Free Your Soma with Aimee Takaya

Intimacy, particularly with oneself, is a profound journey that can be both deeply rewarding and challenging to navigate, especially for those with past traumas. Today, I have Rachel Rae Halder, a multi-faceted somatic practitioner and life-long spiritual student. Together, we unravel the complexities of healing, breaking free from patterns, and embracing intimacy in its many forms.  In this podcast episode, Rachel Rae Halder takes us through: -Importance of intimacy, particularly in relation to self-acceptance and personal growth. -The mystical side of Christianity and her experience of the interconnectedness of religion and spirituality. -How she helps leaders, teachers, and healers break free from limiting patterns that hinder their growth and fulfillment. -Her upbringing, experience with sexual abuse, and her profound spiritual awakening. -How her approach to healing combines cognitive understanding, spiritual practices, and somatic therapies to facilitate deep transformation and self-acceptance. -The power of self-acceptance: moving away from the cycle of needing to fix. -The value of seeking to understand healing on different levels. And so much more! Rachel (she/her), commonly known as Rae, currently lives in the Sangre de Cristo mountains in New Mexico, the original home of the Tiwa known presently as Taos. She is a writer, thought leader, coach, and guide in the trauma, somatic, and embodiment fields. She loves working with coaches, healers and leaders who’ve done all “the work” and yet still sense there are unseen life-degenerating and syndromal freeze patterns dictating their reality. Rae is a seasoned practitioner, certified in over 10 different healing modalities, with a decade of experience with some of the most advanced trainings around trauma resolution, sexual liberation, and collective healing under her belt. She has a unique, mystical, and energetic approach to trauma healing + pleasure and a deep-rooted sense of the dark feminine path (a path of being and accepting, as opposed to a mental knowing and rejection). Her work goes far beyond the typical somatic experiencing principles and enters into the nature and energetic or mystical realms of the unseen. LINKS: www.instagram.com/rachel.rae.halder www.facebook.com/raehalder www.raehalder.com  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Navigating the dating world can feel awkward. Often, both men and women are filled with uncertainty, confusion, and sometimes heartache. We live in an era dominated by digital communication and fleeting connections, making the quest for genuine intimacy and meaningful relationships challenging.  Today, I host Kevin Chinn, a digital entrepreneur, problem solver, and dating coach who offers insight and powerful solutions to men grappling with the complexities of modern dating. In this insightful episode, Kevin Chinn takes us through: -His journey of growth, transformation, and learning to be a human being. -Importance of basic social skills and the fundamentals of human interaction and emotional connection in today's dating landscape. -How his interest in spirituality was sparked by his mother's battle with breast cancer. -His early experiences with heavy, existential concepts and how they shaped his young mind -The ways in which he overcame his struggles with depression, addiction, and anxiety. -The practice of conscious dating, self-awareness, and understanding others to foster deeper connections. -Insights into his various niches, all rooted in his desire to help people overcome challenges and grow. And so much more! Kevin Chinn is a Social Scientist × Modern Day "Hitch" - Dating Was Awkward, I Made It Simple. Take the Masculinity Quiz: Find Out How Attractive You Are To Women: https://datescience.mykajabi.com/signup) Follow on IG @date.science --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Understanding and integrating our shadows is crucial for achieving wholeness and authenticity. Somatic practices hold the power to shift our shadow consciousness and transmute patterns and traumas into a vision of a larger truth. In today’s informative podcast episode,  Maya Grythe takes us through: -How yoga, astrology, meditation, and breathwork led her toward profound self-discovery and healing. -Importance of shadow work: facing all aspects of oneself, including the darker and more challenging parts.  -Addressing both external events and internal responses and experiences to achieve healing and growth. -Importance of having effective tools, somatic healing practices, and a strong support system to navigate the complexities of shadow work. -The significance of effective tools, somatic healing practices, and a strong support system. -Acknowledging and confronting survival strategies developed in childhood for self-awareness and transformation. -The profound impact of shadow work in reshaping one's inner landscape for personal evolution and healing. -Her passion for guiding others on what spirituality truly is and what being human is really about. And so much more! Maja is an intuitive, a shadow worker, and a healer. Through the power of astrology, shadow work, and her intuitive abilities, she guides people on their journeys toward authenticity, transformation, and healing. Through Astrology and Shadow work, she helps people connect to their true purpose and reclaim their personal power and magic. Maja is also a yoga- and meditation teacher and has studied, practiced, and taught embodiment and somatic healing for over a decade. In addition she has delved into the subject of trauma healing over the past five years, and believes that true healing can only happen when we find the link between the body, the psyche and the spiritual. Her teaching and coaching are both intuitive as well as trauma-informed. “The human being is a powerful being, much more so than we usually give ourselves credit for. If we dare to look beneath the surface of our personalities, there is so much potential, magic, and power to be found. We just need to be willing and curious and add a little bit of courage.”—Maja Grythe. The quote I mentioned in the episode: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek” - Joseph Campbell Maja offers readings and coaching. You can find her information here: Instagram: @itsmagicbymaja @majagrythe Work with Maja: https://stan.store/itsmagicbymaja --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

If you're an entrepreneur striving for greatness in a fast-paced world, finding balance and success becomes paramount. Traditional methods may offer temporary relief, but what if there's a more profound way to achieve lasting transformation?  Stay tuned as we explore why the innovative fusion of neuroscience, bodywork, and natural remedies is transforming the lives of go-getters, keeping them grounded and focused on their goals.  In this episode, I’m joined by the insightful, licensed therapist and nervous system coach Marie Benoit. She takes us through: -The importance of somatic healing and establishing the groundwork for generational wealth. -Approaching life as an adventure and embracing challenges with enthusiasm. -The distinction between cognitive behavioral therapy and a somatic approach.  -The importance of going into the body and uncovering unconscious patterns. -The potency of somatic work in addressing intergenerational trauma. -The concept of internal family systems (IFS) and how it helps in deep healing and exploration. -Her use of micro-dosing and psychedelics in her work. And so much more! Marie Benoit, a licensed Clinical Social Worker and Nervous System Coach, is dedicated to empowering ADHD entrepreneurs through a transformative journey. Her expertise lies in a holistic fusion of neuroscience, somatic parts work, and plant medicine, cultivating adaptive resilience in her clients. In a unique role that bridges the gap between conventional business coaching and therapy, Marie provides a tailored approach for her clients. This approach not only enables them to build generational wealth but also ensures alignment with their passions. By steering clear of burnout on their entrepreneurial journey, clients under Marie's guidance embark on a path toward richer lives, fostering happier relationships. Marie's vision extends beyond individual success. She believes in experiencing the soul of the world, utilizing wealth to help others, and creating lasting legacies. Her mission is to guide entrepreneurs in achieving success while maintaining a holistic balance that contributes to both personal and societal well-being. Website: thesomatic.ceo Instagram: @thesomaticceo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

With the mass educational system focusing too much on didactics or test results that often lead to children losing their self-esteem and falling out of the mainstream school system, we all need to take responsibility for our children’s education based on their individual needs.  For that reason, homeschooling and homeschooling programs are on the rise, and they offer a great chance to address children’s needs.  In today’s episode, I have the privilege to host Mary Resenbeck. She takes us through:  -The rise in homeschooling and the benefits it offers in addressing individual children's needs. - The need for a more personalized approach to education. -Her personal journey of homeschooling her children, who had dyslexia. -The struggles her children faced in the traditional education system. -The importance of building self-esteem in children and focusing on their talents and passions. -How her children's success in higher education and professional life is attributed to the personalized homeschooling approach. -How focusing on children’s strengths and interests is important for their overall development and success.  And so much more! Mary Resenbeck is a highly accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in alternative education, extensive expertise in Homeschooling, and advocacy for children with special needs and giftedness. She is a highly respected Special Needs Advocate, homeschool educational manager, and academic enrichment teacher with exceptional skills in guiding families through the intricacies of homeschooling while building strong connections among educators, parents, and students. Mary is a staunch advocate for promoting inclusive homeschooling educational environments and championing the rights and accessibility of homeschool education for students with learning differences. Mary Resenbeck, a seasoned homeschooling parent, began her homeschooling journey with her now-adult children in 2013 and continues with her 10-year-old daughter. Her steadfast commitment to advocacy has significantly improved the educational landscape for children with special needs. Her contributions, rooted in personal experience and professional expertise, continue to inspire and guide others in the field of education. Website: Mary Resenbeck Facebook: (1) Facebook Instagram: Mary Resenbeck (@maryresenbeck) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn: (26) Mary Resenbeck | LinkedIn BOOK: Take Charge of Your Child's Education Amazon.com: Take Charge of Your Child's Education! eBook : Resenbeck, Mary: Kindle Store --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

There are many languages and tools to understand our human consciousness and experience of being. In recent decades, the ancient system of the I Ching has been modernized and developed by innovative visionaries. Gene Keys is one such system. In this transformative podcast episode, Krysta takes us through: -Her personal journey with the Gene Keys system. -Use of shadow work to shift patterns and frequencies in our lives to improve our quality of life. -The concept of shadows and their role in understanding ourselves and our energy. -The importance of acknowledging and embracing triggers instead of trying to get rid of them. -How the Gene Keys and similar tools can help bring clarity and offer a way through the shadow. -The importance of going into the body and creating a safe space for vulnerability to understand and embrace the shadow. -Importance of paying attention to energies and how they show up in the body. And so much more! Krysta Kinslow is an Energy Guide who works with Gene Key wisdom. She helps people who are interested in Human Design and Gene Keys. They learn to utilize these tools to shift patterns and frequencies in their lives. These patterns are the key to understanding themselves deeper and living with trust as they move through the world. Follow her on IG @krysta.kinslow --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

In a society that is plagued by disordered eating and body image issues, there’s a need to explore somatic eating, which is an innovative approach to understanding our body and food. Today, I host Stephanie Mara, a Somatic Nutritional Counselor, who shares her personal story of struggling with food for many years and how her background story was fostered to take her to where she is today.   Stephanie's pioneering approach shines a light on the urgent need for us to listen to our bodies and cultivate a deeper understanding of our relationship with food. In this enlightening episode, we delve into: -Somatic approach to life and its importance in relation to food and the body.  -Stephanie Mara’s journey and how she developed the concept of somatic eating.  -Her personal story of having a troubled relationship with food allergies and food sensitivities. -How her early 20s digestive issues led her to become curious about the digestive tract and nutrition. -The somatic approach and its connection between the head, brain, and gut through the vagus nerve.  -How the sympathetic nervous system, activated in a state of perceived threat, can affect digestion.  -How trauma and chronic stress can contribute to a disconnection with the body and lead to using food as a source of safety and regulation.  -Compassion and normalization of using food as a resource while also encouraging diversifying stress management techniques. And much more!  Stephanie Mara Fox, MA, CMBEC, CHC, CYT, is a Somatic Nutritional Counselor and Mentor with a Master’s Degree in Somatic Psychotherapy. She is the creator of Somatic Eating®, a body-oriented, sensation-focused therapeutic approach to eating. She’s supported women, coaches, and wellness professionals all over the world, helping them to heal from disordered eating patterns, binge eating, emotional eating, chronic dieting, and body image concerns. She has been working for over the past decade to guide women in feeling empowered in their relationship with their food and body. Stephanie is published in the International Body Psychotherapy Journal, featured in Somatic Psychotherapy Today, VoyageDenver, Elephant Journal, Authority Magazine, and Your Recovery Revealed Summit. She is a teacher at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating and has supervised thousands of mind-body eating coaches. Stephanie is on a mission to guide others into a safe and regulated relationship with food so they can go out and create their Satiated Life.   Websites: https://www.stephaniemara.com/ https://www.somaticeating.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemarafox Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniemarafox Contact: support@stephaniemara.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

In our human experience, we get to uncover universal truths about resilience, self-compassion, and the enduring quest for meaning in life. Whether it’s childhood trauma, PTSD, alcoholic addiction, or going on a seeking path wondering why you feel so different in this world, seeking somatic awakening and connecting with your inner self can help you find liberation. I’m excited to host Brad Wetzler who emphasizes finding beauty and peace amidst the struggle of internal healing.  In this episode, we explore: -Brad's journey back to his body after being overmedicated and struggling with CPTSD -His book "Into the Soul of the World" as a memoir about his journey -Complexities of addiction and the impact of medications on an individual -Use of somatic practices for overcoming trauma and PTSD -Reconnecting with oneself and finding a path toward source, spirit, and God And much more! Brad Wetzler is an author, journalist, and teacher. He began his writing and publishing career serving as an editor at Outside magazine, where he worked with some of America’s finest nonfiction writers. He later turned in his editor’s pen for a writer’s and traveled the world writing about adventure and exploration, business, politics, the environment, sports, and wellness.  In midlife, after recovering from a long, debilitating depression, he became a certified yoga teacher and began exploring and writing about our inner landscape: psychology, spirituality, meditation, and yoga. He coaches writers to tell the story of their lives in a memoir.  Website: bradwetzler.com Instagram: @bradwetzler   Twitter: @bradwetzler    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bradwetzlerwriter/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

In the typical busy life, where stress and anxiety often reign supreme, the quest for inner peace and healing has become a profound necessity for many. As we navigate the complexities of our minds and bodies, the search for effective healing modalities has led to the forefront of somatic practices and holistic approaches to mental health. Through insightful conversations and personal stories, we explore how somatic experiences can unlock the keys to emotional regulation, resilience, and profound healing. In this insightful episode, we discuss: -Her journey through mental health issues and substance abuse into self-healing somatics -Somatic attachment therapy and trauma-informed breathwork -The integration of mind, body, and spirit in healing -How childhood experiences influence adult behaviors and relationships -Bottom-up approach to healing -Building safety and emotional release and so much more! After getting her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Meleah decided to pursue her own path where she could bridge the worlds of holistic health, psychology & somatics. Her mission is to give the world the tools they need to self-heal so they can experience more peace, freedom & life transformation. Come follow along on Instagram. For a FREE Transformational Breathwork session, send Meleah a DM on Instagram with the word “BREATHWORK,” and she’ll send you a link to a breathwork session inside of her Somatic Self-Healers membership! You can reach Meleah on IG at: www.instagram.com/meleah.rose --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

On today’s podcast, I’m excited to collaborate with Andrea Dominguez as we explore awakening to the inner world and finding joy in being alive through music, dance, and somatic practices. Andrea shares her journey as a somatic life coach and encourages listeners to align themselves with what feels good. We dive deeper into: -The concept of somatic awakening and how it needs to happen over and over again! -The significance of living life from the inside out: it's the only thing you have control over. -How her career in Art laid a foundation for her somatic work -What is Ecstatic Dance? How is it different than going to a club? -Death and how it brings us closer to life, god, and our aliveness And so much more!! Meet Andrea Dominguez, a heart-centered leader based in Los Angeles. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree, is a certified Mastery Method Life Coach, Mental & Emotional Release Therapy® Practitioner, Breathwork and Ecstatic dance facilitator, and DJ. She enjoys weaving together all of her unique and powerful practices, customizing her coaching based on where you are now, where you want to go, and who you need to be to experience it. Her mission is to empower you to embrace yourself fully with grace and love so you can get aligned with your authentic desires, transform inner limitations, and create a life that really feels GOOD! Andrea's expertise in the realm of breathwork facilitation recognizes the profound influence conscious breathing has on tapping into one's inner wisdom and vitality by releasing emotional blockages and finding clarity on a journey to wellness. As an ecstatic dance facilitator and DJ, her infectious passion for music and dance serves as a conduit for others to connect with their bodies and emotions. Through eclectic selections and uplifting beats, participants release, express, and heal through the magic of dance. Working with Andrea Dominguez, you'll experience not just a coach, facilitator, or DJ but a guide to the realms of personal transformation, self-discovery, inner alignment, joy, and FUN! FREEBIES for Free Your Soma Podcast ● Living My Vision Worksheet Download ● 3 Coaching Sessions (first come, first served) Upcoming Events February 5th - 9th ONLINE The Vibe Shift - Morning Movement & Dance Challenge February 18th - In-person, Los Angeles area Blossom Anew - Somatic Workshop & Ecstatic Dance Journey Follow her: IG: @dredominguez Soundcloud: dredominguez Andreadominguez.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Flower essences and botanical energies are somatic in nature and often offer a variety of benefits for our human soma! Saewon Oh shares about the intimate connection with plants that is possible and offers a path to healing, self-discovery, and profound transformation. In this episode, we explore: -a larger definition of Soma and Plant Medicine -human connection with the earth -the subtle bodies of plants and how they interact with our human Soma -flower essences and vibrational medicine -the somatic and psychic experience of working with plants -connecting with oneself before connecting with plants and so much more!! Saewon is an essence maker, subtle energy worker, healing artist, and founder of Sun Song, an embodied research lab for plant collaboration, earth-based healing, and vibrational flower essence therapy. Follow her on: Instagram: @_sunsong_ Website: ⁠shop-sunsong.com Follow on IG : @aimeetakaya Facebook : Aimee Takaya Learn more about Aimee Takaya, Hanna Somatic Education and The Radiance Program at www.freeyoursoma.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Adoption leaves a wound of abandonment our nervous system and can lead to the person seeking continuously outside of themselves for support and connection. This was the case for Laurie Jean Vogler who has spent the last 20+ years fine tuning the art of healing this wound and discovering the greatest love of her life: herself. In this episode, we explore: -the impact of being a Korean orphan adopted by an US family -the generation trauma and wounds as it relates to the Korean War -how we can heal, even if we don't cognitively remember specific events -the power of co-regulating with a healer to learn how to feel safe in your emotions and physical experience -becoming your own soulmate and experiencing the love that you are! and so much more!! Laurie Jean is a dedicated facilitator of healing and transformation, bringing over two decades of experience to her work. Her passion lies in empowering individuals to rewrite their stories, particularly those shaped by trauma, and reclaiming joy by overcoming limiting beliefs. Laurie draws from her own profound healing journey, marked by experiences of abandonment, adoption, and abuse, which she has transformed into her present-day superpowers of fierce love and grace.  Follow her on: Instagram: @lauriejeanie Website: lotusintouch.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Life is an adventure. And for those of us who have decided to follow our passions, be our own boss, start a business and enter the world of entreprenuership, it can certainly be a WILD ONE. On Today's podcast Molly and I explore: -How her years traveling prepared her for building a business from scratch -Her story of following her intuition and creating Wild Hearts Rise Up -How she helps healer entrepreneurs with create ease and flow in their business through magnetic marketing + tactical magic -Writing as a powerful, anchoring, somatic practice And much much more! Molly Mandelberg is the Founder of Wild Hearts Rise Up, Creator of “Magnetic Influencer Collective” and also the writer and illustrator of "The Wild Hearts Rise Up Oracle Deck".  She is the host of both “Tactical Magic” Podcast and “Reveal the Game of Life” Podcast, as well as a bestselling author.  After spending years mastering content creation and online marketing, Molly finds her bliss in bridging the worlds of heart-centered healing and transformation, with the practical business strategies of leveraging a message into a global movement. She is a certified NLP Coach, an Access Consciousness Bars Facilitator, a Transformational Leadership Coach and a full time Nomad.  Molly works with coaches, healers, and conscious leaders to broadcast their messages with ease, so they can reach more people, and make more money with less time spent. She travels the world full-time and runs her 6-figure business out of her self-converted sprinter van tiny-home. Molly loves helping her clients to systemize their work and master the magnetics of marketing, so they can experience more freedom and make an even bigger difference. WildHeartsRiseUp.com Read Molly's Book Follow on Facebook Instagram Tactical Magic Podcast Reveal the Game of Life Podcast Money Machine Blueprint Oracle Deck Client Attraction Summit Thought Leaders Expanding Their Reach FB Group --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Is the freedom that we believe we have an illusion? What does it truly mean to LIVE FREELY in our modern world? When we observe the way the systems of government and industry condition and control us from the time we are born until the time we pass, it can feel supremely frustrating to say the least. Christopher John Hills V has been refusing to be part of this system of control since early in his life. He has continuously observed the way in which his conditioning as created disconnection within him and has been on a journey of building connection, grace and integrity in his living experience. When I found Christopher's website, I was so intrigued by this young man and the way he expresses himself and shares his valuable perspective. In this tender and intricate interview we delve into: -What is modern slavery? How does it effect us in our daily lives? -His early life experiences and his path into offering spiritual counseling -How does freedom and our food system intersect? -What do our bodies really need and what are they not getting? -A powerful poem that calls for awakening and change -Nature as our greatest teacher and ally in liberation : permaculture and food as medicine. Christopher John Hills V. A poet, artist, counselor and philosopher of the heart. His core values are healing, truth, love, and freedom. www.christopherhillscounseling.com www.hillsfoundation.org www.radiantmotionpictures.com and on Social Media IG @christopherjohnhillsv --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

When you're facing burn out and ongoing fatigue, this is your body asking for something. It's likely asking for a change of speed and direction. As a young, successful psychologist, Maya faced the truth of what her body was telling her: the way she living her life was unsustainable. Furthermore, she got a message loud and clear that intrigued and confused her: Go to India. What followed was a journey deep into her body, heart and soul that would open her in a myriad of ways and lead her to explore many alternative modalities, experimenting always with herself first. In this inspirational interview we explore: -What self-care really means and why we need it -How material success did not bring her the joy and healing she was seeking -The way leaving behind everything she had built helped to her to heal -Unusual and Effective Techniques that she discovered and now shares with her clients -Her voyage through India and what was so soothing to her about the culture -How removing her hair helped her appreciate her deeper, inner beauty and so much more! Dr. Maya Shakti is Licensed Psychologist who uses Emotion Code, EMDR, EFT, Somatic Experiencing, Pranic Healing and other unusual and effective technologies in aiding her clients in recovering from burn out, developing tools for self-healing and finding inner clarity and peace. Connect with Maya on her website https://drmayashakti.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Trauma, the little ones and the big ones cause disconnection within yourself. This effects your capacity for human connection. And the most direct way to increase it, is through somatic techniques that build back those connections. This allows for intimacy to be truly FELT. Don St. John has been building his capacity for self-connection for decades. After a very difficult childhood, he lived as a hungry ghost until he realized that something needed to shift and it needed to shift, within him. In this incredibly insightful and touching interview we explore -What is SOMA and what is somatic philoshophy? -What do Hanna Somatics and other somatic body-based practices offer? -How do we build healthy, connective bonds with others? -What are some of the ways culture challenges our self-connection? -Can intimacy and pleasure with your partner INCREASE with age? -Busting the myth of aging! And so much more! Dr. Don St John, a psychotherapist, teacher, author, and Mestre who has been immersed in the psychological, somatic, relational, and spiritual worlds for more than fifty years. Very early on in his educational career, Dr. St John realized that the “box” of traditional clinical psychology and psychiatry was too small to hold all the tools and concepts needed for his healing. He’s forever grateful he searched outside that box. Over time, he encountered not just tools and techniques, but different schools of thought, both novel and derived from wide-ranging sources. Decades of exploration led him to construct a view of healing, purpose and human potential that includes four essential and interrelated components: the Somatic (Body), the Psycho-Emotional, the Relational, and the Spiritual. He is the author of Healing the Wounds of Childhood and CultureAn Adventure of a Lifetime Connect with him on his website http://pathsofconnection.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-st-john-36636a55 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/don.s.john.90 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drdonstjohn --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Most people, including doctors, physical therapists and even yoga teachers don't actually know HOW to get tight contracted muscles to effortlessly lengthen. When Beth and I lived and worked together as Bikram Yoga Teacher in Indonesia back in 2014, we didn't know this was neurophysiologically possible. As a yoga teacher, Beth was versed in anatomical challenges such as hyper mobility because of her own personal experience with it. When we met in 2014, I was in the throws of a identity crisis that stemmed from living in chronic pain that my yoga practice did not seem to resolve. Coming to terms with my hyper-mobility and the fact that I had continuously been injuring myself for the sake of "the fetishization of flexibility" was a huge ego blow that I was contending with on a daily basis. Beth was a great mentor and support to me during this time. Flash forward to 2022 when Beth and I began to recconnect over social media because I had actually found a POWERFUL answer to my bendy, injury prone and painful body. When Beth joined the winter 2022 round of Radiance I was pleased to be able to give back to her in a rich and lifelong way with this incredible somatics practice. Now Beth uses the incredible skills that she learned in my program every day with her clients. She has used the method to resolve her chronic neck and shoulder pain and SO MUCH MORE. In this fun, and thoughtful interview we explore: -Our careers as former Bikram Yoga Teachers and the problem with yoga that isn't adequately personalized. -Hyper-mobility in Yoga. Is it a problem if it doesn't hurt? -Hanna Somatics as a practical, evidence-based, neuroscience-explained nervous system tool -Some fascinating case studies of applying somatic principles at her physiotherapy practice -Guru Culture and dogmatic tendencies in the world of body practices -Her personal experience in the Radiance Program and appreciation for experiential learning And MORE... Beth Warner is an Australian Physiotherapist and Senior Professional Yoga Teacher. She applies Hanna Somatics and Somatic Principles with her clients to educate them and help them understand why they have been experiencing pain and how they can come out of it. For inquiries or to reach Beth for comments, contact her at betswarner@gmail.com. To learn more about acquiring the lifelong skill of lengthening your tight, contracted and painful muscles visit www.freeyoursoma.com to learn about the Radiance Program. Podcast listeners will get $500 off! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

After a moped accident Kylie found herself living in fear of her back going out. She became dependent on chiropractors and bodyworker to "put her back together". She spent ten years feeling like a victim of her back tension and pain. She was cconfused and frustrated and looking to many different therapists and modalities for relief. When she met me and learned about somatics, she was curious and intrigued. And would soon discover WHY she had come to be in so much pain and exactly HOW to reverse and prevent this issue she once feared would be life-long. In this interview Kylie shares: -How her back, her body, was holding her life history -The ways in which she created her own back tension and pain -What happened as her body started to release and let go -Unexpected benefits of this practice beyond her physical tension and pain -What it was like to somatically awakening and how it is an endless process -How somatics has helped her with her pregnancy and given her the capacity to take on motherhood -Her sense of empowerment and the blessing of being able to address her own suffering And MORE! Kylie has been sharing this somatic work through her RADIANCE and the effects that her family and friends notice in her. She is truly transforming from the helpless/anxious person she used to be and into a new version of herself that is actively being discovered and living confidence and inner strength. To connect with Kylie and try her incredible skin products follow her @brda.skincare on Instagram And to learn more about the Radiance Program and join the winter round visit www.freeyoursoma.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

Amanda spent most of her adolescence and adult life escaping the physical experience in her body. This took many forms, but ultimately looked like addiction of some kind: -Alcohol and substance use -Over-exercising (s very socially acceptable addiction!) -Controlling her diet and disordered eating And other small ways in which she would avoid the feelings, sensations, memories and pain that she held in her body. As a gymnast, an athlete and beautiful young woman, this pain that she experienced (which was, simultaneously, mental, emotional and muscular) was not something anyone could see from the outside. This made it even easier to escape the truth, since her experience was mostly invisible to the world, sometimes even to those who knew her best. This strategy to keep moving forward, despite the pain within was a intelligent strategy of her soma and even though it was painful, messy and unhealthy in so many way: it served a purpose: a twisted attempt to keep her safe by avoiding intimacy with her own body. Back in 2018, Amanda and I met while training and teaching at the same Yoga studio. She had recently discovered the realm of somatics through the book "The Body Keeps The Score". The concept of holding your life experiences and emotions in your body and it having an impact made complete sense to her, although it felt monumentally huge to try to address. She got in touch with me and we did a series of hands on sessions and she became one of my on-again-off-again students. Over the years, I watched Amanda be simaltaeously drawn to and repelled by this subtle, powerful, movement practice. When I began to develop the Radiance Program, she was one of my biggest cheerleaders. Finally in the winter of 2022, Amanda heeded the call of her soma and joined the 6 month program, feeling it was time to reorganize herself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually: SOMATICALLY. In this intimate interview, Amanda shares: -What kept her from fully embracing this practice -Her addictive patterns and how they related to stress/trauma -The way somatics has shifted her body and changed her relationship to exercise -The little known way that Yoga and Exercise can become a mindless escape tool -Her personal internal experiences as her body began to truly relax and open -How relationships in her life have shifted since joining Radiance -How she cultivated somatic safety in her body and how it feels to finally be connected AND SO MUCH MORE! Amanda Weiss is a Trauma-informed Yoga Teacher and an Operations Manager for a Start-Up Tech Company. She spends her time hiking and exploring the natural world with her two doggies and her long-time partner. She is a recent graduate of The Radiance Program and now incorporated somatic movement into her yoga classes as needed. To find out more about the Radiance Program go to www.freeyoursoma.com Next round starts Nov. 4th! Podcast listeners save $500! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support

"Physician, Heal Thyself" or in this case, "Holisitic Psychologist". Christina Kantzavelos says she never intended to become the person she is. It was through a traumatic health crisis that she gained wisdom and made the necessary lifestyle changes that have made her who she is today: the therapist she needed when she was struggling with chronic, debilitating illness. On the podcast today we explore: -Her timeline and how she came to be chronically ill -The myriad of factors in becoming sick -The lifestyle shifts she made that saved her life -The way stress accumulates in our system over time -Celiac, her experience in being gluten free -Food as Medicine supporting relief from chronic illness -The root causes of her illness and what it took to heal And more! Connect with Christina on IG @buenqamino or visit her website www.beginwithintoday.com Christina Kantzavelos is a California-based psychotherapist, writer, advocate and artist. She received her Bachelor’s and Master's of Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and her Masters of Library and Information Sciences from San Jose California State University (SJSU). She has visited over 30 different countries and documented most of it on social media. However, it was in completing the Camino de Santiago (500-mile pilgrimage across Spain) at the end of 2015, where she realized her strong affinity with writing. She decided to start BuenQamino, an award-winning, gluten-free and health-conscious lifestyle travel publication. In clinical practice (Begin Within Today), she treats those with chronic illness, including Lyme disease, and physical, developmental and age-related disabilities. She also published the Begin Within Daily Health Wellness Journals for chronic illness and mental wellness that she is now turning into an app, called WithinMe. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aimee322/support