132: Interoception Research & Yoga: Expert Insights with Valerie Knopik PhD

Today host Rachel and returning guest and Yoga Medicine Teacher Valerie Knopik PhD explore a recent research paper on the topic of interoception (Voss et al: Mind-body practices, interoception and pain: a scoping review of behavioral and neural correlates).

In this episode, we discuss the many ways yoga teachers can guide students to becoming more informed inhabitants of their body, and how honing that skill of interoception seems to help manage all kinds of pain. Listen in to learn more.

“By nature, yoga and meditation are really geared towards the practice of interoception; whether we are good at it or not, it is just like building a muscle.” – Valerie Knopik PhD

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“Somehow through the yoga practice somebody is going to latch onto the physical part of the practice, others are going to resonate more with mindfulness or the spiritual side of the practice and all three of those things can be avenues into being more aware in your body.” – Valerie Knopik PhD

Show Notes:

• Overview of the scoping review paper [5:02]
• Limitations of the study [9:36]
• Defining interception [13:11]
• Challenges of studying yoga interventions [16:45]
• Interesting takeaways: interoception as a trainable skill [20:02]
• Yoga tools help pain management (whether used deliberately or not) [29:06]
• Guiding students in the experience of being their bodies [38:19]
• Other takeaways [40:59]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Mind-body practices, interoception and pain: a scoping review of behavioral and neural correlates, Voss et al: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37939212/
• Mental Health & Wellness Online Training
• Yoga Medicine® Online: Interoception & Pain Research Monthly Dose
• Yoga Medicine® Podcast:
  • Previous episodes on Pain Science:
    • 15: Shifting Persistent Pain with Marnie Hartman, DPT, CSCS
    • 64: Impactful Pain Strategies
  • Previous episodes with Valerie Knopik PhD:
    • 49: Epigenetics, Mental Health & Yoga
    • 79: The Neuroscience of Resilience
• Connect with Valerie Knopik:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Yoga Medicine Online Teacher

“There is a place for all kinds of teachers because there are all kinds of students who need those individual teachers to help them find a new way in.” – Valerie Knopik PhD