The Soma Pod

Juliana invites Richard Miller PhD, C-IAYT, ERYT-500 to the podcast to discuss the integration of western psychology with ancient nondual teachings. They discuss the inquiry of Being and how to incorporate tools in your meditation practice to work with the human psyche when realizing a state of non-separateness. Richard Miller is the founder of iRest Institute and co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. He is a clinical psychologist, author, researcher, yogic scholar, and spiritual teacher who, for over 50 years, has devoted his life to integrating western psychology and neuroscience with the ancient nondual wisdom teachings of Yoga, Tantra, Advaita, Taoism, and Buddhism.

This episode welcomes Paisley Shea of "Earth to Ether Healing Sessions." Paisley shares a form of energy work called Somatic Energy Release to reconnect people to the wisdom of their body. This episode explains how our self healing mechanisms only function when the nervous system is in a relaxation response, which can be cultivated during one on one energy work sessions. They discuss challenging external conditioning, following your heart, and regulating your nervous system through holistic modalities (such as somatics, reiki, yoga, or a combination).

This episode brings on Issac Wathen, Men's Coach and Yoga Teacher based in San Diego. We discuss his experience working with men's emotional and mental health. Specifically through the doorway of the body and emotions. We talk about slowing down, connecting to the healthy masculine, getting to know your inner critic/inner child, and working with imposter syndrome. Tune in for some somatic wisdom from Issac!

Welcome to The Soma Pod! This episode is a brief introduction of the rebrand of a podcast that was once named "Mindful Medicine." In this episode, Juliana describes her educational and experiential background as the host and producer of the podcast. She gives a brief description of what Somatics is and why it is important. To further research these concepts: -Neurodiversity Paradigm  -ACE studies on stress/trauma showing up physically  -Internal Family Systems & Polyvagal Theory -Somatic Experiencing Peter Levine -The Body Keeps The Score “Therapeutic yoga approaches emotions through the doorway of the body, or more precisely from the residue left in the body by trauma” These concepts will be discussed more deeply with experts in the future, this was a very brief introduction to Juliana's WHY. Disclaimer: I am not a licensed medical professional, do not take this as medical advice. I am not here to discredit the DSM or psychological medication, as these can be very helpful tools for people suffering with severe mental health challenges. I am here to spread awareness about alternative modalities to either use as additions to therapy/meds or substitutions IF you know that these methods do not work for you and you are not a harm to yourself or others.

Juliana brings on Danielle to discuss the powerful healing abilities of sound and reiki. They specifically discuss how sound healing and reiki works and the immense scientific benefits. They get into conversation about using somatic experiencing to process trauma and stored emotions - unlocking the empowering knowledge that everyone has the ability to heal themselves. Danielle Elese RMT, CSHT is an Alternative Healing Practitioner as well as a student of Subtle Energy. Her main modalities include Sound Healing, Reiki, and Spiritual Hypnotherapy. Her intention is to provide space for others to come into greater alignment with their own inner healer. Thus activating one’s own unique purpose, in alignment with a sense of joy. She currently offers group & private one on one healing. If you are interested in her work you can check out her social media (@foxy.sage) or website: https://www.foxysage.com/

Aubrey Howard, a Somatic Breathwork and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Facilitator, joins the podcast with Juliana to discuss her work. She has been working with breathwork and plant medicine since 2016. She discusses her journey into this field and the ways in which it has transformed her and her clients lives. She explains how to honor the indigenous roots of plant medicine as well as what a typical psychedelic journey looks like. She discusses specific breathwork practices and micro/macrodosing regimens to guide you on your healing journey. Her work is centered around "helping people connect with their bodies through breath, movement, and medicine as a way to create liberation individually and collectively." Disclaimer: there were some technical difficulties with the audio and the quality is not as good as it usually would be.

Juliana welcomes Deborah Berryman, a "teacher of Teachers." Deborah Berryman is a meditation, somatic movement, and yoga teacher in six traditions. She offers teacher trainings, retreats, and workshops. Drawing on over 23yrs of practice and 18yrs of teaching, she's on a personal mission to share the benefits of delving into these practices in the community; empowering others - not to change themselves, but to change the way we see ourselves and others. This episode delves into the practice of yoga - beyond the asanas. They discuss this notion of "union" when the mind and body drop in the same place at the same time.  Deborah describes the six lineages of yoga she is trained in and their benefits in healing trauma and resetting the nervous system. 

Ayurveda is a traditional form of Indian Medicine that attains to keep the systems in balance using diet, breathing exercises, lifestyle routine, and herbs. Juliana brings on Mas to discuss the healing effects of combining yoga and Ayurveda. It takes a different approach from Western medicine by treating the person as a whole and attaining peace in the mind, body, and spirit—"faith takes over where reason leaves off."  Mas has become an influential teacher, speaker, and author of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedantic philosophy. His diverse background includes athletics, therapeutics, science, and ecology, all of which he integrates into a dynamic synthesis that has led him to become an innovative voice in the field of integral yoga, Ayurveda, and Indic culture.  He is the director and founder of Dancing Shiva, an educational organization based in San Diego, Calif, and Miami, Florida that promotes health, wellness, and societal reform by embracing universal spirituality, individuality, and a natural approach to lifestyle. In 2014 he appeared in the triumphant film Awake, The Life Of Yogananda. In 2017 his innovative work in the field was published, Sun, Moon & Earth: The Sacred Relationship of Yoga & Ayurveda is now available in over 15 countries and translated into several languages and he continues to inspire many to live an evolutionary life. His latest literary work The Evolution Revolution: Yoga, Ayurveda and the Rise of the Soft Power Culture released in November 2021. 

Eddie Ellner opened Yoga Soup in Santa Barbara, CA in 2001 and has taught there ever since. The responsibility of running a business dedicated to offering fresh carrots and useful wisdom has awakened him to his own nearly boundless ignorance and need to practice. His classes combine yoga poses, non-duality-flavored dharma, current events, resistance stretching, and the occasional non-ordinary state of consciousness. On a good day, his class will illuminate the value of nothing. Tune in as Juliana and Eddie discuss the path toward enlightenment, confronting your limitations, the value of community, and the business of yoga. 

Juliana welcomes Scott Shute to discuss how to change your work and world from the inside out. They discuss how to work towards a career that will be both fulfilling and meaningful while appreciating the challenges and failures that it takes to get there. Scott emphasizes the importance of moving from fear to love and judgment to recognition.  Scott Shute was the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion Programs at LinkedIn and the author of the book: The Full Body YES. He is now bringing the goodness they've been building at Linkedin to the rest of the world, by “mainstreaming mindfulness” and “operationalizing compassion.” In other words, bringing these ancient and everyday concepts to the business world in a way that is secular, inclusive, practical, and powerful. It’s the intersection of the modern and the ancient. Backed by thousands of years of practice, and now proven effective by science and research. You can learn more about Scott and his offerings at https://www.scottshute.com/