What if your gut bacteria could influence your stress levels, sleep quality and even hormone balance? Welcome to the science of the gut-brain connection.

In Part 2 of Hannah’s conversation with Dr Megan Rossi, things get personal, practical and deeply empowering. From the microbiome’s role in mental health to probiotics that actually work, they unpack the latest science—without the jargon.

Inside this episode:

• The truth about good vs bad gut bacteria

• Why personalisation is the future of nutrition (but we’re not quite there yet)

• What Smart Strains are and how they’re different from typical probiotics

• Gut-directed yoga and how movement supports digestion and mental clarity

• How your microbiome may influence oestrogen and hormone health

Plus, Megan shares surprising gut-friendly tips you can try today, like pairing white chocolate with carrots and explains how the gut responds to stress, breathing and even mindset.

If you’ve ever felt confused by wellness trends, this episode will bring clarity, backed by real science and grounded in compassion.

About Megan

Dr Megan Rossi (PhD, RD) founded The Gut Health Doctor in 2017 with a dream to empower everyone to take control of their health. As a scientist and practising clinician, she became frustrated that the ground-breaking research from her team and other colleagues around the world wasn’t reaching the public. Instead, dangerous myths and fads shared online were negatively impacting on the wellbeing of her patients.

In 2019, Megan founded ⁠The Gut Health Clinic⁠, leading a team of gut-specialist dietitians with virtual and face-to-face clinics in London and Manchester. She has also created the multi-award-winning gut health food brand ⁠Bio&Me⁠ to bridge the gap between science and the food industry. More recently, she founded⁠ SMART STRAINS®,⁠ a family of four clinically proven, condition-specific live bacteria products which challenges the current – and outdated – market offering using the right strain, at the right time, in the right way.

Our mission is to inspire and transform everyone’s gut health using the latest science.

⁠Follow Megan on Instagram here.⁠

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Is your gut trying to tell you something? It might be the key to your mood, energy and overall health, and it’s not about cutting things out.

In this episode, Hannah is joined by leading gut health researcher and dietitian, Dr Megan Rossi (aka The Gut Health Doctor), for a myth-busting deep dive into the microbiome. They unpack why gut health is not about going gluten-free, the real reason fibre is your best friend, and how plant diversity can radically change your well-being.

Dr Megan shares:

• Why the gut is the gateway to overall health

• The biggest myths about gut health (including green powders and daily probiotics)

• What really feeds your microbiome

• The ‘Super Six’ plant categories you should include daily

• How to build up your gut’s resilience (yes, even if beans make you bloat)

You’ll also hear the truth about microbiome tests, food intolerance kits, and whether your morning coffee is friend or foe. Packed with research and easy-to-apply tips, this is an empowering listen for anyone curious about eating and living well.

About Megan

Dr Megan Rossi (PhD, RD) founded The Gut Health Doctor in 2017 with a dream to empower everyone to take control of their health. As a scientist and practising clinician, she became frustrated that the ground-breaking research from her team and other colleagues around the world wasn’t reaching the public. Instead, dangerous myths and fads shared online were negatively impacting on the wellbeing of her patients.

In 2019, Megan founded The Gut Health Clinic, leading a team of gut-specialist dietitians with virtual and face-to-face clinics in London and Manchester. She has also created the multi-award-winning gut health food brand Bio&Me to bridge the gap between science and the food industry. More recently, she founded SMART STRAINS®, a family of four clinically proven, condition-specific live bacteria products which challenges the current – and outdated – market offering using the right strain, at the right time, in the right way.

Our mission is to inspire and transform everyone’s gut health using the latest science.

Follow Megan on Instagram here.

Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Can yoga rewire your brain? Help you live longer? Keep you mentally sharp as you age?In this fascinating second half, Dr Jonathan Rosenthal reveals what’s actually happening inside the brain during yoga and what the research says about neuroplasticity, interoception, emotional regulation and more.

We explore:

• How yoga strengthens the connection between your prefrontal cortex and amygdala (a.k.a. your stress switch)

• What the insula does and why yoga seems to transform it

• The truth about yoga injuries and why it’s still safer than golf

• What science says about different styles of yoga – and whether your guru really matters

• The tech that's changing brain medicine from AI epilepsy implants to electrical stimulation for plasticity

• Jonathan’s unexpected career pivot into lifestyle neurology and what you can learn from it

We close with one powerful message from the Bhagavad Gita that every human being needs to hear.

This isn’t just about yoga. It’s about how to build a brain and a life that can thrive.Get ready to rethink everything.

About Jonathan

Dr Jonathan Rosenthal is a neurologist in New York, NY.

Dr Rosenthal received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and completed his year in Internal Medicine and residency in Neurology at NYU Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, and the Manhattan VA.

He completed his fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at Weill-Cornell Medicine Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Dr. Rosenthal subspecializes in clinical neurophysiology, with interests in intraoperative monitoring and EEG.

Dr Rosenthal has 4 publications and over 100 citings. He is also interested in yoga and meditation as interventions in medicine and hosts the ⁠Neuroscience and Yoga Conference.⁠

⁠Follow Dr Rosenthal on Instagram.⁠

Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Is yoga actually more effective than aerobic exercise?
Can it really reduce stress by up to 50% and should doctors be prescribing it?

In this mind-expanding episode, Celest sits down with Dr Jonathan Rosenthal, physician, neuroscientist and founder of the Yoga & Neuroscience Conference, to explore what the latest research is revealing about the power of yoga. And spoiler: it’s more than just flexibility.

You’ll learn:

• Why yoga is now being recommended in cancer treatment guidelines

• What makes it more effective than exercise for stress, mood and even memory

• The game-changing studies comparing yoga to CBT, aerobic exercise and even “sham yoga”

• What the data says about yoga’s unique blend of movement, breath and meditation and why that matters

• The surprising reason why doing yoga even when you don’t enjoy it… still works

If you’ve ever struggled to explain why yoga helps you feel better, this episode will give you the science to back it up.

About Jonathan

Dr Jonathan Rosenthal is a neurologist in New York, NY.

Dr Rosenthal received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and completed his year in Internal Medicine and residency in Neurology at NYU Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, and the Manhattan VA.

He completed his fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at Weill-Cornell Medicine Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Dr. Rosenthal subspecializes in clinical neurophysiology, with interests in intraoperative monitoring and EEG.

Dr Rosenthal has 4 publications and over 100 citings. He is also interested in yoga and meditation as interventions in medicine and hosts the Neuroscience and Yoga Conference.

Follow Dr Rosenthal on Instagram.

Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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How can we better support those giving birth? And those supporting them?

In Part 2 of this honest and empowering conversation, Hannah and consultant midwife Maria Buaki-Sogo explore how we can bring more humanity, agency and nervous system awareness into maternity care.

They discuss the importance of clear boundaries for both birthing people and care providers, the role of yoga in restoring trust in the body, and how small changes in language, presence and practice can make a big difference.

Whether you're a yoga teacher, birth worker or someone who cares deeply about how we support people through pregnancy and postpartum, this episode offers insight, inspiration and practical tools.

Topics covered:

• Creating safety through nervous system-aware care

• Boundaries as a form of support and sustainability

• The intersection of yoga, birth and self-trust

• Empowerment through language and presence

• Supporting care providers as well as birthing people

About Maria

Maria is both a practicing nurse and a midwife, last working as a Consultant Midwife.

Maria moved to the UK in 2010 from Spain, where she trained as a Registered Nurse and worked for three years as an A&E resus nurse. On arrival in the UK, Maria worked at Imperial College NHS Foundation Trust, gaining significant experience as a theatre nurse across a variety of specialties, from trauma-emergency cases to elective procedures.

Her midwifery experience includes various roles within a maternity setting, including low risk and high-risk pregnancy care, emergency obstetric care and the post-operative management of women who have undergone caesarean sections.

Her midwifery roles comprise of rotational midwifery (providing antenatal care, intrapartum care, and postnatal care), community midwifery care, caseload midwifery care for vulnerable women, homebirth midwifery services and research nursing and midwifery.

Maria is also a former Lead Nurse for North Thames Genomic Medicine, where she led the nursing workforce in the North Thames Region to explore and re-design clinical pathways of care to implement routine genetic testing in the National Health Service (NHS) via national transformational projects reporting back to NHSE/I (National Health Service England and Improvement).

She is also an Adult Nursing Lecturer, teaching applied physiology.

It is Maria's passion for research that has led her to pursue a career as clinical academic and to complete a PhD following achievement of an MSc in Research in Midwifery Studies in 2018, as she believes research is of great importance in developing clinical practice, standards, and advances in care.

Maria is also a passionate advocate for the incredible charity Borne - you can find out more about their incredible ⁠work here. ⁠

Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What if the way we support birth needs to evolve just as much as the science itself?

In this episode, Hannah speaks with consultant midwife, nurse, researcher and yoga advocate Maria Buaki-Sogo about her journey from emergency medicine to holistic maternity support.

Drawing on years of frontline experience across hospitals, homes and communities, Maria shares how her perspective on birth has shifted and what she’s learned about truly supporting women through one of life’s most transformative experiences.

Together, they explore what’s working, what’s not, and how we might rethink maternity care with compassion, communication and collaboration at the centre.

Topics covered:

• Lessons from emergency and community-based birth work

• Supporting midwives in high-pressure systems

• What holistic, woman-centred care really looks like

• The role of advocacy in everyday maternity work

• Why nervous system awareness matters in birth

About Maria

Maria is both a practicing nurse and a midwife, last working as a Consultant Midwife.

Maria moved to the UK in 2010 from Spain, where she trained as a Registered Nurse and worked for three years as an A&E resus nurse. On arrival in the UK, Maria worked at Imperial College NHS Foundation Trust, gaining significant experience as a theatre nurse across a variety of specialties, from trauma-emergency cases to elective procedures.

Her midwifery experience includes various roles within a maternity setting, including low risk and high-risk pregnancy care, emergency obstetric care and the post-operative management of women who have undergone caesarean sections.

Her midwifery roles comprise of rotational midwifery (providing antenatal care, intrapartum care, and postnatal care), community midwifery care, caseload midwifery care for vulnerable women, homebirth midwifery services and research nursing and midwifery.

Maria is also a former Lead Nurse for North Thames Genomic Medicine, where she led the nursing workforce in the North Thames Region to explore and re-design clinical pathways of care to implement routine genetic testing in the National Health Service (NHS) via national transformational projects reporting back to NHSE/I (National Health Service England and Improvement).

She is also an Adult Nursing Lecturer, teaching applied physiology.

It is Maria's passion for research that has led her to pursue a career as clinical academic and to complete a PhD following achievement of an MSc in Research in Midwifery Studies in 2018, as she believes research is of great importance in developing clinical practice, standards, and advances in care.

Maria is also a passionate advocate for the incredible charity Borne - you can find out more about their incredible work here.

Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Stress isn’t the enemy , ignoring your body is.

In Part 2, the conversation goes even deeper into the science and soul of healing. Ann and Celest explore how yoga impacts mental health, stress resilience and the nervous system.

Ann shares practical tools to regulate your vagus nerve, explains the science behind yoga "snacks" and exercise breaks and unpacks the myths still lingering in the yoga world. Plus, she offers a powerful reframe around stress, movement, intuition and why listening (really listening) might be the most healing practice of all.

About Ann

Ann Swanson is a self-confessed science nerd. She speaks and teaches on the key research supporting yoga and meditation, along with the basic anatomy for adapting yoga to be safe, effective, and accessible for all body types and conditions.

Ann's books; ⁠Science of Yoga⁠ and Meditation for the Real World, present the science and practice in a straightforward and simple way.

…But she is also open to spirituality and believes there are some questions that science perhaps can’t answer, but she will continue to ask and continue to explore with endless curiosity.

Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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You don’t have to escape to outer space to find deep connection , it’s right here inside your body.

In Part 1 of this inspiring conversation, Celest sits down with Ann Swanson - yoga therapist, science communicator and author of Science of Yoga and Meditation for the Real World.

Ann shares her personal story of living with chronic pain, her journey from China to India to the US, and how yoga, meditation and science came together to change her life.

They dive deep into how yoga and meditation reshape the brain, why mind wandering isn’t the enemy we think it is, and how the default mode network, salience network and neuroplasticity all weave into our personal growth.

Expect practical insights, powerful science, and a whole new way of understanding your own mind and body.

About Ann

Ann Swanson is a self-confessed science nerd. She speaks and teaches on the key research supporting yoga and meditation, along with the basic anatomy for adapting yoga to be safe, effective, and accessible for all body types and conditions.

Ann's books; Science of Yoga and Meditation for the Real World, present the science and practice in a straightforward and simple way.

…But she is also open to spirituality and believes there are some questions that science perhaps can’t answer, but she will continue to ask and continue to explore with endless curiosity.

Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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