Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health

Summary

In this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, host Gillian Ehrlich and guest Dr. Anjali Brannan delve into the intricate relationship between parenting and trauma. They explore various techniques for somatic trauma resolution, the importance of heartfulness meditation, and how Ayurvedic principles can guide parenting practices. The conversation emphasizes the significance of intuition, the integration of Ayurveda with allopathic medicine, and the healing potential of the mind-body connection. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of being aware of health implications, such as nickel allergies in medical treatments.

Takeaways

Parenting and trauma are intricately related and cannot be separated.

Somatic trauma resolution helps individuals process and heal from past traumas.

Heartfulness meditation can significantly improve mental clarity and emotional well-being.

Intuition plays a crucial role in parenting and decision-making.

Ayurvedic principles can guide healthier parenting practices.

Integrating Ayurveda with allopathic medicine can enhance patient care.

The body has an innate ability to heal when it feels heard and understood.

Practicing gratitude can shift family dynamics positively.

Awareness of health implications, such as nickel allergies, is essential in medical treatments.

Meditation and mindfulness can help reduce trauma and improve communication.

Bio: Anjali is a 2001 graduate of the acclaimed Ayurvedic Institute's Advanced Studies and Clinical Program (Gurukula) with world-renowned Ayurvedic physician Dr. Vasant Lad where she studied for 3 years.

She is also trained and skilled in Somatic Trauma Resolution, Lymph Drainage, Craniosacral therapy, hands-on Brain therapy, Fluid Articular Release for the joints, Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy, Polarity Therapy, LIIFT, Synergy Yoga and Dance.

Anjali volunteers as a teacher of Heartfulness Meditation whose system she has been practicing since 1994, and teaching since 2000.  Anjali has also been the featured guest on several different TV & radio shows on health.  Her practice has been part of the University of Cincinnati’s Alternative Medicine Rotation for Family Practice Medical Residents at the Clinton Memorial Hospital where medical students would observe her in her work to understand more about complementary medicine. She has also been an Ayurvedic panelist for a Masters Capstone project at the prestigious Brown University.

Since 2001, Anjali has had an active Ayurvedic practice and has been teaching classes in Ayurveda. She is the Director of the skilled team at the Ayurveda Natural Health Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Summary

In this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, host Gillian Ehrlich engages with Ayurvedic doctor and Waldorf educator Vanita Prachi Mararca to explore the principles of Waldorf education, its unique approach to child development, and the integration of spirituality and culture in learning. They discuss the importance of nurturing the head, heart, and hands in education, the role of nature in fostering resilience, and the critiques of Waldorf education. The conversation also touches on the traditional Gurukula system of education in India and concludes with Vanita's upcoming book release.

Prachi Healing is excited to give a special offer on her signature packages for Neuroveda clients to receive the benefits of integrative Ayurvedic practice for families and children.  $50 off of Agni Radiance, and $100 off of Soma Radiance packages for Neuroveda podcast listeners.  

Use code NEUROVEDA50 and NEUROVEDA100

Takeaways

Waldorf education focuses on holistic child development.

The head, heart, and hands are integral to learning.

Cultural relevance in education is crucial for identity.

Mirror stories help children see themselves in narratives.

Window stories provide insight into diverse experiences.

Nature plays a vital role in child development.

Waldorf education emphasizes creativity over consumerism.

The teacher-student relationship is foundational in learning.

Gurukula education fosters deep connections with teachers.

Community involvement is essential in a child's education.

Bio:

Vinita Prachi Murarka is an Ayurvedic Doctor, Waldorf educator, and transformational guide who bridges medicine, education, and spirituality. Born in India and raised in the United States, she later returned to India to immerse herself in Vedic sciences, gurukula education, and esoteric wisdom traditions. With over a decade of experience in integrative health and education, she brings a unique lens on how Waldorf education nurtures child development—socially, emotionally, and physiologically. Vinita is the founder of Matre Sofia, an organization dedicated to soul-centered parenting and holistic family well-being. A storyteller, writer, and curriculum developer, she translates ancient traditions into practical approaches for modern families and health practitioners alike. She currently lives between Hawaii and Colorado, consulting, teaching, and guiding others in aligning health, learning, and wholeness.

Summary

In this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, host Gillian Ehrlich engages with Dr. John Berner, a Harvard-trained psychologist and neuroscientist, to explore the intricate relationship between mind and body in the context of mental health. They discuss the limitations of traditional medical silos, the importance of cellular communication, and the role of hormones in health. Dr. Berner introduces the concept of intersectionality in psychiatric treatment, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches. The conversation also delves into innovative treatments like rapamycin and the significance of understanding cellular interactions through advanced technologies.

Takeaways

Mind-body medicine should not separate mental and physical health.

The shift from Newtonian to quantum thinking is crucial in medicine.

Cellular communication is a localized and complex process.

Hormones play a central role in coordinating bodily functions.

Understanding evolutionary constraints can inform health practices.

Intersectionality is key in treating mental health conditions.

Rapamycin shows promise in extending lifespan and improving health.

Eavesdropping on cellular conversations can enhance treatment strategies.

Innovative technologies can measure cellular responses effectively.

Biology is complex and cannot be simplified into binary categories.

Bio

Dr. Jon Berner, a Harvard-trained psychologist, UCLA-trained neuroscientist and physician, and University of Washington–trained psychiatrist. With over 25 years in clinical practice, his work bridges rigorous neuroscience, psychiatry, and compassionate patient care. Dr. Berner’s publications span from the cognitive effects of cocaine and memory in schizophrenia to pioneering treatments with ketamine, rapamycin, and novel metabolomic approaches for mood and pain disorders. He brings a unique lens—uniting neural networks, biochemistry, and clinical psychiatry—to reimagine how we treat complex mental health conditions with both precision and humanity.

Kendyl Morris is an Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, Certified Integrative Medicine Health Coach, and Fertility Coach with over a decade of experience helping individuals, couples, and groups navigate their paths toward inner transformation and holistic well-being. With a deep understanding of the intricate mind-body connection, Kendyl specializes in helping clients regulate stress through tailored, evidence-based approaches that meet their unique needs.

Agenda:

1. There are 3 specialties that you have: hypnotherapy, conscious conception, and breathwork: what’s your unifying factor here? What have been your influences for your work?
2. Let’s break down each, one by one: 
1. Hypnotherapy: 
1. What is this? 
2. Why would a person do this? What kind of benefits do you see?
3. What’s a session like? How often are sessions recommended? What are the cadence options? (like weekly x 6 wks vs once/ month, etc). 
4. How is this different from regular therapy and how would you recommend to juxtapose it with ongoing traditional therapy? 
5. Will you make a person sqwack like a chicken? Just kidding. What I meant to say is, is everybody hypnotizable?
6. How does this work telehealth, like over the internet? Can anybody in the US/ abroad access your services? 
7. What are the costs & how do people access you? 
2. Conscious Conception: 
1. omg- the two things that would change the world we know from public health would be to increase equity & invest in the first 1000 days of life. Tell us about your program. 
2. Why is it so important to conceive consciously? 
3. Does the man really play any role in the health of the pregnancy/ infant? 
4. What if you are already well into your pregnancy & learn about your services? How early should somebody seek out your services? 
5. What are the costs & how do people access you?

1. Breathwork: why does breath work matter? 

1. What is it doing physiologically inside of us? 

   1. Why are there so many different kinds of breath work? 
   2. What kind(s) have you been trained in? 
   3. What kind(s) do you teach? 
   4. How do you recommend people use breathwork in their pantheon of interventions/ practices? Daily/ periodic/ seasonal/ etc? 
   5. Are there specific conditions or situations for which you recommend the breathwork that you teach? 
   6. How come sometimes people report getting more anxious when they do breath work? What do you recommend to help them? 
   7. What are the costs & how do people access you? 

We are so excited to have Khai join our clinic!

Khairul Bhagwandin, EAMP, LAc—Seattle Met’s Top Acupuncturist for 2022, 2023 and 2025.

She offers expert care in facial rejuvenation, focusing on fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, scar reduction and hair loss
She brings a deeply integrative aesthetic approach that blends the best of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern regenerative techniques including cosmetic acupuncture, micro‑needling, RF microneedling and tailored herbal and topical therapies

Bio: In her clinical work, Khai Bhagwandin has a Masters in East Asian Medicine from Bastyr University, which includes herbalism training as well as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in holistic and regenerative beauty, offering treatments that support the body’s innate healing systems. She has been named a Seattle Met Top Acupuncturist three years and is currently launching her own herbal skincare line, Khairul Holistic Beauty, blending Traditional Chinese Medicine with hyperlocal ingredients sourced from her family farm in Southwest Washington. Outside of her practice, Khai lives life adventurously—snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing, and fire dancing—as well as making music with her band. She is also the founder of The Change Collective, an organization she launched in 2021 to advocate for marginalized communities in snow sports. 

Agenda: 

1.     I know as much about aesthetics as I do about, say, space travel, which is to say I see other people doing it & don’t understand it. Talk to us about a natural & healthy approach to beauty that isn’t tabloid-driven. What is it to be beautiful? 

2.     And what does this mean treatment-wise? What makes a beauty treatment ’natural’ or ‘healthy’ vs a non-healthy beauty treatment? (this is a question about ingredients, products and interventions that might ‘hurt’ you but look good temporarily vs deep beauty). 

3.     Walk us through the range of beauty services that you offer, from simplest that is just the relaxation, to the most in depth series of treatments. What do you do in these visits & how are they structured/ scheduled/ personalized per client? 

4.     How do you pick the products you use? What do you avoid? 

5.     Tells us how you got interested in beauty & aesthetics? 

6.     Tell us about the rest of your knowledge base and training- acupuncture, pain management. 

7.     How does this square with your activism streak? 

8.     What other projects are you working on? What’s your latest passion interest?