What does it mean to age well? In 2026, the conversation has officially shifted from lifespan—how many years we live—to healthspan—how well we live those years. In this episode, host Michele Lawrence sits down with pioneering medical doctor and certified yoga therapist Dr. Baxter Bell to discuss the intersection of Western medicine and yoga. Baxter shares his personal evolution from working as a busy family physician in the 1990s to stepping onto the mat full-time as a global leader in the yo...

What happens when we stop trying to "fix" our bodies and instead learn to negotiate our own terms of healing? In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, host Michele Lawrence sits down with legendary movement educator, physical therapist, and yoga therapist Sherry Brourman, PT, C-IAYT. With an astonishing 53 years of clinical experience, Sherry shares her profound evolution from the rigid, biomechanical silos of 1970s physical therapy into the compassionate, integrated world of modern pain scie...

What happens when a legacy of "radical rest" meets the modern era of constant noise? In this episode of This is Yoga Therapy, Michele Lawrence sits down with Lizzie Lasater—Restorative Yoga teacher, architect by training, and a vital voice in the evolution of modern yoga. As her mother, yoga pioneer Judith Hanson Lasater, prepares to retire at age 80, Lizzie reflects on the longevity of a teacher, the structural integrity of a healing practice, and why slowing down is actually an act of civil...

Are you a brilliant yoga teacher or therapist who feels paralyzed when it comes to the business side of your practice? You’ve done the trainings, you have the heart, and you’re ready to reduce suffering—but the logistics of running a viable business feel like a separate, cold world. In this episode, Michele sits down with Erin Alexander and Katie Pine, both graduates of Inner Peace Yoga Therapy and co-creators of the Sacred Success Mentorship. Together, they explore how to stop info-hoarding ...

What happens when deep academic study meets 20 years of dedicated practice? In this episode, Michele sits down with Tova Olsson, a religious studies scholar, author, and PhD candidate at Umeå University. Known for her "user-friendly" approach to yoga and tantra studies, Tova explains how mythology serves as a mirror for our "stuckness," why humor is an essential ingredient for spiritual growth, and how the Tantric view of the body can transform a yoga therapy session. In This Episode, We Disc...

This episode is a vital deep dive into a life transition that has been underserved and misunderstood for far too long. Michele sits down with Petra Coveney, the pioneering founder of Menopause Yoga™ and author of the new book, Menopause Yoga and Wellbeing. Together, they explore why standard yoga often falls short during the menopausal transition and how a specialized, therapeutic approach—rooted in both endocrinology and the Five Koshas—can transform a woman’s experience from one of "deficie...

This episode is an exploration of what it means to be truly seen. Michele sits down with world-renowned photographer and yoga practitioner Robert Sturman to discuss the intersection of art, trauma, and the human spirit. Robert doesn’t just document yoga; he captures what he calls "figurative poetry." From the halls of maximum-security prisons to the lives of breast cancer survivors and veterans living with PTSD, Robert’s lens serves as a mirror for dignity, helping his subjects reclaim their ...

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Nikki Myers—MBA, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, and founder of Y12SR: The Yoga of 12-Step Recovery. Nikki has spent decades at the crossroads of addiction recovery and somatic wisdom, teaching us that while the 12-Step meetings provide the "cognitive map," the yoga mat provides the "somatic laboratory" for true healing. We dive deep into the soul-level work of recovery, discussing how to come home to a body that has been through the fire. If...

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 gend...

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...