Yoga Meets Movement Science

Yoga Meets Movement Science takes a science-based look at many of the common questions, myths, and controversies that arise in the realms of yoga, movement, and fitness. Join yoga teacher and educator Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor and longtime yogi Travis Pollen on this crash course, where the worlds of yoga and movement science collide!
Too much of a good thing
07/17/2023
There is some great information in this podcast and I’ve learned a lot from it that I apply in my classes. It is also the only podcast I listen to at 1.5X because there is too much banter and no apparent editing. I appreciate when a podcast respects my time. 😋 As a yoga teacher I appreciate that Jenni and Travis are challenging some of the assumptions we have, and rightly so. On the other hand, some of the cues we use are to compliment the meditative quality of a practice, by transmitting the ability to be present to our students. Maybe there is not a safety concern, but holding a pose a certain way has a use for being present with our bodies. Yoga is both movement science, and also a practice of meditation and breathwork supported by a philosophical system. This podcast is great for thinking about the purely physical side, and you can get the philosophy and meditation from another show.
Interested in the Content, Not the Condescension
02/24/2024
I was generally put off by the condescension and passive aggressive commentary and jokes even if the information is relevant and interesting to me. I’ll stick to reading and research that provides equally useful information and myth-busting without the tone of superiority and making fun of commentary.
Not a fan
01/29/2024
Just commenting on the Polyvagal episode. I wish they had an actual expert on Polyvagal theory on the show. They said so many inaccurate things that made me cringe. Like whoa - the irony that they were making fun of reductionist claims and misinformation when it seems like that is what their opinions were based off of… I’m a psychologist and mental health professional that has had Polyvagal trainings backed by the APA. I’m no Polyvagal guru or even use it that much in my practice. I also know that it is controversial because it doesn’t pass certain scientific scrutiny. Nevertheless, it seemed like they didn’t really know much about it because so many things they said were just plain wrong. I’m guessing this episode was inspired by misinformation in the yoga world about Polyvagal. Can’t be sure but yikes
Love the info… but…
01/28/2024
I think from the beginning there’s been a tendency to make this a “debunk” yoga podcast. I feel like they had a great idea but their bias away from yoga makes me wonder why they are doing the podcast. Isn’t it the concept that they’d like to change the atmosphere and misconceptions with science backed sourcing? If I were a new teacher, I’d either quit teaching or quit listening. Either way the information is lost on the people who should be listening.
I tried to listen
11/16/2023
I have tried to listen to this podcast cast so many times because the information in the titles seemed so good. I get 5 minutes into the podcast and I have to turn it off because of all the intentional, silly voice sounds & inflections. This bums me out because the way this comes across is treating the listener as if they are little kids and not grown adults trying to get information they already find interesting. So, I’ll just get the basic info from Jenny on her Instagram. Maybe, because even there she treats her followers like they are infantile.
Reductionist is the right word
08/29/2023
I almost didn’t leave a review, but I think it’s important. I strongly agree with another reviewer pointing out that the podcast is terribly reductionist and ignorant, and it also grossly misrepresents the tradition of yoga. Yes we can use available Western perspectives (eg “science,” biomechanics) to evolve/support the practice; but it’s ignorant and offensive to promote that a tradition born of Eastern science & spirituality is only valid if it’s justified by Western science. Moreover, interpreting everything so literally, splicing semantics, using rude snarky tones, and speaking in hyperbolic terms is just not constructive or relevant. I don’t think any teachers actually teach the way the hosts presents: that something ALWAYS/NEVER must be done ONE way because it is arbitrarily correct. The podcast feels unsophisticated, polarizing, condescending and unintelligent. It’s a cheap shot to get followers just by being inflammatory and contrarian. I hope the hosts might embrace growth to humble themselves, elevate the conversation, and consider a broader lens.
Excellent!
06/21/2023
New listener here—really enjoying the pod. Especially liked the recent Scope of Teaching Yoga episode. Thanks and keep it coming.
Lots of interesting yoga topics and conversation
06/14/2023
I’m really enjoying working my way through these podcast episodes and the way Jenni and Travis explore various topics (many of which have been on my mind since completing yoga TT). Once in a while I do think there is a one-sidedness to the conversation/topic — acupuncture is an example that stuck out to me. It has a good amount of research behind it at this point noting certain benefits (including RCTs) but the guest on that episode was really dismissive of it as purely woo woo. Overall, though, I really love listening in on these conversations. As someone who deeply values both yoga and science, it’s giving me a lot of to think about. Thanks!
Excellent, evidenced-based, and genuine content
05/02/2023
I’m a long time admirer of Jenni and Travis’s work. This podcast is a staple source of information for me for evidence-based takes on yoga and strength training. The amount of research, thoughtfulness, and care that Jenni and Travis put into each episode is apparent, and I always come away having learned something new.
Not impressed
06/05/2023
I am reviewing only the episode on May 16 regarding Fascia. While there isn’t a lot of supporting evidence either way on the nature of how Fascia should be viewed scientifically, they didn’t add to the discussion in a meaningful way. In fact there was more in the way of “I think” and even attemps to discredit those who feel Fascia may have a more important role. I do agree with them only in that muscle/ fascia cannot be talked about separately as they are intimately connected (through and surrounding everything). In this way it is similar to Electromagnetism. There is no electric without magnetism and vice versa. I would add, it was said that a certain person didn’t need to write about facial exercises because they already do that in the program they sell.
About
Information
- CreatorJenni Rawlings & Travis Pollen, PhD
- Years Active2021 - 2023
- Episodes50
- RatingExplicit
- Copyright© 2025 Yoga Meets Movement Science
- Show Website
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