Revisiting Polyvagal Theory: Expert Insights with Valerie Knopik, PhD
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,...
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What Habit "Hacks" Get Wrong: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar
Yoga Medicine
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...
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Yoga Research & Neuropathic Pain: Expert Insights with Jennifer Gewandter, PhD, MPH
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...
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Belief, Perception & Your Health: Shorts
Yoga Medicine
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...
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Cross Training with Yoga: The What, Why & How
Yoga Medicine
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,...
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Mantra Myths & Misconceptions: Community Conversations with Rashmi Bismark and Steph Wall
Yoga Medicine
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...
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Two Yoga Nidra “Rules” Worth Breaking: Bonus Short
Yoga Medicine
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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Foam Rolling Research: Does the Science Reach the Practice?
Yoga Medicine
For years now, host Katja has been studying contraindications for foam rolling research, and today she sits down with Tiffany to discuss if new foam rolling research is reaching users in a practical way. In this episode, we discuss Katja's latest research project as well as recent findings and their implications for the yoga world. Listen in to learn which findings were most surprising and how yoga teachers can apply new foam rolling research in their classes and practice. “We are always using, not only the research...but then also pulling in our gut and our experience and what is...
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What to Expect After Yoga Teacher Training: Bonus Short
Yoga Medicine
Yoga Teacher Training is such an involved and immersive process that many teachers forget to consider what they’ll do when it ends. This final episode in our bonus 200-hour yoga teacher training series includes two short excerpts from Episode 103: Teacher Training Myths with Yoga Medicine 200-hour lead teacher Dana Diament. In this episode, Dana and host Rachel share what you will -- and won’t know -- after teacher training. They discuss how teaching opportunities are more widespread than ever, and how to capitalize on your unique skills and experiences to find your feet as a teacher. —...
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Full-Time Yoga Teacher Panel: Community Conversations with Elena Cheung, Kylie Rook and Caroline Wybar
Yoga Medicine
In a time of what feels like unprecedented change, the yoga landscape is shifting profoundly. It’s a great opportunity for host Rachel Land to connect with other full-time yoga teachers—returning guests Caroline Wybar, Elena Cheung and Kylie Rook—to hear their thoughts. In this wide-reaching and philosophical discussion, we share what life as a teacher looks like right now, what has changed in the recent past, and what challenges and opportunities might lie ahead. Listen in to hear about online fatigue, chasing the hustle, the challenge of work-life balance, diversification for long-term...
info_outlineWelcome to our new series of “Shorts”—gems from previous podcast conversations that deserve a second look (or listen).
This excerpt is drawn from episode 54: Love Those Hips! All About the Hip Labrum. In discussing yoga practices to embrace and avoid during hip labrum injury, hosts Tiffany and Rachel also highlighted how all of us can strengthen, support, and mobilize these crucial joints to maximize their capacity over the long term. They also explored a repeated theme on this podcast: the power of curiosity and how our practice can act as an individual invitation to find the challenges we need to thrive.
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Show Notes:
- Biomechanics patterns that can contribute to hip issues [1:22]
- The challenge of balancing 3D mobility and strength [4:00]
- Commonly neglected: active control in hip rotation, eccentric hip flexor work [5:51]
- A caution: loaded internal rotation [10:53]
- The power of practice as individual investigation [13:59]
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Links Mentioned:
- Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 54: All About the Hip Labrum
- Online Hip: Anatomy, Dysfunction, & Application Yoga Teacher Training
- In-Person Hip: Anatomy, Dysfunction, & Application Yoga Teacher Training in Bali October 10-17, 2025
- Tiffany’s “All About the Hips” Playlist on Yoga Medicine® Online (YMO)
- Rachel’s “Hip Health Series 4: MFR 360 Degrees of the Hips” YMO class
You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-143.
And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.
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