Shows
The Yoga RheumEpisode 31:Ellyn Ito and Eddie Haaz - Vagal Nerve Stimulation and PainEllyn Ito is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Innerstill, a women-led neurotechnology company reimagining healing at the root with non-invasive, drug-free neuromodulation solutions that restore balance to the nervous system. She brings over 20 years of operational execution experience across large enterprises, middle-market companies, and start-ups. Prior to founding Innerstill, Ellyn invested in and served as a key leader at Helius Medical Technologies, where she helped bring a non-surgical trigeminal nerve stimulator to market in Canada and the U.S. She also founded and led Sigma Integrated Resources, a management consulting firm that scaled B2B and D2...
2025-09-121h 10
The Yoga RheumEpisode 30: Leila Stuart – Somatics, Surrender, and the Wisdom of Living with Chronic Illness 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 diagnosisHow somatic practices helped her rebuild trust with her body and participate actively in her healingTh...
2025-07-2954 min
The Yoga RheumEp 29: Rachel Krentzman: Yoga Therapy, Scoliosis, and the Healing JourneyIn 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 Happ...
2025-07-111h 09
The Yoga RheumEp 28: Cheri Dostal Ryba: Chronic Pain & Pelvic Health The Yoga Therapy ConnectionTo 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 yo...
2025-04-2559 min
The Yoga RheumEp 27: Meredith Hirsh: Navigating the Healthcare World as a Patient or Patient AdvocateAbout Meredith HirshMeredith 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 wit...
2025-03-0357 min
The Yoga RheumEp 26: Joshua Pearce: 3D Printing Adaptive AidsJoshua 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/24...
2025-02-1558 min
The Yoga RheumEp 25: Priyanka Varma: Exploring Yoga Therapy for Complex CasesPriaynak 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 p...
2024-12-131h 14
The Yoga RheumEp 24: Eddie Haaz- Creating A Wellness Culture in the WorkplaceFor 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...
2024-10-211h 05
The Yoga RheumEp. 24: Eddie Haaz: Creating a Wellness Culture in the WorkplaceFor 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...
2024-10-211h 04The Yoga RheumEp 23. Dr. Brit Alder, Elizabeth Clark, & Erica Cerquetti : What is POTS and the Autonomic Nervous SystemIn this episode of The Yoga Rheum Podcast, Dr. Steffany Moonaz is joined by three exceptional guests from the Johns Hopkins POTS Clinic:
Dr. Brit Adler: A renowned rheumatologist and physician scientist, Dr. Adler has developed a keen interest in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). She is currently delving into research on immune dysregulation in POTS, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of this condition.
Elizabeth Clark: A dedicated nurse practitioner who not only treats POTS patients but also lives with the condition herself. Elizabeth's personal experience with POTS gives her a unique and...
2024-08-1658 min
The Yoga RheumEp 22. Dr. Nikki Tugnet, MD, FRACP - Where Yoga and Rheumatology MeetDr 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 pe...
2024-05-031h 00
The Yoga RheumEp 21. Julia McNally - Yoga, Wellness, and Serving the Community with the RA YogiJulia 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...
2024-04-0555 min
The Yoga RheumEp 20. Posey Daves - How Yin Yoga, Hyper-Mobility, and Arthritis Can Work TogetherAbout Posey:
Posey Daves M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, E-RYT 500; YACEP, Usui Reiki Practitioner ,Certified, Restorative Yoga Teacher,Certified Yin Yoga Teacher
Posey's yoga journey started when she was 16 years old. She started yoga to remain flexible during her athletic career. As the years went on yoga became much more than just the yoga poses: it became a way of life - on and off the mat.
Posey passionately believes in the power of yoga to transform someone's life - physically, spiritually, & mentally. She strongly believes anyone can practi...
2024-03-221h 13
The Yoga RheumEp 19. Jivana Heyman - What is Accessible YogaJivana Heyman (he/him), C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses & Practices for Every Body (Shambhala, 2019), Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion (Shambhala, 2021), and The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body (2024).
Jivana’s work focuses on creating equity and access, starting with his AIDS activism in the 1990’s as a member of ACT UP. He also worked as a reporter for AIDS Treatment News, focusing on alternative treatments for AIDS.
Jivana started practicing yoga as a child with his grandmother, and then again in 1991 with Kazuko O...
2024-03-0856 min
The Yoga RheumEp. 4: Erin Bryon - Connecting the Physical and Mental BodyErin Byron, MA, RP, C-IAYT is a Registered Psychotherapist and co-founder of internationally-accredited Comprehensive Yoga Therapist Training. Erin has co/authored several books in the field of yoga and mental/physical health, including Yoga Therapy for Arthritis.
www.ErinByron.com
2024-03-081h 00
The Yoga RheumEp 18. Nicholas R Turkas- How The Arthritis Foundation Serves The Greater CommunityWith over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Nick Turkas is a seasoned professional renowned for his expertise in patient education, program management, and strategic partnerships. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a strategic leader, Nick has successfully developed and managed health promotion programs, securing funding from prominent organizations such as the CDC, state health departments, corporations, United Way, and private foundations. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Patient Education and Community Connections at the Arthritis Foundation's National Office, Nick leads a dynamic team in the creation of impactful patient education resources, including in-person events...
2024-01-1955 min
The Yoga RheumEp 17. Cheryl Crow: Occupational Therapist and Founder of Arthritis LifeAfter living with rheumatoid arthritis for over a decade and training as an occupational therapist, Cheryl Crow founded Arthritis Life with the mission of educating, empowering and supporting people with arthritis. She created the Rheum to THRIVE comprehensive self-management and support program and Arthritis Life Podcast to help people with rheumatic disease live full, vibrant and meaningful lives.Most days you can find Cheryl creating life hack videos, sharing patient stories on the Arthritis Life Podcast or spreading the word about ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).Please attach any resources and links you would like to share with...
2024-01-121h 10
The Yoga RheumEp 16. Shelly Prosko: Physical Therapy, Yoga Therapy, and Pelvic Floor HealthShelly Prosko PT, C-IAYT, PCAYT ---Shelly is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, educator, author and pioneer of PhysioYoga who has been integrating yoga into physiotherapy since 1998 with a focus on chronic pain, pelvic health, compassion in healthcare and professional burnout. She guest lectures at numerous yoga therapy and physiotherapy schools, presents at yoga and medical conferences globally, contributes to academic research and writing, provides mentorship to professionals, and offers courses and resources for yoga and healthcare practitioners and the general population. Shelly considers herself a lifelong student and emphasizes the immense value gained from clinical experience and learning from the...
2024-01-051h 18
The Yoga RheumEp 15. Ann Swanson: Whole Body Approach To WellnessAnn Swanson is the author of the internationally bestselling book SCIENCE OF YOGA, a Yoga for Arthritis Teacher Trainer and mentor, yoga therapist, licensed massage therapist, and Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor.
Her new book Meditation for the Real World is coming out in January and available now for preorder at Meditationfortherealworld.com.
Ann says she wasn’t a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn’t come easy to her. Overcoming her own chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga and meditation and then to China to explore tai chi. She went on...
2023-12-2955 min
The Yoga RheumEp. 14 Rev. Prakash Capen: Helping The Underrepresented Communities & Life With RAPrakash Capen (KAY-pen) left behind her career in broadcasting when she realized her real passion — to serve by teaching yoga. Over the years, she was Director of the Integral Yoga Institutes in Washington DC, Boston, and San Francisco. In San Francisco, Prakash served as Director of Life Enhancement for the AIDS/HIV Study Group, taught a popular weekly meditation & yoga program for people with AIDS/HIV, worked with Dr. Dean Ornish‘s program for reversing heart disease, and began hospice service. A professional writer and editor, Prakash now focuses on concerns for those with chronic illness and disabilities, and, also, teac...
2023-12-0159 min
The Yoga RheumEp. 13 Jennifer Daks- Whole Health Approach to Lifelong Arthritis and Chronic IllnessDr. Jennifer Daks is a clinical psychologist working within an integrated pain clinic at the VA Boston Healthcare System. She has over a decade of experience researching and providing psychotherapy to individuals with arthritis and chronic pain. Having lived with rheumatoid arthritis most of her life, through childhood, adulthood, and now parenthood, Jenn has a strong drive to help individuals, and those they are closest with, live well with arthritis and chronic pain throughout the lifespan.
Show Notes:
Jennifer Daks Transformational Story
Veteran Affairs - Whole Health
Chronic Pain Index PDF and Personal Health Index PDF
2023-11-1748 min
The Yoga RheumEp 12. Eddie Haaz: Addiction, Trauma, & Chronic PainFor 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.
Eddie Ha...
2023-11-131h 04
The Yoga RheumEp. 11. Suzan Colón: Author of Yoga Mind: Journey Beyond the PhysicalSuzan Colón the author of:
Yoga Mind: Journey Beyond the Physical
Cherries in Winter: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times
Plus more
I'm currently working on a graphic novel webcomic about my time as a music journalist in the 1980s.
https://suzancolon.substack.com
https://suzancolon.net
Instagram: @suzanacolon
To join Yoga for Arthritis' book club and meet weekly discussing Yoga Mind:
join the membership here where book club is included
join the book club only
2023-10-311h 02
The Yoga RheumEp. 10. Dolores Natividad: Going After What You Want As A Yoga Professional and Yoga TherapistDolores Marie Natividad is an Exercise Physiologist certified by Marymount College and ACSM. She has practiced Yoga since the mid 1980’s and is a certified Integral Hatha Yoga practitioner for Basic Hatha 1,11, Extra Gentle, Chair Yoga, Pre-Natal,Post-Partum, Stress Management, Bio-medical Yoga,Therapeutic Yoga, Deepening Therapeutics, and Yoga for Arthritis.
Dolores also studied extensively at the Original White Cloud Yoga studio in NYC where Julio Horvath originated his Gyrotonic® System (Yoga for Dancers) and is a certified Gyrotonic® practitioner as well. Dolores is privileged to have has studied with master teachers Hilary Cartwright at White Cloud...
2023-10-2853 min
The Yoga RheumEp. 9: Jamie Boder: Finding His Dharma in his diagnosis of Ankylosing SpondylitisJamie Boder is a former Yoga for Arthritis staffer and co-founder of Yoga for AS. Jamie is a dedicated yoga practitioner and yoga teacher from the UK. His own experience of being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis he found his mission to help others.
Resources:
https://spondylitis.org/about-spondylitis/overview-of-spondyloarthritis/ankylosing-spondylitis/
https://yogaforas.com/
Jamie's Story
2023-10-211h 11
The Yoga RheumEp. 8: Kimberly Castello: Practicing & Teaching Yoga with A Chronic ConditionKimberly is a Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT) and an experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT 500) with the Yoga Alliance. She earned her credentials after graduating from the Yoga Therapy program at Loyola Marymount University. She gained her Clinical experience working with chronic pain patients at the Simms Mann Venice Family Clinic in Los Angeles, California. She specializes in developing chronic pain management and stress relief programs for individuals, hospitals, and clinics. Kimberly began teaching yoga in 1999. In 2007, after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, she began exploring the therapeutic and restorative aspects of her...
2023-10-131h 07
The Yoga RheumEp. 7: Sangeeta Sule, MD, PHD: Exploring Juvenile Arthritis with A Pediatric RheumatologistJoin us for the insightful conversation with Sangeeta Sule, MD, PHD, as we delve into the world of Juvenile Arthritis. Sangeeta Sula is an expert who discusses the challenges and nuances of navigating an early diagnosis of arthritis in children.
Learn more about Sangeeta Sule Here
2023-10-0640 min
The Yoga RheumEp.6: Charlene Muhammad: Living Your Dharma and Serving Your CommunityCharlene Marie Muhammad CNS, LD, E-RYT500, C-IAYT
Charlene Marie Muhammad is a wellness practitioner, embracing the spirit of natural living for over 25 years. Charlene’s practice is predicated on formal Master’s level training as well as her own personal use of plants, food as medicine and movement therapy, giving her hands-on relationship and knowledge of these traditional healing modalities.
Charlene’s wellness practice, Urbanherbalist, focuses on supporting clients with a practical application to optimal health by using the healing tools that she has grown to embrace in her own personal life: herbal medicine, nutrition and yoga...
2023-09-2951 min
The Yoga RheumEp.5 : Vaidya Anupama Kizhakkeveettil (Anu) on an Ayurvedic Approach to ArthritisVaidya Anupama Kizhakkeveettil (Anu) is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, licensed acupuncturist, Professor, researcher, and Program Director of Ayurvedic Medicine at Southern California University of Health Sciences. She received her BAMS degree from SDM Ayurveda College, Mangalore University, her Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Southern California University of Health Science, her Ph.D. from Walden University, and a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine from the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. She also completed yoga teacher training at the Bihar school of Yoga.
As an advocate for the Ayurvedic profession and the advancement of its goals, Vaidya...
2023-09-2259 min
The Yoga RheumEp. 3. Amy Allen: Living With A Rheumatic DiseaseAmy Allen
Show Notes
Jennifer Dak's Story
Yoga for Arthritis General Membership (Book Club Included)
Book Club
Yoga for Arthritis Book
2023-08-2558 min
The Yoga RheumEp2. Christa FairbrotherChrista Fairbrother
Christa Fairbrother is an internationally recognized aqua yoga coach and trainer who works with beginners through pros. She's the author of the award-winning book, Water Yoga. She's both an ERYT-500 yoga teacher and Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute aquatic therapist and she's especially passionate about helping people who live with arthritis get more comfort and ease in their life through aquatic exercise.
Christ's Website
Facebook
Instagram
Christa's Book
Mary Veal
2023-08-181h 05
The Yoga RheumEp. 1: Neil PearsonNeil is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, author, researcher, Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia, faculty in three IAYT-accredited yoga therapy programs, board member for International Association of Yoga Therapists and pain care advocate. He conducts research into the effects of yoga on veterans with chronic pain and on people with osteoarthritis. Neil is the recipient of awards honouring his work in pain care, patient education and physiotherapy, and works closely with Canadian non-profit organizations focused on decreasing the impact of pain on society. He co-authored – Yoga and Science in Pain Care 2019, authored the patient education ebook, Un...
2023-08-081h 07The Yoga RheumWelcome To The Yoga RheumWelcome to the yoga room, with host Dr. Steffany Moonaz.
To learn more please visit www.arthritis.yoga
2023-08-0801 min