32: Bridging Body and Mind: Chris McDonald on Integrating Yoga into Therapy

In this inspiring episode we sit down with Chris McDonald, a yogi and therapist on a mission to revolutionize how mental health professionals approach healing. Chris brings her unique perspective as a former school counselor of 16 years, where she first discovered the limitations of traditional therapy with anxious students. Her journey of self-discovery and reinvention has led her to embrace holistic principles, integrating breathwork, meditation, and yoga into her therapeutic practice.

Chris shares:

• Her early struggles as a shy child and how they shaped her empathetic approach to therapy.
• The transformative moment when teaching breathwork to anxious students revealed the power of body-mind connection.
• How meditation and yoga became essential to her personal and professional life, evolving from occasional practices to daily rituals that ground and sustain her.
• The importance of somatic work in therapy and how gentle movements like chair yoga can help clients melt away stress and anxiety.
• Her insights into building sustainable daily practices that nourish both therapists and their clients.

If you’ve ever felt the gap between traditional therapy and what truly helps clients heal, or you’re curious about incorporating yoga and somatic principles into your work, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

You can connect with Chris and access podcast episodes through the following platforms:

• Facebook: Yoga in the Therapy Room Podcast
• Instagram: @holisticcounselingpodcast
• LinkedIn: Chris McDonald
• YouTube: Yoga in the Therapy Room Podcast