The Yamas and the Neuroscience of Trust: From Survival to Steady Ground
About this episode
Dr. Amy Wheeler explores the relationship between the Yamas and the neuroscience of trust, emphasizing how a regulated nervous system influences ethical behavior.
What does it mean to trust that life will work out —not as a belief, but as a lived, embodied experience? In this solo episode, Dr. Amy Wheeler explores the intersection of the Yamas —the ethical foundation of yoga—and the neuroscience of safety, regulation, and predictive processing . Rather than approaching ethics as a set of rules to follow, this conversation reframes them as natural expressions of a regulated, supported nervous system. At the center of this inquiry is a simple but powerful question: Can we live in alignment with our values when we feel unsafe? Drawing from yoga philosophy, polyvagal theory, and lived experience, Amy offers a grounded perspective on why ethical behavior becomes more accessible when the body feels steady—and why it often breaks down in states of survival. Key Themes Explored Ethics as a State, Not a Rulebook The Yamas are not imposed from the outside. They emerge when the system is regulated, resourced, and supported. Ahaṅkāra and the Survival Response The drive to secure, control, and protect—while necessary—can narrow perception and disrupt our ability to act with clarity and integrity. The Nervous System and Trust A flexible, regulated…
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