From Pain to Possibility

On this very special episode, I'm speaking with Anne Douglas, a teacher and trainer of yoga and meditation, about the incredible benefits of the Rest and Revitalization Sleep Meditation certification that she created. If you've been curious about adding this technique to your toolbox as an instructor, this episode is for you.   Anne and I discuss how different healing practices such as hypnotherap...

I'm so excited to again be talking to two recent graduates of my Therapeutic Yoga Intensive in what is becoming a recurring series where we explore the real, tangible impacts that teachers are having using what they learned in the program.   Today's episode features Charlotte Van Bassan and Susan Morrison who are joining me to discuss how the Therapeutic Yoga Intensive has given them the tools to...

While some styles of yoga consider downward facing dog to be a resting pose, many can attest to their difficulty in achieving this position. In this episode of my shoulder mini-series, I'll unpack downward dog and the compensation patterns connected to it so you can turn your grumpy dog into a pain-free puppy!   Tune in to learn how you can perform your own dog pose, and understand both the mindse...

Oftentimes, an issue you're suffering from in one part of your body actually has roots elsewhere. Such is the case with the shoulders, where the problem may be a result of a poor connection between the shoulders and hips.    In this episode of my shoulder mini-series, I'll guide you through two movements – a bridge pose and a supine twist – to help you become more aware of the relationship between...

If you've dealt with shoulder issues personally or supported your clients through them, you may have heard of "setting the shoulder blades." In this second part of my shoulder mini-series, I'm addressing this concept, and explaining why I recommend alternatives.   First we'll discuss what it actually means to set the shoulder blades or the scapula and how that process—which is intended to put the...

This episode begins a new mini-series focusing on the shoulder and shoulder girdle, in which we'll explore the reasons shoulder injuries occur, and how to support the girdle in becoming stable, strong, and mobile.  The shoulder girdle acts as a bridge between the arms, spine, torso, and more, and we're going to explore its role in transmitting and transforming energy. Tune in to learn the principl...

This is the second and final episode of my two-part series on a return to pain-free walking. Today we're talking about what happens after your first two "reconnaissance" walks — how to stay on track and continue making progress. I'll outline four helpful concepts, like remembering the gains you've made and staying in your body while walking. Plus, we'll discuss some simple and effective movements...

Today's episode kicks off the first part of my two-part series on pain-free walking, which is a common desire from my patients as they begin to enjoy extended periods without pain.    So, how exactly can you go from zero to 30 minutes? This is a big step and not one to take lightly. Listen in as I share how exactly you can gauge your baseline, what movements and patterns you should be aware of whi...

We've discussed how sleep apnea is on an upward trend, but that doesn't mean we need to normalize it. As part of my mini-series on the Mechanics of Breathing, today's episode will focus on several full-body breathing exercises to bring intention to your breathing and counteract airway issues.   Listen in as I guide you through various exercises, including a three-part breathing technique that inco...

Get comfortable because today's episode—part seven of my Mechanics of Breathing mini-series—is another Rest & Revitalization Sleep Meditation practice, this one specifically focused on TMJ and sleep apnea. As I share at the beginning of this episode, meditation grants us the opportunity to change our thoughts and beliefs, which, as a result, can change how we act. Find a safe, contained space to s...

In part six of my Mechanics of Breathing mini-series, we're discussing TMJ, airway, and sleep apnea with my dentist, Dr. Larry Stanleigh. We dive into sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which Dr. Larry calls "the most common non-communicable disease in the world."   Listen in as Dr. Larry breaks down the cause of this disorder and how it actually manifests during our slee...

We're discussing an Ayurvedic approach to tongue, sleep, and sleep apnea in part five of my Mechanics of Breathing mini-series. I'm joined by Mona Warner, Ayurvedic practitioner, Ayurvedic yoga therapist, and yoga teacher trainer, to dive into the role of the tongue as a barometer in issues related to breathing and sleep.    Mona shares with me the Ayurvedic perspective of viewing our body as a se...

In part four of my Mechanics of Breathing series, I'm exploring a part of the body you might not normally associate with your breath: the feet. Rarely do we consider the role of tissue in the way that breath comes in, but when we can improve the suppleness of our bodily tissue – yes, even in the feet – our breathing can change in a powerful way.   Listen in to discover the link between your feet a...

This is the third installment of my Mechanics of Breathing mini-series. In it, we'll explore the rib cage, both through intellectual theory and a guided breathing practice.    When we're not breathing well—as a result of asthma, TMJ, obstructive airway issues, etc.—the body relies upon the secondary muscles around the rib cage to get air in. Listen in as I discuss the role of core stability in pro...

In the second part of my Mechanics of Breathing mini-series, we're diving into the myofascial connections and relationships between TMJ issues, sleep apnea, airway, breathing, and how I use my signature systematic approach of reducing pain to improve them holistically.   You'll hear me outline the main principles of TMJ, airway issues, sleep apnea, and tissue unwinding, and share how to approach t...

My new mini-series on the mechanics of breathing starts today! It will feature embodied practices and intellectual interviews geared toward clients (and professionals) suffering from sleep apnea. In this episode, we'll cover how the fields of dentistry and ayurveda are approaching issues that often precede sleep apnea. I'll also discuss hypermobility, a somewhat new diagnosis, and how it impacts u...

Two more graduates from my Therapeutic Yoga Intensive, Nona Jordan and Karin Rossi, join me in this episode to share their experiences, expectations, and learnings from this latest training. We discuss their unique backgrounds—working with business clients and clients suffering from trauma—and explore how the training has informed their understanding of what it means to best serve their clients. L...

My guest, Neill Williams, is a life and productivity coach who specializes in the link between our physiology and our ability to get things done. While many of us are plenty productive, Neill is here to help us understand how to align our to-do lists with our bodies' natural rhythms so we can be productive without feeling depleted.   Listen as she describes how to break the day into buckets based...

I'm super excited to be welcoming the one and only Corinne Crabtree to the show today, CEO of No BS Weightloss and a powerful voice in the women's health space. She's joining me to discuss the surprising similarities between the work she does around losing weight, and the work I do in pain reduction.    Listen in as Corinne shares her personal story of losing weight and outlines some foundational...

Claire MacEachen and Michelle Deschenes are experienced yoga teachers who wanted to deepen their practices and address some of their physical pain points at the same time. They enrolled in my Therapeutic Yoga Intensive in October 2023 and had some pretty exciting takeaways, which they're sharing with me on this episode.   We discuss how the training has helped Claire and Michelle understand the di...

Today's episode is an opportunity to pause, breathe, and rest. I'm sharing a guided Rest & Revitalization Sleep Meditation with step-by-step instructions for soothing your system both physiologically and psychologically.   Find a safe, comfortable space and listen in as I offer you a taste of this nourishing, rejuvenating experience. Think of this as a chance to explore your emotions and thoughts...

Golf is one of the most common activities that my clients seek to return to after their surgery. Despite the differences in the hip and knee joints (and the differences in their surgeries), both are instrumental in swing dynamics and effectively addressing the ball.    This week, I'm exploring the fundamental movements required for a fluid golf swing as well as the state of mind needed to make tha...

Following a hip or knee surgery, it is critical that clients build core strength and stability. Listen in this week as I breakdown the healing relationship required between client and care professional, the importance of  quality movements, and the process of improving a client's outcomes after the first three months after hip or knee surgery. Together, we can create a solid foundation upon which...

Are you or your client limping due to knee or hip surgery? Are you interested in working on a smoother gait? This week, I'm exploring the process of retraining your body after surgery to help you or your clients transition from limping to smoother walking patterns. Discover effective techniques for recognizing and addressing compensatory patterns, along with movement practices to pinpoint neuromus...

In this episode, I'm exploring the role yoga therapy plays in improving your range of motion and building strength, and how you can use it to help guide your clients to establish stronger connections with their bodies post knee and hip surgery. Learn why belief plays a crucial role in post-surgery recovery, and gain insights on how to cultivate increased motion, stability, and strength through the...