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PODCAST

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy

Enlightened Anatomy is a deep-dive into the worlds of anatomy, physiology, and science to inspire yoga teachers, yoga practitioners, and general movement nerds who want the latest science-based knowledge on exercise, health, and mindfulness.Hosted by long-time yoga teacher and co-author of the popular book The Physiology of Yoga, Matthew Huy is on a mission to help yoga teachers feel more confident by truly understanding anatomy and physiology.Tune in to hear scientists, authors, and top-level

health & fitness life sciences

All Episodes

27:30

21: Yoga Twists: What Does the Science Say?

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/09/30

Do yoga twists really detox your body? Should you keep your hips square, lengthen your spine before rotating or avoid twisting your lower back? In this solo episode, recorded during his yoga retreat in Portugal, Matt explores the anatomy of spinal rotation, common misconceptions about twisting poses and practical ways to bring more variety into your yoga teaching. In this episode: Why your thoracic spine rotates more than your lumbar spineHow your neck, hips and shoulders contribute to twisti...

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67:02

20: Daniel C. Simpson on What We Get Wrong About Yoga

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/09/09

Learn more from Daniel Website & The Path of Knowledge course: truthofyoga.com Instagram: @truthofyoga Get The Truth of Yoga on Amazon Join the Enlightened Yoga Collective Want to explore yoga through anatomy, physiology, pain science, critical thinking and evidence-informed education? Join Matt inside the Enlightened Yoga Collective, with access to courses, weekly office hours and a community of curious yoga teachers. 7-day free trial: enlightenedyogacollective.com Episode 20: ...

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36:56

19: Does yoga improve balance?

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/08/26

Balance is the monthly inspiration at the Enlightened Yoga Collective, the go-to learning community for yoga teachers: https://enlightenedyogacollective.com/. Episode 19 of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast examines what balance is, how it changes with age, whether yoga improves it, and whether better balance reduces falls. The host discusses a 2025 randomized controlled trial of 700 people comparing online Iyengar yoga to seated meditation that found a 33% higher fall rate in the yoga group, ...

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70:59

18: Leslie Kaminoff: AI, Alignment, and the Future of...

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/07/01

Leslie Kaminoff on Yoga Anatomy, AI Book Fraud, and What Yoga Is Matt interviews longtime yoga educator and Yoga Anatomy co-author Leslie Kaminoff. They cover Kaminoff’s at New York’s Sivananda, a brief period as a Swami, and his perspective shaped by over 20,000 hours of bodywork focused on breathing. They discuss AI-generated fraud flooding Amazon’s chair yoga rankings, ethical uses of AI as well as the need for critical thinking around “fantasy physiology,” fascia claims, and pain science...

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64:55

17: What Is Prana? Bernie Clark on Ancient Wisdom,...

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/06/11

What Is Prana? Bernie Clark on Breath, Yoga, Science, and the Evolving Story of “Life Energy” Resources mentioned: Buy Bernie Clark’s new book Prana The Galaxy Song with Eric Idle & Monty Python Matthew Huy welcomes back yoga author Bernie Clark to discuss Clark’s book Prana: One Breath, Many Worlds and what prana and kundalini might mean in historical, yogic, and scientific contexts. Clark explains that “life energy” is a modern framing and traces prana’s roots in breath and ancient a...

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24:31

16: Yoga Butt Isn’t About Alignment

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/05/20

June 3rd Workshop: Alignment Doesn’t Prevent Injury — So What Should We Do Instead? Use code POD20 for 20% off! “Yoga butt” is often blamed on poor alignment in yoga poses. But is the science really that simple? In this episode of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast, Matthew Huy explores the research behind proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT), why alignment probably doesn’t predict injury as much as social media suggests, and why modern tendon science is more about load, recovery, and capaci...

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18:50

15: In Defense of Vinyasa Flow

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/04/29

In Defense of Vinyasa Flow: Modern Yoga History and the Science of Exercise Benefits In episode 15 of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast, host Matthew Huy defends strong vinyasa flow against claims that it’s “just gymnastics” or not “real yoga,” arguing that modern postural yoga itself is a recent synthesis rather than an unchanged ancient tradition. Drawing on Mark Singleton’s 2010 book Yoga Body, he explains how modern yoga developed through cross-pollination of Indian traditions and Western p...

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45:28

14: Why Your Heart Loves Yoga with Dr. Sarah Samaan

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/04/04

Cardiology, Mindfulness, and Yoga: Preventing Heart Disease and Navigating Health Misinformation with Dr. Sarah Samaan In this episode, Why Your Heart Loves Yoga with Dr. Sarah Samaan - Matthew Huy welcomes Dr. Sarah Samaan, a board-certified cardiologist with nearly 30 years of clinical experience, author of Best Practices for a Healthy Heart and co-author of Diet for Dummies, now a physician development coach blending medical expertise with mindfulness and yoga. She shares how a 199...

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13:35

13: The Pure Yogi Myth

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/02/09

Join the free workshop: subscribepage.io/yoga-money. In this episode of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast, Matthew Huy explores the myth of the “pure yogi” — the unspoken belief that spiritual integrity and financial success are somehow incompatible. This episode steps slightly outside anatomy and physiology to look at how yoga shows up in our everyday lives as teachers, particularly in how we relate to money, pricing, and worth. The conversation is still research-informed, drawing on yoga hist...

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27:02

12: Twists & detoxes, shoulderstands & thyroids

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2026/01/07

This episode, extracted from a recent webinar, focuses on whether twists detoxify the liver and whether shoulder stands stimulate the thyroid gland. Matt explores liver functions, the science behind detox diets, and the role of the thyroid gland in the body's endocrine system. The episode also highlights the significant health benefits of exercise, including yoga, in reducing systemic inflammation and supporting overall health. Learn about future webinars by joining Matt’s newsletter: https:...

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27:38

11: Are emotions stored in the hips?

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2025/11/27

Matt explores the popular claim that emotions and trauma are stored in the hips. Drawing on his background as a yoga teacher and anatomy educator with a master's in exercise science, he reviews scientific evidence to debunk this myth. The episode discusses how oversimplified views on trauma can create unnecessary fears and misconceptions, emphasizing the importance of precise language in yoga teaching. Additionally, Matt explains the real impacts of trauma on the brain and nervous system and ...

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16:40

10: Do chakras, kundalini, and prana exist?

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2025/02/08

Host Matt Huy discusses the abstract concepts of kundalini, chakras, prana, and nadis. These are often considered “subtle energies” in yoga but they do not align with scientific findings. Using Bertrand Russell's teapot analogy, Matt explains the need for critical thinking and the burden of proof. He compares these concepts to love—a real yet abstract idea. While acknowledging the spiritual benefits individuals experience in yoga, Matt explores whether these energies are physical entities and...

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61:30

9: Holger Cramer on Yoga Injuries and Yoga for...

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/12/19

Matt welcomes Dr. Holger Cramer, a leading researcher in complementary and integrative medicine, to discuss the scientific evidence behind yoga's impact on health. They explore Dr. Cramer's extensive research on yoga's benefits for cancer patients, low back pain, asthma, and its role in mental health, particularly depression. The conversation delves into the safeness of yoga, comparing injury rates with other forms of exercise, and the complexities of studying yoga scientifically. Dr. Cramer ...

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53:25

8: Jules Mitchell on yoga butt, foot-on-knee and...

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/11/16

Resources mentioned:Buy Jules’ book: https://amzn.to/48Hmtd2 Jules’ website: https://www.julesmitchell.com/ Follow Jules on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesyoga/Join Matt’s email newsletter: https://www.matthewhuy.com/5-truth-bombsHost Matthew Huy interviews Jules Mitchell, author of Yoga Biomechanics, who shares her background in yoga and biomechanics, discussing the integration of scientific principles into yoga practice. The conversation delves into the definition and application...

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60:28

7: Libby Hinsley on why you gotta know anatomy &...

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/09/20

Host Matt Huy interviews Dr. Libby Hinsley, an experienced physical therapist, yoga teacher, and hypermobility specialist. They discuss Libby’s background, her work with hypermobility syndromes, and her approach to teaching anatomy to yoga teachers. Key topics include the importance of understanding anatomy for yoga practitioners and teachers, common misconceptions about body mechanics, the role of pain in yoga practice, and the benefits and considerations of yin yoga for hypermobile individu...

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24:15

6: How your body adapts to yoga -- and exercise in...

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/08/30

Matt delves into how the human body adapts to yoga and exercise. Reflecting on past misconceptions from his early teaching days, he clarifies a range of physiological adaptations, such as muscular hypertrophy, neural, cardiovascular, and connective tissue responses. Drawing on historical and scientific insights, including his personal experiences and education, Matt explains how repeated exposure to exercise leads to beneficial adaptations, including increased strength, coordination, and effi...

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71:09

5: Bernie Clark on Yin Yoga, Fascia, and Your Spine

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/07/26

In this episode, Matt interviews Bernie Clark, author of Your Body Your Yoga and other books, discussing his journey into yoga, his influential works on yin yoga, and his deep dive into human anatomy and variations. They address the scientific and experiential aspects of Yin Yoga, the importance of stress and rest on tissues, and the dynamic nature of pain and recovery. They also touch on the evolution of yoga therapy and the nuances of teaching yoga with a focus on individual variations. The...

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49:25

4: Gut Health and Healing with Nikki Kenward

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/06/14

Download my free e-document 5 Truth Bombs to Make You a More Confident Yoga Teacher.Host Matthew Huy is joined by craniosacral therapist and author Nikki Kenward. They discuss Nikki's journey, including her traumatic scuba diving accident, her work in craniosacral therapy, and her innovative concept of post-traumatic gut disorder. The conversation dives deep into the anatomy and physiology of the gut, touching on the enteric nervous system, neuroplasticity, and the interconnectedness of body ...

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59:59

2: Demystifying Anatomy with Andrew McGonigle

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/05/22

Download my free e-document 5 Truth Bombs to Make You a More Confident Yoga Teacher.In this episode of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast, host Matthew Huy is joined by Dr. Andrew McGonigle, co-author of the Physiology of Yoga. They discuss Dr. McGonigle's transition from a medical career to teaching anatomy in yoga, the importance of understanding anatomy and physiology for yoga teachers, and the process of reevaluating old beliefs and misinformation within the yoga community. Topics such as th...

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23:00

3: Can science and yoga co-exist?

Enlightened Anatomy with Matthew Huy ·

2024/05/22

Download my free e-document 5 Truth Bombs to Make You a More Confident Yoga Teacher.In this episode of the Enlightened Anatomy Podcast, hosted by Matthew Huy, listeners are introduced to the relationship between science and yoga, with a focus on applying scientific principles to enhance yoga teaching and practice. Matthew shares his journey from dance to a master's in exercise science, emphasizing his rekindled love for science and its importance in clarifying thought and reducing biases. The...

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