Dr. Mala Cunningham (PhD in Counseling Psychology, senior disciple of Swami Satchidananda, and founder of Neuroscience and Yoga TT, Cardiac Medical Yoga TT, and Mental Health, Neuroscience and Yoga TT) joins us to explore the powerful intersection of ancient yoga practices and modern neuroscience.
Learn how yoga and meditation actually change your brain, stimulates your vagus nerve for instant calm, and why giving your brain conscious rest is so important. As well as the role of gratitude and intention in reshaping your neurobiology, micro-resting techniques, learning styles in meditation, body awareness, emotional safety, and much more.
This conversation blends Neuroscience with Yoga techniques and strategies you can use immediately for better emotional regulation, stress reduction, emotional health, and peak performance.
M. Mala Cunningham, Ph.D., E-RYT-1000, C-IAYT is a licensed psychotherapist, educator, trainer, author, and innovator in Neuro-Yoga Psychology™. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she specializes in integrative mental health, vagus nerve regulation, and psychodynamic therapy. A former Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, she developed the University of Virginia’s Cardiac Medical Yoga Program and taught Integrative Medicine in the Nursing and Medical School for over 12 years. Dr. Mala is the CEO of Positive Health Solutions, LLC, and leads nationally recognized trainings in medical yoga, neuroscience, and mental health integration. She is an international speaker and consultant for healthcare professionals, yoga therapists, and educators. She lives in Charlottesville, VA. Her website is: www.cardiacyoga.com
Dr. Mala’s new book:
\"Neuroscience, Yoga, and Psychology: Tools for Regulating the Vagus Nerve for Health and Peak Performance\" (out June 2026). This book can be pre-ordered.
Learn more & upcoming trainings:
Cardiac Yoga / Positive Health Solutions:
Neuroscience & Yoga Teacher Training at Yogaville (Integral Yoga Ashram): Check yogaville.org
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Timestamps below ⬇️
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Chapters / Timestamps
00:09 Introducing Dr. Mala Cunningham — yoga, neuroscience & counseling psychology
01:01 How yoga impacts neurobiology and why technology finally proved it
03:40 Yoga is now mainstream in science, business & government
04:58 Personal experience: knowledge + practice gives real agency
06:59 What is the vagus nerve? (The wanderer — 75% of parasympathetic system)
08:12 Activating your inner pharmacy: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins (DOSE)
10:43 Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic balance, dorsal/ventral vagal states & the gunas
13:31 Simple ways to stimulate the vagus nerve (neck rolls, eyes, ears, breathing)
14:52 Meditation, learning styles & why mantra didn’t work for a visual learner
18:29 Giving the brain conscious rest (more powerful than sleep)
20:23 fMRI insights: Left prefrontal cortex, pleasure centers & BASS practice
22:14 Ego, safety, emotional threat & defensive patterns
28:52 Micro-resting technique (eyes, tongue, jaw, shoulders at stoplights)
34:54 Gratitude practices — cognitive vs felt sense
39:03 Intention (sankalpa), optimism & rewiring the amygdala
42:24 Trauma wiring, protection & becoming objective
50:38 Reading body language & genuine somatic awareness
55:32 The power of a simple smile + deep sigh to activate parasympathetic
56:35 Dr. Mala’s upcoming Neuroscience & Yoga Teacher Training at Yogaville + new book
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