The Heart and Bones Podcast
Whether it’s anatomy, exploring yoga traditions, or discussing the unspoken aspects of teaching yoga, this podcast is for those tired of superficial yoga narratives. Brea Johnson, founder of Heart & Bones Yoga, a globally recognized online platform for anatomy-informed yoga and inclusive practices for both yoga teachers and everyday people, interviews experts, shares crucial insights and provides education for both yoga students and teachers. Join Brea for real conversations that challenge, educate, enlighten, and invite you to grow. No matter where you are in your yoga journey, discover more about yourself, your practice, and how you can move with love.
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
Strength is essential for handling life's challenges, especially as we age. In this episode, Brea Johnson chats with Amanda Ford, a strength and conditioning coach known as Movement Muse, about the importance of building strength and functionality. Amanda shares her journey from discovering her love for movement as a child to becoming a strength coach who focuses on helping those over 40. She highlights the necessity of self-directed movement practices and debunks common misconceptions about strength training.
Amanda explains that strength training is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and mobility, allowing us to confidently face life's adventures. She emphasizes starting with simple, accessible moves like squats and hinges for the lower body and pushing and pulling exercises for the upper body. Amanda's approach is about meeting yourself where you are and progressing at your own pace.
The conversation is filled with inspiring stories of clients who have regained their strength and improved their quality of life, demonstrating that it's never too late to start strength training. Whether you're lifting a 10-pound dumbbell or just beginning with bodyweight exercises, any effort to improve strength is significantly better than none. Join Amanda and Brea as they explore how strength training can enhance your life at any age.
About Amanda Ford
Amanda Ford (She/Her) is a strength coach, movement and yoga teacher based in Seattle. She's also a poet, artist and all-around amazing human being. Not to mention the best style when it comes to workout clothes. Amanda is a favourite teacher here in the online studio with her smart approach to functional strength training.
Website: https://movementmuse.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movement.muse/?hl=en
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH
Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Strength Training and Amanda Ford
08:07 Amanda's Personal Journey with Movement
19:27 Starting Small: Incorporating Strength Training into Your Routine 21:10 Addressing Misconceptions about Strength Training
25:13 Tailoring Strength Training to Individual Needs
27:03 Focus on Movement Patterns
27:52 Training Upper and Lower Body
29:26 The Body's Ability to Adapt
35:54 Any Effort is Significant
41:25 More is Not Better
45:31 Strength Training as a Non-Negotiable
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Radical Rest with Lou Thomas
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Wednesday Jun 12, 2024
Summary
Rest is not just a trendy self-care product that you can purchase. Lou Thomas (they/them), the guest of this episode, defines radical rest as an interruption to systems of violence. Join Brea Johnson in conversation with Lou, a queer, neurodivergent, non-binary yoga teacher and embodiment specialist, as they discuss the transformative concept of radical rest. They explore how rest goes beyond mere sleep to become a form of resistance against systemic violence and a crucial self-care practice. They emphasize the need to identify and challenge the societal systems that impact our well-being, advocating for restorative practices tailored to individual needs.
About Lou Thomas
Lou Thomas is a dedicated yoga teacher and embodiment specialist based in Brighton, UK. Their work is deeply rooted in accessibility, trauma-informed approaches, and intersectional anti-oppression, focusing on empowering the LGBTQIA+ community. Lou's classes and workshops are designed to be accessible and playful, providing a safe space for individuals to explore their bodies and identities in a supportive environment.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodybitsbrighton/?hl=en
Website: https://www.bodybitsbrighton.com/
If you're inspired by this conversation and looking to deepen your practice of radical rest, you can find Lou teaching classes at Heart + Bones Online yoga school, including a 60-minute radical rest class.
Start a studio trial: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
More Sleep Resources:
If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.
Explore the program and start your free trial to here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/better-sleep-program/
Strength goes beyond the physical in yoga, encompassing mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. In this episode, Brea Johnson chats with Tejal Patel, a first-generation Indian American yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and community organizer, about redefining strength through yoga. Tejal shares her insights on how yoga's deeper teachings can help us cultivate inner strength, resilience, and holistic well-being.
Tejal explains that true strength in yoga is not just about physical prowess but about handling life’s challenges with grace and compassion. They discuss the cultural influences on modern yoga practices in the West and the importance of reclaiming yoga's authentic roots. Tejal highlights the need for inclusivity and the value of trauma-informed and decolonized yoga practices.
The conversation is filled with powerful reflections on how to integrate yoga philosophy into daily life and the significance of inner experience over external appearance. Tejal offers practical tips for those looking to deepen their yoga practice, emphasizing the importance of restorative yoga and studying foundational texts like the Yoga Sutras.
About Tejal Patel
Tejal Patel (She/They) is a first-generation Indian American yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and community organizer. She advocates for holistic yoga through a social justice lens, aiming to educate and activate students for collective action. Tejal is the founder of Tejal Yoga Studio, a South Asian teacher-led community focused on social justice and authentic spiritual practices. She's also a co-host of the Yoga is Dead podcast, known for sparking critical conversations about wellness, power, and privilege. Tejal’s insightful teachings and compassionate approach make her a favourite in our online studio.
Website: www.tejalyoga.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tejalyoga
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH
Start Here
Follow Brea on Instagram for tips and inspiration.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
02:47 The Philosophy of Radical Rest
09:14 Implementing Restorative Practices
36:05 Conclusion and Continuing the Conversation
Stay connected with Lou's journey and continuous advocacy for radical rest and social change through their Instagram and website.
Start a studio trial with Heart and Bones Yoga.
Follow Brea on Instagram for tips and inspiration.
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
Leaning into Discomfort: Embracing Grief and Supporting Sleep with Dr. Mekel Harris
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
Did you know that one in two people develop sleep problems or insomnia after experiencing a loss? Dr. Mekel Harris (she/her), a licensed psychologist specializing in grief and loss, joins Brea Johnson to explore the effects of grief on sleep and the nervous system. Dr. Harris shares not only personal insights, but her professional expertise on finding ease during life’s most challenging times, whether due to the grief of losing a loved one or significant life changes.
She emphasizes the importance of normalizing sleep disruptions associated with grief and offers practical strategies to support the nervous system through gentle movement, somatic practices, and grounding exercises. Dr. Harris advocates for intentionally scheduling time to grieve and discusses the lifelong nature of grief, providing listeners with tools to manage their experiences constructively and compassionately.
If you enjoy this episode you can also find Dr. Mekel Harris inside Heart + Bones Online yoga studio leading classes on the topic of grief.
Start a studio trial today.
About Dr. Mekel Harris
Dr. Mekel Harris, Ph.D., NCSP, PMH-C, is a renowned psychologist and grief specialist who has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the complexities of loss. After the profound impact of her mother's passing, Dr. Harris redirected her focus to specialize in grief and loss, aiming to provide the support she once needed herself. She combines talk therapy with somatic practices in a compassionate approach, enhancing her clients' healing journeys.
Instagram
Website
More Sleep Resources:
If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.
Explore the program and start your free trial to here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/better-sleep-program/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:55 The Impact of Grief on Sleep
05:58 Supporting the Nervous System with Gentle Movement and Somatic Practices
09:09 Scheduling Time for Grief and Creating Routine
11:58 Leaning into Discomfort: Embracing Grief as a Lifelong Process
Join Brea on Instagram for tips and inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga/
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Dreamwork and the Teachings of Plants with Leigh Joseph
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Can building a deeper relationship to the land help with sleep? Discover the wisdom of plants, their lifecycle, and how they support rest, sleep, and even dream work with Leigh Joseph (she/her), PhD, founder of the Squamish-based plant-based skincare business Skwalwen Botanicals. Leigh joins Brea Johnson to explore the deep connections between plants, people, and the places they inhabit.
In this episode, Leah shares insights from her dual perspective as an ethnobotanist and a member of the Squamish First Nation. She discusses the importance of establishing reciprocal relationships with plants and the land, emphasizing the role of Indigenous plant knowledge in nurturing these connections.
Leigh explains the wisdom of plants, their lifecycle, and how they support rest, sleep, and even dream work. She illustrates how plants like mint and coastal sage can soothe and prepare us for sleep, and how plants appear in our dreams to teach us. The episode also covers the transformative power of visualization practices in connecting us to meaningful places and memories, offering a meaningful way to engage with the natural world, even from urban settings.
About Leigh Joseph
Leigh Joseph, also known by her ancestral name Styawat, is a trained ethnobotanist, researcher, activist, and the Indigenous founder of Sḵwálwen, a plant-based skincare company dedicated to sustainable and culturally informed practices. As a mother, wife, daughter, and community leader within the Squamish Nation, she integrates Western scientific methods with the rich teachings from her community to foster deeper connections between people and the natural world. Her work is driven by a passion to heal the intergenerational effects of cultural trauma, protecting collective knowledge and bringing indigenous plants into modern wellness practices.
Website
Instagram @skwalwenbotanicals
Start a studio trial.
Enjoy tips and inspiration on Instagram.
More Sleep Resources:
If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.
Explore the program and start your free trial to here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Description of Skincare Business
02:23 Leigh Joseph's Background as an Ethnobotanist
05:13 The Importance of Reconnecting with Nature
09:01 The Simplicity and Wisdom of Plants
11:24 Plants that Support Rest and Sleep
20:07 Trusting the Intangible and Listening to the Natural World
24:54 Honouring and Respecting the Natural World as a Radical Act
28:08 The Healing Power of Visualization Practices
30:00 Reconnecting with Indigenous Heritage through the Land
36:23 Finding Meaning in Small Acts of Connection with Nature
Wednesday May 22, 2024
The Circadian Rhythm and Sleep with Jessa Gamble
Wednesday May 22, 2024
Wednesday May 22, 2024
What if our daily struggles with energy and sleep aren't just personal problems, but a clash between modern life and ancient biological rhythms? Jessa Gamble she/her, an award-winning science writer and journalist, takes us into the world of circadian rhythms in this episode. Through her book The Siesta and the Midnight Sun, Jessa explores how deeply these rhythms are embedded in the fabric of all living organisms, influencing our alertness, health, and even emotional well-being.
Jessa discusses the profound impact of artificial light on our natural sleep cycles and how societal pressures further skew our body clocks. She advocates for realigning our lives with the natural cycles of light and darkness to not only improve sleep but also enhance our overall health.
About Jessa Gamble
Jessa Gamble is a prominent Canadian science writer and co-owner of the Last Word on Nothing blog. Her fascination with how circadian rhythms shape life on Earth has led her to explore how aligning more closely with these natural patterns could revolutionize our approach to health and productivity. Jessa’s insights challenge us to rethink our daily routines and advocate for a healthier integration of natural rhythms in a technology-driven world.
Blog: https://www.lastwordonnothing.com/
Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/417234/the-siesta-and-the-midnight-sun-by-jessa-gamble/9780143185857
More Sleep Resources:
If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online.
Explore the program and start your free trial to here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/better-sleep-program/
Chapters
00:00 The Fascination with Circadian Rhythms
04:20 The Role of Light in Regulating Circadian Rhythms
09:04 Cultural and Societal Influences on Sleep Patterns
13:16 Prioritizing Rest and Honoring Biological Needs
29:21 Living in Sync with the Natural Light-Dark Cycle
39:45 Recreating a 12-Hour Light-Dark Cycle for Better Sleep
43:31 The Benefits of Restful Practices for Sleep
Start a studio trial: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
Enjoy tips and inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga/
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Reduce Sleep Anxiety with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Wednesday May 15, 2024
What do you do when lying awake in bed, stressed about not sleeping? Sleep specialist, Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell joins the podcast today to discuss the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being and gives us important strategies and perspectives on creating healthy bedtime routines and reducing sleep anxiety.
She shares her journey of overcoming insomnia and how it made her passionate about sleep. Dr. Holliday-Bell emphasizes that sleep is critical for every facet of functioning, including metabolism, decision-making, mental health, and disease prevention. She explains the cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia approach and the importance of regularity in sleep patterns.
Dr. Holliday-Bell shares success stories from her clients and highlights the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia over sleep medications. She also mentions her book, 'Sleeping on the Job,' and offers sleep programs on her website.
About Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell
Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell is a Board-Certified Physician, Certified Sleep Specialist, Author, Speaker and Founder of the Solution is Sleep LLC. As someone who formally suffered from insomnia herself, she understands the transformative power of good quality sleep and how obtaining this regularly can lead to a happier, healthier, and more productive life. She has been featured on local and international television shows and networks such as the Dr. Phil show, ABC news, and WGN television spreading her message about the power of good sleep.
Instagram: instagram.com/thesleep_md
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drhollidaybell/
More Sleep Resources:
If you're looking for support and consistency to help improve your sleep and stress levels, The Better Sleep Program is FREE as a member of Heart + Bones Online. Start your free trial and access the program, all of our other programs and online studio classes here
00:00Introduction to Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell and the Importance of Sleep
01:01Dr. Holliday-Bell's Personal Journey with Sleep and Insomnia
05:02The Role of Sleep in Overall Health and Well-being
07:37Approaching Sleep with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
09:55Creating Regular Sleep Patterns for Quality Sleep
12:21Overcoming Anxiety and Building a Healthy Relationship with Sleep
15:08Success Stories and the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Don’t get good at teaching
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
What? Don't get good at teaching? Yes, my friends! In this episode, we talk about how allowing yourself to make mistakes, and always learning is the secret to being a good teacher. So take a big sigh of relief and enjoy not being good at teaching :)
Yoga teachers!
Want to try this playful, loving and accessible approach to yoga for yourself (and to inspire your practice and teaching?)
Explore the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for $ for 1 month? Use this promocode: PODCASTLOVE
Sign up here
Daily Tips and Inspiration:
Instagram: @heartandbonesyoga
YouTube: heartandbonesyoga
TikTok: @heartandbonesyoga
www.heartandbonesyoga.com
If you're curious about Heart + Bones and our mobility and heart-focused approach to yoga, our online studio and yoga teacher education courses, learn more here.
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Why I don’t use levels in my yoga classes
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Do you label your classes, "level one" or things like advanced, beginner? This is a common practice in the yoga world and in this episode, we talk about how that might actually be doing more harm than good for yourself and those coming to your classes.
But don't worry, we don't leave you there! We also look at some helpful ways you can update the way you label or what you call your classes.
Yoga teachers!
Want to try this playful, loving and accessible approach to yoga for yourself (and to inspire your practice and teaching?)
Explore the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for $ for 1 month? Use this promocode: PODCASTLOVE
Sign up here
Daily Tips and Inspiration:
Instagram: @heartandbonesyoga
YouTube: heartandbonesyoga
TikTok: @heartandbonesyoga
www.heartandbonesyoga.com
If you're curious about Heart + Bones and our mobility and heart focused approach to yoga, our online studio and yoga teacher education courses, learn more here.
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Are you a good teacher if you can’t do all the poses?
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
You're not alone if you've ever thought that you aren't a good enough teacher if you can't do all the poses. But is it true?
Absolutely not!
You don't have to be able to do all the poses in order to teach them and this episode dives into all the reasons why. We also take time to explore what a good yoga teacher is and isn't.
Enjoy this episode that will remind you how amazing and perfect you already are as a teacher!
If you love this episode, share on social!
Your host: Brea Johnson, lead teacher and founder of Heart + Bones Yoga
Yoga teachers!
Want to try this playful, loving and accessible approach to yoga for yourself (and to inspire your practice and teaching?)
Explore the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for $ for 1 month? Use this promocode: PODCASTLOVE
Sign up here
Daily Tips and Inspiration:
Instagram: @heartandbonesyoga
YouTube: heartandbonesyoga
TikTok: @heartandbonesyoga
www.heartandbonesyoga.com
If you're curious about Heart + Bones and our mobility and heart focused approach to yoga, our online studio and yoga teacher education courses, learn more here.
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
It’s not you, it’s the yoga industry
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Welcome to season 3 of the Move with Love podcast! This season we dive deeper into all the things in your teacher training that didn't prepare you for the real world of teaching yoga.
Our first episode we go right to the heart of why so many yoga teachers have imposter syndrome, struggle with confidence or feel like they need to look a certain way to be a yoga teacher. And here's a hint... it's not you, it's the yoga industry!
If you love this episode, share on social!
Your host: Brea Johnson, lead teacher and founder of Heart + Bones Yoga
Yoga teachers!
Want to try this playful, loving and accessible approach to yoga for yourself (and to inspire your practice and teaching?)
Explore the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for $ for 1 month? Use this promocode: PODCASTLOVE
Sign up here
Daily Tips and Inspiration:
Instagram: @heartandbonesyoga
YouTube: heartandbonesyoga
TikTok: @heartandbonesyoga
www.heartandbonesyoga.com
If you're curious about Heart + Bones and our mobility and heart focused approach to yoga, our online studio and yoga teacher education courses, learn more here.
Join Brea at the studio
Heart & Bones is an online yoga studio that champions sustainable, anatomy-based movement and wellness, blending scientific insight with mindfulness to offer accessible, personalized yoga and wellness paths for every body, fostering daily practice and holistic wellbeing.