This is Yoga Therapy

In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Renata Sumar Gaertner, C-IAYT, the director and lead teacher of Yoga for All Abilities, carrying forward her mother’s legendary Sonia Sumar Method.

Renata began her yoga journey at just three years old and completed her first Hatha training at twelve. Raised alongside her sister, Roberta, who was born with Down Syndrome, Renata witnessed firsthand the profound developmental power of an individualized practice. Bridging her lifelong lineage roots with a degree in Speech Therapy and a postgraduate specialization in Language Disorders, Renata has dedicated her life to making yoga accessible and empowering for individuals with disabilities, neurodiversity, and additional needs.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The Myth of the Standard Template: Shifting away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to physical alignment and defining what personal alignment truly means for a student's physiological safety and growth.
• The Neurobiology of Development: The reality of what happens when individuals navigating Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, or autism practice a structured, individualized yoga protocol.
• Establishing Nervous System Safety: How practitioners and parents can use breath, vocal resonance, and deep attention to build baseline safety for children with severe sensory processing challenges or communication barriers.
• Moving from Fear to Service: Shifting our mindset out of intimidation when working with complex additional needs and stepping into heart-centered, professional care.

Resources

• Learn more about Renata’s work & global trainings: Visit SpecialYoga.com to explore Part 1 and Part 2 certification pathways, continuing education modules, and private mentoring support.

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What happens when traditional public health science meets ancestral wisdom? In this episode, host Michele Lawrence sits down with Melissa Shah, MPH, C-IAYT, the founder of Find Your Breath, to explore the intersection of modern healthcare, lineage reclamation, and the physiological power of sound. Melissa breaks down the Western misconceptions surrounding mantra, reclaiming it as a potent, therapeutic practice.  Whether you are a healthcare provider looking to expand your somatic toolkit or an advanced yoga teacher committed to honoring the true roots of the practice, this episode serves as a vital blueprint for the future of culturally respectful, therapeutic care.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Intersection of Lineage and Public Health: How Melissa navigates modern, institutional spaces by blending an academic Master of Public Health framework with lifelong roots in Yoga and Ayurveda.
• Decolonizing the Somatic Space: Why reclaiming and honoring the true cultural lineage of yoga is not just a philosophical duty, but a requirement for generating a deep felt-sense of nervous system safety for clients.
• Mantra as a Clinical Tool: Redefining mantra from a passive "mental affirmation" or aesthetic background track into a direct, active neurobiological intervention.
• The Psychoneuroimmunology of Sound: The science behind chanting—including chest vibration, tongue movement, vagal nerve stimulation, and how extended exhalations manually hack heart rate variability (HRV).
• "Digesting" Heavy Emotions: A practical breakdown of how specific, targeted chants can help a client shift stuck emotional and psychological tension (like anger, anxiety, or grief).
• Practicing with Humility & Respect: Crucial advice for yoga therapists who want to bring therapeutic sound to their clients while navigating Sanskrit pronunciation and avoiding cultural appropriation.

Melissa Shah, C-IAYT, MPH, is a certified yoga therapist, public health leader, and the founder of Find Your Breath—an online sanctuary, virtual practice library, and mentorship platform dedicated to making yoga therapy truly collaborative, accessible, and inclusive. Grounded in the Viniyoga tradition and her lifelong ancestral relationship with Yoga and Ayurveda, Melissa integrates movement, breathing, and traditional sound with modern clinical and public health frameworks. She is also the author of an upcoming book dedicated to mantra as a therapeutic practice, releasing next year.

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: FindYourBreath.net
• Instagram: @FindYourBreath
• Resources: Explore Melissa's weekly community chanting classes, mentorship portals, and updates on her upcoming book directly on her platform.

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What does it mean to age well? In 2026, the conversation has officially shifted from lifespan—how many years we live—to healthspan—how well we live those years. In this episode, host Michele Lawrence sits down with pioneering medical doctor and certified yoga therapist Dr. Baxter Bell to discuss the intersection of Western medicine and yoga.

Baxter shares his personal evolution from working as a busy family physician in the 1990s to stepping onto the mat full-time as a global leader in the yoga therapy community. Together, they dive into the medical science behind why strength, flexibility, and balance are non-negotiable for longevity, how the practice of equanimity translates into a physical felt-sense during times of uncertainty, and the cutting-edge neuro-protective elements of yoga that help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Whether you are navigating your own mid-life transition or supporting clients through the second half of life, this episode offers a masterful blueprint for building a resilient mind and body.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

• The Doctor’s Pivot: Baxter discusses the professional and personal drivers that led him to transition away from full-time family medicine to pursue yoga  as a primary path.
• Healthspan vs. Lifespan: Why modern longevity is about optimizing physical and mental vitality, and how yoga therapy targets the physical "Big 3" (Strength, Flexibility, and Balance) fundamentally differently than a standard gym workout.
• The Anatomy of Longevity: The direct medical connection between maintaining supple, mobile tissues and long-term biological longevity markers.
• Equanimity as Medicine: Moving equanimity out of the realm of philosophy and into a practice for individuals facing difficult medical diagnoses or age-related transitions.
• Neuro-Protection on the Mat: Clinical insights into how a dedicated yoga therapy practice acts as an effective, preventative intervention against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Connect with Dr. Baxter Bell

• Website: BaxterBell.com
• Discover: Explore Baxter's Winter 2026 workshop series, latest courses, and upcoming global retreats.
• Read: Yoga for Healthy Aging: A Guide to Lifelong Well-Being (Co-authored by Dr. Baxter Bell)

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What happens when we stop trying to "fix" our bodies and instead learn to negotiate our own terms of healing?

In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with legendary movement educator, physical therapist, and yoga therapist Sherry Brourman, PT, C-IAYT. With an astonishing 53 years of clinical experience, Sherry shares her profound evolution from the rigid, biomechanical silos of 1970s physical therapy into the compassionate, integrated world of modern pain science and yoga therapy.

Diving into her recent book, From Bodily Knowledge to Intuitive Movement: Where Physical Therapy, Yoga Therapy and Pain Science Meet, Sherry explains why our personal psycho-social stories shape how we move far more than simple biology. Together, Michele and Sherry discuss the myth of "perfect alignment," how moving by feel is an act of radical self-love, and why meeting clients exactly where they are already functioning well shifts the entire power dynamic of therapeutic care. 

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sherry’s Website: SherryBrourman.com (Explore her gait clinics, continuing education, and private consultations)
• Featured Book: From Bodily Knowledge to Intuitive Movement: Where Physical Therapy, Yoga Therapy and Pain Science Meet by Sherry Brourman (Published by Singing Dragon)
• Sherry’s Classic Text: Walk Yourself Well (Hyperion)

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What happens when a legacy of "radical rest" meets the modern era of constant noise? In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, Michele Lawrence sits down with Lizzie Lasater—Restorative Yoga teacher, architect by training, and a vital voice in the evolution of modern yoga.

As her mother, yoga pioneer Judith Hanson Lasater, prepares to retire at age 80, Lizzie reflects on the longevity of a teacher, the structural integrity of a healing practice, and why slowing down is actually an act of civil disobedience. We explore how restorative yoga serves as the "urgent medicine" our over-stimulated nervous systems need right now, and how the practice evolves to meet us across every season of life.

Whether you are a long-time student of the Lasater lineage or a yoga therapist looking for deeper insights into the "architecture of rest," this conversation offers a profound look at staying present in the silence.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Longevity of a Teacher: Lessons learned as Judith Hanson Lasater steps into a new season of life at age 80.
• The Architecture of Rest: How a background in design influences the "structural integrity" and building of a restorative practice.
• Rest as Civil Disobedience: Why being still is a radical, necessary act in an era of over-stimulation.
• Yoga Through the Ages: Trusting the practice to meet us even when our physical capacity shifts.
• The Silent Wisdom Body: How to teach students to listen to their inner guide when there is no movement to distract them.
• Holding Steady: The vital importance of a personal practice for yoga teachers and therapists.

Featured Guest: Lizzie Lasater

Lizzie Lasater is a Restorative Yoga teacher and architect who focuses on the intersection of design, stillness, and somatic healing. She produces digital courses, hosts international retreats, and writes a popular weekly newsletter exploring the deeper dimensions of yoga.

Resources & Links:

• Lizzie Lasater’s Website: lizzielasater.com
• Subscribe to 'Dispatches': Lizzie’s Weekly Newsletter

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Are you a brilliant yoga teacher or therapist who feels paralyzed when it comes to the business side of your practice? You’ve done the trainings, you have the heart, and you’re ready to reduce suffering—but the logistics of running a viable business feel like a separate, cold world.

In this episode, Michele sits down with Erin Alexander and Katie Pine, both graduates of Inner Peace Yoga Therapy and co-creators of the Sacred Success Mentorship. Together, they explore how to stop info-hoarding and start taking embodied action. We dive into why systems are actually an act of nervous system regulation, how to work with the energy of money ethically, and why community is a mandate for your professional success.

If you are ready to move from theory to a tangible, elevated offering, this conversation will show you that your business can be just as sacred as your practice.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Training Trap: Why we often seek more certifications as a shield against launching our work, and how to reclaim your inherent worth as a teacher.
• Systems as Self-Care: Katie Pine breaks down why organized structures are actually essential tools for therapist longevity and nervous system regulation.
• Defining Sacred Success: Moving beyond hustle culture to find a business model that honors your values and your unique dharma.
• Somatic vs. Logistic: A real-world look at hurdles like pricing and marketing, addressed through both an embodied lens (Erin) and a practical framework (Katie).
• The Energy of Money: How to stay grounded in your spiritual values while ensuring your business is financially sustainable.
• Finding Your Niche: Why trying to help everyone might be keeping you from helping the people who need you most.
• Community as a Mandate: The importance of the Soul Power Sangha and why we aren't meant to do this work in isolation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Sacred Success Mentorship: A 6-month journey to launch your elevated offering. [https://www.allsoulsyoga.com/business-mentorship.html]
• Soul Power Sangha: Community support for yoga therapists. [https://www.allsoulsyoga.com/virtual-classes.html]
• Inner Peace Yoga Therapy: 300 and 800-hour professional certifications. [https://innerpeaceyogatherapy.com/]

Connect with Our Guests:

• Erin Alexander: [https://www.allsoulsyoga.com/]
• Katie Pine: [https://www.reconnectionyogatherapy.com/]

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What happens when deep academic study meets 20 years of dedicated practice? In this episode, Michele sits down with Tova Olsson, a religious studies scholar, author, and PhD candidate at Umeå University. Known for her "user-friendly" approach to yoga and tantra studies, Tova explains how mythology serves as a mirror for our "stuckness," why humor is an essential ingredient for spiritual growth, and how the Tantric view of the body can transform a yoga therapy session.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The 'Scholar-Practitioner' Balance: How historical context and academic rigor can actually deepen—rather than detach—one's personal relationship with yoga.
• Mythology as a Clinical Mirror: Using the stories of deities to help clients navigate difficult life transitions and internal "stuckness."
• Philosophy for the Skeptic: Grounded ways to introduce complex concepts like Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) to clients who are wary of "spirituality."
• The Tantric View of the Body: Shifting the therapeutic goal from "transcending" the body to honoring it as a sacred vessel—especially for those navigating trauma or illness.
• The Evolution of 'Global Yoga': Insights from Tova’s PhD research and the one thing she wishes every yoga teacher understood about the history of the tradition.
• The Power of Humor: Why a lighthearted approach is often the most effective way to bypass the ego’s defenses when dealing with the heavy topics of life and death.
• Personal Anchors: A look into Tova’s personal practice and how she stays regulated while running Saraswati Studies.

Key Resources & Links:

• Saraswati Studies: https://saraswati-studies.teachable.com/
• Follow Tova on Instagram: @saraswati_studies

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This episode is a vital deep dive into a life transition that has been underserved and misunderstood for far too long. Michele sits down with Petra Coveney, the pioneering founder of Menopause Yoga™ and author of the new book, Menopause Yoga and Wellbeing.

Together, they explore why standard yoga often falls short during the menopausal transition and how a specialized, therapeutic approach—rooted in both endocrinology and the Five Koshas—can transform a woman’s experience from one of "deficiency" to a powerful "Second Spring."

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The "Spark" of Menopause Yoga: Petra shares the personal and professional journey that led her to realize the need for a specific somatic protocol for menopause.
• Beyond Hormones: Using the Five Koshas to navigate the physical, emotional, and spiritual shifts of this life stage.
• Taming the "Fight or Flight": How to use the nervous system as an entry point to manage hot flashes, anxiety, and the sudden surges of cortisol common in perimenopause.
• The "Second Spring": Moving away from the medicalized view of menopause as a "decline" and reclaiming it as a season of renewal and power.
• Practicing for the Symptoms: Petra explains how to customize yoga therapy for the "heat and rage" of menopause versus the "brain fog and lethargy."
• Petra’s Personal Sadhana: How the woman who supports the world stays regulated and grounded in her own daily practice.

Resources & Links:

• Petra’s New Book: Menopause Yoga and Wellbeing
• Visit Petra’s Website: Menopause-Yoga.com
• Follow Petra on Instagram: @Menopause_Yoga

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This episode is an exploration of what it means to be truly seen. Michele sits down with world-renowned photographer and yoga practitioner Robert Sturman to discuss the intersection of art, trauma, and the human spirit. Robert doesn’t just document yoga; he captures what he calls "figurative poetry." From the halls of maximum-security prisons to the lives of breast cancer survivors and veterans living with PTSD, Robert’s lens serves as a mirror for dignity, helping his subjects reclaim their wholeness.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Power of Being Seen: How the act of being photographed serves as a therapeutic intervention for those who have felt unseen or broken by society.
• Body as a Battlefield: Reclaiming dignity and wholeness through the lens when the physical body feels like a place of trauma or illness.
• The Stillness of San Quentin: What men in maximum-security prisons have taught Robert about the ability to shift an internal state from bracing to being.
• The Photographer’s Assessment: The visual cues Robert looks for that signal when a person has finally dropped into their own internal home.
• The Warrior & Vulnerability: Robert’s extensive work with the Veterans Yoga Project and how visual storytelling bridges the gap between military service and trauma healing.
• Positive Propaganda: How capturing yoga in unlikely places can shift the cultural and clinical narrative around recovery and resilience.
• Clearing the Residue: How Robert uses his personal practice to process the heavy environments he enters so he can continue pointing to the beauty.

Visit Robert’s Website: RobertSturmanStudio.com

Follow Robert on Instagram: @RobertSturman

Learn more about the Veterans Yoga Project: VeteransYogaProject.org

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In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Nikki Myers—MBA, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, and founder of Y12SR: The Yoga of 12-Step Recovery. Nikki has spent decades at the crossroads of addiction recovery and somatic wisdom, teaching us that while the 12-Step meetings provide the "cognitive map," the yoga mat provides the "somatic laboratory" for true healing.

We dive deep into the soul-level work of recovery, discussing how to come home to a body that has been through the fire. If you have ever felt like your body was an unsafe place to be, or if you’ve struggled to find the "space" between a trigger and a response, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Birth of Y12SR: Why the "top-down" approach of 12-step programs needs the "bottom-up" wisdom of yoga to facilitate sustainable recovery.
• The Issues in the Tissues: A deep dive into how trauma, heartbreak, and addiction literally manifest in our fascia, our breath, and our posture.
• From Escaping to Befriending: How to stop numbing the body and start trusting it again, even when it feels full of cravings or anxiety.
• The Laboratory of the Mat: Using a yoga pose to practice staying present when things get uncomfortable, building the "resilience muscle" needed for daily life.
• Holding Space for the Healer: Nikki shares her personal practice for maintaining wholeness while holding space for thousands in their darkest moments.

About Nikki Myers

Nikki Myers is an accomplished teacher, practitioner, and speaker who has been featured in The New York Times, Yoga Journal, and Huffington Post. As the founder of Y12SR, she has trained thousands of leaders across the globe to integrate the cognitive tools of 12-step programs with the somatic tools of yoga. Her work is a testament to the fact that recovery is not just a mental shift, but a full-body homecoming.

Connect with Nikki:

• Website: y12sr.com
• Instagram: @nikkimyersy12sr

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