109: Breath, Movement, and Chronic Pain with TN Advocate Kayla Harley

Uninvisible Pod with Lauren Freedman

Kayla Harley is a certified GYROKINESISⓇ instructor, Optimal Life Breath Pathologist, doula, and energy healer helping dancers, athletes and everyday movers alike improve their quality of movement: for breath integration and to prevent injury. She is an International Practitioner and among the forerunners in the International Association for Blacks in Dance. She believes firmly that the body has the power to heal itself through active listening and diligent response, and knows this first-hand: as she lives with trigeminal neuralgia, chronic fatigue, and muscle spasticity. Much of her healing has been in the use of holistic methods to manage her own chronic pain and fatigue, and this deep personal work has informed her practice. The work that she does is exploratory and includes Shamanic practices that naturally generate a sense of connection to the divine from the inner-being, outward. Her health and wellness brand, Beebodi, is both a journey of her personal life and testament through healing and naturopathy; as well as a guide to creating a personalized wellness plan and regimen for others.

Tune in as Kayla shares:

• that she was injured during a tour as a dancer — and that this led to all her subsequent health issues
• that she struggled to be understood by doctors and experienced gaslighting
• how her race has played into her relationship with the medical industry
• that she was initially diagnosed with chronic TMJ and eczema before being diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (TN)
• the importance of accepting her chronic pain — from within — in order to find solutions
• that she’s cycled through every possible medical solution to TN — from epilepsy meds to opioids
• that she now uses holistic methods to manage her pain: self-hypnosis, breath work, IV vitamins, and reflections on her experience as a doula
• what her pain feels like: and that it can travel from her face all the way to her chest
• that she experienced suicidal ideation as a result of her pain
• that she’s had to teach herself a new way of speaking in order to better manage her pain with mindful facial movement
• how she taps into her spirituality to find healing: through her religious beliefs and connection to her ancestors
• other holistic methods she uses for pain management: CBD, cannabis, and massage
• how the US healthcare system has failed her, and why she looked abroad for inspiration in her healing
• all about becoming radical about your joy

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