Dr. Steffany Moonaz welcomes Leila Stuart—clinical massage therapist, yoga teacher, and somatic educator—who shares her deeply personal journey of navigating psoriatic arthritis and chronic fatigue while continuing to teach, learn, and live fully.

With decades of experience teaching embodied movement and leading innovative yoga trainings, Leila brings a profound understanding of somatic reprogramming, self-agency, and healing from within.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Her winding road to a rheumatic disease diagnosis

• How somatic practices helped her rebuild trust with her body and participate actively in her healing

• The power of non-physical yoga practices—meditation, breathwork, and Yoga Nidra—during times of deep physical limitation

• Navigating the conventional medical system alongside alternative paths, including the Marshall Protocol, Ayurvedic medicine, and Panchakarma

• What it means to negotiate care with a rheumatologist and advocate for your own body’s truth

• Spoon theory and the right use of energy

• Letting go of identity, practicing non-attachment, and reaching the threshold of surrender when living with a chronic condition

Leila’s story is not just about illness—it’s about presence, practice, and reclaiming the wisdom of the body.

Her words remind us: “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it… and can you bring all of you to it?”

Whether you're a yoga professional, healthcare provider, or someone living with arthritis or chronic pain, this episode offers insight, compassion, and inspiration.

About Leila:

Leila Stuart BA, LLB, C-IAYT, is a Registered Massage Therapist (retired) and has practiced and taught yoga for over 40 years. A warm and compassionate teacher, she offers accessible teachings on experiential anatomy, movement repatterning and embodiment of the deeper teachings of yoga as pathways to self-healing.

With a deep love and intuitive knowledge of experiential anatomy, Leila specializes in transforming academic information into somatic awareness and life changing experience. She is the author of Pathways to a Centered Body, co-authored with Donna Farhi, The Great Yoga Handbook, and Experiential Anatomy, Therapeutic Applications of Embodied Movement and Awareness. Leila teaches in Canada and internationally.

Show Notes:

-To learn more about Leila visit her website: https://leilastuart.com/

-Ayurveda Course, Intro Into Ayurveda https://yoga-for-arthritis.thinkific.com/courses/intro-to-ayurveda

-200hr Come As You Are Yoga Teacher Training Beginning January 8th: https://yoga-for-arthritis.thinkific.com/courses/hybrid-online-yoga-for-arthritis-200-hour-yoga-teacher-training

-Experiential Anatomy by Leila Stuart https://amzn.to/3IQah0Y

-Pathways to a Centered Body: Gentle Yoga Therapy for Core Stability, Healing Back Pain, and Moving With Ease By Leila Stuart and Donna Farhi: https://amzn.to/45olIpg

In this inspiring episode of The Yoga Rheum, Dr. Steffany Moonaz sits down with Rachel Krentzman—physical therapist, certified yoga therapist, Hakomi psychotherapist, and author—to explore the deeply interconnected worlds of scoliosis, yoga therapy, and emotional healing.

Rachel shares insights from over two decades of integrating yoga into physical therapy, her groundbreaking work in scoliosis care, and how psychotherapy practices like Hakomi inform her holistic approach.

About Rachel:
Rachel Krentzman PT, E-RYT, C-IAYT is a physical therapist, certified yoga therapist and Hakomi psychotherapist. She is the author of two books, Yoga for a Happy Back: A Teacher’s Guide to Spinal Health through Yoga Therapy and Scoliosis, Yoga Therapy and The Art of Letting. A graduate of McGill University, Rachel completed her 2000-hour teacher training with Aadil Palkhivala at the College of Purna Yoga and has studied intensively with Judith Hanson Lasater and Aman Keays. Rachel has been integrating yoga into her physical therapy practice for over 20 years and is the co-founder of Wisdom-Body Yoga Therapy – the first 850 hour Yoga Therapy training program in the Middle East. She has served on the accreditation committee for IAYT (the International Association of Yoga Therapists) and is passionate about integrating yoga into the healthcare system. Rachel offers online trainings for yoga professionals and the general public on Yoga for Spinal Health and Scoliosis. For more information, visit: https://happybackyoga.com

Show Notes:

• Taking Root to Fly: Articles on Functional Anatomy :https://a.co/d/hZSbZ0n
• As Is, Memoir by Rachel: https://a.co/d/3T6IIIc
• Rachels' Website: https://happybackyoga.com⁠
• Hakomi Method: https://hakomiinstitute.com/about/what-is-hakomi/
• Laban Movement Analysis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laban_movement_analysis
• Scoliosis, Yoga Therapy, and the Art of Letting Go: https://a.co/d/6CdfAX4
• Yoga for a Happy Back: https://a.co/d/4QqB3a9
• Work Privately with Dr. Steffany Moonaz: https://www.arthritis.yoga/work-with-dr-steffany-moonaz
• Driving Home, Steffany's Memoir: https://www.arthritis.yoga/store-yoga-for-arthritis/p/driving-home-papercopy-tbgmh

To learn more from Cheri and Dr. Steffany Moonaz, be sure to join the upcoming Pelvic Yoga Book Summit!

This free 2-day virtual event will feature 13 inspiring presentations on pelvic health and yoga therapy, with Dr. Steffany Moonaz as a guest speaker. The summit will delve into the connection between pelvic health, chronic pain, and how yoga therapy can support healing and resilience.

Use code STEFFANY10 to save on the All Access Pass, which includes extended access to the summit, bonus content, and CE credits. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to deepen your understanding of pelvic health and yoga therapy!

Register now for the Pelvic Yoga Book Summit here:

https://www.cheridostalryba.com/pelvicyogabooksummit#summit-registration

About Cheri: Cheri Dostal Ryba has devoted over 20 years to embodied inquiry & transformation as a movement educator, fitness trainer, dancer, C-IAYT yoga therapist, speaker and author. Her approach weaves the cyclical wisdom of nature with nervous system and polyvagal informed whole person pelvic care. Cheri published her first book in 2022, Pelvic Yoga Therapy for the Whole Woman: A Professional Guide. With abundant sound effects and heart-led facilitation, she helps women remember and trust their instincts and authentic expression.Cheri served as a founding co-director and lead faculty of the accredited training program, AlcheMe Yoga Therapy, continues to guest lecture and provide mentorship, and she has spoken at the international conferences SYTAR and MISTY. Annually, she facilitates a 9-month women’s embodiment group program online called INHABIT, and will be hosting the SATISFY women's sensual embodiment retreat November 13-16, 2025. Cheri lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. Movement is medicine and healing means living! Learn more at www.cheridostalryba.com.

Show Notes:

• ​4th annual 9-month women's embodiment program, Inhabit enrolls annually each September group program runs Oct-June online with seasonal and monthly themed practiceshttps://www.cheridostalryba.com/inhabit
• ​Book: https://www.amazon.com/Pelvic-Yoga-Therapy-Whole-Woman/dp/1787756645 
• ​SD publisher - 15% savings Custom code for SD purchases only: Ryba15 https://us.singingdragon.com/products/pelvic-yoga-therapy-for-the-whole-woman 

Recommended resources:

• ​Better Sex through Mindfulness, Lori BrottoCome As You Are: https://a.co/d/ehG9Eab
• ​Emily Nagoski: Sex Education : https://www.emilynagoski.com/
• ​Poem: Go In and In by Danna Faulds - featured inside Chapter 10: Being, Pelvic Yoga Therapy for the Whole Woman

Go in and in. Be the space between two cells,the vast, resounding silence in which spirit dwells.Be sugar dissolving on the tongue of life. Dive in and in, as deep as you can dive. Be infinite, ecstatic truth.Be love conceived and born in union. Be exactly what you seek, the Beloved, singing Yes,tasting Yes, embracing Yes, until there is only essence;the All of Everything expressing through you as you. Go in and in and turn away from nothing that you find.

About Meredith Hirsh

Meredith Hirsh, MBA, FACMPE

As Co-Founder and Vice President of The Hirsh Center, Meredith is the catalyst behind the practice's growth from one rheumatologist and four employees to a team of 40 healthcare professionals dedicated to the patient experience. Responsible for the management of the clinical, administrative, and billing departments, Meredith oversees business development, employee relations, and contracting at The Hirsh Center.

Born in North Miami Beach and raised primarily in the Midwest, Meredith returned to her Florida roots to graduate with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida with high honors in Advertising; she later returned to obtain her Master’s in Business Administration. With her extensive educational background, Meredith has integrated her diverse knowledge of business and valuable management experience to support The Hirsh Center’s mission to provide precision joint care through state-of-the-art imaging techniques and compassionate healthcare, offering patients a better quality of life.

Meredith prioritizes community involvement by participating in a multitude of professional organizations where she shares her journey with others and provides insight on how to establish and develop a successful medical practice. Meredith is a speaker for the American College of Rheumatology, Florida Society of Rheumatology, Medical Group Management Association, and Palm Beach County Medical Society, as well as an adjunct faculty member of Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business.

She also launched, Working Healthcare, a podcast that educates people to be empowered in dealing with an upside-down industry.

Show Notes:

• Hersh Center: https://www.thehirshcenter.com/

• Meredith's Podcast: Working Healthcare https://open.spotify.com/show/7rIcCVsgjVY4V7IKCVsZnw?si=ef81f1487c5648de
• Steffany's Episode in Working Healthcare: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Laebf5wSMye0iUNQyeSgq?si=wcWeuKLIRYaqEpZM9np7kg
• Working Healthcare Episode Discussing the American Healthcare System: https://open.spotify.com/episode/02FihN9pbwIHAS4LFcMUFr?si=aeXioP6KR5OxsQAtLr5LNQ
• Claimable : https://www.getclaimable.com/
• Private Yoga Therapy with Dr. Steffany Moonaz
• https://www.arthritis.yoga/store-yoga-for-arthritis/coaching

​​Joshua Pearce is the Thompson Chair of Innovation at Western University in Canada. He runs the Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology research group that finds collaborative solutions to problems in sustainability and to reduce poverty.

Show Notes:

• Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients: https://www.appropedia.org/Economic_Potential_for_Distributed_Manufacturing_of_Adaptive_Aids_for_Arthritis_Patients_in_the_U.S.#In_the_News

• Study on Adaptive Aids : 

• https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/3/4/89

• Study on Open Source Design for Low Cost Walkers: 

• https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/8/3/79

• Economic Potential for Distributed Manufacturing of Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients in the U.S.: 

• ⁠https://www.appropedia.org/Economic_Potential_for_Distributed_Manufacturing_of_Adaptive_Aids_for_Arthritis_Patients_in_the_U.S.⁠

• Open-Source Designs for Distributed Manufacturing of Low-Cost Customized Walkers: 

• ⁠https://www.appropedia.org/Open-Source_Designs_for_Distributed_Manufacturing_of_Low-Cost_Customized_Walkers⁠

• Maker Faire : ⁠

• https://makerfaire.com/upcoming-faires/⁠

• Open Source Hardware Association: 

• https://www.oshwa.org/

• Makerspaces : ⁠

• https://www.ala.org/pla/resources/tools/technology/makerspaces⁠

• Yeggi :

•  ⁠https://www.yeggi.com/q/yeti/⁠

• New Client Yoga Therapy Package:

• https://www.arthritis.yoga/store-yoga-for-arthritis/p/online-yoga-coaching-package-with-dr-steffany-moonaz-ntdnr⁠

• Yoga Therapy Package:

• ⁠https://www.arthritis.yoga/store-yoga-for-arthritis/p/online-yoga-coaching-package-with-dr-steffany-moonaz

• Yoga Therapy Session

•  50 minute yoga therapy session: https://calendly.com/yoga-for-arthritis/50-minute-online-coaching-yoga

Priaynak Varm is a certified Yoga Therapist (recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists), RYT-500 (registered with Yoga Alliance), Pilates instructor, Energy worker, sound healer, and has expertise in working with people having chronic pain, Arthritis, chronic spinal conditions, and medical trauma. 

She has degrees in statistics and population sciences and is trained in the Indian classical dance form called Kathak. She's a co-founder of PranaZone, whose motto is, Breath is Joy.

Presently, she's working with seniors in assisted living and memory care facilities teaching private one-on-one yoga therapy sessions in person and via Zoom, and co-teaching yoga philosophy.

Show Notes:

PranaZones Social Media:

For 15 years Eddie was President/COO of Corporate Health Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm that specialized in guiding organizations in pursuit of a “Culture of Wellness”. CHS embedded medical/behavioral teams in the “C-Suite” and provided onsite Annual Health Assessments with biometric screenings, coaching, and physician executive services. Prior to that, Eddie held various positions in the mental health and consulting fields, which have included drug and alcohol research/training, in-patient and outpatient psychiatric/substance abuse services, he's had a 43-year private practice and spent 33 years as the head of Mental Health Consultants, a behavioral health and employee assistance company.

Show Notes:

⁠- First Episode with Eddie Haaz on the Yoga Rheum: ⁠

https://www.arthritis.yoga/the-yoga-rheum-podcast-1/ep-12-eddie-haaz

⁠- Harvard Business Review- Health and Wellness: ⁠

https://hbr.org/topic/subject/health-and-wellness

⁠- SHRM - https://www.shrm.org/⁠

⁠- WELCOA - https://www.welcoa.org/⁠

⁠- Driving Home by Dr. Steffany Moonaz- https://www.arthritis.yoga/store-yoga-for-arthritis/p/driving-home-papercopy-tbgmh

- Farabaugh R, Hawk C, Taylor D, Daniels C, Noll C, Schneider M, McGowan J, Whalen W, Wilcox R, Sarnat R, Suiter L, Whedon J. Cost of chiropractic versus medical management of adults with spine-related musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap. 2024 Mar 6;32(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s12998-024-00533-4. PMID: 38448998; PMCID: PMC10918856.

In this episode of The Yoga Rheum Podcast, Dr. Steffany Moonaz is joined by three exceptional guests from the Johns Hopkins POTS Clinic:

Together, we will explore the symptoms of POTS, effective management strategies, and the vital role of yoga and mindfulness in regulating the autonomic nervous system. This episode aims to provide comprehensive insights and practical advice for those affected by POTS and EDS, as well as for healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of these conditions.

Resources and Links:

Dr Nikki Tugnet MD, FRACP is a Rheumatologist in clinical practice in Auckland, New Zealand, an RYT®500 yoga teacher and a Yoga Medicine® Therapeutic Specialist. She specializes in working one-to-one with people with various forms of autoimmune disease and arthritis, providing online Yoga for Autoimmunity and arthritis.Her clinical research interest is in Systemic Lupus (SLE) and she is an investigator for one of the world's largest lupus research groups, the Asia-Pacific Lupus Collaboration (APLC).Nikki integrates yoga therapeutics within her medical practice, providing whole person healthcare. She is passionate about sharing the health system of yoga so that people living with autoimmune disease are better equipped to navigate stress, reduce pain and fatigue and maintain quality of life. She promotes self-advocacy and movement as medicine and provides a supportive space in which to explore the MindBody Connection.

Show Notes:

Julia McNally is an experienced yoga teacher living with Rheumatoid Arthritis living in Montreal. Before pursuing yoga, Julia spent over 10 years working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in the communtiy, a career that she had to leave behind because of the progression of her arthritis. Julia used her personal experience with arthritis to find a new purpose and to help others through accessible yoga.Julia is a certified Yoga Teacher and Chair Yoga Teacher. She has also completed her YFA Level I - Yoga For Arthritis Teacher Training with Dr. Steffany Moonaz, recognized by the IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists). She holds a Diploma of College Studies in Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Relations.Julia created a yoga adapted for arthritis TV series in collaboration with Arthritis Society Canada, available now on local cable channels and online. Julia is currently studying to become a Yoga Therapist.

Show Notes: