Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this coaching episode, we explore creative ways to support neurodiverse clients, particularly those with ADHD, in staying present and engaged during yoga practices. Joined by Kimberly Hagar, we go over mindful cues, pacing, and specific yoga practices beneficial for this demographic. The episode covers strategies to integrate yoga effectively and ethically into therapy sessions, emphasizing the importance of crystal-clear instructions, movement variety, and client-centered approaches. This episode also features a practical Qigong exercise designed to enhance focus.

MEET Kimberleigh Hagar

Kimberleigh Hagar, LCSW ​a mental health therapist​, yoga teacher, and Reiki Master. She provides individual holistic therapy online, specializing in women experiencing overthinking, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and struggling with self-compassion. In therapy, she incorporates​ holistic practices including: yoga, EFT Tapping (acupressure), tarot/oracle cards as a self-reflective tool, ​mindfulness, and ​R​eiki-assisted therapy.

Find out more at Mindfully Balanced Therapy and connect with Kimberleigh on Instagram

• Coaching Session: Strategies for Neurodiverse Clients
• Qigong Practice for Focus

Yoga Basics: The Therapist's Guide to Integrating Trauma-Informed Yoga into Sessions

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of gratitude in yoga practice. Joined by Sohale Sizar, founder of Soul, we discuss how to make gratitude a deeply spiritual practice that nourishes both therapists and clients. We also explore how gratitude can impact the nervous system, support emotional regulation, and deepen connections with self and others. Sohale shares personal insights and strategies for maintaining gratitude, especially on challenging days, and talks about the scientific and spiritual benefits. The episode also introduces Soul, an innovative tool that sends spontaneous gratitude prompts to help build sustainable gratitude habits.

MEET Sohale Sizar

Sohale Sizar is the founder of Soul, with the mission to illuminate the daily practice of gratitude for his rapidly growing online community. An entrepreneur since the age of nine with 15 years of dedicated practice in meditation and gratitude, Sohale translated his experiences into earning a Stanford MBA and building ventures spanning non-profit charities, education, and consumer technology. Soahle is now an excited entrepreneur on a mission to facilitate access to one's inner light through his gratitude teachings.

Find out more at Soul, and connect with Sohale on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn

Learn more about Sohale HERE

• The science and spirituality of gratitude
• Gratitude in yoga practices
• Exploring everlasting gratitude
• The power of gratitude
• Understanding toxic positivity
• The importance of self-compassion
• Building sustainable gratitude practices

Yoga Basics: The Therapist's Guide to Integrating Trauma-Informed Yoga into Sessions

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify

Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this episode, we discuss the significant role of touch in psychotherapy and yoga with somatic therapist Sarah Levant. We explore how safe, intentional touch can support the healing process for clients with developmental trauma, aid in nervous system regulation, and offer transformative therapeutic benefits. We go over practical and ethical considerations, informed consent, and various training programs that integrate touch and somatic practices. Sarah shares her journey into somatic therapy, the impact of early attachment on the body, and her methods for integrating touch into therapy sessions to help clients achieve lasting healing.

MEET Sarah Levant

Sarah Levant believes that change is possible. Sarah brings years of experience and a deep passion for helping people heal from trauma—whether it’s the single event of a car accident, or recurring events like chronic inflammation, the pain of childhood experiences, toxic workplaces, racial trauma, or the weight of chronic stress. With advanced training in both complex and single-event trauma, Sarah also assists in national and international trainings on trauma and somatic healing. Sarah is also writing a somatic workbook/coloring book to ease overwhelm, anxiety, and trauma. Sarah helps ease symptoms like anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, disordered eating, substance use, rage, and dissociation by fostering regulation in the body.

Connect with Sarah at somatichealingconsults@gmail.com

• The power of touch in therapy
• Training and techniques for therapeutic touch
• Practical applications and client experiences
• Impact of early attachment on touch and healing
• Impact of ACEs on health
• The role of touch in healing
• Internal Family Systems and touch
• Ethics and informed consent in touch therapy
• Legalities and case documentation

Yoga Basics: The Therapist's Guide to Integrating Trauma-Informed Yoga into Sessions

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify

How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this episode, we look at practical vagal toning exercises to help regulate the nervous system. Listeners are guided through techniques such as breathwork, sound and vibration, self-touch, and mindful movement. This episode offers trauma-informed, accessible practices for both therapists and their clients. Key exercises include the 4-2-4 and 6-3-6 breathing techniques, as well as stimulating the ear's vagus nerve connections. I also share a trauma-informed approach to introducing these practices to clients, emphasizing the importance of gradual integration and client autonomy.

Yoga Basics: The Therapist's Guide to Integrating Trauma-Informed Yoga into Sessions

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify

How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

Claim your 30-Day Aura Guest Pass from Chris McDonald

Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this episode, we discuss how to help clients who overthink by bringing them back into their bodies through yoga and holistic practices. Kimberleigh shares her yoga journey, her weekly routines, and how she integrates yoga, Reiki, and other holistic tools into her therapy sessions. Listeners are guided through practical exercises to help reconnect the mind and body, and Kimberleigh offers insights into the benefits of combining these practices for overall mental well-being.

MEET Kimberleigh Hagar

Kimberleigh Hagar, LCSW ​, is a mental health therapist​, yoga teacher, and Reiki Master. She provides individual holistic therapy online, specializing in women experiencing overthinking, perfectionism, imposter syndrome and struggling with self-compassion. In therapy, she incorporates​ holistic practices including: yoga, EFT Tapping (acupressure), tarot/oracle cards as a self-reflective tool, ​mindfulness, and ​R​eiki-assisted therapy.

Find out more at Mindfully Balanced Therapy and connect with Kimberleigh on Instagram

• Understanding overthinking and its challenges
• The connection between overthinking and anxiety
• Reconnecting with the body through yoga
• Practical yoga techniques for therapists
• Guided grounding exercise

Yoga Basics: The Therapist's Guide to Integrating Trauma-Informed Yoga into Sessions

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify

How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping...

Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this episode, I address common fears and doubts therapists face when integrating yoga into therapy sessions. We discuss overcoming blocks related to training adequacy, concerns about yoga's spiritual aspects, and the fear that clients may reject yoga practices. This solo episode emphasizes the importance of aligning yoga practices with clinical orientation and offers practical guidance for supporting hesitant clients. I also include a reflective journaling activity designed to help therapists identify and move past their fears.

1. What fears or hesitations come up for me when I think about integrating yoga into my sessions

2. Where do I feel those fears in my body, and what stories am I telling myself about what could go wrong

3. What is the deeper desire or value behind my interest in integrating yoga into therapy? What would be possible for you and your clients if you moved through that fear?

4. What is one small aligned action I could take this week that feels safe enough to begin moving forward?

Yoga Basics: The Therapist's Guide to Integrating Trauma-Informed Yoga into Sessions

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify

How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

Claim your 30-Day Aura Guest Pass from Chris McDonald

Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this episode, we discuss ways to make yoga practices inclusive for diverse bodies, abilities, and experiences. We will explore various adaptations such as chair yoga, trauma-informed approaches, and functional movements to ensure every client feels welcome and empowered. Jivana shares his journey into yoga, the principles of Accessible Yoga, and practical tips for therapists to integrate yoga safely into their sessions. We also go over the importance of language, props, and maintaining a balance between instructional clarity and invitation. Listeners can learn a chair-based sun salutation practice and gain insights into available trainings and resources to further their skills in accessible yoga.

MEET Jivana Heyman

Jivana Heyman, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body; Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion; and The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body. His books, classes, and trainings support yoga teachers and yoga therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while still respecting the ancient yoga tradition

Find out more at Accessible Yoga School and connect with Jivana on Instagram

• Understanding accessible yoga
• The spectrum of yoga poses
• Using props for accessible yoga
• Exploring resistance in yoga
• Demonstrating Cobra Pose with a bolster
• Inclusive language and queuing in yoga
• Chair Yoga Sun Salutation

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify

How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to

Soul: Build a Gratitude Habit USE CODE CHRISYOGA 30 for 30 DAYS FREE FOR LISTENERS

In this Yoga Snack, we discuss practical tools on how yoga can help navigate challenging times, particularly in the context of a divisive political climate, discussing nervous system regulation, self-care strategies, and yoga philosophy that promote inner resilience and grounding. This episode provides a guided visualization to aid in finding a sense of safety and calm.

“ It is times like these that our yoga practice becomes more than just movement of breath. It can be a lifeline, a sanctuary, a way we can return to our center.” -Chris McDonald

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

TikTok: @YogaChris58

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and Spotify

How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

Claim your 30-Day Aura Guest Pass from Chris McDonald