Welcome to 2025 and an inspiring new episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour. Amy Wheeler kicks off the year with a heartfelt conversation with renowned yoga therapist, biomechanist, and movement expert, Susi Hately. As an accomplished athlete and founder of Functional Synergy, Susi shares her transformative journey from high-performance sports to a deeper understanding of the power of rest, recovery, and living in a balanced state. This episode is packed with insights on interoceptive awareness, redefining success in movement, and learning to trust your body’s wisdom.

Highlights:

• Susi’s Journey to Yoga: From serious athletics to her first awkward yoga class, Susi reflects on how yoga became a tool for healing her chronic pain and reshaping her approach to movement.
• The Science of Rest: Why recovery is often misunderstood, and how proper rest can clear allostatic load, enhance performance, and improve well-being.
• Metrics Meet Mindfulness: Susi discusses how tools like Garmin watches and Oura rings provide actionable data for recovery and how integrating this with yoga enhances self-awareness.
• The Revolutionary Power of Yoga Nidra: How a consistent Yoga Nidra practice became a cornerstone of Susi’s recovery and emotional regulation process.
• Family Dynamics and Co-Regulation: Susi shares personal stories about navigating hypervigilance as a caregiver and how cultivating clarity shifted the energy in her home.
• Listening to the Body: Practical tips for tuning into subtle body signals and using interoceptive awareness as a compass for health and happiness.

Conclusion:

This thought-provoking discussion highlights the transformative potential of rest and recovery. Susi reminds us that living in alignment with our body’s wisdom is a revolutionary act of self-care. Whether you’re an athlete, a yoga practitioner, or someone seeking balance, her insights will inspire you to prioritize rest, embrace curiosity, and listen deeply to your body.

Connect with Susi Hately:

• Website: www.functionalsynergy.com
• Instagram: @FromPainToPossibility
• YouTube: Susi Hately

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Additional Resources with Amy Wheeler:

• University of Minnesota Therapeutic Yoga Series
• Polyvagal Institute Mighty App
• Optimal State Mobile App
• Optimal State and Yoga Therapy Hour Patreon

·        Monday Night Yoga Therapy Clinic on www.TheOpimtalState.com

·        Join us for our Monday night Yoga Therapy Clinics, specially designed to address specific health and wellness topics. The sessions are held every Monday from 4:00-5:15 PM PST and are led by Amy Wheeler, a seasoned expert in yoga therapy. This clinic provides a supportive environment where participants can explore therapeutic yoga techniques to aid in addiction recovery and overall well-being.

·        For those seeking professional development, there is an option to stay after the general public class and earn Continuing Education (CE) credits. This extended session offers in-depth training and valuable insights into integrating yoga therapy with addiction treatment.