Yoga Therapy Hour with Amy Wheeler

In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, Amy Wheeler welcomes Anuradha Gupta, an Ayurvedic doctor and educator from Kerala Ayurveda, to discuss best practices for culturally competent care in healthcare, particularly with respect to LGBTQIA+ issues. Anuradha shares her background in Ayurveda and how she has worked to integrate cultural competence into the Ayurvedic healthcare system. She reflects on the challenges of providing care to marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, and the importance of creating safe and affirming spaces for healing.

Key points include:

• Cultural Competency vs. Cultural Humility: Anuradha explains the distinction between cultural competence, which involves learning about different communities, and cultural humility, which emphasizes curiosity and respect for individual experiences.
• Challenges in LGBTQIA+ Healthcare: She highlights the systemic issues, such as discrimination and lack of access, that disproportionately affect the LGBTQIA+ community. Anuradha also discusses the health implications of minority stress and trauma.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Both Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda are ideally suited to offer personalized, trauma-informed care that supports the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ clients.
• Historical Context: Anuradha discusses the history of LGBTQIA+ acceptance in India, dating back to Vedic times, and how colonization introduced homophobia and discrimination.
• Best Practices in Care: Drawing from her research, Anuradha outlines best practices for healthcare professionals working with LGBTQIA+ clients, emphasizing the need for open affirmations, trauma-informed approaches, and integrating alternative care with allopathic practices.

Resources shared:

• GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality, a resource for culturally competent healthcare practices.
• PFLAG: A support organization for families and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own biases and to create spaces of healing that are inclusive, respectful, and affirming for all identities. You can connect with Anuradha Gupta via LinkedIn or explore her work at Ayurvedic Footprints.

LinkedIn: Anuradha Gupta

Ayurvedic Footprints: Anuradha's private practice focused on sustainability and gentle healing.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that culturally competent care is not only about knowledge but also about empathy, curiosity, and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities.

Follow Us:

• Website: TheOptimalState.com
• Instagram: @TheOptimalState
• Facebook: The Optimal State of Living

Don't forget to subscribe to The Yoga Therapy Hour for more expert discussions on yoga therapy and emotional well-being!

Additional Resources with Amy Wheeler:

• University of Minnesota Therapeutic Yoga Series
• Polyvagal Institute Mighty App
• 7-Week Course on Yoga, Yoga Therapy & Polyvagal Theory
• Optimal State Mobile App
• Optimal State and Yoga Therapy Hour Patreon

Episode Description: In this solo episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy Wheeler delves into the challenges and rewards of starting new ventures and facing difficult tasks. Drawing inspiration from her students at Optimal State, Amy explores the delicate and vulnerable nature of putting our hearts into something new. She shares insightful exercises designed to help us uncover areas of cognitive dissonance and encourages us to reflect on whether we are showing up authentically in our lives.

Amy discusses the importance of self-awareness, the willingness to be seen for who we truly are, and the courage it takes to step into new experiences with trust in ourselves. She emphasizes that connection, presence, and authenticity are key when navigating new challenges, rather than striving for perfection. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that we don’t need to have everything figured out in advance; instead, we can trust that we’ll know what to do when we get there.

Key Takeaways:

• The significance of starting new things and the vulnerability that comes with it.
• An exercise to identify areas of cognitive dissonance and authenticity in your life.
• The importance of self-awareness and knowing yourself before projecting authenticity to others.
• Practical tips for showing up authentically, even in challenging situations.
• The power of connection and presence over perfection in new endeavors.

Episode Quote: "Starting new things requires vulnerability. It requires a level of self-trust. And here's the key: you will know what to do when you get there."

Call to Action: Take a moment to reflect on areas in your life where you might be holding back from being your true self.

Additional Resources with Amy Wheeler:

• University of Minnesota Therapeutic Yoga Series
• Polyvagal Institute Mighty App
• 7-Week Course on Yoga, Yoga Therapy & Polyvagal Theory
• Optimal State Mobile App
• Optimal State and Yoga Therapy Hour Patreon

· Monday Night Yoga Therapy Clinic on www.TheOpimtalState.com

· Join us for our Monday night Yoga Therapy Clinics, specially designed to address specific health and wellness topics. The sessions are held every Monday from 4:00-5:15 PM PST and are led by Amy Wheeler, a seasoned expert in yoga therapy. This clinic provides a supportive environment where participants can explore therapeutic yoga techniques to aid in addiction recovery and overall well-being.

· For those seeking professional development, there is an option to stay longer after class and earn Continuing Education (CE) credits. This extended session offers in-depth training and valuable insights into integrating yoga therapy with addiction treatment.

Introduction:

In this special Valentine's Day episode of Yoga Therapy Hour & Beyond, we are thrilled to introduce our guest, Carla Marie Manly, a yoga practitioner and clinical psychologist whose distinctive approach to her work has been transforming lives. Carla's journey into the realm of writing is nothing short of extraordinary—she crafts books inspired by her clients' real-life struggles. Her first masterpiece, "Joy from Fear," initially conceived as a doctoral dissertation, took eight years to evolve into a book tailored for a broader audience. Join us as we explore Carla's unique perspective on Attachment Theory and delve into the concept of "The Joy of Imperfect Love."

Segment 1: Writing from Real-Life Experiences

• Carla's unconventional writing method: Drawing inspiration from clients' challenges.
• "Joy from Fear" - Transition from academia to accessible wisdom.
• The power of storytelling in healing and personal growth.

Segment 2: The Joy of Imperfect Love

• Exploration of "The Joy of Imperfect Love."
• Rooted in Carla's clinical practice and client experiences.
• Imperfect love, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and rewiring for better relationships.
• Embracing wounds and nurturing strengths in relationships.

Segment 3: Rewiring for Healthy Attachment

• The process of rewiring our brains for healthier attachments.
• Replacing shame and blame with curiosity about our wounds and relationship patterns.
• Self-attunement and attunement to loved ones for secure attachments.

Segment 4: Attachment Theory and Self-Reflection

• Deep dive into Attachment Theory.
• Carla's self-reflection exercise: Define love, caregiver definitions, safety, responsiveness, and attention to needs.
• Determining secure or insecure attachments from early experiences.
• Understanding how early patterns shape adult relationships.

Topics you can choose from include:

Yoga Therapy & Mental Health

Yoga Therapy & Physical Health

Social Justice in yoga & Yoga Therapy

Yoga/Ayurveda Toolbox

Yoga & Indian Philosophy

Global & Trending Yoga Therapy Topics

Click the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.

https://amywheeler.com/subscribe

Check out Amy's website

Visit Amy’s training section on her website to check out the courses below

Yoga therapy training courses

865-certified-yoga-therapist-program

www.optimalstateyoganidra.com

www.TheOptimalState.com

Contact with Carla Marie Manly: https://drcarlamanly.com

www.OpenHandInstitute.com

www.TherapeuticYogaWorks.com

www.NydiasYogaTherapyStudio.com

This amazing conversation comes as an excerpt from a course on Polyvagal Theory and Therapeutic Yoga that Marlsya, Amy and Stephen created together for the Polyvagal Institute. There is still time to join us this fall, and we will be offering it again very soon. Also, we are celebrating 2.5 years and 100,000 downloads with our amazing Yoga Therapy Hour Community. We are sharing this extra episode to say thank you!

Guests: Dr. Steven Porges & Marlysa Sullivan

Key Takeaways:

1. Definition of "Safety" in Polyvagal Theory:

• Safety is more than the absence of threat. It encompasses a feeling of connection, belonging, and an internal sense of well-being.

1. Importance of Safety:

• The foundation of any therapeutic relationship.
• Influences the outcome of therapy.
• Defines the quality of interactions and connections.

1. Understanding Internal Safety:

• The role of the autonomic nervous system.
• Transitioning from a state of threat to a place of safety.

1. Signs & Signals of Safety:

• Voice and Intonation: The calming effect of a soothing voice.
• Facial Expressions: The importance of the upper face, especially the orbital muscle around the eyes.
• Muscle Tension: How the body communicates its state of being.

1. Hearing and the Vagal System:

• The middle ear muscle's role.
• How our nervous system determines what we hear.

1. Finding Mutual Safety:

• The therapeutic dance between the caretaker and care seeker.
• Enhancing therapy outcomes through mutual feelings of safety.

1. Why Some Relationships Feel Safer:

• Recognizing the cues that foster connection or fear.
• Understanding intuitive feelings of safety or discomfort with certain individuals.

Join the Full Course on Therapeutic Yoga and Polyvagal Theory with Amy, Marlysa and Stephen:

• Dive deeper into the blend of polyvagal theory and therapeutic yoga.
• www.PolyvagalInstitute.org

Connect with us:

• www.PolyvagalInstitute.org
• www.MarlysaSullivan.com
• www.amywheeler.com
• www.TheOptimalState.com

In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy delves into the intricate dynamics of regulating the autonomic nervous system and the importance of establishing healthy boundaries. Through her extensive work with clients, Amy explores both successful and unsuccessful attempts at autonomic nervous system regulation and sheds light on the concept of co-dependency within relationships.

Key Points Explored:

1. Understanding Co-Dependency and Inappropriate Co-Regulation:

• Amy shares vivid examples of co-dependent parenting and inappropriate co-regulation with adult children, drawing from her experience as a university professor. She emphasizes the importance of fostering autonomy and empowering young adults to regulate their own nervous systems.

1. Defining Co-Dependency in Relationships:

• Amy provides a comprehensive overview of co-dependency, highlighting its prevalence in both close and distant relationships. She explores the dynamics and behaviors associated with co-dependent patterns that can hinder personal growth and emotional well-being.

1. The Healing Context: Co-Regulation and Boundaries:

• Amy discusses the work of Stephen Porges and the significance of co-regulation within a healing context. She explores how co-regulation can be beneficial when it aligns with appropriate boundaries and emphasizes the importance of recognizing when co-regulation is not effective or appropriate, emphasizing the need to set healthy boundaries.

1. Working with Highly Sensitive People (HSP) and Neurodiverse Individuals:

• Amy offers insights into supporting individuals with highly sensitive and neurodiverse minds and bodies. She highlights the importance of establishing healthy daily routines that promote better nervous system regulation and emotional well-being.

1. Empowering Self and Seeking Help:

• Amy concludes the episode by emphasizing the importance of self-empowerment and initiating a journey towards a balanced nervous system. She provides guidance on recognizing co-dependent behaviors, dropping them, and seeking professional help or resources to support personal growth and development.

Listeners can gain valuable insights from this episode, understanding the significance of healthy autonomic nervous system regulation and the role of boundaries in fostering well-being and personal growth. By exploring co-dependency and co-regulation in various contexts, Amy equips her audience with tools and knowledge to empower themselves and cultivate healthier relationships.

If you would like to receive the free infographics and handouts that correspond to each episode on the Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, please subscribe to our segmented email list. You will have the opportunity to determine the Infographic Topics that you would like to receive. When The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast has a topic that corresponds to your choices, then you will receive an email for that week with the PDF’s for download.

Topics you can choose from include:

Yoga Therapy & Mental Health

Yoga Therapy & Physical Health

Social Justice in yoga & Yoga Therapy

Yoga/Ayurveda Toolbox

Yoga & Indian Philosophy

Global & Trending Yoga Therapy Topics

Click the link below to subscribe. It takes 10 seconds total.

https://amywheeler.com/subscribe

Check out Amy's website

Visit Amy’s training section on her website to check out the courses below

Yoga therapy training courses

865-certified-yoga-therapist-program

www.optimalstateyoganidra.com

Very Well Mind Website:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-codependency-5072124

Information on Co-regulation and the Physiology of Trust:

https://i-asc.org/co-regulation-the-physiology-of-trust