From Pain to Possibility (Susi Hately)

Have you worked with a client that is numb or cannot feel? How do we work with those who have difficulty expressing themselves? 

This week, I'm joined by two educators and therapists, Ruth Ann Penney and Kim Marion, to talk about openness, trust, and relationship building. This enlightening conversation touches on the nuance of sensory perception, the essential nature of trust in our ability to communicate, and so much more.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/164

In the next part of my mini-series, Safety in Selling, I’m speaking with two previous guests of the From Pain to Possibility podcast, Nona Jordan and Karin Rossi—current members of my certification final module. And you guessed it: we’re talking about getting comfortable with selling.

As both Nona and Karin share, increasing and refining your technical skills is always the first step in the sales process. 

We’re also exploring how my concept of pain-free range of motion can be applied to selling. The idea is to start small and take incremental steps to offer your services to more patients. 

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/292

Today’s episode kicks off the first part of my two-part series on pain-free walking, which is a common desire from my patients as they begin to enjoy extended periods without pain. 

So, how exactly can you go from zero to 30 minutes? This is a big step and not one to take lightly. Listen in as I share how exactly you can gauge your baseline, what movements and patterns you should be aware of while walking, as well as ways to avoid significant setbacks on your road to 30 minutes. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/223 

Many of us in Western culture have a rigid understanding of the student-teacher relationship—one that places teachers in positions of authority to which students are taught to defer. But helping our clients to heal requires a relationship of exchange. In this episode, I’m speaking with Ruth Ann Penny, veteran educator and yoga teacher, about the role of teachers in helping clients out of pain.

Listen in as Ruth Ann and I share an in-depth discussion on our role as effective teachers, empowering our clientele to develop an inner locus of control, and forming a healing relationship with our patients. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/236

In this episode, I explore the idea of "unlearning versus retraining" to help manage and reduce physical pain. I talk about neuroplasticity and motor control, sharing my own journey of overcoming chronic pain by retraining my movement patterns. I explain how the nervous system replaces old habits instead of erasing them, and I advocate for making gradual, pain-free movement adjustments. I also offer practical steps to reinforce better movement patterns, helping to build an understanding of how to alleviate pain and improve functionality.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/107

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/111

This week, I’m doing something a little bit different and taking you on a journey of meditation for your run. Whether you are a runner or a walker, you can utilize this 20 minute practice and enjoy the process. So put your shoes on, and let’s head out.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/74

While some styles of yoga consider downward facing dog to be a resting pose, many can attest to their difficulty in achieving this position. In this episode of my shoulder mini-series, I’ll unpack downward dog and the compensation patterns connected to it so you can turn your grumpy dog into a pain-free puppy!

Tune in to learn how you can perform your own dog pose, and understand both the mindset and the actual movements required to improve shoulder awareness in this pose and use it to make progress in your shoulder rehabilitation journey. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/228

I'm sharing why I came up with the yellow light analogy and how I’ve used this for a long time with my clients. I don’t know anything more powerful than really tuning into ourselves, so I’m showing you how to better use your energy to tune into your body and develop your awareness so you can operate in a completely different way.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/57

Join me this week as I show you how to question the relationship between your body and brain. Discover a guidance system that you didn’t even know was there and learn how to use the process of dialoging with your symptom as a mechanism to reconnect with your body.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/37

Have you heard of the polyvagal theory? Listen as your host Susi Hately and her guest Marlysa Sullivan discuss this theory, the roles of our sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and relaxation, gunas, and much more in this episode of From Pain to Possibility.

Marlysa is an assistant professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, where she teaches in the integrative health sciences and yoga therapy departments. She’s developed courses in the yoga therapy curriculum and is the founding clinical director for the Master of Science in Yoga Therapy program at Maryland University.

Listen, as Marlysa describes the polyvagal theory, how the autonomic nervous system works, and the three qualities of gunas. Marlysa shares how with the two models of polyvagal theory and gunas, it shows how to work with clients from a yogic perspective. She also discusses how she starts a conversation about gunas with some clients she will speak to them in the language of gunas.

Marlysa speaks about the use of yamas and niyamas in her sessions, and how all of this circles back to polyvagal theory. Even though all of this sounds so complex, it becomes simple as you practice it, pure in terms of the result you are seeking and as you develop it into an art of how you start and how you continue.

This is a great topic, and the way Marlysa describes it integrates it so nicely with the biomedical and the biopsychosocial model. Susi has such a great conversation with Marlysa that you will want to sit in a comfy chair, prop your feet up, and relax because you don’t want to miss this episode.

In This Episode

• [01:22] Welcome, Marlysa!
• [02:09] Marlysa shares her background and her journey to where she is now.
• [05:05] How would you describe polyvagal theory?
• [07:24] Marlysa shares how the autonomic nervous system can either have a relaxed response or life-threat response.
• [10:19] If we are in a shutdown dissociative state, can we get stuck there?
• [11:52] Marlysa discusses the three qualities of gunas.
• [13:16] Marlysa shares how gunas are similar to this idea of the autonomic nervous system.
• [15:17] What is nice about these two models of polyvagal theory and gunas is that they show that we can work with clients from a yogic perspective.
• [16:45] How would you start the conversation with clients around gunas?
• [17:38] Marlysa shares that she speaks to clients in the language of the gunas.
• [20:45] Marlysa speaks about how yoga is supportive, and this qualitative measure can bring more detail or direction to support someone’s process.
• [23:04] What are some ideas of ways they can start integrating these ideas or just thoughts to think about as they move towards integration?
• [26:47] Marlysa shares about yamas and niyamas and what they are.
• [29:19] Marlysa speaks about knowing when you are centered in your expression of compassion that supports you and those around you.
• [30:22] How does this all circle back to polyvagal theory?
• [34:31] Thank you so much for being on the show!

Find Susi

• Susi Hately
• Functional Synergy Training
• Susi on Twitter
• Susi on Facebook
• Susi on Instagram

Find Marlysa

• Marlysa Sullivan
• Understanding Yoga Therapy
• The Anatomy of Yoga
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Today, I’m tackling a different topic—one that many health professionals may find somewhat uncomfortable: selling. But here’s the thing: whether you like it or not, in order to garner clients, you have to go through a sales process.

To help, I’m launching a new mini-series designed to help you sell your service of supporting people in reducing and eradicating physical pain. Listen in to hear why, now more than ever, people need the ability to down-regulate their systems and how you can help them by effectively showcasing your professional abilities. 

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/289

My Therapeutic Yoga Intensive and Therapeutic Yoga Certification programs are extensive and challenging, but we also have fun, build community, and support one another. This week, two of my current trainees, Maria Hykin and Nicole Nanfra, share more about why they chose the certification program, how I support my trainees within it, and how the training has exceeded their expectations. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/193

This week, I'm sharing 4 key areas to support you in connecting with your feelings more effectively. When we can get clear on emotion, we can start to see how emotion and physical sensation fuel the actions we take, so I’m showing you how to take that discernment into your recovery process this week.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/73

What I have found over almost 30 years of helping people reduce and eradicate pain is that rules don’t apply to a lot of people. There are two really important words that matter more: it depends. When my students let these two words seep into them and marinate through them, they achieve extraordinary results, and I’m showing you how to do the same this week.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/92

Do you or someone you know struggle with migraines? Have you tried countless remedies, yet still find no lasting relief? Imagine being able to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines without relying entirely on medication.

In this episode, I'm joined by Maria Hykin, a yoga therapist trainee with firsthand experience in battling migraines. Maria shares her transformative journey, discovering a unique approach rooted in therapeutic yoga that goes beyond simply addressing the pain. 

Tune in as Maria provides practical tips and powerful insights for anyone seeking migraine relief and a better quality of life. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/279

Tune in this week for another gentle practice to help you explore movement and breath. With this practice, we’re focusing on the feet, hips, and abdomen. I’m guiding you through this practice and showing you how to notice what your body does and how to tune in to the information your body gives you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/147

Why is the triangle pose blamed for issues in the spine, SI joints, and knees? Listen, as Susi explores why it's blamed and why on the flip side that the triangle is an exceptional position, especially when someone has recovered from SI joint issues, plus more in this episode of From Pain to Possibility.

Susi explores the triangle pose and describes what she has seen when people do a traditional way of moving into the pose versus how she prefers to see it done. Susi has found that her students are very surprised at how limited their hip movement is when teaching her way.

Do you know how to move correctly? Listen, as Susi discusses why most people don't have the foundation capacity or capability to do the triangle pose and what we can do about it. Susi believes that when you use smaller movements and learn how your joints move, you can quiet the compensation and move the way your body is designed to move.

The bottom line is that triangle can be horrible if you don't do it correctly. Do you want to learn how Susi does it? She is leading a two-hour course on triangle pose specifically. She will dig into some more of the pose's mechanics and dynamics, and she will walk you through some foundational movements, breathing, and awareness exercises to really explore your own self and movement. If you would like to register, go to www.functionalsynergy.com/trianglepose.

In This Episode

• [00:24] Welcome to the show!
• [02:04] Listen as Susi explores the triangle position.
• [04:25] Susi describes what she has seen over time when people do a traditional way of moving into triangle.
• [05:13] Susi shares how she likes to move into triangle.
• [07:43] Listen as Susi shares a story on how she developed the way she teaches.
• [09:21] Most humans doing yoga don't have the foundation capacity or capability to do the triangle pose.
• [11:21] Susi discusses building up component parts and why triangle can be tremendous for people.
• [14:37] The bottom line is that triangle can be horrible, it can be terrible, it's all in how you do it.
• [15:54] Susi finishes the episode with a thought and a challenge with a lot of love.
• [17:49] Thank you for listening and have a great time exploring.

Find Susi

• Susi Hately
• Functional Synergy Training
• Susi on Twitter
• Susi on Facebook
• Susi on Instagram
• Click here to speak with us directly

This week, I'm teaching you how to bring your brain and body together to decode your symptoms. Discover how to regain your power and reduce your symptoms and pain, and tune into the sense of knowing that your body provides you with.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/68

It is much easier to heal the psoas when my clients are working toward being able to do an activity they love without pain. This week, I share two recovery journeys to demonstrate why it is essential for us to take our time and create movement plans for our desired activities ahead. Discover how to design motivating movement therapies with the 7-R’s along with methods of reverse engineering body movements toward a desired activity. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/179

As we continue our mini-series on bone health, and especially on osteoporosis, I’m speaking with a very special guest today: Melanie Metrow, a physical therapist and trainee in my IAYT program.

In this conversation we’re talking about the role fear can play when trying to live with osteoporosis and how that fear impacts our autonomic nervous system (ANS). Listen in as we discuss, in detail, how the ANS responds to our environment, the power of receiving an osteoporosis diagnosis in a compassionate manner, as well as some safety tips applicable for clients.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/264

I have had great success working with people with migraines and I have seen some amazing results from my clients. So this week for the next installment of the Exploring Your Breath miniseries I’m diving into migraines. Learn how I teach people to tune in to their body, mind, and system to recognize correlations to the migraine and the power of becoming more aware of conditions and triggers that lead to migraines.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/145

I work a lot with clients who have been given corrective exercise techniques as part of their rehabilitation program, and I train health professionals who have professional training in the application of these corrective exercises. So this week, I’m digging into corrective exercise techniques and how they can be amplified by adding yoga therapy. Discover what corrective exercises are and three things I see present when these techniques are not working.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/153

Listen in this week and hear from massage therapists Carissa, Deanna, and Lesley Ann about how they’re integrating yoga therapy into their practices, why they’re doing it and how it might be meaningful for you. You’ll get some great ideas about integrating concepts around therapeutic yoga application and supporting people with movement, breath, and stillness, and what it can do for your practice.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/125

I'm leading you through a massage and breath technique to help you connect with your feet. Our feet are a part of an extended kinetic chain: connected to our legs, hips, and pelvis. Through the techniques I offer today, you can deepen your understanding of your feet and how to eradicate their pain. Discover the connection between your feet and pelvis, and learn to enhance your understanding of the body’s subtle movement. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/183

In this episode, we share Stew’s remarkable experience with Psoriasis and discuss how taking notice of the whispers of his condition in his body enabled him to heal and recover. We share why the mind combined with the body can become a powerful healing tool and how to uncover and become aware of our ability to recover and heal.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/40

Welcome to an all-new mini-series about bone health. In this episode, I will be introducing this topic with a very special guest, Laurie-Anne Lamothe, a yoga teacher and soon-to-be graduate of my yoga therapy accredited IAYT program.

Listen in as Laurie-Anne discusses why there’s so much fear present around osteoporosis and the current care gap that exists between treatment and information provided to patients. She’ll also be providing several client case studies to illustrate her experience helping others feel empowered in their movements.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/262

Oftentimes, an issue you’re suffering from in one part of your body actually has roots elsewhere. Such is the case with the shoulders, where the problem may be a result of a poor connection between the shoulders and hips. 

In this episode of my shoulder mini-series, I’ll guide you through two movements – a bridge pose and a supine twist – to help you become more aware of the relationship between shoulders and hips en route to achieving gains in the rehabilitation process. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/227

In this episode, I introduce the idea of "precision that lands" to help ease physical pain and how crucial it is to apply what we know in a way that our bodies can actually absorb, instead of just piling on more effort. I share stories from successful clients to show how getting a grip on body mechanics and clearing out interference can really make a difference. By zeroing in on spots like the glutes and shoulders, I encourage you to take a closer look and get to the root of the issues, promoting a more nuanced take on pain and movement.

Many people have issues with the psoas, and these are usually longstanding, providing only short bouts of relief. This week, I'm showing you what the psoas is and how to have longer and more sustainable gains, relief, and freedom. Discover how I support my clientele to help their psoas regain and maintain its suppleness, and the missing element to help you get longer-term gains.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/62

Are you tired of rushing into strength training post-injury only to end up with more persistent pain? The strengthening process has so many misconceptions and pitfalls, so I'm offering a fresh perspective on "strengthening for real" this week. Tune in as I draw from my personal experience of recovering from an injury, detailing the stages of initial healing, stabilization, and ultimately regaining strength and full range of motion.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/204

Learn about the profound benefits of a practice I call the art of doing nothing. I'm guiding you through a deliberate, gentle movement that helps you connect with your body without strain and discomfort. You'll be reminded to move slowly, slightly, and intentionally feel nothing. By slowing down and letting go of the need for constant action, you can tap into a place of curiosity and connectedness that foster healing and pain reduction.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/197

Regardless of hypermobility, anyone can cultivate their interoceptive and proprioceptive abilities. This week, I share the basics of these sensing skills along with a breathing exercise to expand your practice. By actively noticing and acknowledging our sensations, we embark on a transformative journey. I invite you to explore your unique sensory experiences today.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/hypermobility-interoception-proprioception/

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/100

This episode is short and simple, designed to connect you to your body and breath. Tune in to bring awareness to nearly every part of your body while simultaneously embracing a simple intention, or sankalpa. Even more than that, you’ll see how that intention resonates within you before enjoying the rest of your day feeling renewed and refreshed.

Find a safe and quiet place where you can sit or lie down as I guide you, step by step, through this 20-minute body scan and breath awareness practice to down-regulate your nervous system.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/287

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/99

We’ve discussed how sleep apnea is on an upward trend, but that doesn’t mean we need to normalize it. As part of my mini-series on the Mechanics of Breathing, today’s episode will focus on several full-body breathing exercises to bring intention to your breathing and counteract airway issues.

Listen in as I guide you through various exercises, including a three-part breathing technique that incorporates the upper and lower belly, the chest, the rib cage and even different parts of the back.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/222 

Today, I’m talking about a concept that is key to reducing and eradicating pain. It’s so powerful that it’s often one of the first ideas I teach health professionals who attend my programs and workshops. However, it truly needs to be experienced to understand how powerful it can be.

Listen in as I explain why this is so integral to the rehabilitation process, including how these movements address any gripping or bracing patterns that have become part of a client’s stabilizing force. I also share how mastering such movements improves results—both physically and mentally.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/271

Tune in this week to hear a remarkable description of my client’s journey of listening to her body and seeing the possibilities instead of problems. Discover how she has become a friend of her body and hear why she is a great example of the power of curiosity and listening.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/91

This week, I am guiding you through a series of movements from your neck to your rib cage to your pelvis. As you join in these movements, I invite you to notice tension patterns. Understanding where the tension occurs in your body can help you better understand your movement habits and how they relate to pain. We will observe stretch sensations, twists, and breath, and learn to identify your feelings to find less tension and more ease.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/191

Amy Yapp is a yoga teacher and a client of mine. She has Hypermobility Disorder and an acute understanding of building skills to connect with her form. In this conversation, we discuss the difference between reactivity and responsiveness, and how to take action by knowing your body well. We dive into finding language for reconnecting with the body and honoring sensations through somatic and yoga therapies. Learn more about advocating for yourself, uncovering sensory language, and feeling more expansive.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/175

In this episode, I explain the many roles of the glutes beyond just strength and power and discuss how the glutes connect with the nervous system, highlighting why safety and stability are so crucial. I introduce ideas like "danger in me signals" (dims) and "safety in me signals" (sims) to show how our nervous system impacts glute activation. Finally, I talk about my upcoming program, "Power of the Glutes," along with my therapeutic yoga and yoga therapy certification programs.

Link to episode:

https://functionalsynergy.com/glutes-more-than-strength-306/

I’m talking about the anatomy and function of the shoulder girdle, some downsides to knowing the anatomy, and what it can sometimes do to mess up the recovery process. I’m taking you through your own exploration of the shoulder girdle function, and showing you why tuning into this area can change so much in your neck.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/137

Have you noticed that the cues to release your persistent QL pain just don’t hit the spot? Have no fear because this week, I share how strain in one area can resolve itself by working with Pure Movement. By breaking down and easing tensions outside of the pain point, my clients often find the area of trouble has space to right itself. Discover more about Pure Movement and how it can help you reduce Quadratus Lumborum pain in a way that traditional methods can't.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/177

There are some key phases of recovery that I have seen over time when working with clientele. There is the initial helping them get out of pain, then there’s a transition, and then a period of strengthening.

Join me this week as I dive deeper into each of these phases to show you how I teach clients to hear the whispers and recognize the yellow lights. Discover what I find gets in the way of these phases for people and how to be successful in each one.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/160

When experiencing pain or discomfort, it’s easy to fixate on finding out the next exercise you need to do for your rehabilitation process. That logical processing is necessary but in order to support a transformative healing process, we must also use a different part of our brain.

This practice will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the relaxation response, which slows down brain wave frequency and provides optimal healing opportunities. So, whether it’s outside or on a treadmill, tune in for this walking practice for a more mindful approach to healing your feet.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/257

Discover the reasons behind the pain and how acknowledging them will enable you to see where the obstacles are, and what’s getting in the way of your recovery process. Pain and symptoms are messengers, not the problem, and I’m showing you how to use them to diffuse the conflict and follow through the process however it goes.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/51

Tune in this week to learn more about how I pivoted my teaching and business through lockdown and how Facebook Lives, private sessions, and Zoom workshops have been such an effective way to support people through such chaotic, uncertain times. I’m sharing why my private sessions have been equal to my previous in-person sessions in terms of support, and why when the day finally comes, my in-person training will be even better as a result.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/20

Today’s episode is the second and final part of my Neck Relief Toolkit, where I share the two key compensatory patterns I most often see in clients with neck pain. Even if you’re not a health professional, I guarantee that understanding these will improve your rehab journey.

Listen in to hear how simply bringing awareness of these two patterns to your clients can help them change how their tissue functions, regardless of age. I’ll also provide detailed examples of how to do just that (even over video calls), along with ways to calmly and compassionately help clients cultivate their own curiosity.

Get full show notes, transcript and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/286

Why is pain so often viewed as a bad thing? I’m exploring this question and sharing how I see pain showing up in my clients. I’m giving you a different approach to viewing pain and explaining why pain is not a sign that something is wrong or broken.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/50

Join me this week as I dig into the art of solving your problems, and share the three components which form the triad of problem solving. I’m sharing how to reach more supportive and sustainable solutions for yourself, and why it’s so important to hear your body’s whispers so you don’t have to hear its screams.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/29

In this episode, I’m sharing my stream of consciousness, my steps on the ground, in the hope that it soothes, supports, and opens a door for you to take your next step toward recovery and healing. I’m showing you how to tune into your thoughts and feelings and assess how your thoughts are impacting your recovery journey.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/113

I’m sharing some exercises to help you prepare for the holiday season and supporting you in this experience. Learn what you can do for yourself to help you reconnect and feel your feelings, and how doing so will help you make better choices that truly serve you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/79

This week, I am guiding you through a Yoga Nidra practice and sharing a process for you to access some conscious relaxation. Get ready to settle, become curious, and enjoy a space to tap into your subconscious, because this practice will enable you to cultivate a deep connection with your body, mind, and innate wisdom and authority.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/59

It’s such a privilege to bring Susan Morrison back to the podcast for another conversation about her experience in the recent Therapeutic Yoga Intensive, specifically how she has applied the concepts learned in that program to her own practice and clientele since graduating.

Listen to hear about concepts such as the healing helix, a client’s compelling reason, and meeting patients where they are. We’re also addressing a patient’s range of motion and how to expand that range to reduce tension and compensation patterns to promote healing.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/269

In this episode, I talk about my three-month series for private one-on-one clients, sharing how it's structured and the benefits it brings. After my maternity leave, I moved away from one-off sessions and realized how crucial it is for clients to commit and follow a structured plan for real healing. This episode is packed with insights on how dedicated, personalized care can lead to lasting pain relief and better overall well-being.

Link to episode:

https://functionalsynergy.com/the-3-month-series-303/

Join me this week as I’m showing you why improving your posture through the hips can improve so many other issues in your body. I’m sharing just how much of our practice is hip-dominant and why learning to grow your mobility, stability, and stamina will enable you to do more, feel better, and have way more fun with your body.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/31

Our relation to our body changes from day to day, from experience to experience. When using the 8 Principles of Movement that I share this week, we can tune in to our present experience, understanding that our ability can shift from one moment to the next. Listen in as I unveil the importance of integrating this work into any practice, along with deep details of each principle. I dig into how the principles work as a group, building one atop the other.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/166

Today’s episode is the next in our mini-series on bone health and osteoporosis, and it’s a special one because returning to the podcast is our good friend Ruth Ann Penny, the veteran educator and teacher of therapeutic and functional yoga for older adults.

Listen in as we discuss the health professional-client relationship, how that relationship impacts the healing process, and ways in which professionals can treat such patients without relying on a script.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/267

This episode begins a new mini-series focusing on the shoulder and shoulder girdle, in which we'll explore the reasons shoulder injuries occur, and how to support the girdle in becoming stable, strong, and mobile. 

The shoulder girdle acts as a bridge between the arms, spine, torso, and more, and we're going to explore its role in transmitting and transforming energy. Tune in to learn the principles of movement that inform shoulder function so you can support your clients (or yourself) in settling shoulder tissue and reducing or eradicating pain.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/225

I have a very exciting announcement to share this week. From October 28th to November 2nd, 2023, I'm running my Therapeutic Yoga Intensive where you can learn about the foundational principles for helping people reduce and eradicate physical pain using the Functional Synergy model and toolkit.

Discover the three essential elements of this training, why my teaching style is intrinsically successful, and the results you can expect. I'm giving you all the details on this intensive so you decide if it's right for you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/188

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/104

In this episode, I’m walking you through a multi-step practice to help you explore your ribcage and collarbones and their relationship with breathing. Learn the different impacts this practice can have for different people based on the way that their tissue is and the number one thing that influences my clients’ healing process and the pace at which they get better.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/152

Find a quiet, comfortable spot because today’s episode—the next part of my Healing & Synergy mini-series—is another Rest & Revitalization Sleep Meditation practice, this one focused on helping you navigate the highs and lows of the rehabilitation process.

Listen in as I explain the power behind the practice of opposites in yoga nidra, especially as it relates to the “fix it” cycle, and then guide you through this 40-minute R&R Sleep Meditation, step-by-step. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/241 

Over the next few episodes, I’m going to be speaking about the neck: its anatomy, its function, the movement, and how different parts of the body relate and correlate to what is felt in the neck. This week, I’m taking you through some movements to help you experience your neck and learn how it impacts and influences other parts of the body.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/135

In the second episode of the Exploring Your Breath series, I’m sharing my definition of the core, how I view it and what I see as the relationship between core and breathing. I’m also guiding you through a simple exercise to help you explore the relationship you currently have with your core and make it stronger.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/144

This week, I share the key difference maker for my clients getting out of pain and how, without this, there won’t be the significant, lasting change that people are seeking. I show you how to acknowledge how you are feeling regarding your symptoms, why this can be so revealing, and the true fuel you need for recovery and the healing process. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/161

In this episode, I’m sharing the three phases of the evolution of a yoga therapist that I have witnessed and what each of these phases entails. Hear the experiences trainees have in each phase and some of the insights I have learned from observing this evolution.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/90

The neck can be a very classic compensator for issues elsewhere in the body, and there are several ways to deal with neck pain. This week, I teach you the next steps you can take to continue exploring and experiencing your neck and share four ideas to help you reduce and eradicate your neck pain.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/192

I'm continuing my mini-series on reducing and eradicating physical pain for your clientele and today’s episode focuses on the glutes—specifically what people may refer to as “lazy glutes” or “dead butt”. In addition to addressing why such terminology can be detrimental to patients, we’ll walk through some of the core glutes exercises that are recommended in the rehabilitation process and the ways in which we, as health professionals, can help clients gain awareness so that they can properly execute these exercises and successfully gain strength.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/235

I'm so excited to again be talking to two recent graduates of my Therapeutic Yoga Intensive in what is becoming a recurring series where we explore the real, tangible impacts that teachers are having using what they learned in the program.

Today's episode features Charlotte Van Bassan and Susan Morrison who are joining me to discuss how the Therapeutic Yoga Intensive has given them the tools to help others become more aware of their movements and compensation patterns, as well as how an open dialogue has provided their clients the power of reassurance in their practice.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/229

“I’ve found that when I can effectively teach my clients about their movements first, before getting into muscle conversation, the faster they get better.” In this episode of From Pain to Possibility. Susi discusses the idea of movement and understanding movement as an approach to helping a client reduce their pain.

Susi has recently been asked a lot of questions from yoga instructors about muscles. Susi has found in her years of training yoga teachers that the ones who understood muscles least were the ones who got results the most. Susi has also found that when she can effectively teach her clients about their movements first, before getting into muscle conversation, the faster they get better.

Listen, as Susi discusses how, when a client experiences a reduction in pain, they are more aware of what is working and what is not. She believes that when a client has communication and connection with their bodies, their bodies become a barometer,  their symptoms become a language, and as they spend time listening to it, they can decode it for themselves.

Suppose you want to dig into these concepts further on utilizing movement, yoga, breath, stillness as it relates to helping people out of pain? In that case, there are two upcoming opportunities for you. The first one is Solving Your Pain Puzzle at www.functionalsynergy.com/solving-the-pain-puzzle-2020, or the second one is Therapeutic Yoga Intensive at www.therapeuticyogaintensive.com.

In This Episode

• [00:25] Welcome to the show!
• [02:27] Susi shares the four things that need to happen for someone to reduce pain.
• [04:44] The better you get, the better you need to get.
• [06:13] When a client starts to experience a reduction in issues, they have a better awareness of what is working and what is not working.
• [07:31] When clients communicate and connect with their bodies, they can understand how to keep the pain away. Their bodies become a barometer.
• [10:06] Susi speaks about looking at a skeleton, seeing the movement, and seeing how that correlates to a person.
• [12:26] When you can come at the experience from what is actually happening from a movement perspective, you and your client can agree about what is going on.
• [14:19] Stay tuned because there will be an upcoming episode on understanding muscles.
• [15:35] Have a great time exploring! 

Find Susi

• Susi Hately
• Functional Synergy Training
• Susi on Twitter
• Susi on Facebook
• Susi on Instagram
• Click here to speak with us directly

Many struggle to balance being a yogi and running a profitable business because, sadly, no one taught them how. But there is a way to nurture and nourish yourself and your clients as a yoga instructor. In today’s episode, I'm speaking specifically to yoga professionals interested in learning how to grow a sustainable practice without burning out.

Listen in as I share how to grow your business in alignment with the healing approach, as well as how to identify a niche by recognizing the kinds of yoga and healing techniques you’re already promoting.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/238 

Join me this week as I discuss what abhyanga reportedly does and how this process became a ritual for me in my life. Even my kids come to me asking for warm oiling on a regular basis, and I’m showing you how something so simple can have such a profound, nourishing impact, and help keep you connected to your inner world.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/45

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/105

In this episode, we discuss the necessary skills required to go further in your yoga business and how to get clear and confident on your offer. We discuss the common misconceptions about earning as a yoga teacher and share some tips and advice to help you reach 100K in your business. Remember, if you’re good at what you do, you can make a living out of it!

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/24

It’s a pleasure to welcome back to the podcast Claire MacEachen, a graduate of my IAYT-accredited yoga therapy program and an accomplished yoga teacher. Today, she is sharing her journey to becoming a healer.

Tune in to learn how Claire evolved to become a confident health professional. She’s also sharing how she forms healing connections with her clients and the ways in which she provides them with movement awareness. 

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/295

Welcome to part two of my mini-series, Safety in Selling, designed for health professionals who want to seamlessly integrate yoga into their practices while embracing a sales process that feels aligned and authentic.

Tune in and learn what it means to create a sales process that feels safe, empowering, and confident—not by “chasing the yes,” but by understanding and grounding yourself in the thoughts and emotions that arise. You'll discover how to embody safety while guiding clients to say yes naturally.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/290

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/101

In this episode, I’m digging into the idea of evidence as it relates to healing and human potential. I’m sharing some questions to ask yourself to reconnect with your inner compass and showing you how to understand your body as a barometer to develop an awareness of what works for you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/43

In this episode, I’m continuing on our biomechanical, anatomical exploration and mindful awareness journey and bringing you another guided practice to help you tune in to your breath and body. I’m taking you through two side bends to help you connect with your ribcage and feel what happens, and showing you how to breathe into it and acknowledge what occurs elsewhere in your body.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/148

Learn how to start feeling more consistently, and a key step towards becoming more congruent between your body and brain. Discover how feeling can bring together the cognitive aspects of your brain, life, and the workings of your body, and how to re-channel your intelligence so that your brain and body engage in a more effective, efficient, and meaningful way.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/47

In this episode, I’m sharing some biomechanical principles I utilize when I look at the relationship between the pelvis and the neck, and some ideas for you to explore in your own practice. Discover what contributes to your neck starting to settle out, the anatomy of the pelvis, and how to bring this awareness into your practice so you can establish whether you have a relationship with your pelvis that could be improved.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/138

Get comfortable because today I’ll be walking you through a body scan and breath awareness meditation, a practice similar to the Rest & Revitalization Sleep Meditations covered in previous episodes.


So find a safe and quiet place where you can sit or lay down as I guide you, step-by-step, through this 20-minute body scan and breath awareness practice in order to down-regulate your nervous system.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/245 

Welcome to part one of my two-part series on reducing and eradicating neck pain. In today’s episode, I explore two essential tools to add to your toolkit when treating clients with neck issues.

Listen in as I break these tools down to their foundational core so you can immediately implement them in your practice. I’ll also share why I don’t name muscles when asking a patient to display movement patterns and why I often start with leg movements when treating a patient’s neck pain.

Get full show notes, transcript and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/285

In this episode, I’m sharing how I help clientele improve their range of motion. Discover the problem with forcing yourself to do something when trying to improve your range of motion, and some things you can try if you are struggling in this area.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/128

In this episode, I’m talking about the importance of integrating yoga and medicine and explaining why doing so can help patients get better faster. I’m discussing why slowing down and becoming present makes our medicine so much more effective, and why as practitioners, we must utilize our own evidence and scientific processes to better care for our clients.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/32

A lot of people out there are using the massage ball as a release. They utilize the ball between yoga or training sessions to free up some tissue and provide some relief so that they can keep going.

But what if I told you that you could have more sustainable change and not have to use the massage tool at all?

In this episode, hear how I use massage balls in a slightly different way, why I think it’s effective, and an example of how I use them with my clients.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/129

This week, I’m sharing a client case study and some great ideas about how to work with clients who have knee issues and are carrying compensatory patterning up in their shoulder girdle. Hear the results of working with this particular client, the progress she made, and a behind-the-scenes look at the way I approach working with clients.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/84

I’m discussing what it is to recover and heal and explaining why some people recover more quickly than others. I’m sharing the importance of feeling your body’s sensations, emotions, and vibrations, and how doing so will enable you to heal more quickly.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/72

In this episode, I advocate for a transformative approach to movement, focusing on the brain-body connection instead of just correcting techniques. I discuss how building awareness and connection can lead to lasting improvements in how we move and feel overall. I share some practical tips for teaching and practicing movement, emphasizing the importance of clear cues, hands-on guidance, and meaningful exercises. I encourage you to rethink how you approach movement, focusing on connection rather than perfection, to help reduce pain and improve your relationship with your body.

Link to this episode: 

https://functionalsynergy.com/beyond-correcting-movement-307/

Whether you’re a yoga therapist, a yoga teacher, or a client currently in the rehab process, the concept of cueing impacts everyone, which is why today I’m discussing how to engage in cueing in a way that is most beneficial for healing.

Listen in as I explore the fundamentals of cueing, the relationship formed between health professionals and patients through cueing, as well as how to use cueing to prevent injuries and strengthen the connection to our bodies. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/246

Have you been listening to my podcast and love my methods? Do you help your students/clients eliminate and heal from pain? Are you a health professional? My Yoga Therapy Certification might be for you!

Today I outline the key features of my Yoga Therapy Certification from bio-mechanics to business training so that you can decide if this program is a good fit for you. I share my passion for helping folks heal and eliminate pain as they truly go from Pain to Possibility, and how you can do the same.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/182

This week, I’m giving you something to work with if you have multiple diagnoses or no diagnosis at all. I’m walking you through why it’s not a good or a bad thing to receive multiple diagnoses or a scan that’s clean, and sharing an exercise to help you connect with your symptoms and grow your sense of understanding about the direction your body and mind are asking you to go.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/86

"Where the pain is, is not actually the problem." Listen, as Susi discusses the questions she often hears: Why am I not through this already? Why am I not out of pain? Why have I tried these things and seen these professionals, and I am still in pain? Susi will give her best ideas on how to reduce or even eradicate pain and how to listen to your body on this episode of From Pain to Possibility. 

Susi speaks about what happens when a person tries to fix a problem. Typically, you are trying to fix where it hurts, but that usually isn't where the pain originated, and so the issue never gets resolved. When you have pain, it is a signal that something is wrong, and that is when the investigation begins.

Listen, as Susi shares the wonky relationship we have between expectation and reality. We expect our yoga teacher or health professional to figure out what is happening, but in reality, that's not what occurs. This is when awareness becomes vital.

Discovering patterns is essential. When you feel better, you need to be aware of what you are doing, so you will know when you start not to feel better. Once we can define the patterns, we see we can refine the patterns. Susi believes that once you improve, you have new expectations about what's possible for your life. The key is awareness and being able to articulate that awareness back to your practitioner.

If you would like my help uncovering some things you're not aware of so, you can grow your own attentiveness and awareness of what's going on through your system; please reach out to us health@functionalsynergy.com  If you a medical professional or a yoga teacher who wants to integrate these concepts into your own practice, send us a note as well.

In This Episode

• [00:30] Welcome to the show!
• [00:49] Susi speaks about what happens when a person tries to fix a problem.
• [03:03] Where the pain is, is a signal or sign that something is wrong.
• [03:38] When you are getting better, there is a piece of awareness that's vital.
• [04:17] Susi shares the wonky relationship we have between expectation and reality.
• [06:59] Susi speaks about the fix-it space where we look internally to ourselves or someone else to fix the problem.
• [08:08] Discovering the patterns is the next phase because power is in the pattern.
• [10:26] As we see some of these patterns, we can refine the patterns.
• [13:10] Susi believes that when you start to improve, you have new expectations about what's possible for your life.
• [15:04] Susi speaks about a third concept around getting better, which is that the process is linear.
• [18:20] Susi discusses the distinction between rehabilitation and getting on with the rest of your life.
• [20:30] You have to be aware of how your body moves so you know how fast you can push yourself when and when you need to recuperate.
• [22:45] The key is your awareness, and you're articulating that awareness back to the practitioner.
• [23:37] Thank you for listening to the show and have a great time exploring.

Find Susi

• Susi Hately
• Functional Synergy Training
• Susi on Twitter
• Susi on Facebook
• Susi on Instagram
• Click here to speak with us directly

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/102

I’m sharing the benefits of listening to the whispers in your body and showing you how to start understanding what your body is telling you. As you gain the skill of listening, you will gain more than you could ever have imagined, and I’m walking you through a way of tuning into your body and connecting with your symptoms so you can help yourself from the inside out.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.functionalsynergy.com/54