This is Yoga Therapy

In this soul-stirring conversation, I am joined by Mark Gardett, PhD, a yoga scholar, teacher, and author of the transformative new book, A Necessary Joy: Yoga and the Quest for Transformation.

Mark sits at the powerful intersection of trans identity and ancient yogic philosophy. Together, we explore the idea that "transness" is not just a destination, but a spiritual practice of expansion—one that mirrors the yogic journey toward the unchanging Self (Atman). Whether you are navigating a gender transition, a career shift, or the "identity injury" of trauma, this episode serves as a map for coming home to a self that cannot be lost.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Practice of Transforming: Why the act of becoming is more vital than the final destination.
• The Unchanging Core: How the concept of the "Atman" (the witness) provides a steady foundation during profound life shifts and gender transitions.
• Protecting the Inner Light: Strategies for staying open to a turbulent world while preserving your divine spark.
• Redefining Liberation: Is freedom an escape from the world, or a radical new way of being within it?
• Yoga in the Margins: Reclaiming yoga’s roots as a practice for those outside the "mainstream" centers of power.
• Sadhana as Foundation: Mark shares their personal daily practice and how it upholds their work as a coach and educator.

About Mark Gardett

Mark Gardett (they/them) is a transgender practitioner, scholar, and teacher of yoga with over 25 years of experience. They hold a PhD in English and specialize in therapeutic, trauma-informed yoga for individuals navigating PTSD and major life transitions. Mark is the founder of foundingqueers.com, where they coach LGBTQ+ business founders to operationalize their visions with integrity and joy.

Connect with Mark:

• Book: A Necessary Joy: Yoga and the Quest for Transformation (Available via Tehom Center Publishing)
• Coaching: foundingqueers.com

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Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy

• Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.com
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What happens when the goal of yoga isn't to "fix" or "cure," but to navigate the complex reality of a chronic condition with grace, humor, and agency? In this episode, we are joined by bestselling author and health journalist Kayla Kurin.

Kayla shares her global journey of navigating 50+ countries while managing chronic health issues, offering a refreshing perspective on how storytelling, comedy, and travel can reshape our identity. We dive deep into the intersection of journalism and somatic health, exploring how to live an expansive life right now, exactly as you are.

We dive deep into:

• The Power of Narrative: How we can use storytelling to communicate complex therapeutic needs.
• Identity & Stigma: Moving past the "stigma" of illness to live a full, adventurous life.
• Global Wisdom: Practical advice for living expansively, even when your health feels restrictive.
• Sadhana in Action: Kayla’s personal daily practices for maintaining stability.

About Our Guest: Kayla Kurin

Kayla Kurin is a health and travel journalist, comedy writer, and storyteller from Canada. She is the bestselling author of the Yoga for Chronic Illness series. Her work has appeared in prestigious publications such as The Toronto Star, Yoga International, and Matador Network. Having lived and worked in over 50 countries, Kayla draws on a global perspective to communicate complex therapeutic concepts with humor and heart.

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Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy

• Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.com
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In this episode, Michele Lawrence sits down with wellness coach, author, and ecotherapy trailblazer Carrie Asby to explore the profound journey of remembering our connection to the wild. In an age dominated by digital noise and perfection burnout, Carrie invites us to move toward the power of presence by making nature a formal partner in our healing work.

We dive deep into how Ecotherapy serves as a clinical bridge for the nervous system, transforming routine movement into sacred ritual. Whether you are a yoga therapist looking for new somatic tools or a busy professional seeking a shift in perspective, this conversation offers a roadmap for anchoring your energy and reclaiming your Inner Peace through the natural world.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Journey of Remembering: How a single step home"can shift us from the pursuit of perfection to a state of being.
• Nature as Co-Therapist: The science of how green spaces regulate our nervous system, energy, and focus.
• Self-Love as Activism: Why healing our individual connection to the earth is a vital contribution to the collective health of our world.
• Leadership and the Wild: How green time alters the way we show up in clinics, boardrooms, and our most intimate relationships.
• Practical Rituals: A simple, accessible ecotherapy tool you can use today—even in an urban environment—to ground your energy and reduce burnout.

About Our Guest:

Carrie Asby is a wellness coach, retreat founder, and author dedicated to helping people reclaim their connection to the earth. Through her work in ecotherapy and somatic ritual, she guides individuals and groups through transformative shifts in perspective that foster resilience and wholeness.

Connect with Carrie:

• Website: https://carrieasby.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrieasby/

Support the show

Connect with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy

• Email us: info@innerpeaceyogatherapy.com
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook