Fit As A Fiddle

Let’s get political folks! As mental health overall has gotten more attention in the media over the last 4 years, so has the very important topic of PMADs, or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. After the latest CDC findings on the alarming maternal mortality rate, many facets of government are starting to pay attention to mothers and birthing individuals and the toll that pregnancy and child-rearing can take on their mental health. Today, we have a returning guest on the show, Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW. Paige is the Founding Director and Chief External Relations Officer at The Motherhood Center of New York. She discusses the baby steps that are being taken to protect and elevate mothers in NY and America at large, although she points out that it is just a drop in the ocean of change that is required to truly support mothers in this country. She touches on some new research and statistics that have shockingly helped change the narrative on maternal support. We discuss the highly divisive and high-tension topics surrounding motherhood and child care in America during a very heated election year. For 20 years, Paige worked in the non-profit sector, holding senior leadership positions at Hamilton Family Center Homeless Shelter, The Partnership for the Homeless, Habitat for Humanity, and Settlement Housing Fund. She has worked in the field of public policy, advocacy, community organizing and direct practice with disadvantaged communities including homeless families and incarcerated young adults and has held several appointed and elected political positions including the District Leader of Brooklyn’s 52nd Assembly District. After her first child was born, Paige suffered from severe postpartum depression and anxiety that nearly ended her life. However, once she began to heal, she became committed to fighting for PMAD education, screening, and treatment so that no more women would have to suffer silently. She drafted legislation in New York State championed by State Senator Liz Krueger, mandating hospitals to provide education on PMADs and strongly encouraging screening of all new and expecting mothers. This bill was signed into law in 2014. She has continued to be an outspoken maternal mental health advocate and clinician and uses her story as a tool for change. Paige works closely with multiple New York City agencies on maternal mental health best practice and policy, including the NYPD, DOHMH’s Maternal Hospital Quality Improvement Network, and the Nurse Family Partnership, and the Administration for Children’s Services. She was a member of the NYC Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and currently sits on the NYS Maternal Mental Health Working Group. She has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NPR, PBS Newshour, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Connect with her at: themotherhoodcenter.com

Pain is real whether it is felt immediately after a traumatic event or in the absence of apparent tissue damage on imaging. We now know through pain neuroscience research and understanding the biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain that patients’ perceived experiences of pain are unique to them and are entirely valid. On the show today, we have Dr. Neel Mehta, MD. He is the Division Chief of the Weill Cornell Pain Management Center and an Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medical College. He also leads research on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). We chat about the uses, benefits, and side effects of LDN and how it can be used with patients with hypermobility, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, and more. Dr. Mehta discusses how little research has been done on the drug and how he hopes to delve deeper into it to maximize patient outcomes. Dr. Mehta also serves as a Co-Director of Och Spine at Weill Cornell Medicine. He is the Immediate-Past President of the Eastern Pain Association and Secretary of the New York Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Mehta completed his fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine in the Tri-Institutional Pain Medicine Fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Connect with him and his team: 646-962-7246 weillcornell.org/services/pain-management @wcmpain

Most healthcare professionals strive to put patients first. But what does that really mean? In the practice of physical therapy specifically, it means a lot of things, beginning with listening to the patient. On our show today, Dr. Diana Mayants joins us to chat about the physical therapy profession as she sees it. Diana is a dual-board certified orthopedic manual physical therapist, with over 13 years of experience as a doctor of physical therapy. We discuss the importance of full-body screening in completing a holistic picture of the patient’s movement and posture. We also touch on how to integrate new evidence into our practices and help patients catapult their recovery. Diana emphasizes that we can serve our patients better by communicating with them more effectively. Diana has helped numerous patients return to their baseline and in many cases left patients feeling the best they have in years. She has earned the prestigious title of Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2015. In 2017, she completed the rigorous NAIOMT (North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapists) earning the prestigious title of Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT). Diana earned her doctorate in physical therapy with honors from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Diana's practice is located in Livingston, NJ where she offers one-on-one sessions and sees clients with various musculoskeletal conditions. Connect with her: orthopronyc.com @Orthopronyc

With advances in AI and robotics, neurosurgery has become an important field to begin integrating new technology for better patient care. Dr. Osama Kashlan, a Neurosurgeon at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital joins us today for a lively chat on his recent work. On the show, he discusses the standardization of back pain and care at Weill Cornell along with the interdisciplinary approach that he supports for all of his patients. He dives into how robotics works in surgery along with its benefits of reducing risk and time, both for the surgery itself and the recovery process. He also shares with us what motion-sparing surgery is and the new understanding that surgeons have of the complex nature of the spine. He advocates for the least invasive treatments (PT, medication, and injections) before patients are considered as surgical candidates. Dr. Osama Kashlan is Director of Spine Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. His specialty is minimally invasive spine surgery, including innovative new endoscopic approaches to the spine. He takes pride in ensuring all motion-sparing options— including disc replacement, facet replacement, and decompressive non-fusion endoscopic procedures—are exhausted prior to offering his patients fusion operations. Before joining the faculty at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Kashlan served as Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at the University of Michigan, where he was also in charge of the spine fellowship. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Kashlan is an officer in the Air National Guard and has been involved in projects to improve treatment of head injuries on the battlefield in addition to spreading awareness regarding spinal cord injuries in special warfare operators. He also has a special interest in global neurosurgery and has led multiple neurosurgery mission trips around the world. Connect with him: @osamakashlanmd

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a multifactorial condition that can affect people across ages and genders. It can be very difficult to diagnose as some types of EDS are very rare and symptoms can be vague or be confused with other diseases. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is also a condition that can be difficult to diagnose for so many reasons. Both EDS and PFD are not taught to the extent to which they should in healthcare schools and is usually something that care providers need to research on their own or obtain higher education on. For this reason, when people with EDS have PFD, there are not a lot of health care professionals who fully understand both conditions to be able to treat them effectively. For this reason, Leia Mitchell, a women’s sexual health physician assistant in NYC took it upon herself to research the intersection between EDS and PFD. In the episode, we cover the basics of EDS and PFDs and why they can be correlated. If you have hypermobility and vaginal issues (or either one), listen up! Leia works at The Centers for Vulvuvaginal Disorders and has recently published and article called "Identifying a correlation between hypermobile ehlers-danlos syndrome and genito-pelvic pain in cisgender women" and has won the Erwin Goldstein “Best Abstract Award” at the International Society for for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH). Leia Mitchell is originally from Atlanta, GA but grew up in Chattanooga, TN. She graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Biochemistry. Ms. Mitchell obtained her Master in Biophysics and Physiology from Georgetown University and Masters of Medical Sciences from Mercer University where she graduated as Valedictorian. After working as a PA for several years, she is currently beginning school again to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Connect with her: @the_womenshealth_pa

Endometriosis (commonly referred to as “Endo”) has a global impact on females of reproductive age. According to the World Health Organization, it affects about 10% of women and girls. What we know as doctors and practitioners who treat people who have endometriosis, is that it is extremely difficult to arrive at this diagnosis due to various various factors. On average it can take more than 5 years of someone suffering before they have an idea that endometriosis might be the cause. One of the most preventable factors is simply education around what the condition really is, how it can be identified, how it can be clinically diagnosed, and the many ways that its symptoms can be managed. Our guest today is the renowned Dr. Madhu Bagaria. After two rigorous OBGYN residencies and a prestigious 2-year fellowship in minimally invasive gynecological surgery at Mayo Clinic Arizona (where she trained under world-renowned experts like Drs. Louie, Yi, Wasson, Magtibay and Butler), Dr. Bagaria is now the leading specialist in endometriosis at Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine in NYC. She currently is one of the few people in the world who provides the latest type of laparoscopic excision surgery for endometriosis. Throughout her career, Dr. Bagaria has developed a deep understanding of pelvic pain and endometriosis, conditions that can significantly impact the lives of women. She is a strong advocate for patient education and empowerment, believing that women should be actively involved in making decisions about their healthcare. Dr Bagaria’s diverse specializations (minimally invasive gynecology, urogynecology, gynecologic oncology) allow her to provide innovative and compassionate treatment for your pelvic health needs. Before dedicating her practice to pelvic pain and endometriosis, Dr. Bagaria gained valuable experience as a generalist at Mayo Clinic Health System at Austin, MN for 6 years. During this time, she developed a comprehensive understanding of women's health issues, providing care for a wide range of gynecological conditions. Connect with her at: pelvicrehabilitation.com

“What do you mean you’re going to poke me with needles?” You might ask this question if your medical professional believes that needles might help expedite your healing and recovery process from an injury. Typically people associate needles only with acupuncture. However, other medical professions use needles in different ways for different benefits. Today our guest is Dr. Timothy Garrison. He is a Partner and Physical Therapist with several credentials behind his name including: DPT, CMTPT, FMS, AIB-VR, Body Q, Vest Cert. LV. 1. On today’s show he walks us through the basics of dry needling and how it relates to the practice of physical therapy. He dives into his own physical recovery with needle techniques and how he helps his patients every day. Tim has treated both surgical and non-surgical patients, with the goal of restoring maximum function so patients can return to their normal lives and activities. Tim takes pride in treating each patient individually, taking into consideration their lifestyle and prior level of function when creating a physical therapy treatment plan. Tim Garrison has been practicing physical therapy in Maryland and California for over 21 years. After undergraduate Tim went on to get his Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Tim has treated a wide array of orthopedic conditions by working predominantly in an orthopedic and vestibular medicine setting. He has been specializing in vestibular care and concussions and has multiple certifications . Tim has a special interest in running and treating the injured runner as well as shoe wear. Tim has completed one full marathon in 2017 exactly 2 years after his second ankle surgery for a severe injury. When not working, Tim enjoys spending time with his two sons snowboarding and also participates in adult soccer, running training, and is passionate about running races for charity. Connect with him: www.fyzical.com/south-frederick-md Tim.garrison@fyzical.com

You may see a news report on a mom giving birth in a taxi. You may see Emily Blunt giving birth in silence in the movie “A Quiet Place.” You’ll hear all the stories from your friends and family where either the baby just “slipped out” in a few minutes or tore their mother apart after “5 days” of pushing. Regardless of what you’ve seen or heard of the birthing process, it is a very unique experience for each person in this world who gives birth. It is very important to be extremely educated on your options and the process wherever you might give birth. It is equally important to understand that no one can entirely prepare you for that exact moment. It is even more important for you to build resilience in order to optimize your experience. On today’s show, we have Liz Moran, a doula and fitness coach, joining us to chat about all things BIRTH! With small kids herself, she discusses how she works with new parents and parents-to-be to support families prenatally, at the birth, and postpartum. She chats with us today on how fitness and activity fits into her life now as a mother and doula. Liz is based in northern New Jersey and lives with her two daughters, (ages 3 and 1) and husband on a lake. Liz's background is in CrossFit training and she enjoys working closely with parents through fitness, pregnancy, babywearing and beyond. She is an awesome, local resource for all things birth, education and movement. Connect with her: laborwithliznj.com/ @laborwithliznj

What are some myths and truths about screen time and how it affects our eyes? What are good practices for wearing contact lenses and glasses? How can you optimize your eye health from a young age? These questions, and so many more, are answered in today’s episode. Joining us is Dr. Antonio Capone, an internationally recognized clinician, surgeon, and educator specializing in pediatric vitreoretinal diseases, complicated retinal detachment, ocular oncology, and macular disease. He shares with us how he works with patients on a day-to-day basis and his passions in the field of ophthalmology. He touches on topics such as glaucoma, laser eye surgery, and surgical considerations. Dr. Capone is currently a partner at Associated Retinal Consultants (ARC) in Royal Oak, MI, a Professor of Ophthalmology at Oakland University William Beaumont Hospital School of Medicine, and Chief Clinical Officer for EyeCare Partners. He is also President of the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation, immediate past Co-President of ARC, and was the founding Chairman of EyeCare Partners’ Medical Executive Board. Dr. Capone has authored or co-authored over 300 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals, book chapters, and publications from clinical trials. He is a scientific reviewer for the leading journals within ophthalmology and retina and an editorial board member of the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. As an innovator, Dr. Capone has several co-assigned patents, has engaged in surgical instrument design and software and biopharmaceutical start-ups, and serves on several scientific advisory boards.

Turning to ancient wisdom that is tried and true over centuries is one of the surest ways to help your health in the long run. Today, Nicole Kruck, one of the first practitioners of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, joins us today. Combining her degree in Oriental Medicine with massage therapy has helped her be one of the best holistic practitioners in NYC. Nicole discusses how her treatments can help people with fertility issues, easier labor/delivery, and other Women’s Health issues. She discusses massage and acupuncture for the treatment of scar tissue, Asherman’s Syndrome, blocked fallopian tubes, thin lining, fertility, labor/delivery, among other commonly found conditions. As the founder of Fertile Garden Wellness in NYC, Nicole has over 40 years of experience providing holistic treatments such as acupuncture, The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®, herbal medicine, and nutrition to treat women at any age and stage. Nicole focuses on getting to the root cause of the problem. Focusing on an integrative approach to treat women’s health (fertility, menstrual issues, assisted and natural fertility cycles, menopausal concerns, pre and postnatal care) and abdominal issues (digestion, IBS, constipation, incontinence, and acid reflux). She also provides emotional support for anxiety, depression, stress, injuries, and sleep disorders. Her mission is to provide women with caring and personalized support to achieve their optimal health goals and live out their dreams. Her private practice is located in New York City, a city very close to her heart. If you would like to work with Nicole her office is in Greenwich Village, NYC or you can work with her via Telehealth sessions. Connect with her: www.nicolekruck.com @FertileGardenWellness

Sometimes the best health practitioners are those that ended up in their field almost out of chance. Today Jeremy Quinby, a craniosacral therapist, chats with us on his interesting journey into integrative health. We talk about how manual therapy and movement are key to improving health and the importance of trauma-informed care. He focuses on pediatrics and how he uses his modalities to help children of all ages improve their development. Jeremy dives into the way he listens to his patients and uses his presence to create a space of healing. Jeremy Quinby, is the host of Highway to Health Podcast. For more than 25 years, he’s helped improve the health of individuals, families and communities he’s served. He is at the intersection of manual therapies, mental health support, orthopedics, functional movement, pain management, and newborn and pediatric care. He has become known for his ability to build bridges between many fields of care. He is also involved in numerous health-tech and community health projects aimed at improving care coordination and quality referrals. With private practices in New York and Minneapolis, his goal is to continue to educate and improve the dialogue about a more integrative approach to care and the development of actionable ways we can improve our state of being. Connect with him: www.jeremyquinbycst.com www.highwayto.health

There is more than one way to feed a baby. If you choose to pump and/or breastfeed, you better tune in! Today, we have Heather McFadden joining us on the show. Heather has over 10 years of experience as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has a thriving private practice offering home visits, virtual consults, and prenatal breastfeeding classes. I am extra lucky to have Heather on the show because she was the IBCLC who saw me at the hospital hours after giving birth to my baby to answer all the questions I had! We talk about her journey from dance to motherhood to lactation. Heather is fiercely passionate about her work. She covers what to do for low milk supply, the role of an IBCLC, the reasons someone would want to end breastfeeding, and how everyone’s journey is different. In a world of information and misinformation online, it’s important to listen to your baby and your body and know that there is not a single approach to this. She loves helping every mom feel like they are doing a good job, letting them know they are not alone in their journey, as well as instilling a sense of calm in their relationship with their baby. With her dance training background, she finds it fun to observe the physical and mental connection between parent and baby, being a part of that moment when baby latches for the first time and encouraging instinctual parenting in a world driven by data and social media. In addition to her private practice, Heather currently works as an IBCLC in a New York City hospital and teaches prenatal breastfeeding classes for Columbia University's Work/Life program. She has led breastfeeding group clinics at multiple pediatric practices in New York City. Heather has a published article in the Clinical Lactation Journal, has been consulted by Parents Magazine and Today's Parent, and was a guest speaker at the NYC Breastfeeding Leadership Council Conference of 2019. She is a proud La Leche League Leader and member of the New York Lactation Consultant's Association (NYLCA). Connect with her: http://heathermcfadden.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HeatherMcFaddenLactationConsultant

Pilates can look very different depending on who you talk to. When we view Pilates as a movement practice for healing the body, it nourishes the soul too! Joining us on this episode is Brittany Crosby, a mindful movement practitioner, instructor of contemporary STOTT pilates, witchy intuitive healer, and the founder of The Co Pilates. While her roots are in teaching Pilates her focus has shifted over the years to using Pilates as a launch pad into physical, emotional, and energetic awareness for clients and herself. She focuses on sexual and pelvic health through a somatic trauma informed lens. She discusses how she works with clients from a more somatic point of view, often integrating into the body what may be verbally processed in psychotherapy, for example, allowing people to more clearly see how their body is often shaped by their internal and external environments. With a long career in working with people one-on-one, which especially in NYC is an inaccessible way for a lot of people to "work" on themselves, she is deeply interested and passionate about reconfiguring the health and wellness industry to consider the individual and collective in a more balanced way. Brittany has been helping her clients connect the dots between their movement, discomfort, and body awareness to achieve more pleasurable movement for nearly 20 years. Her mission isn’t just to assist clients in achieving fitness results, but to invite them into a deeper connection with themselves. Brittany’s approach to movement considers the ideology, how you move in and relate to your body informs how you move in and relate to others and the world. Connect with her: www.thecopilates.com FB: The Co Pilates @thecopilates

Jaw pain, headaches, and facial pain are all common and can have a profound effect on our quality of life. Lucky for us, we have an esteemed guest speaker on the show today to break these topics down and help us understand how we can overcome this pain. Donald R. Tanenbaum, DDS, MPH, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978 and then received his DDS degree from Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, and his MPH degree from Columbia University School of Public Health in 1982. He has been practicing for over 40 years, providing guidance and care to patients with temporomandibular problems, facial pain, headaches and sleep related breathing disorders. Today he reviews some of the causes and treatments for these issues and explains their biopsychosocial nature. He also discusses the importance of identifying habits that can perpetuate pain and stop or modify them. He touches on bite plates, injections, PT, posture and ergonomics as all ways to alleviate pain. Dr. Tanenbaum has co-authored a book for the public entitled, ‘Dr, Why Does My Face Still Ache?” and continues to give lectures to dental students and residents, medical grand rounds and to numerous dental societies and study clubs. Dr. Tanenbaum currently holds several positions, including: Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York in Stony Brook where he is the Director of the Orofacial Pain Course given to the third year dental students. He is also the Section Head of the Division of OrofacialPain/TMD/Sleep Medicine in the Northwell Health Department of Dental Medicine at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center; and Clinical Assistant Professor, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. Dr. Tanenbaum is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, and a past President of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Dr Tanenbaum currently maintains private practices in New York City and Long Island limited to the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain, temporomandibular problems and sleep related breathing disorders. Connect with him: www.nytmj.com

I couldn’t have asked for a better kick off this season on Fit As A Fiddle! I chatted with 2 of my dear colleagues and friends Leigh Welsh and Alicia Ferriere. What we have in common is that we are all Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists New York City, we are all business owners, and we all gave birth in 2023 to our first child! On this show, we talk about all things motherhood from our perspective having treated pregnancy and postpartum for years. With our combined over 22 years of experience as pelvic PTs, we share some things we would love for you to know! A bit on Leigh Welsh: Leigh is an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist, and she started her practice, Evexia Physical Therapy, in 2020. She does home visits, primarily seeing pregnant and postpartum people, and she also loves helping patients who are struggling with painful sex, bladder concerns, and prolapse. Leigh is also the Clinical Virtual Care Lead at Origin Physical Therapy. Origin’s mission to make pelvic health PT accessible and the standard of care for those that need it. Origin provides PT virtually in almost every state, as well as in person at a growing number of clinics throughout the country. Leigh is passionate about helping women of all ages learn about their bodies and feel in control of their physical well-being. A bit on Alicia Ferriere: Alicia is an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Columbia University. Growing up with a background in dance led her to seek a career in movement and physical medicine. She seeks to treat the body and person as a whole, and prioritizes building relationships to develop a unique plan of care for each patient. She seeks to educate patients on how to stay physically healthy so they can achieve their personal goals. Alicia is certified by the Postural Restoration Institute, which seeks to understand the primary factors of postural adaptations, patterns, and kinematic movement dysfunction. She is also recognized as a Fellow of Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute. Alicia has been featured in fitness magazines such as Women’s Health Magazine, Dance Magazine and the Daily Burn.

This week is the 1 year anniversary of the last released episode on Fit As A Fiddle! So much has happened since then, particularly the birth of little Jiya Baby in May 2023. Please excuse the coos and occasional screams of my child in the background during this season. I truly did my best to be a mom, wife, business owner, physical therapist, and podcaster. This is a health and wellness podcast and health and wellness begins with basic human necessities. So many episodes on this show talk about a quality-of-life improving service including yoga and pilates, mental health, birth justice, mindfulness and meditation, physical therapy, acupuncture, orthotics, minimally invasive surgeries, orthodontics, or massage therapy. But we can’t really have any of that, not a single thing, unless we have fundamental human rights. We have the right to live in a world where we have a safe space to sleep, food to eat, clothes to wear, water to drink, and a roof over our heads. How can you imagine staying fit by doing a workout while you are being bombed, tortured, starved and displaced? We are trapped in grief and immense loss throughout various ethnic and religious groups across the entire globe at the moment. I’ve held my daughter in my arms and ugly cried enough times in the last several months after witnessing genocides happening right on my phone. I recognize my immense amount of privilege when I can hold my child at night knowing she is safe in our little home in New Jersey. It’s hard to move on sometimes, but I know I have to otherwise I am fully and entirely consumed by the grief. I sometimes even feel selfish to experience this grief when I am so privileged to be safe. Political forces, leaders of the world, and big businesses all have monetary and religious interests which are currently destroying families all over the world. No matter what way you cut it, no matter what you have to say to justify it, no one has the right to take the life of even one single innocent person. To justify killing children is the most sinister thing ever, let alone doing it in a mass manner. In GAZA, SUDAN, CONGO, UKRAINE, and more, murder is happening on a mass scale. I understand I’m going to lose a lot of followers and I’m beyond okay with that. I have only used my personal social media platforms to voice my opinions on the humanitarian conflicts in the world. In terms of politics, I have used Sneha Physical Therapy only to speak about reproductive justice. This relates to me personally as a woman and professionally as a pelvic floor physical therapist who treats pregnancy and postpartum. I don’t relate to the conflict particularly in Gaza. I am neither Palestinian nor Muslim. But I am human. I think I wanted to keep these worlds separate for fear of offending anyone. But this never was a game of who feels sorry for themselves and gets offended. This is black and white. This is good versus evil. This is right versus wrong. The only thing is, the evil side truly thinks what they are doing is right and are justifying it at all costs. Murder of innocent lives for ANY REASON, I repeat, ANY REASON, is pure evil. Those with only the blackest of the black hearts say they are defending “Their people” and that civilian casualties are expected or are being dramatized by the media. This is not a drama. These are real people with real lives. I pray for a world where we don’t kill each other because of what/who we pray to, the color of our skin, the language that we speak, or anything else that differentiates us. We all live in this world with the same fears and same needs. We all want to be loved and feel safe and every single person deserves that.

During pregnancy, the physical changes come in fast, and sometimes, furious! A great way to tune into these changes and create more body awareness is through “yoga asanas”, which are movements and poses from the ancient Indian tradition that promote physical & mental wellbeing. Prenatal yoga is becoming more popular these days as research and science points to the immense benefits of healthy and safe movements for birthing individuals. Not only can it help pregnant people throughout each trimester, but it can also assist in a smoother birth as well! In the show today, we have Deb Flashenberg, the founder and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC. Deb advocates for how yoga poses can help create more balance in the body so that birth flows better and there is less obstruction for the baby. She talks about “mock contractions” in her yoga classes that help her clients prepare for 60-seconds of physical and mental challenge during labor and delivery. Along with being a prenatal yoga teacher, Deb is also a labor support doula, Lamaze childbirth educator, mother of two and self proclaimed "birth and anatomy geek”. Deb received her first vinyasa yoga certification with Shiva Rea and then added to her education by completing the OM Yoga advance yoga teacher training with Cyndi Lee. After the challenging birth of her first child, Deb became incredibly interested in pelvic health and has since earned her Pelvic Floor Yoga Certification with Leslie Howard. For the past 7 years, Deb has also greatly enjoyed being the host of the podcast, Yoga | Birth | Babies, where she speaks with some of the world’s leading experts in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenthood. Currently, Deb is knee deep in Dr. Sarah Duvall’s Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist program and pursuing the Spinning Babies Parent Educator certification and loving every minute of it! Connect with her: @prenatalyogacenter prenatalyogacenter.com

Are you the person who finds themselves feeling the opposite of grounded and centered during a movement class, yoga, or meditation? Are you the type who can’t quite relax during a massage or a pleasant walk? You’re not alone! Today we have Dan Rindler GCFP, P-SEP, chatting with us today on his approach to trauma which draws on Somatic Experiencing and Feldenkrais Methods. Difficulty relaxing can be manifested in many ways. He encourages bringing awareness to this feeling and understanding that one is never stuck in this state! He talks through strategies for what one might do if they feel overwhelmed in class or what PTs and other practitioners might do when their client is having a threat response during a session. Dan suggests ways people can redirect this feeling to be productive during sessions. He also discusses when a practitioner might refer out to a trauma specialist, or when someone might choose to try somatic trauma healing sessions. Dan is certified as a practitioner of both the Feldenkrais Method and Somatic Experiencing, with a private practice in-person in Brooklyn, and online. Dan's focus is on supporting clients who have both unresolved trauma and chronic pain or other physical challenges or limitations. Through a weaving of Feldenkrais and Somatic Experiencing, he helps support people in their learning and healing process, moving towards more well-being, connection with others and a new-found sense of resilience. Dan has created “The Roots of Resilience,” a 16 week trauma-aware online program for adults which helps people to feel more grounded, centered and connected. In addition to his work with adults, Dan created “We Grow Together,” a program for babies and new parents, which fosters co-regulation through touch and movement and has been attended by over 2,500 families. Dan’s program was the subject of a study sponsored by Vassar College, with results showing its efficacy published in the Infant Mental Health Journal. IG: danrindlerSEP Facebook.com/brooklynfeldenkrais Websites: www.brooklynfeldenkrais.com (adults) www.wegrowtogether.com (babies)

Inflammation in the body can manifest in many ways and ultimately exists to protect us. However, excessive inflammation that lasts a long time, or “chronic inflammation”, can be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other disease states. Robin Randisi is a functional nutritionist helping people improve their health using a holistic, root-cause approach. In today’s chat, Robin shares her personal story of how she used food to heal interstitial cystitis and how this led her to study nutrition. She talks about what inflammation is, how to incorporate more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet, and how quick-fix diets never work! She creates a framework to provide solutions to common barriers to eating a nutrient-dense diet, including: assessing your energetics, going slow, keeping it simple, emphasizing techniques and flavors over recipes, planning your meals around protein and fiber, and stocking your pantry strategically. Robin emphasizes that health is about more than just food or movement but lifestyle and mindset. Robin’s specialties include digestion, autoimmune conditions, and what’s commonly referred to as “women’s health,” i.e. period problems, pelvic pain, hormone imbalances, fertility issues, PCOS, endometriosis, and more. She has an online private practice where she works one-on-one with clients from all over the country, of any gender. Robin is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition and is also certified as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Restorative Wellness Practitioner. She believes that a truly holistic understanding of health and wellness not only recognizes and cultivates an individual’s capacity to heal, but also acknowledges the necessity of collective healing and liberation given the complex interplay between our environment and our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Connect with her: www.robinrandisi.com @robinrandisi on IG

There is a lot to think about when finding support for your baby’s birth. The first thing to understand is the different roles that people play in a birth setting. What is the difference between a doula and a midwife anyway? And what about a baby nurse?! We sat down with Stephanie Heintzeler, a German educated midwife and acupuncturist as well as US-educated doula and Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She is the founder of the New York Baby where she puts expecting parents/mothers in touch with doulas and baby nurses. Stephanie educated us on the importance of care by doulas and other support people during labor and delivery. She shares that doula-supported births result in 40% less rates of cesarean intervention and 70% increased likelihood of the baby being breastfed! Stephanie is a proponent of staying educated and making decisions that are right for you, your baby, and your family. She discusses how preparing for birth with conservative treatment from PTs, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and more, allow for better births overall. She also chimes in on how things are done differently in the birth space in Germany compared to America. Stephanie cares for women with all kinds of births- whether her clients choose a hospital birth, birthing center or home birth; she wants them to follow their own intuition about which birth place feels best. Stephanie has seen it all- breech births, many successful VBACs (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean), planned and unplanned c-sections, vaginal twin births and LGBTQ-families. With her “former midwife-approach” her clients feel taken care of from a holistic-medical perspective. She uses breathing techniques, TENS and positions to open the pelvis as well as her acupuncture background and massage techniques to make birthing as comfortable as possible- whether it is a natural or medicated birth. Using evidence-birth-techniques she and her doula-partner Alice (who is a midwife from the UK) make sure their clients have continuous support during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum weeks. As of 2022 Stephanie has delivered over 2,500 babies and attended over 3,200 births. Connect with her: @the_newyorkbaby https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-heintzeler-303a39/