This is Yoga Therapy

Michele Lawrence
  • 4.9 (25)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semimonthly

This podcast is a venue for sharing topics in the field of yoga therapy today. Whether you are a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, healthcare provider or individual with curiosity, this is the the place to learn about the latest ideas, personal healing stories, research and work that is cutting edge, and making a difference.

  1. Aug 17 ·  Video

    Neuroscience and Yogic Chanting with Dr. Gemma Perry

    Can vocal chanting and intentional vibration measurably alter our neurobiology? In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with scientist, researcher, and educator Dr. Gemma Perry. Dr. Perry shares findings from her doctoral research on the physiological and psychological mechanisms of chanting—from vagal nerve stimulation and heart rate variability to stress reduction and social connection. We discuss: The Neurobiology of Vibration: What happens to the brain and autonomic nervous system when we chant.Combating Chronic Sympathetic Arousal: Specific physiological shifts that counteract modern corporate burnout.Translating Science into the Workplace: How Dr. Perry structures evidence-based sound and mindfulness programs for executive leadership and corporate wellbeing.Science Meets Soul: Why understanding clinical data deepens an embodied, therapeutic practice.The Future of Sound Therapy: Bringing integrative sound practices as front-line tools in healthcare, education, and mainstream institutions.Resources & Links: Explore Dr. Gemma Perry’s research, workplace programs, and workshops at drgemmaperry.com.au.Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

  2. Aug 3 ·  Video

    Somatic Presence: 40 Years of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy with Michael Lee

    Long before yoga therapy was recognized by mainstream healthcare institutions, Michael Lee, MA, Dip.Psych, C-IAYT, was pioneering an internationally acclaimed method that bridged classical yoga, depth psychology, and body-centered awareness. In 1986, he founded Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, establishing a lineage that uses the body as a direct gateway to emotional and mental liberation. In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Michael to reflect on four decades of his work in this field. Together, they explore how integrating Rogerian person-centered psychology with yoga creates a powerful space for transformation—shifting the therapeutic goal away from "fixing" clients and toward heart-centered accompaniment. In this conversation, we explore: The Roots of Phoenix Rising: How Michael brought together behavioral science, psychology, and traditional yoga lineage over 40 years ago.Dual-Centered Awareness: Why the therapeutic relationship and non-judgmental presence are essential for deep, long-term growth.Shifting From "Fixing" to "Accompaniment": How yoga therapists can serve by shifting from trying to fix problems to holding space for the client's innate wisdom.Turning Stress into Bliss: Practical strategies from Michael’s book to move from chronic existential burnout into deep meaning and fulfillment.Resources Connect with Michael Lee: Explore Michael’s books (Turn Stress into Bliss and Yoga Therapy and Integrative Medicine), courses, and global events at michaelleeyoga.com.Learn About Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy: Discover programs and resources at pryt.com.Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

  3. Jul 20 ·  Video

    Nervous System Regulation in Clinical Practice with Meredith Phipps

    When someone has experienced trauma, chronic stress, or progressive illness, their own physical body can start to feel like an unsafe environment. They often report feeling disconnected from or even "betrayed" by their physical shape. How do we help clients shift out of a constant, cellular state of survival and return to a state of safety, trust, and connection? In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Meredith Phipps, C-IAYT, founder of Essentia Yoga Therapy. Meredith masterfully weaves together traditional yoga therapy, somatic practices, and polyvagal theory to help clients reforge a trusted relationship with their physical selves. Together, they explore the somatic architecture of trauma, how polyvagal-informed tools adapt seamlessly to changing and aging bodies, and why building a completely new relationship with the body is a radical—yet necessary—shift in clinical care. In this conversation, we explore: The Cellular Level of Survival: Why trauma alters a person's relationship with their body and why top-down talk therapy sometimes struggles to reach deep somatic holding patterns.Polyvagal Theory on the Mat: How to demystify complex nervous system states (fight, flight, freeze) so clients in heightened defense can practically track their state.Trauma Recovery & Aging: The surprising intersection between trauma-informed somatic tools and supporting individuals navigating progressive illness or changing physical capabilities.Personalized Inquiry vs. Fixed Shapes: How tailored, responsive yoga therapy alters clinical outcomes compared to standard, general studio classes.From Management to Awe: How practitioners can help clients shift away from viewing the body as "something problematic to manage" toward treating it as a sacred space of reverence and wonder.🔗 Show Notes, Resources, & Guest Links Connect with Meredith Phipps: Learn more about her clinical practice, telehealth sessions, and evidence-based workshops at EssentiaYogaTherapy.com.Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

  4. Jul 13 ·  Video

    Yoga Therapy in Mainstream Medical Care with Jen Peterson

    After sustaining a severe back injury, yoga therapist Jen Peterson, C-IAYT, found herself completely ostracized by modern, fitness-based studio spaces that prioritized rigid, hyper-flexible physical shapes. That turning point sparked a lifelong vow: to champion the truth that the pose is meant to serve the body—not the other way around. In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Jen Peterson, C-IAYT, an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Reiki Master, and the founder of Yoga Grace. Jen beautifully splits her time between her private practice and working as an integrated provider at the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Comprehensive Pain Program, treating patients with complex chronic conditions. Together, they dive into why physical poses only scratch the surface of true healing, what happens when you bring bottom-up somatic tools into an allopathic hospital setting, and how the clinical application of yoga therapy can change the landscape of modern pain management. In this conversation, we explore: The Injury Pivot: How feeling isolated by Western studio culture redefined Jen's clinical framework of what a "successful" practice looks like.Yoga in the Hospital System: The shifts that occur in patient outcomes when bottom-up tools like pranayama and gentle asana are woven into traditional medical pain management.Moving Beyond the Physical Layer: A multi-dimensional look at why long-term healing is impossible if we only address the physical body (Annamaya Kosha).The Intersect of Yoga & Ayurveda: How circadian medicine and lifestyle rhythms change the way we assess root causes like chronic insomnia, anxiety, and digestive unrest.Advice for Emerging Therapists: The single most critical mindset shift a fitness-focused yoga teacher needs to make to transition into safe, therapeutic work with complex populations.Guest Links Connect with Jen Peterson: Explore her virtual practice library, register for asynchronous recordings, and book private yoga therapy or Ayurvedic consultations at YogaGraceVT.com.Enjoyed this conversation? Please leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Share this episode with a healthcare provider, yoga teacher, or anyone navigating chronic pain who needs to hear that if they can breathe, they can practice. Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

  5. Jul 6 ·  Video

    Sleep Simplified with Monica Le Baron

    What if the secret to your next professional breakthrough isn't doing more—but mastering the art of the somatic off-switch? In a high-intensity culture that treats "the hustle" and sleep deprivation as badges of honor, ambitious women are facing a quiet epidemic of chronic exhaustion, nighttime panic, and the dreaded 3:00 AM wake-up call. In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Monica Le Baron, MBA, C-IAYT, a globally recognized sleep expert, certified yoga therapist, and the bestselling author of Sleep Simplified. Monica beautifully bridges the gap between high-level business strategy and somatic therapy because she lived it. After climbing the corporate ladder while silently battling debilitating insomnia, chronic pain, and anxiety, she found her pathway out of burnout through yoga therapy. Today, her signature Sleep Simplified™ method helps hundreds of high-achieving women worldwide drop the stress of rigid sleep tracking and reclaim deep, restorative rest. In this conversation, we dive into: The Corporate Pivot: Monica's personal turning point from corporate exhaustion to somatic alignment.Stripping Away Bedtime Anxiety: The core philosophy behind her 4-step framework and why rigid sleep hygiene rules can sometimes fuel insomnia.Rest as a Foundation, Not a Reward: Re-framing rest as a non-negotiable metric for professional longevity, success, and leadership sustainability.The Neurobiology of Self-Love: How a lack of self-compassion keeps the sympathetic nervous system on high alert at 3:00 AM, and how to transition into a physical state of safety.Mind-Body Mechanics for Nighttime Panic: A practical, in-the-moment breathwork tool to down-regulate an anxious nervous system directly from bed.The Next Chapter: An exclusive sneak peek into the central message of Monica's highly anticipated upcoming book.🔗 Resources, & Guest Links Connect with Monica Le Baron: Visit MonicaLeBaron.com to find her bestselling book Sleep Simplified, explore her guided audio practices on the Insight Timer app, and sign up for updates on her upcoming book.Deepen Your Training: Discover advanced modules and clinical pathways to bring mind-body tools into specialized care at Inner Peace Yoga Therapy.Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Share this episode with a high-achieving friend, colleague, or client who needs permission to put down the trackers and reclaim the courage to rest. Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

  6. Jun 29 ·  Video

    Yoga for Special Needs with Renata Sumar Gaertner

    In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Renata Sumar Gaertner, C-IAYT, the director and lead teacher of Yoga for All Abilities, carrying forward her mother’s legendary Sonia Sumar Method. Renata began her yoga journey at just three years old and completed her first Hatha training at twelve. Raised alongside her sister, Roberta, who was born with Down Syndrome, Renata witnessed firsthand the profound developmental power of an individualized practice. Bridging her lifelong lineage roots with a degree in Speech Therapy and a postgraduate specialization in Language Disorders, Renata has dedicated her life to making yoga accessible and empowering for individuals with disabilities, neurodiversity, and additional needs. In this conversation, we explore: The Myth of the Standard Template: Shifting away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to physical alignment and defining what personal alignment truly means for a student's physiological safety and growth.The Neurobiology of Development: The reality of what happens when individuals navigating Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, or autism practice a structured, individualized yoga protocol.Establishing Nervous System Safety: How practitioners and parents can use breath, vocal resonance, and deep attention to build baseline safety for children with severe sensory processing challenges or communication barriers.Moving from Fear to Service: Shifting our mindset out of intimidation when working with complex additional needs and stepping into heart-centered, professional care.Resources Learn more about Renata’s work & global trainings: Visit SpecialYoga.com to explore Part 1 and Part 2 certification pathways, continuing education modules, and private mentoring support.Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

  7. Jun 15 ·  Video

    Mantra as Therapeutic Practice with Melissa Shah

    What happens when traditional public health science meets ancestral wisdom? In this episode, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Melissa Shah, MPH, C-IAYT, the founder of Find Your Breath, to explore the intersection of modern healthcare, lineage reclamation, and the physiological power of sound. Melissa breaks down the Western misconceptions surrounding mantra, reclaiming it as a potent, therapeutic practice.  Whether you are a healthcare provider looking to expand your somatic toolkit or an advanced yoga teacher committed to honoring the true roots of the practice, this episode serves as a vital blueprint for the future of culturally respectful, therapeutic care. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Intersection of Lineage and Public Health: How Melissa navigates modern, institutional spaces by blending an academic Master of Public Health framework with lifelong roots in Yoga and Ayurveda.Decolonizing the Somatic Space: Why reclaiming and honoring the true cultural lineage of yoga is not just a philosophical duty, but a requirement for generating a deep felt-sense of nervous system safety for clients.Mantra as a Clinical Tool: Redefining mantra from a passive "mental affirmation" or aesthetic background track into a direct, active neurobiological intervention.The Psychoneuroimmunology of Sound: The science behind chanting—including chest vibration, tongue movement, vagal nerve stimulation, and how extended exhalations manually hack heart rate variability (HRV)."Digesting" Heavy Emotions: A practical breakdown of how specific, targeted chants can help a client shift stuck emotional and psychological tension (like anger, anxiety, or grief).Practicing with Humility & Respect: Crucial advice for yoga therapists who want to bring therapeutic sound to their clients while navigating Sanskrit pronunciation and avoiding cultural appropriation.Melissa Shah, C-IAYT, MPH, is a certified yoga therapist, public health leader, and the founder of Find Your Breath—an online sanctuary, virtual practice library, and mentorship platform dedicated to making yoga therapy truly collaborative, accessible, and inclusive. Grounded in the Viniyoga tradition and her lifelong ancestral relationship with Yoga and Ayurveda, Melissa integrates movement, breathing, and traditional sound with modern clinical and public health frameworks. She is also the author of an upcoming book dedicated to mantra as a therapeutic practice, releasing next year. Connect with Melissa: Website: FindYourBreath.netInstagram: @FindYourBreathResources: Explore Melissa's weekly community chanting classes, mentorship portals, and updates on her upcoming book directly on her platform.Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

  8. Jun 1 ·  Video

    Healthspan, Equanimity, and the Big 3 of Aging with Baxter Bell

    What does it mean to age well? In 2026, the conversation has officially shifted from lifespan—how many years we live—to healthspan—how well we live those years. In this episode, host Michele Lawrence sits down with pioneering medical doctor and certified yoga therapist Dr. Baxter Bell to discuss the intersection of Western medicine and yoga. Baxter shares his personal evolution from working as a busy family physician in the 1990s to stepping onto the mat full-time as a global leader in the yoga therapy community. Together, they dive into the medical science behind why strength, flexibility, and balance are non-negotiable for longevity, how the practice of equanimity translates into a physical felt-sense during times of uncertainty, and the cutting-edge neuro-protective elements of yoga that help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Whether you are navigating your own mid-life transition or supporting clients through the second half of life, this episode offers a masterful blueprint for building a resilient mind and body. Key Takeaways & Highlights The Doctor’s Pivot: Baxter discusses the professional and personal drivers that led him to transition away from full-time family medicine to pursue yoga  as a primary path.Healthspan vs. Lifespan: Why modern longevity is about optimizing physical and mental vitality, and how yoga therapy targets the physical "Big 3" (Strength, Flexibility, and Balance) fundamentally differently than a standard gym workout.The Anatomy of Longevity: The direct medical connection between maintaining supple, mobile tissues and long-term biological longevity markers.Equanimity as Medicine: Moving equanimity out of the realm of philosophy and into a practice for individuals facing difficult medical diagnoses or age-related transitions.Neuro-Protection on the Mat: Clinical insights into how a dedicated yoga therapy practice acts as an effective, preventative intervention against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.Connect with Dr. Baxter Bell Website: BaxterBell.comDiscover: Explore Baxter's Winter 2026 workshop series, latest courses, and upcoming global retreats.Read: Yoga for Healthy Aging: A Guide to Lifelong Well-Being (Co-authored by Dr. Baxter Bell)Support the show Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.comWebsiteInstagramFacebook

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4.9
out of 5
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About

This podcast is a venue for sharing topics in the field of yoga therapy today. Whether you are a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, healthcare provider or individual with curiosity, this is the the place to learn about the latest ideas, personal healing stories, research and work that is cutting edge, and making a difference.

Information

  • Creator
    Michele Lawrence
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This is Yoga Therapy
  • Show Website
    This is Yoga Therapy

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