Yoga Medicine

Yoga can play a particularly powerful role in pain care, with the capacity to address both physical and psychological aspects of pain within a supportive social framework. 
You'll hear these themes woven through today's conversation—between host Rachel and pain researcher and yoga teacher Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH—as Jennifer shares the details of her upcoming pilot study on yoga for pain management.
Jennifer outlines the biopyschosocial nature of pain, and the unpredictability of neuropathic pain in particular. She explains how nervous‑system‑informed yoga practices—paired with pain science education—can help reduce fear and build more easeful patterns of movement, and the role yoga can play in long‑term pain management.
"Yoga targets your physical body, your psychological well‑being, and your social world all at once—and for pain, that combination can be powerful." — Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH.
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What You'll Learn:
The origin of Jen's yoga for pain management pilot study [3:01]
Barriers to accessing yoga for pain care [6:06]
How yoga helps: through a biopyschosocial lens [12:15]
Components of the pilot yoga program [16:19]
Predictable sequences, trained teachers, planning for flare-ups, breath practices [27:18]
The special challenge of neuropathic pain [38:27]
Sharing pain science education is key [42:53]
Sum up: movement & meditation, short & social [47:01]
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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Yoga Medicine Nervous System & Restorative Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga Medicine Podcast Episode 15: Shifting Persistent Pain with Dr. Marnie Hartman
Connect with Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH: URMC
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Learn More:
Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-164.
Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.
To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this episode, we revisit a compelling conversation between hosts Tiffany Cruikshank and Katja Bartsch on the powerful role mindset plays in shaping health outcomes. Through research on the placebo effect, they explore how beliefs about food, exercise, and wellness choices can influence not only behavior but also physiological responses.
In fact, the way we think and feel about what we do may be just as important as the actions themselves. This episode offers a fresh perspective on sustainable health, emphasizing awareness, enjoyment, and a more compassionate approach to wellness.
"Food really is a medicine. So, how can I feed myself to feel good rather than deprive myself to lose weight?" — Tiffany Cruikshank.
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What You'll Learn:
Challenging health "rules" with embodied awareness [2:11]
The role yoga can play [4:23]
Flow-on effects of positivity regarding exercise choices [5:25]
Why enjoyment is critical for sustainable health habits [7:39]
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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Yoga Medicine Episode 3: The Placebo Effect Part 2
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Learn More:
Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-163
Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.
To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Yoga is often perceived as a recovery tool for athletes, but that barely scratches the surface of what yoga can offer active people. 
In this episode, hosts Tiffany and Rachel explore the many roles yoga can play in athletic cross-training. They discuss how yoga can be used to not only maintain range of motion and provide tools for nervous system recovery, but also to balance repetitive movement patterns and support overall performance.
Listen in to learn how cross-training with yoga supports longevity—not just in sports, but in life. Whether you're a runner, cyclist, desk worker, recreational athlete, or parent, incorporating yoga can help you move better, recover more effectively, and continue doing the activities you love for years to come.
"As humans, we want to be able to live the full expression of our lives… it really is about optimizing how we feel and function in our lives." — Tiffany Cruikshank.
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What You'll Learn:
Cross training: the big picture [1:38]
How yoga can help [7:23]
Cross training and injury reduction [10.51]
Sequencing a cross training yoga practice: Breath work, body awareness, isometrics, MFR [12:25]
Finding the right level & type of challenge [15:11]
Mobility work [16:39]
Nervous system regulation [17:45]
Active recovery [18:11]
Myriad yoga techniques to draw from [19:32]
The goals of yoga for cross training: Maintaining mobility and ROM [21:10]

Support performance and muscular balance, provide variety [21:58]

Nervous system support, rest, and recovery [24:18]

Be flexible when teaching yoga cross training classes [26:16]

The central goal of cross training: longevity of sport and long-term functionality in life [28:30
Key factors to keep in mind [37:28]

The Yoga Medicine Yoga for Athletes Training [41:50]

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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube 
Yoga Medicine Yoga for Athletes Teacher Training
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Learn More:
Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-162.
Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.
To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Mantra — the sacred sound of yoga — is, for many students and teachers, shrouded in mystery. In this episode, yoga teachers Dr. Rashmi Bismark and Steph Wall join host Rachel Land to unpack the myths, misconceptions, and cultural questions surrounding mantra in modern yoga practice. 
Together, they explore whether the practice of mantra is religious, the importance of correct pronunciation, and how teachers can introduce sacred sound into Western yoga classes without alienating students. Listen in to learn why chanting in community might be one of the most powerful nervous system anchors available.
"It's not performative. It's an expression of something bigger." — Steph Wall.
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What You'll Learn:
Is mantra religious? [5:04]

Does perfect pronunciation matter? [9:10]

The roles of mantra in western classes [13:40]
Do you need an empty mind for mantra to "work"? [16:35]

Fear of "singing in public" [20:00]
Mantra vs. affirmations [25:59]

Is westernizing mantra cultural appropriation? [27:59]

How to introduce mantra respectfully [32:13]
Yoga Medicine 20-Hour Mantra Immersion [35:31]
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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube 
20-hour Mantra Immersion with Yoga Medicine at the Kali Collective (Glasgow, May 29–31)
Yoga Medicine Yin & Meditation Yoga Teacher Training 
Podcast Episode 06: The Power of Mindfulness 
Podcast Episode 21: South Asian Teacher Panel 
Podcast Episode 72: Counter Compassion Fatigue
Podcast Episode 59: Explore the Dark Side
Podcast Episode 94: Magic of Mythology
Connect with Dr. Rashmi Bismark: Facebook | Instagram | Rashmi Bismark MD | X | YMO Guest Teacher
Connect with Steph Wall: Facebook | Instagram | Kali Collective Instagram | YMO Guest Teacher
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Learn More:
Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-161.
Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.
To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Some aspects of yoga practice feel more mysterious and opaque than others, which can make them intimidating to teach and practice. For many, Yoga Nidra is one such technique.
In this short excerpt from the previous episode, Yoga Nidra: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar, Caroline shares two perceived Yoga Nidra "rules" that are well worth breaking to open up its benefits to a wider range of students.
You can also join Caroline and Dr. Katja Bartsch from March 30 to dive deep into the what, why, and how of Yoga Nidra in their upcoming 20-hour Yoga Nidra Online Teacher Training.
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Show Notes:
Does Yoga Nidra have to follow a prescribed sequence? [2:19]

The one essential component of Yoga Nidra [5:32]

Does Yoga Nidra have to be practiced in Savasana? [6:50]

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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 136: Yoga Nidra: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar
Connect with Caroline Wybar: Facebook | Instagram | Caroline Wybar Yoga | YMO Guest Teacher
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Learn More:
Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-160.
Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.
To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.