Revolutionary Self-Love and Body Autonomy with Naomi Finkelstein

Episode Overview:In one of the most vulnerable and transformative conversations to date, Amy Wheeler sits down with Naomi Finkelstein, a yoga therapist and founder of The Sanctuary, to explore what it means to reclaim body autonomy, live in alignment with truth, and practice yoga from a foundation of ahiṁsā—non-harming—toward oneself.Naomi shares her deeply personal story of being sent to weight-loss camps as a teen, struggling with disordered eating for decades, and ultimately being diagnosed with anorexia at age 40—all while living in a larger body. She speaks honestly about how societal fatphobia masked her illness, and how yoga became both a site of harm and, ultimately, a path to healing.This conversation redefines what it means to "do yoga." It's not about performance. It's about presence, choice, and radical self-respect.Amy openly reflects on how this dialogue challenged her own internalized body narratives. This is not just a podcast episode; it’s an invitation into deep nervous system work, self-reflection, and community reimagining. Topics Covered:Naomi’s journey through fatphobia, eating disorder recovery, and reclaiming the word “fat” as a neutral descriptorThe harm caused by body-normative yoga spaces—and how to create truly inclusive onesTrauma-informed yoga through the lens of personal choice and body consentHow shifting your internal dialogue during practice changes the entire nervous system responseWhat it means to build a yoga community rooted in safety, autonomy, and interdependenceWhy health cannot be measured by weight alone—and how to practice viveka (discernment) in medical spacesA reframe of tapas and ahiṁsā that honors those recovering from disordered eatingKey Quotes:“I had to relearn what it meant to show up on my mat—from a place of choice, not punishment.” — Naomi Finkelstein“The sensation you’re feeling right now? That’s what healing feels like.” — Naomi Finkelstein“If yoga isn’t here to bring us home to ourselves, what are we doing?” — Amy WheelerLearn More About Naomi:Naomi Finkelstein, C-IAYT, is a certified yoga therapist, trauma-informed educator, and founder of The Sanctuary, an inclusive online community supporting people in larger bodies through movement, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation. Her October courses include:Befriending the Body – An 8-week gentle yoga journey for those beginning or returning to practiceYoga Nidrā for Deep Rest – A 6-week guided series to support nervous system recovery Learn more at NaomiFinkelstein.com Listener Note:This episode may stir deep emotions, especially for those in eating disorder recovery or with long-term body image struggles. We invite you to listen slowly, take breaks, and notice your breath and sensations. Healing is nonlinear. Come back to the episode as needed.