The Inner Practice-Stories of Healing from the Yoga mat into Life

Jackie Vandertuin
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  • Alternative Health

Real people. Real stories. Real healing. The Inner Practice Podcast shares heartfelt journeys from the yoga mat—authentic stories of presence, practice, and personal transformation. Through honest, emotional conversations, host Jackie Vandertuin explores how the healing power of yoga reaches far beyond physical poses, touching everyday life in meaningful and unexpected ways. Each episode dives into real experiences of pain, anxiety, grief, resilience, and growth—revealing how yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork can become tools for grounding, strength, and hope. These are stories of becoming: stories that remind us that healing is possible, transformation is real, and no one walks this journey alone. Join Jackie as she connects with guests who share powerful narratives of struggle turning into insight, suffering turning into strength, and everyday practice turning into deep personal awakening. Discover how lessons learned on the yoga mat translate into life—building resilience, emotional wellbeing, and a path back to the self. May these stories remind you that hope exists. May they help you feel rooted, supported, and empowered to continue your own healing journey. Yoga is more than movement—it’s a way of life that can change you forever. About the Host: Jackie Vandertuin, MSc, CAT(C), is a certified Athletic Therapist, professor, and student yoga therapist. Her personal journey with yoga began as simple exercise but quickly became a lifeline during a period of anxiety and depression. Yoga continues to be her anchor and her healing modality of choice. Learn more at jackievandertuintherapy.com Follow on Instagram: @jackie_vandertuin_therapy

  1. 2d ago

    S1 E19 Breaking Small-Town Silence: How Yoga, Addiction Work & Community Heal with Cassie Doucette

    Cassie Doucette didn’t just find yoga—she felt it. From her very first class, something shifted. The connection between breath and movement offered a new way of being—one that traditional addictions counselling hadn’t fully provided. Over the past 11 years as co-owner of The Loft Yoga Studio, Cassie has cultivated more than a yoga space—she’s built a sanctuary for authenticity in a community where emotions are often left unspoken. In this episode, Cassie shares how yoga helped her move through anxiety, reshape her relationships, and create a space where people can safely explore their inner world. We talk about the unique challenges of small-town culture, the weight of generational trauma, and how embodiment practices can break cycles of harm. From women’s circles to somatic awareness, from supporting veterans to raising emotionally aware children, Cassie’s work is rooted in one powerful belief: healing begins when we are allowed to feel. This is a conversation about courage, community, and the quiet revolution of being yourself. To discover The Loft Yoga Studio, you can click on the links below For more information, visit www.thelofteberwick.wixsite.com Instagram:  The.loft.yoga.wellness and catcher.in.the.moon Facebook:  The loft yoga studio Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1h 4m

  2. Season 1, Episode 20 Trailer

    S1 Trailer 20 Yoga in a Small Town: Cassie Doucette on Healing, Emotional Expression & Finding Inner Peace

    What happens when you grow up in a place where emotions are kept quiet and fitting in feels essential for belonging? In this trailer episode of The Inner Practice, Cassie Doucette shares how yoga became a turning point in her life. From walking into a class where everything felt intimidating and “perfect,” to discovering a deep sense of stillness and inner peace, her journey reveals the quiet power of stepping onto the mat. Cassie reflects on the unspoken culture of small-town life—the pressure to conform, the “stiff upper lip” mentality, and how generations of patterns can shape how we relate to ourselves and others. Beneath that surface, many are left feeling unseen, disconnected, or alone. Through yoga, Cassie began to reconnect with her body, her emotions, and her voice. What started as a personal shift has grown into something larger: creating spaces where others feel safe to be themselves, to feel deeply, and to be held in community. The full episode is an invitation to explore:  The hidden emotional landscape of small-town living  How yoga can create space for stillness and self-awareness  Breaking generational patterns and finding your authentic voice  The importance of safe, inclusive spaces for healing and connection Tune in to hear how one practice can open the door to presence, belonging, and inner transformation. For more information, visit www.thelofteberwick.wixsite.com Instagram:  The.loft.yoga.wellness and catcher.in.the.moon Facebook:  The loft yoga studio Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1 min

  3. May 13

    S1 E18 From Family Medicine to Mindfulness-Based Healing: Dr. Jill Bailey on Compassion in Healthcare

    Healing rarely fits inside a ten-minute appointment or a prescription pad. In this episode of The Inner Practice, we sit down with Dr. Jill Bailey, a physician whose career has evolved from the front lines of small-town family medicine to the deeply emotional terrain of mental health, addiction medicine, and mindfulness. After fourteen years of walking alongside patients through their most ordinary and extraordinary days, Jill felt called to look beneath the illness to the humanity of the person. Today, she shares her journey as a general practitioner, psychotherapist, researcher, and educator who is helping shape the next generation of doctors at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine. In this conversation, we explore: The Power of Continuity: What fourteen years of family medicine taught Jill about connection, belonging, and the quiet moments that matter most.The Shift to Mental Health: Why she transitioned into addiction medicine and how she stays grounded when outcomes are uncertain and non-linear.Mindfulness in Medicine: A look at Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), how these practices changed her internal experience of being a doctor.Advocacy & Research: Her vital work studying Intimate Partner Violence among physicians and the importance of bringing compassion to the healers themselves.A New Vision for Women’s Health: Jill’s upcoming multidisciplinary clinic in Orangeville, designed to be an "unhurried," evidence-based, and welcoming space.Whether you are a healthcare professional navigating burnout or someone seeking a more compassionate approach to your own well-being, Jill’s insights remind us that the "inner practice" is the ground beneath the lives we build. Healing is not always loud. Sometimes it is a quiet presence in a room, a pause before speaking, and a willingness to stay when things feel uncertain. Jill's recommendation:   Amishi Jha "Peak Mind" If you want to know more about the clinic, check out:  Stillwaterwomenshealth.ca  Instagram @stillwaterwomenshealth and her professional Instagram is @jillbailey_md Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1h 13m

  4. Season 1, Episode 19 Trailer

    S 1 Trailer 19: Mindfulness for the Overwhelmed Physician: Managing Distractions and Cognitive Fatigue with Dr. Jill Bailey

    In the fast-paced world of clinical medicine, the "knocks on the door" are relentless. For physicians, the challenge isn't just the sheer volume of work—it’s the high-stakes requirement to maintain focus on minute details while being constantly pulled away by phone calls, urgent interruptions, and the administrative hum of a busy practice. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jill Bailey to explore the intersection of high-level clinical performance and mindfulness. We discuss what mindfulness is and the how and why to integrate it into your life.  If you are feeling overwhelmed and notice that you struggle in your job, your family, your life, be sure to tune into Dr. Jill Bailey and how she discovered mindfulness and how it truly has become her life's work. If you want to know more about Dr. Jill Bailey and her work check out Website: Stillwaterwomenshealth.ca  Instagram: @stillwaterwomenshealth Dr. Bailey's professional instagram is:  @jillbailey_md Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1 min

  5. Apr 29

    S1 E17 Cancer, Resilience, and Yoga Therapy - Dr. Amy Wheeler on Healing, Nervous System Regulation and Integrative Health

    In this episode of The Inner Practice, host Jackie Vandertuin sits down with Dr. Amy Wheeler—yoga therapist, educator, former varsity athlete, and sports psychologist—to explore what it truly means to live the practices we teach. Amy’s path began in high-performance sport at the University of Northern Iowa, where she developed a deep understanding of discipline, resilience, and the intelligence of the body. Her journey evolved into sports psychology, working with elite athletes, and later into yoga therapy and integrative healthcare education. In 2022, her life shifted profoundly with a diagnosis of cancer of the tongue. What followed was not only a personal healing journey, but a deepening of her work in nervous system regulation, emotional intelligence, and whole-person care. Together, Jackie and Amy explore: The intersection of sport psychology and yoga and integrative medicineWhat it means to regulate the nervous system during illnessHow yoga therapy supports healing in both clinical and personal contextsThe evolving role of integrative health in modern healthcare systemsFinding resilience, meaning, and presence in the face of uncertaintyDr. Wheeler is the Chair of the Department of Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda at Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she trains future practitioners to bring more humanity into healthcare. She is also the CEO of Optimal State of Living and the host of The Yoga Therapy Hour, now in its 10th season. Find Dr. Amy Wheeler at:  Instagram:  OptimalStatewithAmyWheeler Facebook:  Amy Wheeler yoga Learn more about Dr. Wheeler’s work and tools for nervous system regulation:  Optimal State App: https://www.optimalstateapp.com  Listen to Dr. Wheeler's podcast The Yoga Therapy Hour her website at: https://amywheeler.com/podcasts or listen on your favourite podcast apps This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is not separate from life, it is woven into how we meet each moment, especially the difficult ones. Until next time, take a breath, slow down, and keep returning to your inner practice. Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1h 4m

  6. Season 1, Episode 18 Trailer

    S1 Trailer 18 Facing Cancer Surgery with Calm — Dr. Amy Wheeler on Yoga, Nervous System Regulation, and Finding a Sattvic State

    In this deeply moving trailer of The Inner Practice, Dr. Amy Wheeler shares an intimate reflection on the moments before undergoing surgery for tongue cancer—and how yoga transformed what could have been a state of fear into one of calm, trust, and inner steadiness. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by anxiety, Amy describes how she turned inward, grounding herself in a felt sense of being loved. Drawing on her background in yoga therapy and nervous system regulation, she recognized what happens in the body when we move toward fear and consciously chose a different path. This conversation explores how she accessed a sattvic state, a place of clarity, balance, and well-being, even in the face of uncertainty. It’s a powerful example of what it means to live the practice, not just teach it. Amy’s story is not about bypassing fear, it’s about understanding it, meeting it, and choosing a different internal experience. This episode is for anyone navigating illness, uncertainty, or moments that ask us to go deeper into ourselves. Find Dr. Amy Wheeler at:  Instagram:  OptimalStatewithAmyWheeler Facebook:  Amy Wheeler yoga Learn more about Dr. Wheeler’s work and tools for nervous system regulation:  Optimal State App: https://www.optimalstateapp.com Listen to Dr. Wheeler's podcast The Yoga Therapy Hour her website at: https://amywheeler.com/podcasts or listen on your favourite podcast apps Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1 min

  7. Apr 15

    S1 E16 Questioning Dogma, Choosing Coexistence: A yoga-inspired spiritual journey with Stacie da Ponte

    In this episode of The Inner Practice, host Jackie Vandertuin sits down with Stacie da Ponte for a thoughtful and expansive conversation on spirituality, yoga philosophy, humanism, and the courage to question inherited belief systems. Raised Roman Catholic and surrounded by cultural and religious diversity, Stacie shares a pivotal moment after 9/11 that prompted her to step away from dogma and begin a lifelong journey of inquiry. Through existentialism, philosophy, and consciousness studies, she sought a framework for living that supports coexistence, compassion, and care for both people and the planet. Yoga entered Stacie’s life early—not as fitness, but as meditation, prayer, chanting, and mindful presence. Over time, her practice evolved to include asana, breath, and embodied self-study, revealing the deep connection between the physical body, emotional life, and spiritual growth. She reflects on yoga as a practice—not a religion—that invites curiosity, humility, and lived wisdom rather than blind adherence. This episode explores leaving Plato’s Allegory of a Cave, the value of questioning doctrine, the golden rule of unconditional love, and how yoga offers a slow, honest path toward acceptance, coexistence, and self-understanding. A powerful listen for anyone interested in yoga philosophy, spiritual exploration, humanism, mindfulness, and living with openness in a complex world. Book that Stacie recommends: Rao, A. (2025). Yoga as embodied resistance: A feminist lens on caste, gender, and sacred resilience in yoga history. North Atlantic Books.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1h 7m

  8. Season 1, Episode 17 Trailer

    S1 Trailer 17 From Cave to Consciousness: Stacie da Ponte on Plato's allegory and awakening

    In this trailer Stacie describes Plato's Parable of the Cave.  Stacie delves into the philosophical thought of truth, and how those with different experiences or backgrounds may perceive it, much like spirituality or religion.  Stacie describes how a yoga practice helps us move from conditioned perception and unconscious patterns helps us move toward awareness, clarity and a deeper truth. Tune into the full episode where Stacie describes growing up as a Roman Catholic and how her journey through faith and life caused her to question and how yoga and her own personal journey continues to facilitate her questions creating some answers! If you enjoy listening to stories from real people who've experienced transformation and growth from the yoga mat into life, please leave a comment.  If you are interested in being a guest on this podcast, send me an email!  I would love to know your story and possible share it with others! Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"! This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call. If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at jackie@jackievandertuintherapy.com. Stay in touch at: Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.com Instagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapy Facebook:  Jackie Vandertuin Therapy To support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice

    1 min
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Real people. Real stories. Real healing. The Inner Practice Podcast shares heartfelt journeys from the yoga mat—authentic stories of presence, practice, and personal transformation. Through honest, emotional conversations, host Jackie Vandertuin explores how the healing power of yoga reaches far beyond physical poses, touching everyday life in meaningful and unexpected ways. Each episode dives into real experiences of pain, anxiety, grief, resilience, and growth—revealing how yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork can become tools for grounding, strength, and hope. These are stories of becoming: stories that remind us that healing is possible, transformation is real, and no one walks this journey alone. Join Jackie as she connects with guests who share powerful narratives of struggle turning into insight, suffering turning into strength, and everyday practice turning into deep personal awakening. Discover how lessons learned on the yoga mat translate into life—building resilience, emotional wellbeing, and a path back to the self. May these stories remind you that hope exists. May they help you feel rooted, supported, and empowered to continue your own healing journey. Yoga is more than movement—it’s a way of life that can change you forever. About the Host: Jackie Vandertuin, MSc, CAT(C), is a certified Athletic Therapist, professor, and student yoga therapist. Her personal journey with yoga began as simple exercise but quickly became a lifeline during a period of anxiety and depression. Yoga continues to be her anchor and her healing modality of choice. Learn more at jackievandertuintherapy.com Follow on Instagram: @jackie_vandertuin_therapy

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