#9 Yoga for Every Body: Dr. Steffany Moonaz on Reducing Arthritis Pain

Episode 9: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#9 Yoga for Every Body: Dr. Steffany Moonaz on Reducing Arthritis Pain

In this transformative episode, host Emily Johnson sits down with Dr. Steffany Moonaz, the founder of Yoga for Arthritis and a leading research director and professor at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. Dr. Moonaz bridges the gap between ancient mindfulness and modern neuroscience to explain how yoga can be a powerful clinical tool for managing arthritis.

Drawing on decades of research, her own personal journey with arthritis, and her book Yoga Therapy for Arthritis: A Whole-Person Approach to Movement and Lifestyle she explains how we can 'rewire' our brain's response to pain. This episode offers a compassionate, evidence-based approach to movement that focuses on finding joy in the body again.

Topics covered:

• Neuroscience of Pain: Why 'pain is necessary, but suffering is optional.'
• Stress-Pain Cycle: Using breathwork to 'downshift' the nervous system during flares.
• Healing Directions: How meditation (top-down) and movement (bottom-up) reduce pain signals.
• Yoga 'Meals' vs. 'Snacks': Simple ways to fit 5-minute movement breaks into your day.
• Ahimsa (Non-Harming): How to safely adapt poses for your specific joint limitations.
• Yoga Therapy: Why a personalised approach is the gold standard for chronic pain.
• Personal Journey: How her dance background and own diagnosis shapes patient care.
• Finding Support: Tips for finding a safe, inclusive, and qualified yoga teacher.

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, the podcast will feature expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily is a bestselling author, founder of Live Well with Arthritis, and creator of Arthritis Foodie.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

Dr Steffany Moonaz @drmoonaz

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmoonaz/
• Website: https://www.arthritis.yoga/

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie