The Brilliant Body Podcast with Ali Mezey

In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Ali sits down with yoga teacher, author, and anatomy educator Rachel Scott to explore what it truly means to live as a body – not just to have one.Beginning with a candid inquiry into modern yoga culture, Rachel gently peels back the layers of Western commodification to reveal yoga’s deeper purpose: presence, self-regulation, and intimacy with the living intelligence beneath our habits and conditioning. From there, the dialogue opens into a profound exploration of embodiment as a spiritual practice – one that includes sensation, relationship, desire, stillness, and paradox.Drawing on decades of practice, Rachel shares how yoga, anatomy study, and contemplative stillness have shaped her understanding of consciousness, love, and human connection. Together, Ali and Rachel reflect on mindfulness versus “body-fulness,” nervous-system awareness in dating and relationships, and the wisdom of listening to the body’s cues around safety, timing, and consent.The conversation also moves tenderly into themes rarely spoken aloud: fertility, choice, grief, freedom, and the many ways maternal love can be expressed beyond childbirth. Rachel speaks openly about her journey through wanting children, confronting ambivalence, and ultimately trusting the larger intelligence of life – an experience that reshaped her relationships, her work, and her sense of self.Weaving together yoga philosophy, Tantra, anatomy lab awe, and everyday relational practice, this episode is an invitation to slow down, feel more, and honor the mystery of being embodied. A heartfelt exploration of love, presence, and the courage it takes to listen deeply to the body’s quiet truths.FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:ALI - WebsiteALI - LinkTreeALI BIO: Ali Mezey is a Body Therapist, Family Constellation Work Facilitator, Sexologist and Media Maker with over 40 years of experience. Ali has worked in renowned rehab centers in Los Angeles for sex, drug, and alcohol addiction. She developed her groundbreaking body-based method Personal Geometry® to address the challenges of working with sexual trauma, compulsivity, dysfunctions and discontents. She works internationally with individuals, couples, and groups. Ali is also a public speaker on the intelligence of the body, a teacher of Personal Geometry® and the creator and host of The Brilliant Body Podcast.FOR MORE RACHEL SCOTT:rachelyoga.comIG/Youtube: rachelscottyogaHead Over Heels: A Yogi’s Guide to Dating by Rachel ScottAll books by RachelRACHEL BIO:Rachel combines thousands of hours of teacher training experience with her academic expertise (MSc Online Education) to help yoga teachers and studios create transformational educational experiences. She supports students, teachers, and trainers to share their passion, find their voice, and inspire others. In addition to authoring five books, she has written for Yoga International, YogaUOnline, and the Huffington Post, and exuberantly shares her knowledge through her coaching, YouTube channel, online courses, and free online classes. Find her at rachelyoga.com or on social media at rachelscottyoga.RESOURCES, DEFINITIONS, INSPIRATIONS:Integral Anatomist (and Rachel's partner), Gil Hedley and The Nerve Tour (link is to an interview of Gil speaking about it)Do yourself a favor and get yourself an Explorer Membership - a mere pittance for the wealth you'll receiveGil's Youtube Channel of amazing videosMy fantastic conversation with Gil (my very first TBBP episode!): The Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human BodyChristopher Hareesh WallceCarlos PomedaProfessor Alexis Sanderson/Oxford (go full yoga-nerd with this guy - wow)Cheryl Strayed: Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear SugarDualism: It basically says that there are two things, or substances, and they are completely separate. For example, substance dualists believe that the mind is part of the soul and the soul resides completely outside of the body.Non-dualism: Non-dualism refers to the idea that all things are interconnected and not separate. Distinctions like self and other, or good and bad, are illusions created by the mind. Essentially, it's about recognizing the unity and interdependence of all phenomena.Proprioception: also referred to as kinesthesia, is the sense of body position, movement, and force. It is the unconscious awareness without visual input and is sometimes referred to as the sixth sense.There are three primary types of proprioceptors: muscle spindles, Golgi tendon organs (GTOs), and joint receptors. Each distinct type provides different information that together shape the sensory profile of the body's positioning and motion.Interoception: Interoception is awareness of your body's internal senses or signals. It identifies how you feel. You can consciously or unconsciously respond to these signals. For example, if your stomach rumbles, you know you're hungry.YOGA DEFINITIONS:Shiva: He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism. Shiva. God of Destruction. God of Time, Yoga, Meditation and Arts. Lord of Yogis and Physicians.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THE BRILLIANT BODY PODCAST! We're two years old and counting!We hope you enjoyed this episode - and that it inspired you to notice (and appreciate) what you particularly enjoy about being the brilliant body that you are!Now we want to hear from you...We’re collecting 1–2 minute videos answering this question:What do you like best about being your particular brilliant body?How to submit:Post your video on Instagram and tag @ali_body_brillianceOr, if you prefer a more old-school route, you can send it via WhatsApp (+1-310-1492) or email (connect@thebrilliantbodypodcast.com)By submitting a video, you agree to our using it across media platforms - thanks!Follow along on social to watch other people’s responses and share yours there, too.https://www.instagram.com/ali_body_brilliance/https://www.facebook.com/bodybrilliance***CLICK HERE TO BROWSE OUR FREE EVENTS***And lastly (you know the drill): if you loved this episode, please rate and review - it genuinely helps more people find the show.GUESTS' FULL-LENGTH EPISODES (in order of excerpt):Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of WhalesThe Emotional Body with Healer, Mona WindThe Liberated Body: Reclaiming Erotic Wholeness with Somatic Sex Educator Darshana AvilaThe Colonized Body with Professor Matthew Beaumont: The Politics of AnatomyThe Moving Body with Jo Cobbett: Including the Body, Personally and CollectivelyThe Released Body with Siv Jøssang Shields: Proust, Bees and Neurogenic TremoringThe Touched Body with Deane JuhanThe Systemic Body: Navigating Relational Dynamics and Systemic Consciousness with Jane Peterson, PhDThe Artificial Body? with TANJA DIAMOND: Love, Pleasure and AI – PART ONEThe Body is a Gift with Gil Hedley: A Reverential Journey into the Human BodyThe Brilliance of Animal Bodies with Longevity Zoologist, DR. ZOOLITTLE (Penny) - PART ONECameron West yet to comeWalking Somatic Empathy with Joseph Culp: The Mind-Body Process of Walking-In-Your-ShoesCelebrating the Senses with Rose Mary Riggs: Equine Therapy, Erotic Brilliance and Devotional Self-PleasureThe Fluid Body: Moving Like Water and the Wisdom of Emilie Conrad w/ Marcella BotteroYour Resonant Body with Sarah Peyton: Brain Circuits, Childhood Contracts & Reconceiving AddictionThe Curious Body with Kirstie Simson: Improvisational LivingThe Harmonious Body: The Art & Health of Self-Knowing with Paul LubiczBridging Divides with Rachel Fell: Neurodivergence, Conscious Body Awareness & Inclusive IntelligenceBeyond Massage with Holden Zalma: Body Brilliance as a Tool to Heal OthersFelt-Sense Thinking - Infusing Education with Somatic Intelligence: Aitabé FornésA 'Good Death’ with Karen Bellone, Death Doula: Embracing Life & Mortality PART ONETABOO Part Three: Money & The Prosperous Body with Somatic Financial Therapist, BARI TESSLERThe Bodies We Got: A Conversation with Dr. Madhav GramkeErotic Grief & Sexological Body Work with Lorraine Pentello & Ali MezeyThe Un/Safe Body: Exploring Conscious Walking with Alexander Technique Facilitator, Elizabeth Castagna

MORE ALI MEZEY:Website: https://www.alimezey.comInstagram: ali_body_brilliancePersonal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:https://www.alimezey.com/personal-geometry-foundationsTransgenerational Healing Films: https://constellationarts.com/If you have any questions, email Ali at: ali@alimezey.com

EPISODE SYNOPSIS: The Brilliant Body Podcast – 50th Episode Panel CelebrationIn this special 50th episode of The Brilliant Body Podcast, host Ali invites three previous guests – Sarah Peyton, Rachel Fell, and Amber Gray – to join in a first-ever panel discussion. Each guest brings decades of experience in somatic education, neuroscience, neurodivergence, and trauma healing across diverse cultures and communities.Together, they dive into the deep connections between body intelligence and democracy, unpacking how embodiment influences everything from individual healing to collective social structures. From reclaiming the intelligence of the body to exploring how dissociation impacts global citizenship, the conversation weaves personal insight with profound societal reflection.Whether you’re new to somatic awareness or deeply rooted in body-based practices, this episode promises to challenge, inspire, and expand your understanding of what it means to live as a “brilliant body” in today’s world.FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:Website: https://www.alimezey.comPersonal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on Stephan Hausner’s work with transgenerational influences on illnessALI IN THE HOTSEAT OF TBBP:https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/giving-the-body-language-with-personal-geometry-ali-in-the-hot-seat-with-lauren-gleasonORIGINAL EPISODES WITH MY THREE GUESTS:SARAH PEYTON:https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/your-resonant-body-with-sarah-peyton-brain-circuits-childhood-contracts-reconceiving-addictionhttps://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/the-neuroscience-of-love-and-addiction-live-audience-q-a-recording-with-sarah-peyton-and-ali-mezeyAMBER GRAY:https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/amber-greyhttps://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/earth-prayer-meditation-rooting-into-beloved-groundRACHEL FELL:https://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/bridging-divides-with-rachel-fell-neurodivergence-conscious-body-awareness-inclusive-intelligencehttps://thebrilliantbodypodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/neurodiversity-the-body-inclusive-intelligence-live-audience-q-a-recording-with-rachel-fell-ali-mezeyFOR MORE RACHEL FELL:WEBSITE: https://rachelfell.com/BIO: Rachel Fell is an independent coach, consultant, and educator decoding true identity in organizational leadership, strategy, brand, and communications. Engaging embodied intelligence, she helps her clients find the core and congruent truth of what they have to offer the world.Rachel is a champion of radical inclusion, recognizing and celebrating diversity, both seen and unseen. Uncommonly creative and capable, she excels in challenging self leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations to go beyond theIr prior prejudices and preconceptions of what is possible. Her sweet spot is where the interconnectedness underpinning evolution, living systems, embodied psyche, and expressing identity meet.In addition to working with organizations and businesses on their most complex challenges, Rachel coaches neurodivergent and neurocomplex adults, guiding them on their journeys to understanding, acceptance, and success.Herself assessed as neurodivergent in 2018, she's also a published author and speaker on the topic. FOR MORE SARAH PEYTON:WEBSITE: https://sarahpeyton.com/BIO: Sarah Peyton, Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and neuroscience educator, integrates brain science and the use of resonant language to heal personal and collective trauma with exquisite gentleness.Sarah teaches and lectures internationally and is the author of four books: Your Resonant Self: Guided Meditations and Exercises to Engage Your Brain’s Capacity for Healing, the companion Your Resonant Self Workbook: From Self-sabotage to Self-care, and Affirmations for Turbulent Times: Resonant Words to Soothe Body and Mind, and The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook, co-authored with Roxy Manning, PhD.FOR SARAH’S DISCOUNTED GIFT TO YOU:Nearly 75% off her eight-week Introduction to Resonant Language Online Self-Study Course. It's already on a two for one promo, too, so you can sign up with a friend. Just use the coupon code, BodyBrilliance35 at checkout. After you make your order, add a note in the checkout box or shoot an email to help@sarahpeyton.com. Tell her your friend's email and name and you're all set for an incredible journey together. You can find the details in the show notes below. And have fun resonating!MEDIA: - 10 Key Concepts of Resonant Healing - 9 Types Of Resonant LanguageSARAH’S BOOKS: - Your Resonant Self Workbook- Your Resonant Self Meditations Exercises Ebook: - Affirmations For Turbulent Times: Resonant Words to Soothe Body & Mind

In this episode, Ali speaks with Dr. James A. Simon, a leading OB-GYN and "Menopause Whisperer," about his pioneering work in sexual medicine and menopause care. Dr. Simon discusses the challenges and importance of addressing sexual health in gynecology, the evolution of hormone therapy, and the cultural barriers that often prevent open conversations about menopause and women’s sexuality.The episode highlights the need for more holistic, individualized care for women, the impact of hormones on health and wellbeing, and the progress still needed in medical education and societal attitudes. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of menopause, hormone therapy, and the value of compassionate, open dialogue about women’s health and aging.Topics also include how aging has changed over generations, why people got scared of Hormone Replacement Therapy, the prevalence and benefits of testosterone in women, the politics of hysterectomies, how Viagra was happened upon, and how GLP-1s work. FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:ALI - WebsiteALI - LinkTreeFOR MORE JAMES:IntimMedicine Website: https://intimmedicine.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intimmedicinespecialists5815/videosFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntimMedicineRestore Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for LifeBook by Dr. James A. Simon.JAMES BIO:James A. Simon, MD, CCD, MSCP, IF, FACOGDr. James A. Simon is a board-certified Ob/Gyn, and reproductive endocrinologist. He is Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Simon also holds certifications as an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Counsellor, an ISCD-Certified Clinical Bone Densitometrist, and a Menopause Society-Certified menopause specialist. He has an active private practice, IntimMedicine Specialists® in Washington, DC focused on complicated gynecology, sexual medicine for both men and women, and menopause. Dr. Simon has received numerous awards including: “Top Washington Physicians,” “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists,” “Super Doctors of Washington DC-Baltimore-Northern Virginia,” and “The Best Doctors in America.” He is the only physician to serve as President of both The Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Nicknamed “The Menopause Whisperer,” by Washingtonian Magazine, Dr. Simon is an established researcher and author--completing more than 450 research trials, and more than 800 published articles, abstracts, chapters, and the paperback book: Restore Yourself: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Sexual Desire and Passion for Life. Dr. Simon loves riding the best rollercoasters in the world, collecting fountain pens and wristwatches, and freshwater fishing. He is a five-time Master Angler of Canada.hiker, dog trainer, and lover of nature.OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: ASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists)A professional organization for sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists.ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry)Organization focused on bone density and skeletal health.Menopause SocietyFormerly known as the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause.International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)Multidisciplinary, academic, and scientific organization dedicated to women’s sexual health.Washingtonian Magazine ArticleRegional magazine that dubbed Dr. Simon "The Menopause Whisperer."Sexual Health AllianceOrganization and conference for sexual health professionals.Women’s Health Initiative Hormone StudiesLandmark studies on hormone therapy in women.Menopause MeetingsAnnual conferences for menopause specialists.PremarinEstrogen medication derived from pregnant mares’ urine, historically used in hormone therapy.Viagra (Sildenafil)Medication for erectile dysfunction, originally developed for high blood pressure.GLP-1 Receptor AgonistsClass of injectable medications for diabetes and weight loss (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy).Dr. Dympna RenshawSouth African psychiatrist and pioneer in sexual medicine, especially in the context of trauma and dysfunction.Halle Berry, Kate WinsletCelebrities mentioned for their advocacy and openness about menopause.Contraception Marches (late 1960s)Historical reference to activism for access to contraception.[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

Episode SummaryIn this guided meditation, Dr. Betty Martin guides you to sit comfortably and place a small object in your hand, focusing on its shape, texture, and temperature. As you pay attention, you’re encouraged to notice the sensations in your hand, shifting your focus from the object to your own sensory experience. You may use the object to gently touch or explore different parts of your hand, moving slowly to heighten awareness. The practice emphasizes going at your own pace, bringing your attention back if your mind wanders, and noticing any feelings that arise - such as pleasantness, curiosity, or even emotions like gratitude or sadness. The meditation can be practiced for about five minutes daily, helping you connect with your body and sensations in a gentle, mindful way.FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:ALI - WebsiteALI - LinkTreeFOR MORE BETTY MARTIN:BETTY - WebsiteBIO:Dr. Betty Martin has had her hands on people professionally for over 40 years (some of it legal and some of it questionable). 30 years of Chiropractic and other modalities, then later, 15 years of Somatic Sex Education and Surrogate Partner Therapy. Also Contact Improv and other kinds of play.She is the developer of the Wheel of Consent, a cutting edge model of receiving and giving, based on touch but amenable to non-touch practices as well. She is the author of The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent.She loves sharing her experience. She developed a 5 day training in the Wheel of Consent for practitioners, which took her around the world, and then trained others to teach it so she could retire. She currently mentors helping professionals, from psychotherapists to sex workers, and all stripes of hands-on practitioners.OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: www.schoolofconsent.org/blog/wheel-explainedwww.wheelofconsent.org/media-kit[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Ali welcomes Jo Cobbett - movement facilitator, artist, and poet - for a rich conversation about the transformative power of embodied movement. Jo shares her experiences navigating personal and community challenges, including the aftermath of wildfires, and how dance and somatic practices offer healing and connection, to self and community.Together, they explore the importance of presence, curiosity, and intention in reclaiming body intelligence. Other topics explored are inhibition, learning from the outside rather than the inside, and finding answers through movement. Jo discusses her approach to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where people of all backgrounds can rediscover themselves through movement. The episode offers inspiration for embracing change, building community, and finding body brilliance in every stage of life.FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:ALI - WebsiteALI - LinkTreeFOR MORE JO COBBETT:https://www.movinground.com/https://www.facebook.com/jobcobbettBIO:Jo Cobbett is a devotee and lover of wonder - crafting windows into profound self-encounters and discovering beauty throughout life's journey. Her primary portals are embodied movement and visual art, inviting play, curiosity, and existential dialogue with the world. Jo is directly engaged in life through nurturing family and creating spaces for self-exploration, expressed via her visual art, streamed poetry, and embodied movement offerings. Developing alongside her earlier partnership with Michael Mullen Skelton, Jo has been leading classes and workshops for over 30 years in Los Angeles and around the globe.She trained in bodywork at Esalen Institute, studied 5Rhythms with Gabrielle Roth, Soul Motion with Vinn Arjuna Martí, and Open Floor with Kathy Altman, Lori Saltzman, and Andrea Juhan, among others. Her practice has been further deepened through improvisation and creative play with Paula Shaw, Camille Maurine, and Ruth Zaporah.A primary influence in her life has been her training and collaboration with Susan Harper in Continuum Montage. Her ongoing inspiration also comes through Laura Sirkin‑Brown, and a lifelong conversation with nature — the whispers of wind, the flow of water, and the subtle intelligence of embodied movement.Jo honors countless teachers encountered along the way and remains continuously inspired — including by Ali Mezey, whose presence and insights have enriched her path.OTHER RESOURCES, LINKS AND INSPIRATIONS: Michael Molin-Skelton — Conscious Dance/Soul Motion“A few things that I hold sacred; the love of my life Anneli, the miracle of that love, Jaylan, resilience, friends that cherish and challenge me, integrity, dancing alone, dancing with you, transparency, love.”Esalen Institute - A historic retreat center in Big Sur, California, focused on human potential and somatic practices.Five Rhythms® with Gabrielle Roth – A dynamic movement practice founded by Gabrielle Roth exploring flow, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness.Soul Motion® with Vinn Arjuna Martí – A conscious dance practice rooted in presence, relational awareness, and creative expression.Open Floor with Kathy Altman, Lori Saltzman, and Andrea Juhan - A movement meditation practice designed for personal healing and collective connection.Improvisation with Paula Shaw, Camille Maurine, and Ruth Zaporah - Explorations in expressive arts, performance, and authentic movement.Susan Harper & Continuum Montage - Susan Harper is a Continuum teacher who developed Continuum Montage, blending movement, breath, and sound to deepen somatic awareness.Yakov & Susannah Darling Khan - Founders of Movement Medicine, a conscious dance practice integrating shamanic, therapeutic, and artistic paths.Emilie Conrad, Founder of Continuum MovementAndrea JuhanPaula ShawCamille Maurine Laura Sirkin-Brown Anna Halprin - Pioneer in postmodern dance and healing movement practices; creator of the Life/Art Process.Baba Olatunji - Nigerian drummer and educator who popularized African drumming in the West; known for *Drums of Passion*.Rupert Sheldrake - Biologist and author known for his theories on morphic resonance and collective memory fields.Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy by Barbara Ehrenreich - A cultural and historical study of how communal dance and celebration have shaped human history.Ecstatic Dance - A global movement community offering conscious, freeform dance events with no talking, alcohol, or shoes.Let There Be Light by Jacques Lusseyran - Memoir of a blind French resistance fighter exploring inner vision and resilience.[From time to time, a word or phrase goes wonky. Please forgive my wandering wifi.]