Monthly Archives: August 2020

Podcast: Episode 10: How Biomechanics Helps To Reduce Pain


EPISODE 10:

​​How Biomechanics Helps to Reduce Pain


"I like to look at anatomy like a map." Today Susi introduces a topic she is passionate about anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology. She shares how they relate to Yoga, how they relate to the reduction of pain, and overall recovery and healing. She outlines this in three segments, defining these concepts and then sharing a little bit about why she's so passionate about them on this episode of From Pain to Possibility

Susi speaks about anatomy being the mapping of muscles, other tissues, lymphatic system, nervous system, and blood vessels. Biomechanics is how we see these forces move through those systems and Kinesiology being the studio of how a movement happens. She also shares that posture is how we embody our structure.

Listen as Susi talks about the range of motion and how if we have limitations, our brain and body will find a way to compensate, it will get the thing done. She wants to emphasize that just because you compensate doesn't mean it's wrong; it means that you are highly adaptable and flexible and can find a gazillion different ways to get a job done.

Susi says that if we can bring better movement patterns and better awareness of those movement patterns into the mix, we can become more aware and connected to our internal feedback mechanisms. We can see when that movement pattern is starting not to work anymore and make an intervention.

If you find yourself feeling a spark of wow that is so cool, how she is using awareness and integrating that into the western method of anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology and how these two worlds meet, then reach out to Susi and have a conversation about how this can fuel you in a personal or professional way at www.functionalsynergy.com.

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“When we can help someone move better, they will feel better no matter the condition.” - Susi Hately 


In This Episode:

[00:30] Welcome to the show!

[01:11] Susi discusses anatomy as a mapping of muscles, tissue, lymphatic system, nervous system, and blood vessels.

[01:27] When we look at biomechanics, we see how these forces move through those systems.

[01:41] Kinesiology is the study of how a movement happens.

[02:33] The physical plane is the human body.

[03:03] Posture is how we embody our structure.

[04:55] Posture is a result, it's not the process, but out of helping them move better, their posture improves.

[05:42] Listen as Susi explains what she means by move better.

[07:13] Susi shares a story about someone she knew with neck pain.

[09:35] Susi speaks about what many of her clients come to see her for and what she sees.

[12:29] Susi has people move in a range that doesn't have compensation.

[14:18] We are blending Yoga's concepts with the movement piece of how someone is actually moving their body.

[16:30] Rather than looking at movement as an exercise that you need to get done, pay attention to how you are doing it.

[19:19] Thank you for listening, have a great time exploring.

“I can see lots of paint and strain improve when I start at the largest joints first.” - Susi Hately

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

  • How anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology relate to Yoga, the reduction of pain, and overall recovery and healing
  • Range of motion and how your brain and body will find a way to compensate, even with limitations
  • Becoming more aware and connected to your internal feedback mechanisms
  • NEW COURSE:
    Anatomy and Kinesiology for the Intuitive Yoga Teacher

If you really look closely at those people who feel they have a big range of motions, you will see time and time again how limited their movement actually is.”  - Susi Hately

Episode Transcript: 

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What we know is that where the pain is isn’t the problem, it’s a signal that there is dysfunction present.” 
- Susi Hately

Podcast: Episode 9: Why Am I Not Better?


EPISODE 09:

​Why Am I Not Better


"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.

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 [email protected]  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.

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“Where the pain is, isn’t the problem” -Susi Hately


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.

“We can’t change anything we are not aware of.” -Susi Hately

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

  • How to pick up on signs that something is wrong
  • Being aware of how you're getting better
  • Knowing when you can push yourself in your recovery

“One beauty of the way your neuromuscular system is set up is that we can borrow from other areas to enable us to keep moving.” -Susi Hately

Episode Transcript:

“There is a price to pay for growing awareness, and that is responsibility.” -Susi Hately

Connect with Susi

Do you have a question or a desire for more learning opportunities at Functional Synergy?  Let's Connect!

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“The relief that you’ve received from the professional is just a tiny step in changing the pattern.” -Susi Hately

Podcast: Episode 8: Integrative Postpartum Care with Megan Jenkinson


EPISODE 08:

​Integrative Postpartum Care with Megan Jenkinson


"When we lose awareness, we lose the connection." Listen as Susi and her guest Megan Jenkinson discuss Pilates, movement, physiotherapy, and biopsychosocial models and what we can look at in terms of movement and how this can be helpful for a variety of healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists.

Megan is a physiotherapist, kinesiologist, and Pilates instructor with a specialty in women's health and movement. She draws on these practices when working with her clients to provide a comprehensive whole-body approach to rehabilitation. Megan has developed her own system for pelvic floor and core recovery over her years of experience working with postnatal women. 

Listen as Megan shares when she started using the reformer from a teaching perspective, and why she works mostly with women and women's health. They speak about Susi's body condition once she gave birth through C-Section to her twins and how Megan helped Susi get her movement pattern back.

Susi and Megan discuss awareness and how important it is because once you lose awareness, you lose connection. They also speak about qualitative versus quantitative and some tools you can use to support someone to notice what they are experiencing, and Megan shares how she determines which part of a patient's body she works on first.

When two people who have been doing yoga this long get together, you know it will be a fascinating conversation, and these two did not disappoint. Kick back, relax, and hit play.

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“What was really fascinating was that I didn’t have to use my will or my brain to make it happen. If anything, I had to use my will and brain to make it not happen.” -Susi Hately


In This Episode:

[01:12] Welcome to the show, Megan!
[01:45] Susi shares how she met Megan.
[04:09] Megan discusses her journey to where she is now.
[05:37] Megan speaks about when she started using the reformer from a teaching perspective.
[06:51] Is there a distinction between how you're using exercise versus when you were working as a physio?
[09:30] Susi discusses how most physiotherapists, OT, and even nurses that she's trained all wanted out of the profession, but they usually come back once they leave.
[12:24] Megan shares why she mostly works with women and women's health.
[13:06] Susi speaks about compensation patterns and how her patterns had to be rebuilt after giving birth to twins by c-section.
[15:54] Megan discusses diastasis and the tension created in the abdominal wall.
[18:18] Susi chats about a movement on the reformer that mimics a downward dog in Pilates and how her abdomen stopped engaging.
[22:21] The awareness piece is so important, when we lose awareness, we lose the connection.
[24:06] Susi speaks about some conversations she has been having with other physiotherapists.
[26:55] Susi speaks about some physio's telling her that something is missing, but not sure what it is until they work with her.
[28:13] What would you suggest to physiotherapists who are curious and want to move into this direction?
[30:46] Susi talks about qualitative versus quantitative.
[33:05] Listen as Megan gives us some tools you used to support someone to realize what it is experiencing?
[35:07] Megan chooses what seems to be the most important thing to make progress required to do the next thing when working with clients.
[37:39] Susi shares something she learned a long time ago from a mentor.
[39:51] Megan discusses the story of a woman she is working with and what she is doing to help her knee pain.
[43:24] After working with Megan, she felt her symptoms subside.
[45:38] Have you ever been exasperated trying to find the person who was the right fit for you?
[48:27] Megan has launched an online program for postpartum women, and it can be done online.
[49:11] Megan speaks about her program catering to women, teaching them how to restore balance and connection around the pelvic floor.
[51:48] Thank you for being on the show!

“The awareness piece is so important, right? Like when we lose the awareness, we lose the connection.” -Susi Hately

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

  • How yoga helps after childbirth
  • How to keep the connection between mind and body
  • What to look for in a physiotherapist

“The exercise they’ve been given with the right intention is actually not achieving the goal.” -Megan Jenkinson

“It’s learning to be present with the person, and then, also really take in more of what they’re telling you about their body versus just trying to figure it out yourself.” -Megan Jenkinson

Episode Transcript:

Connect with Susi

Do you have a question or a desire for more learning opportunities at Functional Synergy?  Let's Connect!

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“It’s this qualitative experience that feeds the quantitative measure so that you can see the outcome.” -Susi Hately

Podcast: Episode 7: Compassion and Self Care with Shelly Prosko


EPISODE 07:

Compassion and Self Care with Shelly Prosko


Compassion is the foundation of health care and overall well-being. Listen as Susi and her guest Shelly Prosko discuss why Shelly believes this, her journey to where she is today, how she learned about compassion fatigue, and much more on this episode of From Pain to Possibility.

Shelly is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, educator, author, and pioneer of physical yoga with over 20 year's experience integrating yoga into physiotherapy and working with people in pain. Shelly teaches in physiotherapy and yoga therapy programs and is the author of the book 'Yoga and Science in Pain Care.'

Listen, as Shelly speaks about yoga being a compassionate practice, she teaches health care providers and other professionals on burnout. She also shares how, when she adopted self-compassion, it transferred over to her clients positively. Increased trust and therapeutic alliances lead to better outcomes.

Did you know that people with a higher trait self-compassion are more likely to try new things even when they fail or make mistakes? Shelly shares some practices that have served her and the clients she thinks we might find useful around self-compassion and self-appreciation. This has been a very enlightening episode that we all can learn from.

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"Common humanity really just means that we are not alone." -Shelly Prosko


In This Episode:

[01:17] Welcome to the show, Shelly!
[01:46] Shelly shares that she started her journey after discovering yoga in the early 90s.
[03:54] Shelly speaks about how yoga is inherently a compassionate practice.
[04:29] She teaches a course for health care providers and other professionals on burnout.
[05:59] When you adopted self-compassion, how did that manifest itself to your clients or patients?
[08:40] When you practice self-compassion, it means that it's ok not to be perfect.
[11:14] Shelly finds that with self-compassion practices, she has become more present and clear.
[11:40] Susi shares what she sees in the training she runs around health professionals being present when you are engaging with them.
[14:01] Shelly speaks about science that suggests increased trust and therapeutic alliances lead to better outcomes.
[15:45] Susi discusses the chaos that the COVID pandemic has created in her life with her kids and family.
[18:00] People who have a higher trait self-compassion are more likely to try new things after they have failed or made a mistake.
[19:48] Shelly likes the idea that when we are self-critical, that can be a huge motivator to create change.
[22:08] Shelly speaks about the research she did for one chapter of her book.
[26:17] What would it be like if the process of getting out of pain could be fun?
[29:25] Shelly shares some practices that have served her and her clients that might be useful for listeners to practice.
[32:02] Common humanity just means that we are not alone.
[33:44] Shelly speaks about how you can show yourself self-kindness.
[35:54] Shelly takes Susi and the listeners through the self-appreciation practice.
[39:25] To serve self is to serve others and to serve others is to serve self.
[42:01] Susi says that on some level if we are experiencing compassion fatigue, there may be something else going on.
[43:20] Thank you for being on the show, Shelly!

"To serve self is to serve others and to serve others is to serve self." -Shelly Prosko

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

  • Being self-critical can be a huge motivator
  •  How compassionate yoga can be
  • How you can engage with health professionals

"When we feel like we are being seen by the professionals we are engaging with, there is a high degree of trust and a better health outcome." -Susi Hately

Featured On The Show & Other Notes:

"When I realized how judgmental and critical I was of myself, I started noticing how judgemental and critical I was of others." -Shelly Prosko

Episode Transcript:

Connect with Susi

Do you have a question or a desire for more learning opportunities at Functional Synergy?  Let's Connect!

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Subscribe to the Podcast Mailing List below.

"I tried to work on genuinely loving and caring for myself and having a deep concern for myself, which means accepting some of the mistakes." Shelly Prosko