Yoga for Every Body: Chronic Pain, Neurodivergence, and the Power of Aerial Yoga with Jo Stewart

I’ll be honest: for a long time, I thought aerial yoga was just a fun, circus-y way to do yoga. But after sitting down with Jo Stewart, Senior Yoga Teacher and author of Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga, I realized I had it all wrong.For people living with chronic pain, neurodivergence, or PTSD, the hammock isn't just a prop, it’s a sanctuary.In this episode, Jo and I unpack why the Westernized, "fitness-first" approach to yoga is actually doing us a disservice and how we can reclaim movement as a tool for nervous system regulation, chronic pain (from endometriosis or something else), and our overall health.We dive deep into the specific benefits for female-bodied health, from managing mental health to autonomic balance to finding representation for conditions like endometriosis in the movement world.What We Discuss:The "Weight Loss" Myth: Why chasing a "yoga body" actually dishonors the practice’s history, disregards accessibility, and keeps us trapped in toxic diet culture.A Safety Net for the Nervous System: How the hammock acts as a co-regulator for those with PTSD or sensory processing needs.Chronic Pain & Endo: Jo shares the benefits of aerial yoga in particular for chronic pain and inflammation, and how it offers a bridge to movement when your body feels like it’s betraying you.Neurodivergence: The sensory benefits of deep pressure and why "traditional" yoga cues can be confusing for neurodivergent or structurally diverse bodies.Connect with Jo:Website: Garden of YogaBook: Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga: Adapting Practice for Neurodiversity, Accessibility and Physical SupportPodcast: The Flow Artists PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardenofyoga/