S1 E17 Cancer, Resilience, and Yoga Therapy - Dr. Amy Wheeler on Healing, Nervous System Regulation and Integrative Health

In this episode of The Inner Practice, host Jackie Vandertuin sits down with Dr. Amy Wheeler—yoga therapist, educator, former varsity athlete, and sports psychologist—to explore what it truly means to live the practices we teach.Amy’s path began in high-performance sport at the University of Northern Iowa, where she developed a deep understanding of discipline, resilience, and the intelligence of the body. Her journey evolved into sports psychology, working with elite athletes, and later into yoga therapy and integrative healthcare education.In 2022, her life shifted profoundly with a diagnosis of cancer of the tongue. What followed was not only a personal healing journey, but a deepening of her work in nervous system regulation, emotional intelligence, and whole-person care.Together, Jackie and Amy explore:The intersection of sport psychology and yoga and integrative medicineWhat it means to regulate the nervous system during illnessHow yoga therapy supports healing in both clinical and personal contextsThe evolving role of integrative health in modern healthcare systemsFinding resilience, meaning, and presence in the face of uncertaintyDr. Wheeler is the Chair of the Department of Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda at Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she trains future practitioners to bring more humanity into healthcare. She is also the CEO of Optimal State of Living and the host of The Yoga Therapy Hour, now in its 10th season.Find Dr. Amy Wheeler at: Instagram:  OptimalStatewithAmyWheelerFacebook:  Amy Wheeler yogaLearn more about Dr. Wheeler’s work and tools for nervous system regulation: Optimal State App: https://www.optimalstateapp.com Listen to Dr. Wheeler's podcast The Yoga Therapy Hour her website at:https://amywheeler.com/podcasts or listen on your favourite podcast appsThis conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is not separate from life, it is woven into how we meet each moment, especially the difficult ones.Until next time, take a breath, slow down, and keep returning to your inner practice.Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf you enjoyed this show, make sure you like, subscribe, follow and download the episode or simply leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!  Please feel free to share your thoughts, episode ideas or simply to say "hello"!This episode is sponsored by Jackie Vandertuin Therapy.  With over 30 years of practice as a Certified Athletic Therapist and professor of Athletic Therapy, coupled with her experience as a yoga therapist, Jackie Vandertuin MSc, CAT(C), will help guide you in the management and treatment of various disorders including:  low back pain, sprains, strains, anxiety and depression.  Reach out www.jackievandertuintherapy.com  for a free discovery call.If would like to be a guest of this podcast, please reach out to jackie@jackievandertuintherapy with a short bio of your story and how yoga has helped you in your journey of healing.If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or this podcast, reach out to Jackie Vandertuin at [email protected] in touch at:Website:  https://www.jackievandertuintherapy.comInstagram:  jackie_vandertuin_therapyFacebook:  Jackie Vandertuin TherapyTo support the show, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/theinnerpractice