Can Yoga REALLY Improve Your Mental Health?

In this episode Joanne talks with the brilliant Alexander Technique practitioner Tully Hall. The conversation delves deep into the principles and benefits of the Alexander Technique, emphasizing its gentle approach to enhancing sensory awareness and self-regulation. We touch upon the importance of integrating body, mind, and spirit in healing practices and explore the benefits of using sound and vibration in therapeutic contexts. Tully shares a profound personal experience of healing from a traumatic hand injury, attributing her recovery to a blend of Tai Chi, Alexander Technique, and meditative practices. This episode was originally recorded and released a few years ago, but remains our second-most popular episode of all-time to this day, so we wanted to re-release a new edit of it as a seasonal gift to you! The conversation offers a rich tapestry of insights for anyone interested in holistic practices, movement education, and the transformative journey of self-awareness - enjoy!DISCOVER MORE ABOUT TULLY HALL:Visit Tully's websiteRead Tully's blogSIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

In this episode, Paul and Joanne explore 5 of the most prevalent myths about back pain that you may still believe. We provide you with valuable insights and wellness tips to help you manage chronic pain and discomfort, whilst ensuring you're not inadvertently making it worse!! There really are different options for effective prevention and recovery - when you understand how the myofascial matrix works.  From fascia research to intelligent movement, join us as we discuss the importance of self-awareness and a preventative approach to avoid injury and prevent low back pain before it happens. We hope you'll find our conversation illuminating, helping you to separate fact from fiction, and gaining some valuable insights about avoiding back pain altogether.SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

In this episode Joanne explores the profound and intriguing connection between your body’s fascia and your emotional, energetic, and spiritual well-being.We look at how we can tap into the self-organising power of our bodies, fostering a deeper understanding of our biomotional intelligence and internal somatic register - through the fascia - if we understand a little of how Spirit animates us.Join me on a journey of discovery, exploring the intricate relationships between fascia, energy, awareness and spirituality, and uncover the transformative potential of conscious embodiment...SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

In this episode Joanne interviews Kelley McLaughlin, a highly qualified bodywork and movement practitioner (certified in John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release Therapy). The conversation delves into the concept of 'magic' in healing and fascia, highlighting the importance of intention, curiosity, and the intersection between science and mystery. They discuss their shared experiences in the scientific field, including a significant moment at Ohio State University, where interdisciplinary collaboration led to ground-breaking discoveries.Kelley also explores her holistic approach to bodywork, emphasizing the integration of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects within a scientific framework. Everyone works in their own way and everyone they work with is unique - so it takes a combination of diligence, commitment and some other ingredients to really serve others…and ourselves.Tune in for these insights and a discussion around how both scientific rigor and curiosity can lead to profound understanding and healing. (And apologies for a couple of tiny moments of less-than-optimal audio due to tech issues, but hopefully you'll be so engrossed inthis fascinating conversation that they won't be noticeable!)More about Kelley J. McLaughlin, LMT, RYT:Kelley is a licensed massage therapist specialising in John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release Therapy. She completed the 200-hour MFR Yoga Teacher Training program at the Myofascial Yoga Institute in Canada, and is certified with the National Yoga Alliance. She also specialises in Myofascial Magic In Action under the teaching of Joanne Avison and Paul Thornley.Visit Kelley's website hereFollow Kelley on InstagramSIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

What if there were simple tools that could improve your inner world immediately - without you folding yourself into a “pretzel” or meditating for hours? In this episode, Joanne Avison interviews Jyoti Manuel, of Special Yoga, who works every day with adults and children, making a profound difference to their well-being. We explore the question: can yoga really improve mental health? Are there super simple, easy things we can do to make a difference to our daily stress on every level - without doing headstands? From reducing anxiety and depression to promoting emotional regulation and relaxation, the benefits of simple yoga integrative practices are vast and multifaceted. We explore the role of fascia and mindful practice in yoga's profound mind-body connection. We talk about how simple self-awareness practices can ease symptoms of mental health conditions and serve everyone, including those with additional or different needs. Whether you're seeking stress relief, or simply a deeper sense of emotional wellness, this conversation demonstrates how the subtle aspects of yoga can improve our mental health - on or off the mat. So, take a moment to join us and hear some inspiring stories of how Jyoti facilitates holistic transformation, with the simplest of tools you can imagine - that we all have at our fingertips!!GUEST BIO - JYOTI MANUEL🌍  https://www.specialyoga.co.uk/ 📸  https://www.instagram.com/specialyogaglobal/📖  https://www.facebook.com/specialyogaglobal 📺  https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialYogaGlobal SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

In this episode, we're going beyond the gym to explore the transformative power of functional movement in enhancing our daily lives and the lives of those we care for. By incorporating specific features of holistic fascia training and movement optimisation, we can experience improved movement efficiency, dynamic stability, and optimal alignment. Join Joanne and Paul as we delve into the world of fascial performance, integrative health, and holistic self-care.SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

Join Joanne in this brilliant chat with Dr. Karen Kirkness as they take a fascinating journey to unlock the secrets of the embryo, that remarkable human blueprint we all share! From the earliest stages of development, the embryo’s genetic code orchestrates a complex dance of tissue dynamics, fascia insights, and biological pathways - which Karen describes so beautifully so we can all understand it!Join us to explore the magic and the mystery, the science and the curiosity that inspires us all about where we each began. And there’s more…it’s Embryology Month at The Fascia Hub and all these goodies are waiting for you…Jan Trewartha will be chatting with Dr Kirkness about anatomy and embryologyThere’ll be a webinar from Emeritus Assoc. Professor of Anatomy and Embryology, Jaap van der Wal. Click here for itMembers of The Fascia Hub will receive a free download of Chapter 4 from Yoga Fascia Anatomy & Movement - which tells the embryo story in full illustration and helps us make sense of our original movements and forming sequence!Click on the links above to listen, watch or join The Fascia Hub to get all these treats!!SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

Discover the hidden language of your body, and how it makes SUCH a huge difference to your ability to enjoy moving and being in your body - if you learn to tune into it... Fascia, as you'll discover in this week’s episode, literally signals to itself and to you 24/7 - ALL the time! If you know what you’re listening to, you can discover this hidden language of your body and learn to read its messages. It’s much more than a complex network of connective tissue. It holds secrets to optimal wellness on several subtle levels - and Joanne starts the conversation around this in this episode. It expands all we thought we knew about feeling things. Subtle signalling (known as Haptic Perception) can sometimes reveal the root causes of muscle tension, chronic pain, and injury. If you can uncover the profound wisdom that your fascia is trying to share with you, you can develop a profound sense of self-awareness and move with greater ease, freedom, and joy. Tune in to discover how listening to your fascia can unlock the secrets to a more radiant, vibrant you - and realise how smart you already are!! Can’t wait to hear your comments, enjoy!SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

If you’ve ever experienced muscle trembling during or after a workout or a class - you may have heard the idea that it’s “good for you”.  But, as Paul and Joanne discuss in this episode, it could actually be a sign that you’re overtraining, and it’s essential to recognize these warning signs to avoid injury. You can maintain optimal performance, if you understand when “more” is NOT NECESSARILY “better”. In this episode, we’ll delve into some research in exercise science and explore the connection between muscle fatigue, overtraining syndrome, and the body’s way of signalling the need for rest and recovery. Check this out if you’re tired of feeling tired and want to ensure your personal fitness journey can grow to the next level, with intelligent listening - of you, by you. It’s worth listening to the end to discover the secrets and misconceptions behind balancing and building any exercise, movement and recovery - for your unique best.SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman

In this enlightening episode, Joanne delves into the fascinating world of myofascial release, discussing various interpretations of this powerful bodywork technique and what it means to different people. Tune in to discover how myofascial release has become a well known complementary health technique - and... what does it really mean? It has very different interpretations for different bodywork modalities... So this episode will expand your understanding and provide a wider - and perhaps more helpful - context for something called myofascial induction.Whatever bodywork techniques you use or enjoy, Joanne will shed light on the importance of myofascial motion and how we understand its role in health education for optimal performance. Whether you work with athletes on prehab strategies or you are simply interested in alternative therapies, this episode offers valuable information for any complementary health practice. Joanne unlocks some essential keys of myofascial magic and embodied movement, and the distinctions to fully understand these various therapeutic techniques. Don’t miss out on these essential insights into fascinating fascia, and the ways understanding it can improve your understanding of movement in everyday life! Tune in now to discover what you REALLY need to know about myofascial release!SIGN UP TO THE JOANNE AVISON NEWSLETTER Simply scroll down to ‘Join Our Collective’ and pop in your details. We DON’T spam and we DO respect privacy!FOLLOWING ON YOUTUBE?Why don’t you start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Nb0JCvJRHKdZqF3PgHc9BaJnv33rU-u&si=vn4qiIAToTILqVmGMORE:My website - https://www.joanneavison.com/My course - https://myofascialmagic.com/My book: - https://amzn.to/3zF3SASInstagram - joanneavisonFREE ONLINE WEBINAR:Free Webinar - https://myofascialmagic.com/webinar-registrationPodcast produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman