Love At First Science

Episode 84 Part 1 - The hidden power of your lymphatic system with Leah Levitan

What if the secret to healing, energy, and resilience has been sitting quietly beneath the surface of your skin all along? Most of us have barely heard about the lymphatic system yet it could hold the key to everything from chronic swelling to brain fog to emotional wellbeing.In this powerful conversation, Celest sits down with Leah Levitan, licensed massage therapist, lymphatic drainage specialist, and founder of the global community The Lymph Love Club. Together they explore why the lymphatic system is so often ignored in medical training and why it deserves centre stage in how we think about health.Leah shares her journey from traditional massage into the world of fascia, fluid, and flow, and why treating the body as an interconnected ecosystem brings more ease and results than chasing symptoms. You’ll hear about emerging research on fascia and lipedema, how swelling shows up in the body (from post-surgical lymphoedema to everyday puffiness), and why yoga teachers might be supporting lymph far more than they realise.In this episode:We learn:Why the lymphatic system is overlooked yet essential for healingThe difference between oedema, lymphoedema, and “invisible swelling”How fascia, nervous system, and lymph work together as the body’s three amigosSimple ways yoga, breath, and movement stimulate lymph flowDebunking the myth that twists don’t “detox”and why movement mattersIf you’ve ever felt heavy, swollen, or stuck in your body, or if you teach students who do this episode will completely shift how you see fluid, fascia, and flow.About LeahWith her extensive training in Myofascial Release Techniques, scar tissue work, trauma informed somatic therapy, organ manipulation, and The Vodder Method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Leah has woven together a unique body of work that's designed to support individuals with chronic illnesses. Our body is an ecosystem, and she uses a global approach.Leah created Lymph Love Club as a way to walk people home to their lymphatic systems world wide, and she is s certified lymphedema therapist, Lymph Literacy Advocate, and expert guide into the depths of the lymphatic system's terrain.Follow Leah on Instagram here.About Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠⁠Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Hannah on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Celest on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 83 Part 2 - From Hype to Healing: What Breathwork Gets Wrong with Patrick McKeown

What happens when we get breathwork wrong — and how can we use it wisely for health and balance?In Part 2, Patrick and Hannah dig deeper into the nuances of breath practice, from hyperventilation methods to breath holds, and the role of carbon dioxide in nervous system regulation. Patrick explains where breathwork can heal, where it can harm, and how yoga teachers can cue breathing safely and effectively.This half of the conversation is packed with practical takeaways, cautions, and inspiration to bring into both your teaching and everyday life.We explore:Why some popular hyperventilation practices may carry real risksBreath holds: stress vs relaxation, and how to use them wiselyThe role of CO₂ in blood flow, oxygen delivery, and calmBreathing differences in women across the monthly cycleWhy breathing is the most powerful free tool for stress, sleep, and focusAbout PatrickTo date, Patrick has worked with some of the top athletes in the world across a variety of sports including tennis, cycling, weight lifting, American Football, MMA and track and field. Patrick’s professional memberships include Fellow of The Royal Society of Biology, and Chairman of Buteyko Professionals International (BPI).A TEDx speaker, Patrick’s work has touched the lives of thousands and more worldwide. His work has been published by leading publishing houses including Harper Collins (UK), William Morrow Press (USA), Red Wheel Weiser (USA), Sperling & Kupfer (Italy), Kanki Publishing Inc. (Japan). Journal publications include the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Journal of the American Orthodontic Society and Clinical Otolaryngology.Patrick’s book, ⁠⁠The Oxygen Advantage⁠⁠ is an extension of this work, combining simulation of high-altitude training and specifically-formulated exercises which empower athletes to improve their sports performance safely, legally and at no cost. For the first time, athletes are afforded a reliable and accurate means to measure their progress using the Body Oxygen Level Test, enabling them to address poor breathing habits; understand in simple terms how oxygen is released to working muscles; and to practice breath hold exercises that naturally increase aerobic and anaerobic capacity.The team at Oxygen Advantage have granted listeners to this podcast an incredible 20% off their ⁠Breathing For Yoga Instructor training Course⁠ - use code ALBA20 at checkout!About Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Hannah on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Celest on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 83 Part 1 - Why Breathing Less Can Give You More with Patrick McKeown

What if the way you’re breathing is the very thing holding you back?In this first half of our conversation with world-renowned breathing expert Patrick McKeown, we dive into the surprising science of functional breathing and its impact on health, focus, and yoga. Patrick shares his personal journey with asthma and poor sleep, and how discovering the Buteyko method changed his life.You’ll learn why “taking a deep breath” isn’t always the best advice, and how subtle changes in the way you breathe can influence everything from your concentration to your recovery.We explore:Patrick’s story of transforming his asthma and sleep through breathingWhy nasal breathing matters so much more than you thinkThe myth of “bigger breaths = more oxygen” and what science really showsThe lost history of yoga breathing, and why subtlety is the keyHow small adjustments in practice can boost blood flow, calm the mind, and improve performanceAbout PatrickTo date, Patrick has worked with some of the top athletes in the world across a variety of sports including tennis, cycling, weight lifting, American Football, MMA and track and field. Patrick’s professional memberships include Fellow of The Royal Society of Biology, and Chairman of Buteyko Professionals International (BPI).A TEDx speaker, Patrick’s work has touched the lives of thousands and more worldwide. His work has been published by leading publishing houses including Harper Collins (UK), William Morrow Press (USA), Red Wheel Weiser (USA), Sperling & Kupfer (Italy), Kanki Publishing Inc. (Japan). Journal publications include the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Journal of the American Orthodontic Society and Clinical Otolaryngology.Patrick’s book, ⁠The Oxygen Advantage⁠ is an extension of this work, combining simulation of high-altitude training and specifically-formulated exercises which empower athletes to improve their sports performance safely, legally and at no cost. For the first time, athletes are afforded a reliable and accurate means to measure their progress using the Body Oxygen Level Test, enabling them to address poor breathing habits; understand in simple terms how oxygen is released to working muscles; and to practice breath hold exercises that naturally increase aerobic and anaerobic capacity.The team at Oxygen Advantage have granted listeners to this podcast an incredible 20% off their Breathing For Yoga Instructor training Course - use code ALBA20 at checkout!About Alba Yoga Academy⁠Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Hannah on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Celest on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 82 - The Science of Touch with Celest

What really happens when we experience touch? How does your nervous system take something as simple as pressure on your skin and turn it into safety, movement, or even emotion?In this solo episode, Celest takes you on a fascinating journey through the science of touch. From the receptors in your skin to the speed of nerve fibres, the mapping of the spinal cord, and the emotional processing of the insula, she unpacks how your body translates sensation into meaning.You’ll discover:Why sensation is essential for safety and movementThe role of different receptors in the skin (pressure, vibration, stretch and more)How your peripheral nerves send signals at lightning or slower speeds, each with a unique purposeWhy the parasympathetic system should really be called "repair and digest"How touch links not just to the body, but also to emotion and social connectionThis episode blends anatomy, neuroscience and practical insight to remind us just how magical and adaptable our nervous system really is.About Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Hannah on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Celest on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 81 Part 2 - Trauma Alchemy, Ketamine Therapy and the BAM Revolution

What if healing doesn’t have to be hard?In Part 2 of this episode of Love at First Science, Hannah and Sarah Beth dive into the next chapter of her healing: navigating complex PTSD, discovering the power of ketamine therapy, and learning to live from self-compassion—not hustle.We explore:The science and personal impact of ketamine therapy for traumaHow yoga, breathwork and a “bare ass minimum” mindset help regulate her nervous systemHer unique approach to sequencing trauma healing through the arc of a yoga classThe deeper meaning behind her book Trauma AlchemyYou’ll leave this episode with practical insights and permission to do less, feel more and trust your body again.About Sarah BethSarah Beth is a global yoga teacher reaching over 1.75 million practitioners through YouTube and the SarahBethYoga APP, where she helps people live their best lives through mindful movement and self-discovery. Known for her functional approach to mobility and sustainable sequencing, Sarah Beth brings authenticity to every practice – whether she's sharing her healing journey with CPTSD and childhood trauma (as explored in her book "Trauma Alchemy") or navigating life with ulcerative colitis. Students are drawn to her genuine nature, practical teaching style, and heartfelt messages of self-compassion and non-judgment, making yoga accessible and transformative for yogis of all levels.⁠Sarah Beth's YouTube⁠⁠Sarah Beth's app ⁠⁠Sarah Beth's book⁠About Alba Yoga Academy⁠Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Hannah on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Celest on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠