self-inquiry and self-responsibilityMeaning emerges not by avoiding difficulty, but by engaging it with awarenessClosing ReflectionDeborah Santana’s life illustrates a steady principle:We are not defined by our roles, relationships, or accomplishments. When those fall away, what remains is the foundation we build from.Her story is not about reinvention as performance. It is about returning to something more essential—and choosing, from that place, how to live.Learn MoreLoving the Fire by Deborah SantanaAvailable via her website and major booksellersUpcoming events and book tour information available online
• Understanding Human Suffering: The Five Kleśas and the Return to Our True Nature 05.06.2026 51мин

  In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores one of the most important psychological teachings in the yoga tradition: the five kleśas, described in Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These teachings help explain why human beings experience suffering even when they are sincerely trying to live well.Drawing from both Sāṅkhya philosophy and the Yoga Sūtra, Amy walks listeners through the deeper roots of suffering, beginning with the distinction between puruṣa (the witnessing consciousness) and prakṛti (the body, mind, senses, and the manifest world). When these two are confused, the mind becomes entangled in patterns of misperception, attachment, aversion, and fear. These patterns are what Pātañjali calls the kleśas.Throughout the episode, Amy explains how these ancient teachings remain remarkably relevant today. The kleśas show up in modern life as over-identification with our roles, addiction to approval or stimulation, avoidance of discomfort, fear-driven decision making, and the constant pressure to control life so that we feel safe.Rather than presenting yoga as a way to avoid suffering, Amy emphasizes that the deeper aim of yoga is to understand suffering clearly. Through practices such as movement, breath regulation, meditation, and ethical reflection, the practitioner gradually loosens the grip of these patterns and begins to remember their deeper nature.The episode concludes with a reflection on one of Amy’s favorite teachings from the Yoga Sūtra: Yoga Sūtra 1.3, which describes the moment when awareness returns to its true nature and the seer rests in its essential state.In This EpisodeAmy explores:• Why human beings suffer even when they are trying to live well • The philosophical foundation of the Yoga Sūtra in Sāṅkhya philosophy • The distinction between puruṣa (the witnessing consciousness) and prakṛti (the manifest world) • How misperception leads to psychological suffering • The five kleśas described in Yoga Sūtra 2.3 • How the kleśas appear in modern life and clinical practice • Why yoga is fundamentally relational and practiced through human interaction • How meditation helps return awareness to clarity and discernment • The deeper meaning of Yoga Sūtra 1.3 and the experience of resting in one’s true natureThe Five KleśasThe five kleśas are the underlying causes of suffering described by Pātañjali.Avidyā — Misperception The root kleśa. Avidyā occurs when we confuse the changing contents of experience with our deeper nature.Asmitā — Misidentification Over-identifying with personality, roles, reputation, or thoughts rather than recognizing the witnessing awareness behind them.Rāga — Attachment Clinging to experiences that feel pleasurable or validating, believing they will resolve deeper unease.Dveṣa — Aversion Avoiding experiences that feel painful or uncomfortable, which can lead to defensiveness, withdrawal, or emotional reactivity.Abhiniveśa — Fear of Loss The deep instinct to cling to life, identity, control, and stability. This fear can appear even in those who are wise and experienced.Key Yoga Sūtras ReferencedYoga Sūtra 2.3 Avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśāḥ kleśāḥ These five are the causes of suffering.Yoga Sūtra 2.5 Avidyā is mistaking the impermanent for the permanent, the impure for the pure, pain for pleasure, and the non-self for the self.Yoga Sūtra 1.3 Tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe ’vasthānam Then the seer rests in its true nature.Why This Matters for Yoga TherapyThe kleśas are not simply philosophical ideas. They describe patterns that appear frequently in modern life and clinical settings, including:• psychological distress • relational conflict • addiction and compulsive behavior • over-identification with roles or reputation • fear-based decision making • difficulty tolerating discomfortTherapeutic yoga practices—movement, breathwork, attentional training, and ethical reflection—help practitioners gradually recognize and soften these patterns.As clarity develops, individuals often experience greater nervous system stability, increased self-awareness, and a deeper capacity to observe thoughts and emotions without becoming completely defined by them.Reflection Questions from the Episode• What if the goal of yoga is not to become someone different, but to remember who we truly are?• Where in your life do you notice attachment to approval, comfort, or certain emotional states?• Where do you notice aversion or avoidance when something feels uncomfortable?• Can you sense the difference between the changing experiences of the mind and the steadiness of the witnessing awareness behind them?Final ReflectionThe teachings of the kleśas remind us that suffering is not simply a personal failure or something to eliminate at all costs. It is part of the human condition. Yoga invites us to understand it, learn from it, and gradually see through the patterns that amplify it.When the mind becomes clearer and less entangled in these patterns, the seer begins to rest in its true nature. From that place, life can be lived with greater steadiness, compassion, and freedom.School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices  https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool  Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification Amy’s website:www.TheOptimalState.com Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com
• When Theories Are Questioned: Polyvagal Critique, Clinical Wisdom, and the Enduring Map of the Guṇas 29.05.2026 43мин

  In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler brings clarity and steadiness to the recent scientific critique of Polyvagal Theory by Paul Grossman and colleagues. Rather than reacting defensively or dismissing prematurely, this conversation explores what mature fields do when a theory is questioned: they clarify, refine, and return to foundational principles.Amy examines:• What the critique of Polyvagal Theory actually addresses • The difference between scientific precision and clinical usefulness • The risks of oversimplifying complex neurophysiology • How public wellness language can unintentionally flatten biological complexity • Why yoga philosophy offers a time-tested phenomenological map of regulationThis episode weaves together scientific dialogue, clinical reflection, lived experience, and classical yoga philosophy.What the Critique Is — and Is NotPaul Grossman and colleagues (2026) raise concerns about elements of Polyvagal Theory’s evolutionary framing, anatomical specificity, and evidentiary scope. One key issue discussed in this episode is the oversimplification of the vagus nerve in popular discourse.The vagus nerve contains approximately 100,000 fibers and plays a role in multiple complex regulatory systems, including cardiac, respiratory, inflammatory, and gastrointestinal processes. Reducing this complexity to a simple “on/off switch” or three-state ladder risks confusing metaphor with mechanism.This episode distinguishes between:• The measurable anatomy of autonomic regulation • The heuristic value of state-based language • The difference between metaphor and physiologyScientific refinement is not erasure. It is maturation.Clinical Reflection and Lived ExperienceDr. Arielle Schwartz’s clinical reflections on the critique emphasize that debates about anatomical precision do not invalidate the lived experience of autonomic shifts observed in therapy.Clinicians consistently observe patterned shifts in:• Activation • Collapse • Social engagement • Relational presencePolyvagal language has helped many practitioners and clients understand safety, co-regulation, and state-dependent perception.At the same time, intellectual integrity requires us to refine language where necessary.Amy also reflects on how we conduct discourse in our field. How we respond to disagreement often reveals our own regulatory capacity. Regulation is not only theoretical — it is relational.Phenomenology and the Yoga SūtraThis episode situates the conversation within a broader philosophical frame.Phenomenology refers to the study of lived experience as directly perceived — before explanation, before measurement, before mechanism.The Yoga Sūtra begins from this place:Yoga Sūtra 1.1 — atha yogānuśāsanam “Now, the teaching of yoga.”The word atha signals presence and readiness. We begin from lived experience.Yoga Sūtra 1.2 — yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ “Yoga is the regulation of the fluctuations of consciousness.”Patañjali maps patterns of activation, dullness, clarity, and agitation long before neurophysiology named vagal pathways. The Yoga Sūtra functions as a guidebook for living because it trains discernment around these fluctuations.The Guṇas: A 2,000-Year-Old Map of RegulationDrawing from Sāṅkhya philosophy, Amy explores the three guṇas:• Sattva — clarity, coherence, luminosity • Rajas — activation, movement, agitation • Tamas — inertia, heaviness, obscurationAt the level of lived experience, there is meaningful overlap between the guṇas and contemporary discussions of autonomic states. While not anatomically identical, the phenomenological parallels are substantial.The guṇa framework does not reduce regulation to a nerve or a switch. It describes qualities of experience across body, mind, and relationship.Rather than “turning on” calm, yoga cultivates flexibility across states and gradually increases the probability of sattva through lifestyle, perception, ethical alignment, and disciplined awareness.Yoga Therapy Is Not a TechniqueA central theme of this episode:Yoga therapy and therapeutic yoga are not techniques.They are not hacks. They are not state toggles.They are integrated ways of living.Yoga shapes:• How we eat • How we sleep • How we speak • How we relate • How we perceive • How we respond under stressOver time, practice softens identification with roles, biases, and reactive narratives.Yoga Sūtra 1.3 — tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe avasthānam “Then the seer abides in their true nature.”Regulation becomes existential, not merely physiological.Key Takeaways• Scientific critique strengthens intellectual integrity. • Oversimplification should be corrected. • Clinical lived experience still matters. • Ancient phenomenological models remain relevant. • Yoga therapy is a multifaceted path, not a nervous-system trick.Yoga does not stand or fall with any single contemporary theory. Its philosophical foundations have endured across time, even as scientific language evolves.
• Sit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation with Oneika Mays 22.05.2026 52мин

  In this conversation, Amy sits down with mindfulness teacher and writer Oneika Mays to talk about her new book, Sit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation—part memoir, part meditation guide, and an unflinching look at what it means to practice loving-kindness in real-world conditions, including inside Rikers Island. Oneika shares what it felt like to work inside a system built on hierarchy and dehumanization, the tension of receiving a salary inside a harmful structure, and the moment she realized that “the system isn’t broken—it’s working as designed.” From there, the conversation widens into the heart of metta: not as softness or spiritual bypassing, but as grounded, actionable love that can hold anger, boundaries, and truth-telling without losing our humanity. About Oneika and the BookBook: Sit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation (HarperOne / HarperCollins; on sale March 3, 2026). How Oneika describes it: “Meditation is for messy people… This book is part memoir, part meditation guide—and it’s about showing up exactly as you are.” What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeThe embodied “ick” of being treated as “one of us” by staff—how hierarchy shows up in small moments, tone shifts, and access.Why reform can get absorbed by a machine—and how “helping” can unintentionally make a harmful system look more palatable.The pivot from “fixing” to “serving,” and why that matters in any therapeutic or helping profession.Metta as a practice that includes righteous anger, loving accountability, and clear boundaries (not performative positivity).The inner work of not needing to be liked—and why unconditional love is not the same as being “nice.”A grounded call to action: personal responsibility, collective responsibility, and small acts that add up. Core Themes to Highlight (for your episode description)1) Metta is not performative softness. It’s a disciplined practice of staying human—especially when it’s inconvenient, when you’re angry, and when you need boundaries.2) The “system” is not abstract—it’s embodied. Hierarchy is felt through tone, access, positioning, and whose body is treated as more worthy.3) Serving is different than fixing. When we see people as broken, we become controlling or paternalistic. When we serve, we stay in relationship with wholeness.4) Choosing yourself can be an ethical act. Not as individualism, but as harm reduction—because depleted care can become harmful care.5) Collective change is built from small refusals. Not pre-agreeing to dehumanization. Practicing “no” with steadiness, clarity, and community. Resources Mentioned in the ConversationThe New Jim Crow — Michelle Alexander (recommended by Oneika in the episode)“Helping, Fixing, and Serving” — Rachel Naomi Remen (named in the episode)Sharon Salzberg’s teaching stories on loving-kindness (referenced in the episode)Audre Lorde on self-care as self-preservation (referenced in the episode)Toni Morrison quote on freedom and responsibility (referenced in the episode)Timothy Snyder’s guidance on resisting authoritarianism (Amy referenced at the end) Connect with OneikaWebsite: Oneika Mays www.OneikaMays.com Book Details and Where to Find ItSit with Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation is published by HarperOne and is listed as on sale March 3, 2026.
• Five States of Mind, Deeper Self-Reflection, and a New Tool for Titrated Practice 15.05.2026 36мин

  In this solo episode, Amy returns to one of the heart-teachings of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra: learning to observe the fluctuations of mind and how they shape behavior, communication, and the way we show up in relationship and daily life. Rather than analyzing or diagnosing, she frames this as svādhyāya—steady self-reflection rooted in classical yoga philosophy.Amy walks listeners through Vyāsa’s five states of mind (citta-bhūmi)—from restlessness and dullness to one-pointed focus and absorption—and then explores how a meditation practice naturally moves beyond surface thoughts into the deeper layers of experience: vijñānamaya kośa (discernment, beliefs, identity patterns) and ānandamaya kośa (inner coherence, ease, meaning, and trust).She also introduces contemplative inquiry through vāsanā (habitual tendencies), saṃskāra (deep patterning), and the kleśas (root causes of suffering)—not as labels, but as invitations to notice what is repeating and to support wise change over time.In the final section, Amy shares an emerging project: a Yoga Philosophy Self-Reflection Coach—a custom AI-based chat tool designed to support brief, titrated self-inquiry and help people choose a targeted meditation practice in small daily doses. She addresses common concerns about mixing yoga and technology, emphasizes that human connection still matters, and offers thoughtful privacy guidance. In This Episode, You’ll HearWhy yoga emphasizes observation over self-judgmentHow the mind’s fluctuations drive behavior, communication, and relational patternsThe five states of mind (citta-bhūmi) through Vyāsa’s lensHow meditation moves from surface-level “daily tasks” into deeper inquiryVijñānamaya kośa reflections: beliefs, identity, reactivity vs. response, recurring patternsĀnandamaya kośa reflections: meaning, manageability, coherence, ease, trustUsing the kleśas as a compassionate framework for seeing the roots of sufferingWhy people often stop meditating—and how “small, titrated bits” can helpA preview of the Yoga Philosophy Self-Reflection Coach and how it’s designed to workPractical privacy boundaries when using AI for personal reflectionWhy Amy believes there is room for both technology and human teachers/therapists  A Few Reflective Questions to Take into PracticeWhat is the current quality of my mind and heart?What pattern keeps repeating beneath the surface?Is there an identity I’m protecting that creates friction or suffering?What am I grasping for—or avoiding—that might be shaping my choices?Where might more space create more coherence? Mentioned ResourceAmy shares that listeners who want to beta test the Yoga Philosophy Self-Reflection Coach can contact her through her website: www.theoptimalstate.com. Gentle ReminderThis episode offers philosophical self-inquiry grounded in yoga tradition. It is not presented as diagnosis or mental health treatment. If you need more support, consider working with a qualified yoga therapist and/or licensed mental health professional.
• Post-Traumatic Growth and Neuroplasticity: Healing in Present Time with Colleen Millen 08.05.2026 51мин

  What happens when we stop treating suffering as a fixed identity and start relating to it as a changeable state?In this conversation, Amy Wheeler is joined by Colleen Millen, a licensed marriage and family therapist and yoga therapist who works at the intersection of somatic psychotherapy, nervous system regulation, and post-traumatic growth. Colleen shares how “healing happens in present time,” why choice and consent are foundational to real change, and how small, repeatable practices can reshape patterns that once felt permanent.Together, they explore neuroplasticity in everyday language (“neurons that fire together wire together”), how somatic tracking restores access to the prefrontal cortex when stress responses take over, and why therapy and yoga therapy can be most effective when they are collaborative—rooted in agency, curiosity, and what is life-affirming for the individual. In This Episode, You’ll HearWhy post-traumatic growth can be a more empowering framework than only focusing on post-traumatic stressHow agency and consent orient the healing process (“Do you even want to rewire this?”)A practical, listener-friendly explanation of Dan Siegel’s “hand model of the brain” and what it means to “keep the lid on”How somatic approaches support regulation when words aren’t accessibleWhy short-term coping practices can lead to long-term changeWhat it looks like to track psychobiological shifts in real time and “stay with” the moment of the changeA grounded reframe: depression or anxiety can feel like a trait—until, over time, it becomes “a jacket that doesn’t fit anymore”How yoga philosophy (including kriyā yoga and bhāvanā/intentionality) can support behavior change without forcing a one-size-fits-all approachThe role of telehealth in expanding access—especially for postpartum clients and busy householders Key Moments (listener roadmap)Colleen’s path: journalist → yoga teacher (since 1999) → LMFT journey (began 2009; licensed 2018)Why “post-traumatic growth” matters: hope, agency, and the possibility of a new relationship to sufferingSomatic psychotherapy basics: how stress shows up through the body (breath, belly, skin, heart rate)Window of tolerance + polyvagal orientation: getting a “map” for the nervous systemDan Siegel’s hand model: a clear explanation for both audio and YouTube listenersNeuroplasticity in daily life: how intention + repetition + small practices reshape what’s possiblePresent-time stabilization: why you don’t always need to “go into the past” to healRepetition and practice: why the micro-moments matter—and how real change accrues over time Practical Takeaways (gentle, doable)Name the moment: “Something just happened.”Anchor in the body: feel your feet, notice your breath, sense support from the chair.Choose one tiny action you can repeat (a short walk, a grounding pause, a few breaths, a hand on the heart).Track the shift: What changes in your breath, pace, sensation, or clarity when you slow down?Repeat: consistency is what makes the new pathway more available under stress. About Colleen Millen (LMFT-CA)Colleen Millen is a somatic psychotherapist and yoga therapist who supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, and the desire for post-traumatic growth. Her work emphasizes nervous system education, present-time stabilization, and collaborative inquiry that honors choice, pace, and lived experience. She currently offers telehealth and hybrid services in California. Resources MentionedNARM (NeuroAffective Relational Model) — inquiry, agency, and what you want for yourselfPolyvagal Theory — understanding states and regulationWindow of Tolerance — a framework for tracking arousal and capacityDan Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain — “flipping the lid,” cortex/offline vs. online regulation supportInterpersonal Neurobiology / Mindsight (Dan Siegel) Connect with Colleen (California)Positive Counseling & Psychology: PositiveCounselingPsychology.comRula: Rula.com
• Cleaning the Lens: How Daily Practice Rewrites Belief, Body, and Behavior 01.05.2026 38мин

  In this solo reflection, Amy explores why daily practice matters beyond flexibility, strength, or stress relief. Using a simple morning ritual—cleaning her glasses—she offers a clear metaphor for what practice does: it helps us notice what has accumulated in the mind-body system and gives us a way to “wipe the lens” so we can see, sense, and choose more clearly.This episode weaves yogic psychology, behavior change, and neuroscience into one steady message: our beliefs don’t just shape our thoughts—they shape our bodies, our felt sense, and our default responses. The work of change is possible, but it asks for time, repetition, and a compassionate willingness to witness what’s already wired.In this episode, Amy exploresWhy daily practice functions like “cleaning the lens” of perceptionHow repetitive beliefs shape behavior, communication, and lived experienceThe neuroscience of habit loops: “neurons that fire together wire together”Why beliefs become embodied—and how sensations can become predictable over timeHow yoga therapy supports change from both directions: top-down and bottom-upThe importance of cultivating the observer before trying to rewire patternsHow mantra, mudrā, saṅkalpa, and visualization can interrupt old loops and build new onesWhy meaningful rewiring often takes years, not weeksHow the ego can resist change when long-held patterns feel “cement-like”Why dramatic life changes don’t always create transformation if beliefs remain unchangedHow yoga therapy stays self-empowered while still benefiting from skilled guidanceA woven framework: Rāja Yoga (mind), Haṭha Yoga (body), and a mature, non-bypassing view of VedāntaA thoughtful comparison between Vedānta and The Matrix as a metaphor for misperception and awakeningKey takeawaysChange begins with awareness: noticing the loop without immediately obeying it.The body and mind are trained together; sustainable change includes both sensation and belief.Practice is not about perfection—it’s about repetition with clarity.External reinvention can create space, but real change comes from rewiring the underlying beliefs.A mature spiritual framework supports healing without bypassing what is real and human.Reflection question for listenersWhat is one familiar “loop” you notice in your mind-body system—and what might it feel like to pause, witness it, and choose a new response today?Mentioned in this episodeDaily practice as a method of “cleaning the lens”Behavior change and learning theoryRāja Yoga and the Yoga Sūtra as a practical path for health, healing, and liberationHaṭha Yoga as a pathway back into sensation and embodimentAdvaita Vedānta and the movement from perceived separateness toward wholenessThe role of a yoga therapist or guide in supporting insight without bypassing
• From Resistance to Resonance: Chanting, Co-Regulation, and the Healing Container 24.04.2026 1ч 1мин

  In this warm, clinical-and-traditional conversation, Amy and Lisa explore how chanting and mantra practice can shape the autonomic nervous system and the mind through repetition, meaning, vibration, and relationship. Lisa shares her journey from clinical psychology leadership in pediatric behavioral health to yoga therapy and chanting in Europe, and she offers grounded guidance for meeting students exactly where they are—especially when voice, vulnerability, perfectionism, or skepticism show up.This episode holds a steady bridge between allopathic settings and yogic tradition: chanting as both a deeply ancient transmission method and a contemporary, accessible tool for resilience, co-regulation, and sustained inner change.In this episode, you’ll hearWhy Yoga Sūtra 1.12 (abhyāsa + vairāgya) is a practical map for habit change, neuroplasticity, and healingHow abhyāsa can function like a “secure base” (attachment lens): a reliable place to return for steadinessHow vairāgya supports discernment and letting go—especially of limiting beliefs like “I can’t chant” or “My voice isn’t welcome”Why chanting can be done silently, anywhere, and how that matters when life gets stripped down to essentialsThe difference between mantra japa, kīrtan, and “therapeutic repetition” versus compulsive repetitionHow teachers build a safe, predictable container where practice becomes possible—even for tender nervous systemsWhat it means to keep mantra “alive” through oral transmission, practice, and continuity across generationsReal talk about resistance: voice, self-consciousness, perfectionism, and how practice mirrors our livesA moving reflection on how relational rupture can impact practice—and how reconnection can unfold over time Core teachings that stood outAbhyāsa as a secure baseLisa reframes abhyāsa as more than discipline. It becomes an inner home you can trust—something you return to when the world is loud, when your mind is moving fast, or when life is uncertain.Vairāgya as discernment, not detachmentVairāgya is the “letting go” side of change: releasing old impressions, beliefs, and protective habits that no longer serve. In this episode, it shows up as the courage to experiment—without over-identifying with fear, shame, or “I can’t.”Mantra as a multi-layered interventionMeaning, vibration, rhythm, breath rate, imagery/bhāvana, memory, and relationship all converge. When the whole system aligns, the “new track” becomes easier to lay down—steadily and over time.The teacher’s job is to match the doseLisa offers a clinical yoga therapy lens: choose repetition amounts and methods that fit the person’s capacity, life context, and readiness. Sustainable practice matters more than idealized practice.Voice is a clinical doorwayChanting can bring up themes of safety, expression, shame, silencing, and self-trust. Rather than forcing exposure, Lisa models progressive steps—silent practice, practicing “on mute,” or starting with simple sounds—so expression becomes possible.Practical takeaways you can tryChoose a “minimum viable” mantra practice you can keep: 3 repetitions, 11 repetitions on fingers, or a partial mala with a clear stopping point.Decide the purpose of repetition before you begin: regulation, steadiness, devotion, confidence, or easing fear.Use choice points (listen only, chant silently, chant softly) to reduce performance pressure and build safety.Notice what your resistance protects—then bring abhyāsa to the edge of that resistance, gently and consistently.Let mantra become familiar enough that it appears on its own when you need it—like a trusted inner companion.About LisaLisa is a yoga therapist and clinical psychologist with decades of leadership experience in pediatric behavioral health and integrative hospital settings. Now based in the Netherlands, she teaches and offers yoga therapy and yoga psychotherapy, integrating mind, body, and spirit with clinical discernment and deep respect for lineage.Lisa joins us from near The Hague and Leiden, within an hour of Amsterdam.Connect with LisaWebsite: LifeTreeYogaRecorded classes: available via her YouTube channel (integrated 90-minute practices)Ongoing option: online group class on Fridays + private yoga therapy / yoga psychotherapy sessions onlineConnect with Amy www.TheOptimalState.comSchool of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool
• Practice, Let Go, Trust: Abhyāsa, Vairāgya, and Śraddhā in the Yoga Sūtra 17.04.2026 46мин

  In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler explores three foundational teachings from Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra that describe how real transformation unfolds over time: abhyāsa (steady practice), vairāgya (letting go of attachment), and śraddhā (deep trust in the process).While these terms are often translated simply as “practice and detachment,” Patañjali presents them as a sophisticated framework for understanding how the mind stabilizes and how human behavior gradually shifts. Amy reflects on how these teachings describe the ongoing work of regulating the mind, working with habitual patterns, and cultivating a steadier relationship with our internal experience.The conversation begins with Yoga Sūtra 1.2 — yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ, the well-known description of yoga as the process of working with the fluctuations of the mind. Amy explains how these fluctuations influence behavior, emotional reactions, communication patterns, and the way we show up in relationships and daily life. From both a yogic and modern nervous system perspective, the mind tends to move along well-worn pathways shaped by conditioning and repetition.Patañjali offers a clear response to this reality.In Yoga Sūtra 1.13–1.14, he introduces abhyāsa, the disciplined effort to remain steady. Amy discusses how abhyāsa is not about intensity or dramatic breakthroughs. Instead, it reflects the quiet power of consistent practice over time. When a practice is sustained for a long period, practiced without interruption, and approached with care and sincerity, it begins to stabilize the mind and reshape patterns of behavior.Yet practice alone can lead to striving and tension if it is not balanced by vairāgya.Drawing from Yoga Sūtra 1.15, Amy explores vairāgya as the capacity to release our grasp on outcomes. This teaching does not suggest disengagement from life. Rather, it encourages freedom from excessive craving for particular results, identities, or experiences. In practical terms, this means continuing to practice while allowing the process to unfold naturally, without becoming trapped in cycles of evaluation, success, or failure.This balance between effort and release becomes essential in both personal practice and therapeutic settings. When individuals become overly attached to outcomes, the nervous system often moves toward anxiety, urgency, or self-criticism. Vairāgya creates space for psychological flexibility and a steadier relationship with change.Amy then introduces śraddhā, described in Yoga Sūtra 1.20, as a quiet but essential quality that sustains the path. Often translated as faith, śraddhā can be understood as a grounded sense of trust or confidence in the process of practice. It is the willingness to continue even when change is gradual or difficult to perceive. In therapeutic contexts, śraddhā often appears as hope, openness, and the willingness to keep engaging with practices that support healing and growth.Together, abhyāsa, vairāgya, and śraddhā form a practical framework for transformation:·        Abhyāsa encourages us to return to practice consistently.·        Vairāgya helps us release the need to control outcomes.·        Śraddhā sustains our commitment to the path.Amy reflects on how these teachings continue to shape modern yoga therapy, where long-term behavioral change, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness unfold gradually through repeated experience rather than quick solutions.This episode invites listeners to consider how these three principles might influence their own lives: how we practice, how we release attachment to results, and how we cultivate the quiet trust that allows meaningful change to emerge over time.
• Meditation Meets AI: What the Future Holds for Contemplative Practice & Yoga Therapy 10.04.2026 52мин

  Episode overviewIn this episode, Amy sits down with Steve Haberlin to explore what’s changing in contemplative practice as artificial intelligence becomes woven into daily life. Steve shares why he created a customized GPT mindfulness guide (“MetaZen”), how he’s studying its use with doctoral students, and why he advocates a “human-first” approach: learn from a skilled teacher when possible, then use AI as a supportive bridge—not a replacement.Together, they unpack the promise and the concerns: access and personalization on one side, and privacy, data harvesting, and ethical guardrails on the other. The conversation closes with a look at education’s future, the pressures faculty may face, and Steve’s upcoming book MetaMeditation.What you’ll hear in this episodeKey themesHow Amy and Steve connected through LinkedIn and why that kind of professional relationship-building matters nowWhat a “custom GPT” is and how Steve designed MetaZen as a science-grounded mindfulness guideLive facilitation with AI: a brief demonstration of an AI-led mindfulness practiceWhy human relationship still matters in meditation training (and what’s lost if we remove it)The “opportunity gap”: the vulnerable window between learning a technique and sustaining itWhy most meditation app users stop early and what might help people stay with practiceAI as a “technological mirror”—helpful feedback, with real limits and risksEthical concerns: hallucinations, red flags, over-agreeableness, and the dangers of using LLMs as therapyVR and avatars: what’s already here (Trip app + “Kokua”) and what may be next (smart glasses)Privacy and biometrics: what data is collected, what can be sold, and where oversight is still catching upHigher education: personalization, AI tutoring, and the likelihood of increased productivity pressure on facultySteve’s upcoming book: MetaMeditation: How Neuroscience, Virtual Reality, and AI are Changing Practice and How You Can BenefitPractical takeawaysThink “blended model,” not replacement. AI can extend a teacher’s support—especially between sessions—without removing the relational core.Sustainability is the missing piece. Access is expanding, but adherence still drops off quickly; support structures matter.Attach practice to an existing habit. A 60-second breath anchor paired with a daily routine can build consistency.Keep humans in the loop for anything mental-health-adjacent. LLMs weren’t built for therapy, and risks increase when people treat them like clinicians.Privacy isn’t a side issue. As biometrics and usage data become standard, informed consent and oversight will be essential.Steve’s Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-haberlin-ph-d-22390b55/Steve Haberlin, Ph.D.The link for Steve’s talk on how to build an AI Chat Bot: https://ucf.zoom.us/rec/share/2qP180cbV182FF0_T7mLG-uhTbyA_3myEGXLaipzNNMD49CHpzrOmLzMizGSsoQY.cPMJvDoX23UIjaFY?startTime=1770148625000 Passcode: Av0=9%qqContact Amy @ www.TheOptimalState.com Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theoptimalstate/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OptimalStatebyAmyWheeler  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/AmyWheelerphd/featured Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/yogatherapyhour Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-wheeler-ph-d-a3095566/Apple School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices  https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification  Hashtags for NDMU#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool
• The Autonomic Nervous System and Yoga 03.04.2026 53мин

  In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler is joined by Joann Lutz, psychotherapist and yoga therapist and educator whose work focuses on nervous system regulation, resilience, and the therapeutic application of yoga across a wide range of life contexts. Their conversation explores a central theme of this season: that nervous system regulation is not achieved through force, positivity, or performance, but through consistent, attuned yoga/ somatic practice over time. Together, Amy and Joann reflect on the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a coherent and practical framework for supporting autonomic nervous system stability—particularly within a culture that often prioritizes speed, productivity, and intensity over steadiness, reflection, and discernment. Joann shares how yogic tools support regulation not by suppressing or overriding stress responses, but by creating the internal and relational conditions in which the nervous system can reorganize itself. The discussion emphasizes the importance of pacing, repetition, and relationship—both within one’s personal practice and within therapeutic, educational, and clinical settings. Rather than framing dysregulation as something to eliminate, this episode invites a more nuanced understanding: regulation as a dynamic capacity that is gradually strengthened through appropriate effort, self-study, and compassionate awareness. Amy and Joann also explore how yoga therapy serves as a bridge between ancient yogic frameworks and modern understandings of the nervous system. They reflect on why practices such as ethical inquiry, self-reflection, breath awareness, and embodied presence remain foundational—not as abstract philosophical concepts, but as practical supports for safety, clarity, adaptability, and sustainable change in daily life. This episode will resonate with yoga therapists, clinicians, educators, and practitioners who are interested in how nervous system regulation develops over time through intentional practice, relational support, and an integrated view of the human experience. In This Episode, We ExploreWhy safety, relationship, and pacing are essential for sustainable regulationThe role of discernment in selecting and applying yogic tools skillfullyHow yoga therapy supports resilience without pushing, bypassing, or overriding lived experience About the GuestJoann Lutz is a yoga therapist and educator specializing in nervous system regulation and therapeutic yoga. Her work emphasizes clarity, relational presence, and the thoughtful integration of yogic principles into both personal practice and professional application. She is known for a grounded, compassionate approach that supports individuals and communities in cultivating steadiness amid stress, change, and complexity.Her website:Her primary website is https://joannlutz.com/ Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-lutz-licsw-e-ryt-c-iayt-ba85739/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lutz124/?hl=enBook she wrote:She is the author of Trauma Healing in the Yoga Zone Subscribe, Share, and Stay ConnectedIf this season supports your personal practice or your professional path, consider subscribing, sharing an episode with a colleague, and following along as the series unfolds across 2026. School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-healthMaster of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices  https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool  Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com
• What Is Citta? The Mind-Field in Yoga Philosophy 27.03.2026 27мин

  Episode SummaryIn this solo episode, Amy Wheeler lays the philosophical foundation for the upcoming season by returning to one of the most essential—and often misunderstood—concepts in yoga philosophy: citta, the mind-field. Rather than approaching yoga as a collection of tools and techniques, Amy invites listeners to remember the deeper purpose of yoga as articulated in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra—the reduction of suffering through clarity, discernment, and relationship to our deepest self.Amy carefully differentiates between the citta mind and the citta field, explaining how manas (sensory and processing mind), ahaṅkāra (identity and survival mind), and buddhi (discernment and intuitive wisdom) function together within the mind-field. She emphasizes that none of these aspects are inherently “good” or “bad”; the work of yoga is learning when and how to use each one skillfully.From this lens, the Eight Limbs of Yoga are reframed—not as techniques for calming or self-optimization—but as a regulatory and ethical pathway that guides us back toward buddhi and closer relationship with puruṣa, the witness. Amy walks through each limb, highlighting how social ethics (yamas), personal care (niyamas), posture, breath, sensory withdrawal, and meditation progressively support the inward movement of the mind.Throughout the episode, Amy reflects candidly on modern overwhelm, distraction, and survival stress, naming how easy it is to become trapped in manas or ahaṅkāra—especially in times of social and political intensity. She models a return to practice not as withdrawal from the world, but as the necessary ground for discerned, ethical service.This episode serves as a framing conversation for the season ahead—inviting yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and serious practitioners to clarify their orientation, remember the roots of the tradition, and consider what kind of inner cultivation is required if yoga is to remain a living, ethical, and relational science for generations to come. Key Themes & TopicsWhat citta really means in yoga philosophyThe distinction between mind, mind-field, and witnessManas, ahaṅkāra, and buddhi: functions and imbalancesSuffering as a signal of misused mental functionsThe Eight Limbs as a regulatory and ethical frameworkWhy the yamas come before self-careAsana and pranayama as preparation for inward clarityPratyāhāra as a natural outcome, not a techniqueMeditation as a progressive, non-linear processReturning to practice as an act of discerned service Reflection Questions for ListenersWhich aspect of the mind has been most dominant for you lately—manas, ahaṅkāra, or buddhi?Where might survival concerns be overshadowing discernment or meaning?How do your current yoga practices support clarity of mind, not just regulation of state?What would it mean to re-center your practice around relationship with the witness? Closing NoteThis episode sets the tone for the season: yoga as a rooted, ethical, relational path—not a collection of techniques, but a way of organizing the inner landscape so that we may suffer less and serve more wisely.Thank you for listening and for being part of the Yoga Therapy Hour community.www.TheOptimalState.com to contact Amy https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool 
• Conditioning, the Mind, and the Autonomic Nervous System Through the Lens of Pātañjali- Solo Episode with Amy Wheeler 20.03.2026 48мин

  In this solo episode, Amy explores the patterned nature of the mind through the framework of the Yoga Sūtra of Pātañjali and its relevance to the autonomic nervous system.Rather than approaching change as something we force or “hack,” this episode returns to a classical yogic understanding: the mind is conditioned, the body follows, and awareness is the pathway to regulation.Drawing from Yoga Sūtra 1.1–1.4 and 1.12, Amy unpacks how repeated thoughts and emotional states create saṁskāras (impressions), which accumulate into vāsanās (deep tendencies), shaping identity and physiology over time.This conversation bridges ancient phenomenological observation with modern nervous system language — without collapsing one into the other. In This EpisodeWhat atha yoga-anuśāsanam (YS 1.1) means in lived experienceYogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ (YS 1.2) as regulation of mental fluctuationsHow saṁskāra and vāsanā shape behavioral and physiological patternsThe relationship between the guṇas — sattva, rajas, and tamas — and nervous system statesHow chronic emotional patterns reinforce autonomic conditioningThe kleśas (avidyā, asmitā, rāga, dveṣa, abhiniveśa) as drivers of repeated sufferingWhy yoga is not about eliminating activation, but cultivating flexibilityAbhyāsa and vairāgya (YS 1.12) as the yogic model of repatterningMeditation as a stabilizer of sattva and interoceptive clarityThe distinction between conditioned identity and the steady witness (YS 1.3) Key ThemesThe Mind Is PatternedThe fluctuations of the mind are not random. Repeated thoughts and emotions form grooves. These grooves influence perception, behavior, and physiology.Yoga names these grooves saṁskāras.When we live unconsciously from them, the nervous system reflects those patterns.www.TheOptimalState.com The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com  Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification 
• The Golden Thread of Yoga Therapy 13.03.2026 41мин

  In this solo conversation, Amy Wheeler makes a clear case for yoga therapy as a distinct clinical discipline—not a “licensed healthcare modality + a few yoga tools.” She explores why yoga therapy has struggled to define its contribution, and she proposes a steady answer: yoga therapy’s central work is helping people reorganize their inner landscape through a coherent philosophical and practical framework—most clearly articulated in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra, with the Eight Limbs as a regulatory pathway for mind, nervous system, body, relationship, and meaning.What you’ll hear in this episodeWhat “regulatory framework” means in this series: regulating mind, nervous system, body, perception, relationships, and connection to the EarthThe “golden thread” Amy feels the yoga therapy field risks losing aA practical comparison of domain-specific problem solving in other professions, including:Physical therapy: movement dysfunction, strength, mobility, pain through biomechanical/neuromuscular modelsOccupational therapy: functional capacity, ADLs, sensory integration, environmental adaptationPsychotherapy/counseling: cognition, emotion regulation, behavior patterns, diagnostic frameworks and treatment modelsSocial work: psychosocial context, systems, resources, advocacy, and the web of supportThe key distinction: yoga therapy does not start with “What is broken and how do we fix it?”Yoga therapy’s starting question: How are you perceiving and relating to your lived experience—and what patterns are shaping suffering or freedom?The clinical emphasis on capacity (what’s available, what can be strengthened) rather than diagnosisYoga therapy as an integrative map across “layers” of the human system (physical, energetic/breath, mental-emotional, relational, and sacred/spiritual)A clinical example: when “back pain” becomes a doorway into insight about life patterning, stress physiology, and meaning—not just mechanicsWhy we don’t need to speak traditional yogic language in medical settings—but we do need to retain the models internally and translate skillfullyHow the guṇa model supports daily self-regulation by tracking fluctuations in mood, energy, motivation, clarity, and reactivityWhy “embodied awareness” becomes essential when people cannot access cognition reliably under stress, pain, or trauma—and why bottom-up regulation mattersA grounded caution: yogic models vary by lineage, can be oversimplified or “whitewashed,” and can be hard to standardize—yet they remain clinically powerful when held with integrityAmy’s argument for where yoga therapy can be sustainable in healthcare: often on the health education / behavioral health / worksite wellness / stress reduction side, while remaining a parallel, adjunctive support to medical careThe call to action: yoga therapy needs a unifying clinical framework and clinical reasoning that stays aligned with its own scope and philosophical foundationThe culminating proposition: Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra offers a coherent, ethical, clinically applicable framework—especially through Chapter 2 and the Eight LimbsKey concepts and phrases from the episode“Regulatory framework” (broad, layered, relational)“Golden thread” (the essential philosophical lens of yoga therapy)“A different set of glasses” (a different starting question than biomedical/diagnostic paradigms)“Reorganization of the inner landscape” (a tangible way to describe yoga therapy’s deeper aim beyond symptom management)“Translator” and “bridge” (the yoga therapist’s role in interdisciplinary settings)“Whole person over diagnosis” (holistic mapping rather than narrow domain reduction)“Freedom = inner spaciousness” (not escape, but a changed inner relationship to experience)“Clinical reasoning within our framework” (not borrowing another field’s logic to justify our work)Books Amy recommends (mentioned in the episode)T.K.V. Desikachar — The Heart of YogaT.K.V. Desikachar — Reflections on the Yoga Sūtra of PatañjaliRanju Roy & David Charlton — Embodying the Yoga Sūtra (Amy’s strongest recommendation for translating Yoga Sūtra into yoga therapy)What’s ahead in the seriesAmy shares that this year of The Yoga Therapy Hour will stay closely aligned with the Eight Limbs as a regulatory framework, and she’s beginning a longer-term writing project to explicitly translate Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra into a clinically usable foundation for yoga therapy.Listener reflection promptsWhere in your work (or life) do you notice yourself defaulting to “problem-fixing,” and what changes when you shift to “perception and relationship”?If yoga therapy’s domain is reducing suffering through clarity and self-regulation, how would you describe that in the language of your current setting?What is one way you can strengthen your ability to translate yogic models into interdisciplinary language without losing the model itself?What does “reorganizing the inner landscape” mean for you personally—and how do you recognize when it’s happening?ClosingAmy closes by encouraging listeners to spend time with the Yoga Sūtra—not as an abstract philosophy, but as a practical guide for daily living, clinical reasoning, and long-term change through discernment, self-awareness, and the steady cultivation of freedom.School of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool 
• Scope of Practice and the Safe Container: Clarity, Trust, and Nervous System Safety in Yoga 06.03.2026 53мин

  In this thoughtful and grounded conversation, Amy Wheeler is joined by Dr. Lauren Tober to explore two foundational pillars of ethical and effective yoga teaching and yoga therapy: scope of practice and the creation of a safe container.The episode begins with a clear and nuanced discussion of scope of practice—what it truly means, why it cannot be standardized across all practitioners, and how clarity protects both students and teachers. Dr. Tober emphasizes that scope of practice is shaped not only by formal training, but also by lived experience, competence, and confidence. Amy reflects on how her background in educational psychology and kinesiology informs her own scope, particularly in the areas of mental health and nervous system regulation.From there, the conversation moves into one of the most practical and quietly powerful parts of Dr. Tober’s work: teaching yoga teachers how to create a safe container. Together, they explore why safety is not just about what is taught, but how space is held—relationally, predictably, and with nervous system awareness.Dr. Tober names an important reality: no space can ever be 100% safe for every person, given the diversity of lived experience and nervous system histories. Yet there is much teachers can do to increase the likelihood of felt safety—and doing so is foundational for healing, learning, and regulation. Without safety, students are less likely to return, more likely to become dysregulated, and less able to receive the benefits of practice.The discussion highlights how predictability, transparency, and thoughtful environmental choices support nervous system settling. Simple, often overlooked elements—starting and ending on time, explaining the structure of a class, orienting students to exits, maintaining consistent room setup, and letting students know how long a practice will last—can make a profound difference, especially for those who have rarely experienced spaces of welcome, inclusion, and belonging.Amy connects this directly to Polyvagal-informed teaching, emphasizing the importance of clearly naming what will happen during a class. While repeating this structure may feel unnecessary to seasoned students, it offers essential regulation cues to others—and does not limit creativity. Structure, as both Amy and Dr. Tober note, is not the opposite of freedom; it is what allows variation and creativity to land safely.Throughout the episode, a steady throughline emerges: clarity builds trust. Whether we are naming the edges of our scope of practice or the arc of a yoga class, transparency supports safety, integrity, and sustainability—for everyone involved.In This Episode, We Explore:·        What scope of practice means in yoga and yoga therapy·        Why scope is individual, contextual, and evolving·        Mental health awareness versus mental health treatment·        Trauma-informed yoga versus treating trauma·        Referral as an ethical and relational skill·        What a “safe container” actually is—and why it matters·        How predictability supports nervous system regulation·        Simple, practical ways teachers can increase felt safety·        Why structure does not limit creativity, but supports it·        How clarity and humility build student trustKey Takeaway: Safety and scope are not constraints. They are foundations. When we clearly name what we offer, how we hold space, and what students can expect, we create conditions for trust, regulation, and meaningful change.About the Guest:Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, Author + Host of A Grateful Life Podcastwww.yogapsychologyinstitute.com Host of the A Grateful Life Podcast - Conversations on mental health, yoga & living a good life. About the Host: www.TheOptimalState.com Amy Wheeler, PhD, C-IAYT, is the host of The Yoga Therapy Hour, an educator, yoga therapist, and leader in the integration of yoga therapy, psychology, and nervous system regulation. School of Integrative Health at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU:https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification #IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool Listen & Subscribe: Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga as a Nervous System Regulatory Framework 27.02.2026 42мин

  In this inaugural episode of Season 10, Amy Wheeler introduces the guiding framework for the year ahead: exploring the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a practical, integrated regulatory framework for the autonomic nervous system. Rather than offering “tools and tricks” for stress, this season centers a wider view—how yoga shapes the conditions for safety, stability, adaptability, and coherence across daily life. Amy explains why nervous system regulation matters across integrative health contexts. When we support autonomic balance, we support the whole person—how we sleep, digest, think, relate, decide, and recover from chronic stress and burnout. This season also bridges personal practice and professional application, supporting listeners who want yoga to be a private anchor, and those discerning how yoga therapy can responsibly integrate into healthcare, education, and community settings. A key reframe anchors the episode: the Eight Limbs are not a ladder to climb, but a circle with eight doors. Each limb is an entry point, and once you enter, every practice influences the whole system—physiology, perception, behavior, relationships, and purpose. Season 10 also aligns with Amy’s forthcoming book (with Marlisa Sullivan), Applications of Therapeutic Yoga in Integrative Health(anticipated late spring/early summer 2026), designed as a companion guide to help practitioners translate yogic principles into accessible language for real-world settings. In This Episode, Amy ExploresWhy the autonomic nervous system is a shared meeting point between yoga and integrative healthcareThe Eight Limbs as a regulatory framework, not simply a set of techniquesHow regulation affects perception (viveka), behavior, communication, and ethical decision-makingWhy “coherence” matters: aligning life demands with inner and outer resourcesThe Eight Limbs as a circle with eight doors—interrelated, non-hierarchical entry pointsThe yamas and niyamas as the ethics of regulation, not moral perfectionHow yoga therapy differs from fitness-based yoga: assessment, client-centered care, scope, and responsibilityWhy this season includes more solo teaching episodes, with select guests across disciplinesHow listeners can develop simple language and metaphors (like the stoplight model) to explain regulation Invitation for the SeasonAs you listen this year, consider tracking phrases, metaphors, and explanations that help make complex ideas accessible. This season is designed as a shared learning laboratory—supporting personal regulation, while also strengthening the collective capacity to communicate clearly about yoga therapy in integrative health spaces. Host: Amy Wheeler at www.TheOptimalState.comAbout: Chair, Yoga Therapy & Ayurveda Department, Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityAlso Featured: insights informed by Amy’s work with the Polyvagal Institute Subscribe, Share, and Stay ConnectedIf this season supports your personal practice or your professional path, consider subscribing, sharing an episode with a colleague, and following along as the series unfolds across 2026. School of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-healthMaster of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy Explore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices  https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchool  Yoga Therapy Hour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-therapy-hour-with-amy-wheeler/id1564687158 The Optimal State Mobile Apphttps://optimalstateapp.com
• Regulate First: The Missing Link in Health Behavior Change 20.02.2026 52мин

  In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler is joined by Sara Klute Behn, a yoga therapist and health coach based in Iowa, for a thoughtful conversation about nervous system regulation, sustainable health behavior change, and the deep overlap between yoga therapy and health coaching.Together, they explore why willpower alone rarely leads to lasting change—and why regulation, safety, and support matter far more. Sara shares her personal journey through anxiety, life transitions, and healing, and how those lived experiences shaped her work supporting women who feel overwhelmed, overextended, and stuck in cycles that no longer serve them.This conversation invites listeners to slow down, reconsider how change actually happens, and reflect on what it means to create a regulated life—one small, compassionate step at a time.In This Episode, We ExploreWhy health behavior change is not a motivation problem, but a nervous system issueHow yoga therapy and health coaching naturally complement one anotherThe role of self-regulation in eating, movement, sleep, and emotional resilienceWhy consistency grows from safety, not forceReframing identity as a pathway to sustainable changeLetting go of all-or-nothing thinking around movement and wellnessHow slowing down can actually increase effectiveness and clarityThe importance of creativity, joy, and ritual in healingSupporting women through burnout, anxiety, and overachievement without self-judgmentAbout SaraSara Klute Behn is a yoga therapist and health coach who supports women in reconnecting with their bodies, values, and inner wisdom. Her work integrates yoga therapy, nervous system regulation, and holistic coaching to help clients move out of overwhelm and into steadier, more nourishing patterns of living.She offers individual coaching, group programs, corporate wellness, and seasonal offerings designed to support long-term change with compassion and clarity.Website: https://www.yourwiseselfwithsara.com Closing ReflectionIf you’ve ever felt frustrated by your inability to “stick with” healthy habits—despite knowing what to do—this episode offers a reframing worth sitting with. Regulation precedes change. Support matters. And slowing down may be the most strategic step forward.Contact Amy Wheeler: www.TheOptimalState.comSchool of Integrative Health at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-healthMaster of Science in Yoga Therapy at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapyExplore NDMU’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practicesTry our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at NDMU: https://www.ndm.edu/academics/integrative-health/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification#IntegrativeHealth #HealthcareEducation #InterprofessionalEducation #GraduateSchool #NDMUproud #SOIHproud #SOIHYoga #SOIHAyurveda #NDMUYoga #NDMUAyurveda #SOIHGraduateSchoolOptimal State App for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimal-state/id1604424804