Yoga Story Express

Join Lynn as she interviews Carolyn Diggins, Yoga Story member and owner of Full Moon Elixirs. Carolyn is a community herbalist and master gardener. Hear her story as she went from product development for a corporate company to running her own herbal apothecary. Listeners will receive 10% off of Personal Wellness Consultations. Use the code YOGASTORY26 at checkout. Consultations are available no matter where you are located.

https://fullmoonelixirs.com

https://fullmoonelixirs.com/products/personal-wellness-consultation

 

Today, we spoke with Gita Chakrabarti, a 15 year yoga practitioner.  Gita is the CEO and founder of Gutbff, a different kind of granola with 20 different plant ingredients to help nourish your gut biome.  Gita is a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a former VP of merchandising at both Walmart and Sam's Club.

Gita started her yoga practice after a rafting injury and has kept it up for over 15 years because of the impact it has physically, mentally and emotionally.  We speak about her Indian heritage, yoga in the Western world and how yoga has evolved.  

Listeners can find Gita's products at www.gutbff.com and get 15% off their first purchase by using the code yogastory15

In this season, Lynn interviews different people from all walks where yoga has impacted their life.  Each person will tell their "yoga story" and what parts of yoga is present in their daily practice. 

On our 100th episode, Lynn interviews Lee Williams.  Lee started yoga when he was 65 years old and turns 80 this year!  He is a Marine, Vietnam Veteran, world traveler and member of the RazorVets.  He was a member of Yoga Story from the very beginning - we call these members the OGs - and continues to practice meditation and mindfulness.  He was active in the Veterans Yoga Project and taught classes at the local VA.  

Today, Lynn interviews Mandy Ryle, (ERYT500, CSCS, Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Pain Care Aware)!  We hear about Mandy's "yoga story" and how she ended up specializing in yin and pain care. We'll talk about why this practice of yin is so important and why a teacher would need this knowledge in their teaching toolbox, regardless of the style they teach.

 

Mandy will be hosting a yin & somatics training for yoga teachers at Yoga Story in September 2025.  You can find out more on our website www.yogastory.info/workshops

 

More info on Mandy:

Mandy Ryle (ERYT500, CSCS, Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Pain Care Aware) brings her unique expertise as a Pain Care Coach to a comprehensive Yin Yoga and Somatics Teacher Training. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Mandy offers a powerful synthesis of ancient wisdom and modern science.

With over a decade of experience leading Yoga Teacher Trainings (since 2012) and a deep understanding of movement as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Mandy goes beyond traditional Yin Yoga. She empowers teachers to understand the neurophysiological underpinnings of pain and movement, integrating principles of pain science education, mindfulness, and somatic practices inspired by the Feldenkrais Method®.

Mandy's passion for learning is an asset from which her students, clients and trainees benefit. Her dedication to staying at the forefront of research – evidenced by her consistent exploration of scientific literature and yearly study of integral anatomy in the cadaver lab – translates into a training rich with value and practical application. Her ability to distill complex information into clear and engaging lessons has made her podcast, The Yin Yoga Podcast, a valuable resource for listeners worldwide (ranking in the top 15%).

This training is an invitation to learn from a teacher who is both a seasoned guide and a dedicated student. Mandy's collaborative approach and attention to individual learning needs and styles will ensure you leave feeling not only knowledgeable but truly inspired to share the transformative power of integrated Yin Yoga and Somatics with your students. 

Hear from one of our "OG Members" - Lisa Lockwood!  A long term Yoga Story member and small business owner, Lisa recounts her years as a yogi, what got her started and why she continues to incorporate yoga into her life.  

 

 

Join Lynn as she interviews Yogi Cynthia Hawes, a local practitioner who mainly practices with Yoga Story virtually.  Cynthia has been practicing for over 25 years, lives with a disability and is an amazing ceramic artist.  Listen to her story and how, when you make people feel seen and important, they in turn, will make others feel seen and important.  Also, if you practice with us virtually, you can thank Cynthia for that ;)

You can find Cynthia's amazing works at https://www.instagram.com/cynthiahawesceramics/

 

Join Lynn as she interviews guest teacher Chelsea Dygert.  Chelsea is an ERYT 500, y12sr (trauma informed yoga) and studied cacao in Costa Rica and in Mexico.

Chelsea hosts cacao ceremonies across the Missouri and now NWA region!  Chelsea talks about how she started hosting them, what experience she wants others to take away from her events and how cacao works as a heart opener.  

Join Chelsea at Yoga Story on 2/9 from 4-5:30 p.m.  Sign up through www.yogastory.info/workshops

Join Lynn & Rachel as they discuss sobriety and celebrate Rachel hitting 1000 days sober!  Rachel is a regular at Yoga Story and kicked off her sobriety journey by reading The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace.  We talk about coping, giving back and connection without alcohol.  Sober curious?  Join us in our 30 day book club hosted by Gabby & Lynn!  Virtual participation is welcome - just drop us an email at grow.yogastory@gmail.com

Are we limiting our ability to create resiliency in our lives by depending on alcohol when times are stressful?  Can we create deeper connection in our relationships and to ourselves by examining our relationship with alcohol?

Yoga Story owner Lynn, and Yoga Story teacher Gabby, discuss their journey of eliminating alcohol and their upcoming program Dry January, using The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace. 

Join Lynn as she interviews Joel Manning, HR consultant, wellness counselor, mindfulness coach and more!  Today, we tackle the concept of discipline and exercise and why the way we approach moving our bodies matters.  We redefine what discipline can mean in the framework of self love and how moving our bodies out of love vs. shame and guilt will reap different outcomes mentally and physically.  

Joel services can be found on their website at www.asisconsulting.net/services or through instagram at @as_isconsulting.  Their business number is 479-579-9610