Episode Summary:

In this deeply moving and powerful episode, Amy Wheeler sits down with Dr. Steffany Moonaz—yoga researcher, author, educator, and founder of Yoga for Arthritis—to discuss her professional contributions to the field of yoga therapy, and the personal story that nearly shattered everything she knew about herself.

What begins as a conversation about the CLARIFY Guidelines and the evolution of yoga research quickly transitions into a vulnerable and heartfelt dialogue about grief, identity, traumatic brain injury (TBI), caregiving, and the long, often invisible road to healing.

Dr. Moonaz shares the inspiration behind her memoir Driving Home: Cancer, Concussion, Mom and Me, and invites us into the emotional terrain of a year marked by tragedy, disorientation, and ultimately, profound transformation. Through the lens of yoga, neuroscience, and lived experience, she offers wisdom on surviving loss—not just the loss of loved ones, but the loss of self as we once knew it.

If you've ever questioned how the tools of yoga serve us not just in theory, but in the darkest moments of real life, this conversation is for you.

Topics We Explore:

• The origin and impact of the CLARIFY Guidelines for yoga research
• What makes yoga research replicable, credible, and useful for clinicians
• Dr. Moonaz’s academic leadership in yoga therapy at MUIH and SCUHS
• The backstory of Yoga for Arthritis and its public health mission
• Living through a year of compounded loss: traumatic brain injury, caregiving, and grief
• Navigating healthcare systems and trauma while healing
• Writing a memoir as a healing process and reflective practice
• The psychological and somatic experience of losing identity through injury
• Yoga therapy for grief, loss, and identity reconstruction
• Steffany's personal tapas (discipline) and her decision to keep showing up
• Reclaiming wholeness post-trauma: a new “A-prime” version of self

Featured Book:

Driving Home: Cancer, Concussion, Mom and Me

Now available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

Audiobook coming soon—narrated by Dr. Steffany Moonaz herself

Connect with Steffany Moonaz:

Website: https://arthritis.yoga

Explore professional trainings in Yoga for Arthritis, mentoring opportunities, research publications, and continuing education courses.

Upcoming offerings include:

• Online cohort: Yoga for Arthritis Level 1 Training (starting July 15, 2025)
• Self-paced options in yoga, Ayurveda, and pain science
• In-person retreat at Yogaville, Summer 2026

Quote from the Episode:

“I had to grieve the things about me that I had lost, at the same time as grieving the loss of my mother... But I also believe that I have made up for the loss of function with who I have grown into as a human.” — Dr. Steffany Moonaz

Special Thanks:

To Dr. Moonaz for her honesty, strength, and generosity.

And to our listeners—may this story remind you of your own resilience, your own wisdom, and the power of bearing witness to the full spectrum of the human experience.

Information on Amy:

www.amywheeler.com

www.TheOptimalState.com

In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, Amy Wheeler is joined by Tamala Floyd, LCSW, to explore the powerful integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and ancestral healing. Tamala, author of Listening When Parts Speak, discusses how generational trauma can be healed through connecting with our ancestors and unburdening our exiled parts. She shares her journey into the world of IFS, the importance of working with both personal and ancestral wounds and how healing these parts can reveal hidden gifts within us.

Key Takeaways:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: IFS teaches that we are made up of different parts or subpersonalities, each with its own roles and functions. Protectors guard vulnerable parts, which are often exiled due to past trauma. Healing occurs when these protectors are unburdened, allowing the exile to heal and the person to reclaim their wholeness.
• Ancestral Healing: Tamala introduces the concept of healing ancestral trauma by connecting with well-healed ancestors who are willing to release burdens passed down through generations. This process also allows individuals to access the gifts and heirlooms from their family line.
• The Role of Protectors: Protectors (e.g., people-pleasing, anger) arise as a response to exiled parts. These protective roles often result in behavior that feels out of control or unbalanced but are essential in safeguarding the individual from deeper wounds.
• Connecting with Gifts: Healing the generational wounds allows individuals to access the gifts of their ancestors, such as creativity, intuition, and emotional depth, that were previously blocked by trauma.
• Practical Tips for Exploring IFS: Tamala provides insights on how to begin the journey of identifying and interacting with your parts, including the use of externalizing exercises where others embody these parts to create a tangible, experiential understanding.

Tamala Floyd’s Upcoming Events:

• Retreats & Workshops: Tamala leads transformative retreats and workshops around the world. She shares information about her upcoming retreat in Costa Rica for women healing generational trauma and her upcoming retreats in Morocco and California.
• Book & Audiobook: Listening When Parts Speak is available in both written and audiobook formats. Tamala is also releasing Healing the Wounded Mother, an audiobook focused on healing the mother’s wounds to create healthier relationships with children and others.

Learn More & Connect:

• Website: Tamala Floyd
• Social Media: Follow Tamala for more insights on healing and personal growth.

Related Resources:

• Listening When Parts Speak
• Healing the Wounded Mother (available May 6, 2025)

Join Us: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with friends who might benefit from this healing work.

Contact Us:

For more information, questions, or comments, please visit www.theoptimalstate.com or email amy@theoptimalstate.com.

Tune in next time for more on yoga therapy, emotional intelligence, and holistic healing!

Would you like to receive your Masters Degree in Yoga Therapy?

Master of Science in Yoga Therapy https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/

Explore MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/

Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: https://muih.edu/academics/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification/

In this deeply moving and powerful episode, Amy sits down with Nicole Fitch, a yoga therapist-in-training and future occupational therapist from Brisbane, Australia. Nicole shares her inspiring story of transformation—from losing her father in a tragic accident at age 15, through years of shutdown, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, to a life of purpose, connection, and embodied healing.

Nicole’s story is not just one of overcoming trauma—it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of integrative practices. We explore how her early experiences shaped her nervous system, her years of navigating mental health systems, and how yoga became her refuge, offering her hope, empowerment, and the tools to reclaim joy.

From teaching yoga in community centers and mental health hospitals to stepping away from teaching to focus on self-care and finishing her degree in occupational therapy, Nicole's journey is a rich example of conscious healing, radical self-compassion, and the winding, non-linear path to wholeness.

Topics Covered:

• The moment that changed her life: a tragic loss at age 15
• Trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and dorsal vagal shutdown
• The dark period of numbing, partying, and intrusive thoughts
• OCD diagnosis and navigating the biomedical mental health system
• The turning point: a dream, a move to Queensland, and discovering yoga
• The power of japa, prāṇāyāma, and meditation in finding peace
• Yoga as a tool and a potential bypass—why integration matters
• Teaching yoga in non-traditional spaces and building community
• Balancing being a mother and maintaining a personal identity
• Why she’s taking a pause—and how she’s preparing for what’s next
• The connection between OT and Yoga Therapy in mental health care

Key Takeaway Quote from Nicole:

"You can't rush your healing. Even if you are in complete darkness, there's always that glimmer of light through the clouds."

Connect with Nicole:

Nicole's offerings are currently on pause while she finishes her Occupational Therapy degree, but you can follow her journey and future updates via

Embodied Wisdom Therapies-https://www.embodiedwisdomtherapies.com.au/

In this heart-opening and deeply insightful episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes Jeffrey Shoaf—yoga therapist, Kripalu-trained teacher, bodyworker, and retreat leader—to explore the profound personal and professional transformation yoga brought into his life beginning at age 48. Jeffrey shares how yoga reawakened his childhood love of movement, helped him reconnect with his body after decades as a general contractor, and opened a gateway to breathwork, meditation, and spiritual integration. His story is one of rekindling wonder, embracing vulnerability, and learning to feel fully.

Together, Amy and Jeffrey dive into:

• How Jeffrey found yoga at age 48 and became instantly hooked
• Why the mind-body connection through āsana was life-changing for him
• The role of breathwork in emotional regulation, anxiety, and physical recovery
• Why “less is more” when it comes to prāṇāyāma and nervous system regulation
• The power of meditation in everyday life—without needing to sit cross-legged
• The emotional intelligence of yoga: learning to respond rather than react
• Why “anger is present” is more skillful than “I am angry”
• His inspiring work with men’s groups and mentoring at-risk youth through the Joshua Project
• His upcoming Wander to Wonder yoga and reflective writing retreat in Portugal (September 2025)
• How nature, presence, and embodied practice continue to be his spiritual path

Jeffrey reminds us that healing happens when we give ourselves permission to feel, breathe, and move authentically—whether on the mat, at the kitchen sink, or walking in the woods.

Connect with Jeffrey Shoaf

Website: www.jeffreyshoaf.com

Join The Breathing Club: Thursdays at 7:00am ET

Explore Portugal Retreat: Wander to Wonder – September 2025

Instagram: @jeffreyshoaf

If this episode touched your heart, please share it with a friend and leave us a review.

Stay connected with Amy at www.TheOptimalState.com

Master of Science in Yoga Therapy https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/

Explore MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/

Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: https://muih.edu/academics/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification/

In this episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes back Kimberly Searl, a faculty member at Maryland University of Integrative Health’s M.S. in Yoga Therapy program. Kimberly brings decades of experience in teaching anatomy, kinesiology, and physical assessment through the lens of yoga therapy. Together, Amy and Kimberly explore what it truly means to assess the physical body in a therapeutic context, challenging old paradigms and illuminating a more holistic, compassionate approach rooted in curiosity, embodiment, and lived experience.

They dive into the concept of an “anatomy story”—how each of us comes to understand and inhabit our bodies through both joy and injury, and how this narrative becomes essential for therapeutic healing. Kimberly shares her journey from a farm girl fascinated by animal movement to a yoga therapist who now mentors students and clients in discovering safety, strength, and integration within their own bodies.

This episode is packed with powerful questions and insights:

• What does a yoga therapist actually need to know about anatomy and kinesiology?
• How can we responsibly assess the physical body without overstepping into diagnostic territory?
• Why does “interoception” matter, and how does it affect mental health and healing?
• How do we hold space for a client’s goals, instead of imposing our own agenda?
• What role do breath, motor planning, and functional movement play in therapeutic sequencing?

Amy and Kimberly also discuss the changing needs of the aging body, the myth of alignment as perfection, and how being "medically adjacent" is a unique strength of yoga therapy—not a limitation.

This episode is for:

• Yoga therapy students and educators
• Clinicians seeking to understand yoga therapy’s scope
• Clients on their healing journey looking to feel more at home in their body
• Anyone ready to trade rigidity for resilience

Listen in to hear:

The difference between fixing and guiding

What a co-assessment really looks like

How slowing down transforms the healing process

The role of yoga therapy in addressing the whole person—body, breath, and mind

Why resilience might be the new word for “safe, strong, and integrated”

Guest Bio:

Kimberly Searl, M.S., C-IAYT, is a certified yoga therapist and educator who teaches anatomy, kinesiology, and physical assessment in the M.S. Yoga Therapy program at MUIH. With more than 33,000 hours of experience in teaching movement and body awareness, Kimberly is passionate about helping others rediscover safety and empowerment in their bodies. She is also the founder of Integrative Sustainable Movement, a healing center rooted in the values of lifelong, accessible, and mindful movement. Website: https://ism.health/

Yoga is not an exercise program—it is a healing philosophy.

Join Kimberly and Amy as they redefine what physical assessment can look like when guided by the principles of yoga therapy and the lived reality of the human experience.

Master of Science in Yoga Therapy https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/

Explore MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/

Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: https://muih.edu/academics/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification/

In this deeply moving and enlightening episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy Wheeler welcomes Bobbi Lalach, a kinesiologist and yoga therapist from Cranbrook, British Columbia. Bobbi shares her powerful story of recovery after a traumatic car accident left her with a concussion—and a life turned upside down.

At first, Bobbi didn’t realize she was injured. As a mother of five and a healthcare provider, she brushed off her persistent headache and fatigue as stress or a sinus infection. It wasn’t until she couldn’t comprehend a simple work email six weeks later that she realized something was seriously wrong. Her journey through denial, misdiagnosis, and eventually, healing offers insight into how we often ignore our own suffering—especially when we're used to caring for others.

Topics Discussed:

• Signs of concussion you may miss
• Why healthcare providers often ignore their own symptoms
• Co-regulation and healing within the family system
• The role of empathy, self-awareness, and grief in recovery
• Yoga therapy’s unique value in cases that fall through the cracks
• The power of simplicity: legs up the wall, breath, and presence

Bobbi and Amy dive into a conversation around the power of rest, nervous system regulation, and why slowing down is often the most advanced form of care. Bobbi’s honest reflections on grief, acceptance, and growth—alongside her scientific background—make this a must-listen for anyone navigating recovery, caregiving, or the complex intersection of mind and body.

Bobbi’s Words of Wisdom:

"You might miss the signs. You might even need the 2x4 moment to make you stop. But don’t give up. There is a way to heal—even if it’s not the way you imagined."

Whether you’re a caregiver, clinician, or someone in recovery yourself, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and more in touch with the quiet, powerful wisdom of your own body.

Connect with Bobbi Lalach

Website: https://www.kinnectionyogatherapy.com/

Instagram: @kinnectionyogatherapy & @highland_dancers_edge

Facebook - Kinnection Yoga Therapy

Follow Amy Wheeler

Website: www.TheOptimalState.com

Instagram: @amywheelerpodcast

Podcast IG: @theyogatherapyhour

Amy Wheeler has recently become the Chair of the Dept. at Maryland University of Integrative Health. See the training programs below.

Master of Science in Yoga Therapy https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/

Explore MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/

Try our Post-Bac Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: https://muih.edu/academics/ayurveda/post-baccalaureate-ayurveda-certification/

Opening Paragraph

In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler invites listeners into a conversation about the intersection of childhood religion and the lifelong path of yoga therapy. What happens when the grace-filled teachings of Lutheran Christianity (insert your belief structure here) meet the depth and systematization of Indian philosophy? Can we honor both? Amy explores her own journey—from growing up in a progressive Christian household to becoming a devoted student and teacher of Yoga—unpacking how these spiritual lineages can coexist with humility, respect, and a shared intention to reduce suffering. This episode encourages us all to ask: Can different belief systems lead us toward the same inner peace? And more importantly, can we stay grounded in ethical yoga practice while honoring both source and seeker?

In This Episode, Amy Discusses:

• Her upbringing as a Lutheran minister’s daughter and how values like grace, compassion, and service shaped her early views on faith and spirituality.
• The transformative moment of discovering Yoga philosophy, particularly the structure and clarity of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra and the Bhagavad Gītā.
• Navigating cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation—especially as a Western Yoga Therapist working with ancient Indian teachings.
• Can someone be a Yoga Therapist and maintain their original religious identity? Amy dives into the conversation about pluralism, integrity, and therapeutic intention.
• Iśvara as a formless universal presence, and whether one’s version of “God,” “Allah,” “Jesus,” or “Buddha” can reflect the same sattvic qualities in a yoga-based healing context.

Amy reminds us that being a yoga therapist is not about spiritual perfection or ideological purity—it’s about long-term dedication to learning, humility, and reducing human suffering. Whether your spiritual background includes religion, atheism, or a mix of philosophies, the invitation is to stay with the practice, keep questioning, and deepen your connection to the wholeness of yoga without abandoning your roots. As she says, “Maybe the real question is whether what you believe is helping you be a better, kinder human being.”

Amy Wheeler's Contact Info:

Website: www.TheOptimalState.com

Email: amy@amywheeler.com

Instagram: @optimalstate

YouTube: Optimal State with Amy Wheeler

LinkedIn: Amy Wheeler PhD

Interested in Studying Yoga Therapy or Ayurveda?

Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at Maryland University of Integrative Health

A rigorous, accredited program rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern integrative health. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/

Therapeutic Yoga for Licensed Health Care Providers (LHCPs)

Learn how to ethically and effectively integrate yoga into your existing healthcare profession. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/

Integrative Ayurvedic Wellness Program

Study the sister science to yoga through the lens of modern wellness, offering tools for nutrition,

Episode Summary:

In this compelling episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy Wheeler sits down with Alyssa Morales, a yoga therapist and registered nurse based in Rochester, NY. Alyssa shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming an eating disorder and how yoga became the catalyst for profound healing and self-empowerment. She also discusses how she mindfully integrates her background in nursing with her yoga therapy practice, offering a unique and holistic approach to care. This episode explores the power of perception, self-exploration, and the intersection of yoga and Western healthcare in the healing process.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Alyssa's personal healing journey through yoga and how it reshaped her understanding of recovery.
• The distinction between her nursing and yoga therapy roles, and how she balances both within her practice.
• How yoga therapy empowered her to shift deeply ingrained perceptions and create sustainable change.
• The concept of eating disorders as a “disease of perception” and how yoga facilitates a shift in self-awareness.
• The role of bottom-up versus top-down approaches in healing and why integrating both can be transformative.
• How yoga therapy fosters reconnection in relationships and allows for deeper engagement with life.

Connect with Alyssa Morales:

Instagram: @Alyssa_YTSOL

Resources & Links:

• Read more about yoga therapy and healing at The Yoga Therapy Bridge Blog: www.amywheeler.com
• Join Amy’s Monday Night Yoga Therapy Classes: www.TheOptimalState.com
• Explore the Optimal State Mobile App for Yoga Therapy & Lifestyle Support: www.OptimalStateApp.com

Maryland University of Integrative Health- Expand Your Knowledge in Yoga Therapy & Ayurveda:

• Master of Science in Yoga Therapy: Explore the Program

Are you already a licensed healthcare professional? Check out MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals: Learn More

• Interested in Ayurveda? Try our Post-Baccalaureate Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: Discover More