Yoga Medicine

You have probably heard of the vagus nerve, and (whether you realize it or not) have been exposed to some of the concepts of Polyvagal Theory in yoga classes. In fact, we have discussed the theory in a previous episode of the podcast.
In today's episode, host Rachel Land and Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist Valerie Knopik, PhD, revisit Polyvagal Theory and explore the latest scientific debate it has generated. They break down the original framework, the newer criticisms, and the ways scientific ideas evolve over time. 
The conversation stays grounded in real-world teaching, especially around stress response, breath, and the role of relationships in helping people feel safe enough to practice. It is a thoughtful reminder that research can shift while the practical value of awareness, connection, and regulation remains central to yoga.
"Science is never stagnant, and that's part of the beauty of science for me." — Valerie Knopik.
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What You'll Learn:
Vagus nerve roles in stress and relaxation response [3:24]
Recent papers updating and challenging Polyvagal Theory (PVT) [4:41]
The nature of the scientific method [7:12]
Defining PVT [10:37] 
Summarizing the current controversy: over-simplification of dorsal vs ventral vagus [25:29]
Other points of contention: dorsal vagal and trauma response, heart rate variability as a measure of vagal tone, clinical over-use [31:41]
Relevance to yoga teaching and practice [37:11]
The "science of safety" in yoga: Yoga Medicine Mental Health & Wellness Teacher Training [44:00]
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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Mental Health & Wellness Yoga Teacher Training 
Yoga Medicine Podcast Research Roundup: Updates on Polyvagal Theory 
Porges SW. Polyvagal Theory: Current Status, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2025 Jun;22(3):169-184. doi: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20250301. PMID: 40735382; PMCID: PMC12302812
Grossman P et al. Why The Polyvagal Theory Is Untenable: An international expert evaluation of the polyvagal theory and commentary upon Porges, S.W. (2025). Clin. Neuropsychiatry, 22(3), 169-184. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2026 Feb;23(1):100-112. doi: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20260110. PMID: 41768017; PMCID: PMC12937499
Yoga Medicine Podcast Episodes:
Epigenetics, Mental Health & Yoga 
The Neuroscience of Resilience 
Interoception Research & Yoga 

Connect with Valerie Knopik, PhD: Facebook | Instagram | X | YMO Teacher
Learn More:
Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-166.
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.

We all know how impactful regular habits can be, whether to benefit our health and wellbeing or detract from them. Social media would have us believe that we are one simple hack or protocol away from the habits we want, but today's guest is here to tell us that habit formation and change are a little more complicated than that.
Host Rachel welcomes back yoga teacher and trainer Caroline Wybar to discuss Caroline's upcoming course, Transforming Habits: An Evidence-Based Approach to Lasting Change. Caroline offers a grounded and compassionate perspective on change, reminding listeners that habits are not just about discipline, but about alignment, identity, and sustainability.
Listen in to learn why change only happens when we look beyond surface behavior to the deeper drivers beneath, and the key role yoga can play in countering shame, fostering self-awareness, and offering practical tools for nervous system regulation.
"Habits are difficult to change. If it were easy to do, we wouldn't have courses on it." — Caroline Wybar.
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What You'll Learn:
The inspiration for Caroline's upcoming 8hr online course [3:43]

The unique role yoga can play in healthy habits [05:35]

Caroline's "failed" ice cream experiment [7:12]

Preya & Shreya: pleasure versus long-term benefit [12:59]

Self Perception Theory & our habits [16:52]

The neurobiology of how shame derails habit change [23:47]

How yoga helps: compassion, self-regulation, self-awareness [27:07]

Social support is key [33:48]

Intrinsic motivation: choosing habits we actually enjoy [36:21]

Insights on Caroline's course: how acupressure tapping, breath/movement rhythm, dual attention techniques, visualization, and Yoga Nidra support top-down and bottom-up change [40:14]
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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Yoga Medicine Episodes: Transforming Habits: An Evidence-Based Approach to Lasting Change 
Creating Change with Alison Heilig
Approaches for Anxiety: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar
Yoga Nidra: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar
Full-Time Yoga Teacher Panel: Community Conversations with Elena Cheung, Kylie Rook & 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-165.
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 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.