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In this solo episode, Amy Wheeler invites listeners into a conversation about the intersection of childhood religion and the lifelong path of yoga therapy. What happens when the grace-filled teachings of Lutheran Christianity (insert your belief structure here) meet the depth and systematization of Indian philosophy? Can we honor both? Amy explores her own journey—from growing up in a progressive Christian household to becoming a devoted student and teacher of Yoga—unpacking how these spiritual lineages can coexist with humility, respect, and a shared intention to reduce suffering. This episode encourages us all to ask: Can different belief systems lead us toward the same inner peace? And more importantly, can we stay grounded in ethical yoga practice while honoring both source and seeker?

In This Episode, Amy Discusses:

• Her upbringing as a Lutheran minister’s daughter and how values like grace, compassion, and service shaped her early views on faith and spirituality.
• The transformative moment of discovering Yoga philosophy, particularly the structure and clarity of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra and the Bhagavad Gītā.
• Navigating cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation—especially as a Western Yoga Therapist working with ancient Indian teachings.
• Can someone be a Yoga Therapist and maintain their original religious identity? Amy dives into the conversation about pluralism, integrity, and therapeutic intention.
• Iśvara as a formless universal presence, and whether one’s version of “God,” “Allah,” “Jesus,” or “Buddha” can reflect the same sattvic qualities in a yoga-based healing context.

Amy reminds us that being a yoga therapist is not about spiritual perfection or ideological purity—it’s about long-term dedication to learning, humility, and reducing human suffering. Whether your spiritual background includes religion, atheism, or a mix of philosophies, the invitation is to stay with the practice, keep questioning, and deepen your connection to the wholeness of yoga without abandoning your roots. As she says, “Maybe the real question is whether what you believe is helping you be a better, kinder human being.”

Amy Wheeler's Contact Info:

Website: www.TheOptimalState.com

Email: amy@amywheeler.com

Instagram: @optimalstate

YouTube: Optimal State with Amy Wheeler

LinkedIn: Amy Wheeler PhD

Interested in Studying Yoga Therapy or Ayurveda?

Master of Science in Yoga Therapy at Maryland University of Integrative Health

A rigorous, accredited program rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern integrative health. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/master-of-science-in-yoga-therapy/

Therapeutic Yoga for Licensed Health Care Providers (LHCPs)

Learn how to ethically and effectively integrate yoga into your existing healthcare profession. https://muih.edu/academics/yoga-therapy/post-masters-certificate-in-therapeutic-yoga-practices/

Integrative Ayurvedic Wellness Program

Study the sister science to yoga through the lens of modern wellness, offering tools for nutrition,

Episode Summary:

In this compelling episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour, host Amy Wheeler sits down with Alyssa Morales, a yoga therapist and registered nurse based in Rochester, NY. Alyssa shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming an eating disorder and how yoga became the catalyst for profound healing and self-empowerment. She also discusses how she mindfully integrates her background in nursing with her yoga therapy practice, offering a unique and holistic approach to care. This episode explores the power of perception, self-exploration, and the intersection of yoga and Western healthcare in the healing process.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Alyssa's personal healing journey through yoga and how it reshaped her understanding of recovery.
• The distinction between her nursing and yoga therapy roles, and how she balances both within her practice.
• How yoga therapy empowered her to shift deeply ingrained perceptions and create sustainable change.
• The concept of eating disorders as a “disease of perception” and how yoga facilitates a shift in self-awareness.
• The role of bottom-up versus top-down approaches in healing and why integrating both can be transformative.
• How yoga therapy fosters reconnection in relationships and allows for deeper engagement with life.

Connect with Alyssa Morales:

Instagram: @Alyssa_YTSOL

Resources & Links:

• Read more about yoga therapy and healing at The Yoga Therapy Bridge Blog: www.amywheeler.com
• Join Amy’s Monday Night Yoga Therapy Classes: www.TheOptimalState.com
• Explore the Optimal State Mobile App for Yoga Therapy & Lifestyle Support: www.OptimalStateApp.com

Maryland University of Integrative Health- Expand Your Knowledge in Yoga Therapy & Ayurveda:

• Master of Science in Yoga Therapy: Explore the Program

Are you already a licensed healthcare professional? Check out MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals: Learn More

• Interested in Ayurveda? Try our Post-Baccalaureate Ayurveda Certification Program at MUIH: Discover More

Episode Description:

In this deeply moving and profoundly insightful episode, Amy Wheeler welcomes yoga therapist, author, and pelvic health expert Cheri Dostal Ryba to share her personal story of healing, embodiment, and reclamation. Cheri’s journey touches on intergenerational trauma, family estrangement, caregiving for a parent in crisis, and the body’s remarkable wisdom in processing, protecting, and ultimately guiding us toward healing.

Cheri vulnerably recounts the transformative chapter of her life that unfolded after her family returned to Wisconsin, just as her book, Pelvic Yoga Therapy for the Whole Woman, was released. Amid navigating her family’s unraveling, Cheri found herself in the heart of her own embodied healing journey — trusting the intelligence of her body, allowing grief to move through her, and reclaiming her own sense of safety, belonging, and joy.

This conversation is a testament to the power of somatic practice, ancestral healing, and trusting the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signals our bodies give us, even when our minds may not yet have words for the story.

Please note: This episode touches on sensitive topics, including family trauma, suicide attempts, and intergenerational wounding. While the conversation is approached with compassion and care, we advise listener discretion, particularly if you are listening with children or if these topics are personally triggering.

Topics Covered:

• How yoga, breathwork, and mantra supported Cheri’s healing process
• The wisdom of the body in revealing truth — even before the mind catches up
• Grieving necessary endings and choosing healthy boundaries with family
• The role of the pelvis in personal power, belonging, and embodied wholeness
• How yoga therapy can support pelvic health, trauma recovery, and personal reclamation
• Cheri’s upcoming Pelvic Yoga Book Summit – May 2-3, 2025

Quotes from the Episode:

"Sensitivity is the privilege and responsibility of remembering." — Toko-pa Turner

"Healing is living — fiercely committing to the present moment." — Cheri Dostal Ryba

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Pelvic Yoga Therapy for the Whole Woman: A Professional Guide by Cheri Dostal Ryba
• Event: Pelvic Yoga Book Summit - May 2-3, 2025 (Registration opens by April 4, 2025)
• Book Mentioned by Amy: Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
• Mantra Discussed: Mahā Mṛtyuñjaya Mantra – exploring its symbolism of effortless release and surrender

About Cheri Dostal Ryba:

Cheri is a yoga therapist, pelvic health specialist, somatic educator, and author. Her work empowers individuals — particularly women — to reclaim their embodied sense of safety, pleasure, and sovereignty. Through her book, retreats, and upcoming summit, Cheri weaves together the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of healing the pelvic bowl, while honoring the whole person.

Connect with Cheri:

Website: www.cheridostalryba.com

Pelvic Yoga Book Summit: www.cheridostalryba.com/pelvicyogabooksummit

Instagram: @cheridostalryba

The Yoga Therapy Bridge Blog:

https://amywheeler.com

Come join us at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) for our Signature Programs starting in Fall 2025.

Master of Science in Yoga Therapy

https://lnkd.in/gBSCUsMQ

Are you already a licensed healthcare professional?

Explore MUIH’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Therapeutic Yoga Practices, designed specifically for licensed healthcare professionals. https://lnkd.in/gbWHSjQq