The Nourished Nervous System

Send us Fan Mail We know that the food we eat impacts our physical bodies.  We are also beginning to recognize how it impacts our minds.  The teachings of Yoga and Ayurveda have a lot to contribute to this topic. In this episode of the The Nourished Nervous System podcast, I welcome Kate O'Donnell, a nationally certified Ayurvedic practitioner, author of multiple Ayurvedic cookbooks, and foun...

Send us Fan Mail Here in the Northeast United States, it is cold and flu season.  So, in this episode of the Nourished Nervous System I discuss the Ayurvedic approach to maintaining a healthy immune system. This is more of a long game approach as opposed to a quick fix. The episode covers the importance of balancing the digestive fire (Agni), cultivating and protecting Ojas, and managing stress, s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Nourished Nervous System, I welcome back Dr. Pavini Moray, a somatic coach and author with over 30 years of experience.  Dr. Moray introduces their new book, 'Tending the Bones: Reclaiming Pleasure After Transgenerational Sexual Trauma,' which guides readers through a 13-month somatic journey involving ancestral rituals and embodiment practices.  T...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I embark on an intriguing exploration of surrender's nuanced landscape.  Delving into the delicate balance between surrender and collapse, the conversation unravels the intricate dance between resistance, control, and acceptance.  Personal anecdotes, including transformative parenting moments and the liberating act of trusting one's body, highlight the pr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I welcome back Larissa Carlson, an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner and yoga specialist certified by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and Yoga Alliance.  Larissa shares her extensive knowledge on pranayama (yogic breathwork) and its benefits, especially for managing Vata imbalances and promoting Sattva during perimenopause.  The episode explores various...

Send us Fan Mail Happy darkest days of winter to you! In celebration of these dark times, when ideally we get more rest, quiet and stillness ( but the reality is often otherwise), I am offering you a small gift of a Yoga Nidra practice for restoration.  This episode is different than most, I talk a little bit in the beginning but the majority of the episode is the actual practice.  Take a moment f...

Send us Fan Mail If it is winter where you live, and you feel cold, dry, spacey, are having trouble sleeping or feel that your nervous system could use some love - you may need an abhyanga. What the heck is an abhyanga?  Listen to this episode and find out! I am going to dive deep into the Ayurvedic practice of Abhyanga, which involves applying and massaging warm oil into the body.  I explain the...

Send us Fan Mail You don't need to be graceful or "good" at dancing to experience the healing power of dance.   Just about anyone can dance and there is so much power in moving our bodies in this way. In this episode I am joined by certified dance therapist Anika Voy.  Anika shares her journey from Germany to Costa Rica, how she discovered dance therapy during a period of severe dep...

Send us Fan Mail As I head into winter here in the Northeast United States, I am renewing my restorative practices.   Restoration is an important component of both the somatic and Ayurvedic practices that I do. And although restoration embodies simplicity in its nature it is not always an easy thing to do. In this episode I dive into the crucial yet often overlooked stage of restoration within the...

Send us Fan Mail Using medicinal herbs can sometimes feel overwhelming, there is just so much to know.   But what if it is also as simple as adding more culinary herbs to your food, or using bitters before meals.   In this episode, Jade Alicandro helps to demystify herbalism as she delves into the concept of kitchen herbalism, explaining its accessibility and deep historical roots.  Jade elaborate...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode I welcome functional nutritionist and certified autoimmune coach Risa Groux to discuss the relationship between diet and autoimmune diseases.  Risa, who practices in Newport Beach, California, shares her expertise on using whole foods to aid in healing and managing autoimmune conditions.  The episode covers her personal journey with Hashimoto's dis...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever go through times in your life where you lose your orientation?  Where you don't know exactly how you feel or what to do next?   In this episode I reflect on recent feelings of emotional exhaustion and a lack of creativity, a certain blankness that I connect to the concept of the "gap"  from contact improvisation.  This gap represents a state of uncertain...

Send us Fan Mail If you consider yourself a woman, how do you connect to your feminine resources? Do you have practices that help you to cultivate your intuition and the path of a soul led life? In this episode of The Nourished Nervous System podcast, I welcome guest Deborah Keene.  Deborah, an experienced yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, and women's mentor, shares her journey and insigh...

Send us Fan Mail Sleep troubles are the worst.  Not sleeping well can affect your physical and mental health in a myriad of ways. The most sustainable way to work with sleep issues is to get to the root cause and make the lifestyle shifts to support deep sleep.   But what if you are in the midst of a big transition or in a period of high stress and your body needs help learning how to sleep well a...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of the Nourished Nervous System podcast, I welcome Marietta Skeen.  Marietta is a Transpersonal and Somatic Psychotherapist, who offers therapy, movement, meditation and energy practices to help folks come into their bodies and feel more grounded, connected and vital.  She received her Masters in Transpersonal Psychology from Naropa University, polyvaga...

Send us Fan Mail In this  episode of The Nourished Nervous System, I reflect on the impact of current global events—from political upheavals to natural disasters—on our nervous systems.  The discussion highlights practical steps to anchor ourselves in safety, understand different perspectives, and foster compassion.  With a focus on the biological aspects of fear and the human need for safety, the...

Send us Fan Mail In the West we are starting to understand the importance of gut health and how it impacts so many other systems in our body. This is an understanding that Ayurveda has held central for thousands of years. Join us for this week's episode as we embark on a journey into digestive health through the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with Erik Jackson. Erik is a native of Long Island cur...

Send us Fan Mail We are constantly hearing how important it is to love ourselves, but what does that really mean? When is self care a form of self love and when is it just going through the motions? And how do we connect with our true needs and accept ourselves as we are? These inquiries are the basis of this week's episode.   I explore the tension between personal growth efforts and simply b...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever notice changes in your sleep or digestion as you enter into autumn?  Does your skin get drier?  Do you feel spacier or more anxiety?  If so, you may be experiencing excess vata dosha.   In Ayurvedic thought, Autumn is Vata season, a time of year where the elements of air and space are more prevalent.   In this week's episode,  I discuss the importance of seasonal...

Send us Fan Mail You most likely have seen the word "adaptogen" on some type of herbal product or beverage in the past few years.  They are incredible herbs with an intelligence that helps our bodies adapt to stress. The thing is, they are so amazing that many companies use this word to market products that don't actually have adaptogens in them. In this informative episode I introd...

Send us Fan Mail In a world that prioritizes the mind, so much healing happens when we connect back in with our bodies.  When we remember that we are nature. In this episode I delve into the powerful connection between Ayurveda and somatic practices.  I discuss the rise of 'somatic' as a buzzword, its core meaning, and its profound healing potential in reconnecting with our bodies.  The...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of 'The Nourished Nervous System', I get into some of the basics of polyvagal theory, its origins, and the significance of anchoring the nervous system in the ventral vagal state for optimal health and resilience.  The episode covers the evolution of the nervous system, the roles of dorsal vagal, sympathetic, and ventral vagal systems, and ill...

Send us Fan Mail What do immunity, libido, and the nervous system have in common?  An Ayurvedic substance called Ojas. Cultivating Ojas is key to health and vitality in any stage of life but especially in mid life. In this episode,  Larissa Carlson, an Ayurvedic practitioner and seasoned yoga expert, discusses the importance of Ojas—a substance vital for immunity and libido—in promoting overall we...

Send us Fan Mail It is defintely still summer.  But I am beginning to notice the subtle shifts that beckon fall.   From an Ayurvedic perspective this is the perfect time to take stock and prepare for Vata Season. In this episode of the 'The Nourished Nervous System' podcast, I discuss the transition from Pitta season (summer) to Vata season (fall and early winter) in Ayurveda.  The episo...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever read a book that feels like food for your spirit?  That nourishes you with insight and stories and practices?  'Returning Home to Our Bodies' by Abigail Rose Clark is one of those books for me. In this episode with author, Abigail Rose Clarke, we discuss her path as a somatic facilitator, the journey of writing her book 'ReturningHome to Our Bodies&apo...