The Wholly Aligned Health Podcast
36 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingWholly Aligned comes to you from Ciara Jean Roberts
Ciara is a writer, yoga and movement teacher of over 11 years, and a naturopathically trained nutritional therapist. Early teenage kidney failure, dialysis and two kidney transplants serve as rites of passage into deeper understanding of health systems and the imperative to take exquisite care of oneself and in turn each other and our living planet. Born in South Africa, raised in Zambia, an adventurer across 35 countries to date. Birthing Wholly Aligned in 2012, she stepped away from a successful career in banking, to fully embrace the wonderous world of health and healing. Bringing yoga, nutrition, and a sense of the sacred to groups, communities, and individuals. Leaving London in Summer 2022, she now lives in Ramsgate, the place where the ravens fly, with the swell of the vast salty seas nearby.
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Episodes
Wholly Aligned Health News: BONES
January 16, 2024 15:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBHow to support your bone health: The new series for 2024 zooms in on a particular part of the body. Bones are many parts of the body! And a wonderful living tissue to appreciate how to take care of, in your unique context. In this episode, Ciara shares some ideas to encourage better bone health, from nutrition, to the importance of movement and an overview of key bone cells and their function. For more ideas, event and musings around yoga, nutrition and sacred living, hop into the Wholly ...
Guided meditation journey: Awakening your heart song
February 26, 2023 11:00 - 12 minutes - 8.43 MBA lovely soothing shorter journey into your own wise heart. Great for when you need a gentle reset in times of emotional turmoil. Also a useful soother to listen to before falling asleep. Ciara Jean Roberts Yoga Teacher. Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist, Author, Creative Spark https://www.whollyaligned.com Twitter @WhollyAligned Check out my Tedx Talk: Unlocking your Inner Physician: https://youtu.be/y0lmkEkNIuk
Arriving and Centring: A guided 15 minute journey
December 03, 2022 13:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBCiara Roberts brings you a series of guided meditations. You can listen seated, laying down, on a train, in a plane, under a tree...make it work for you. Beginning with Arriving and Centring. The energies of Arrive. The energies of Centre. Arriving and centring into the contours of our physical form. Centring into the essence of the deepest inner truths we hold. Arriving and Centring is a practise Ciara experienced with long time yin yoga teacher, Sarah Lo. A useful way to expand our ...
Arriving and Centring: A guided 15 minute journey
December 03, 2022 13:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBCiara Roberts brings you a series of guided meditations. You can listen seated, laying down, on a train, in a plane, under a tree...make it work for you. Beginning with Arriving and Centring. The energies of Arrive. The energies of Centre. Arriving and centring into the contours of our physical form. Centring into the essence of the deepest inner truths we hold. Arriving and Centring is a practise Ciara experienced with long time yin yoga teacher, Sarah Lo. A useful way to expand our ...
Coherence: Breathe better: Live better
November 19, 2022 12:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBIn this episode, Ciara shares 3 key learning outcomes for coherent breathing, expanding more on the intricacies of the nervous system and reflective invitations to allow you to explore your current inner state: 1. Breathing through the nose 2. Breathing into the belly 3. An even rate and rhythm It's all about balance. With a guided 15 minutes at the end to help regulate, sense and feel. For the 20 minutes guided coherent breath episode, listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/246643/319...
Breathe. Strategising energy in the age of burnout with Dr Ela Manga
March 30, 2022 15:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MBIn the ongoing season of the Recalibrate/Recalibrating your nervous system, season of the Wholly Aligned podcast, Ciara welcomes Dr Ela Manga. Ela is an integrated medical doctor, practising in South Africa. Trained originally as a GP in conventional medicine, a few years into her GP work, she swiftly discovered that patients kept coming back with the same issues. Her work then broadened out into energy management and conscious living. Very much including the power of breath. She is also...
Balance in the breath, balance in the nervous system. Inhale. Exhale...
January 31, 2022 13:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBIn the second episode of 'Recalibrating the nervous system' series, Ciara expands a bit more on the Autonomic Nervous Systems and its 3 key branches of sympathetic nervous system, para-sympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system. Making it relatable to your daily life. So not laden with jargon - infused with real life story and reminders to be kind and compassionate in your explorations! It's deep work... Touching upon the activating and pacifying components of the breath an...
Coherent breath as an entry point into your deeper Self
January 27, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBIn this 6 part series on 'Recalibrating the nervous system', Ciara shares the benefits of coherent breath. Starting with the 3 key levers as entry points into your deeper self. Your breath. Your life force. This episode expands more on laying a foundation for breath. Partner this with the guided coherent breath episode so you get that all important practical experience. To feel it in your own body. Partner this episode with the 20 minutes guided 6/6 breathing here: https://www.buzzsprout.co...
How to breathe well. Understanding coherent breath
January 27, 2022 10:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBIn this 6 part series on 'Recalibrating the nervous system', Ciara shares the benefits of coherent breath. Starting with the 3 key levers as entry points into your deeper self. Your breath. Your life force. This episode expands more on laying a foundation for breath. Partner this with the guided coherent breath episode so you get that all important practical experience. To feel it in your own body. Partner this episode with the 20 minutes guided 6/6 breathing here: https://www.buzzsprout.co...
Mike: Kidney transplant surgeon, father and runner
October 29, 2021 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBIn episode 4 of Integrating a holistic approach to kidneys, Ciara speaks with Mike Stephens. Kidney transplant and vascular access surgeon. Part of the leadership team in Cardiff, Wales. I first spoke with Mike, about 3 years ago, when a burgeoning interest in the wellbeing of medics working in a dysfunctional system became a passion I wanted to understand more about. Mike was open in the challenges he felt. Which was very refreshing for me to hear. Now here we are in October 2021, Mike...
Mike: Kidney transplant surgeon, father and runner
October 29, 2021 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBIn episode 4 of Integrating a holistic approach to kidneys, Ciara speaks with Mike Stephens. Kidney transplant and vascular access surgeon. Part of the leadership team in Cardiff, Wales. I first spoke with Mike, about 3 years ago, when a burgeoning interest in the wellbeing of medics working in a dysfunctional system became a passion I wanted to understand more about. Mike was open in the challenges he felt. Which was very refreshing for me to hear. Now here we are in October 2021, Mike...
Vivien. 25 year friendship through dialysis, transplants, pregnancy, love and laughter
October 08, 2021 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBEpisode 3 in the series 'Integrating a holistic approach to kidneys'. Ciara talks to one of her closest friends Vivien, who has a working transplant for over 25 years now. Ciara and Vivien met in the St Helier dialysis unit when they were both young students at different universities. And over 25 years later, they remain firm friends. Through the rollercoasters of their own unique journey with their kidney transplants, their friendship has been a solid through line of soulful solace, ho...
Vivien. 25 year friendship though dialysis, transplants, pregnancy, love and laughter
October 08, 2021 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBEpisode 3 in the series 'Integrating a holistic approach to kidneys'. Ciara talks to one of her closest friends Vivien, who has a working transplant for over 25 years now. Ciara and Vivien met in the St Helier dialysis unit when they were both young students at different universities. And over 25 years later, they remain firm friends. Through the rollercoasters of their own unique journey with their kidney transplants, their friendship has been a solid through line of soulful solace, ho...
Sharlene: Beaming out Kidney Beam
September 29, 2021 13:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBEpisode 2 of Integrating a Holistic Approach to Kidneys features another brilliant human. Dr Sharlene Greenwood is a Consultant Physiotherapist at King’s College Hospital, an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at King’s College London, and a NIHR post-doctoral research fellow. She co-chairs the UK Kidney Research Consortium, and Kidney Quality Improvement Partnership (KQuIP), and is the President of the UK Kidney Association. Sharlene is an advanced clinical practitioner with 15 years of exp...
Anoushica: Sibling kidney donation and the healing power of receptivity
September 23, 2021 16:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBIn the bright start of a brand new series,' Integrating a holistic approach to kidneys', Ciara chats to her good friend Anoushica. Including the very turbulent rollercoaster with her kidney transplant following a serious fungal infection that left her in hospital for over 3 months this year. Including days in intensive care. We cover the ache of her brother wanting to give her a kidney, her feelings of responsibility as the older sibling to him. Her eventual recognition that he was a grown...
The Zambia years. The blessings of Africa
May 29, 2021 15:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBIn our fourth episode, Marley and Ciara talk about memories of Zambia. The change in dynamic, as now the memories include her daughters. The previous 3 episodes, were before children, or when both daughters were still very young. Zambia is a beautiful country in southern Africa. Hear more in this episode of a family moving abroad. Very fortunate to live an expatriate life, with a big house, yet also with the deeper experiences of growing together as a family. The sending away of both daug...
The newly weds leave London...for South Africa
May 21, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBIn episode 3, we travel with Marley leaving London, soon after marriage to Philip. On their first adventures living in another land, to South Africa. Arriving in an apartheid Johannesburg. The reality of this meant certain workforces were trained in use of firearms as standard (my Dad included) and being stopped by the police for having our nanny Emily riding upfront. Such white hierarchy. Nonetheless, Marley discovered a deeper relationship with yoga, going on to train as a teacher. And m...
The Cork woman moves to Africa with her English husband
May 21, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBIn episode 3, we travel with Marley leaving London, soon after marriage to Philip. On their first adventures living in another land, to South Africa. Arriving in an apartheid Johannesburg. The reality of this meant certain workforces were trained in use of firearms as standard (my Dad included) and being stopped by the police for having our nanny Emily riding upfront. Such white hierarchy. Nonetheless, Marley discovered a deeper relationship with yoga, going on to train as a teacher. And m...
In Sacred Conversation with Marley: Farewell Cork. Hello London
May 07, 2021 19:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBIt's episode 2 of Ciara and Catherine. Mother (Marley) and daughter. Sacred conversations in the now. To be remembered in the generations to come. In this episode, we've travelled from Marley growing up in 1940s Cork (check out episode 1 if haven't yet) onto her brave journey into London. So young. Arriving in 1961 at just 19 years old. From the localised domain of Cork to exploring the wider world. Not only did Catherine as a very young woman experience friendship, kindness and great sync...
In sacred conversation with my Mother: 1940s Cork
April 30, 2021 19:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBOne of the great boons of this past year for me, has been the depth and vulnerability of conversation with my mother. These sacred women in our lives. In this new series on the Wholly Aligned podcast, Ciara lands in sacred conversation with Marley (as she calls her mother). Catherine Roberts turns 80 this year, 2021. Increasingly I have found her capacity to remember dates, names, places as if they were only yesterday, so rich. She is a storyteller and it feels time to share those stories. ...
Darryl Edwards: Movement is medicine
March 17, 2021 16:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBDarryl Edwards is a movement coach and author of the 2018 bestselling book, 'Animal Moves'. His Tedx talk, 'Why working out, isn't working out' has almost 830k views at time of recording (March 2021). Darryl sojourned from software engineering in the investment banking world, to creating primal play. Hear more about his story of transformation on this Inspiring Souls episode. A very honest, well articulated and vulnerable sharing. He is also bringing his passion for inclusion and diversity...
Janey Lee Grace: Happy Healthy Sober
February 16, 2021 16:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MBIn this episode, Ciara chats with Janey Lee Grace in the week her latest book 'Happy Healthy Sober' is released. Janey speaks with honesty and clarity around her own journey with booze and where that has now lead her to as a strong advocate of Sobriety Rocks! Janey is an author, commentator, and co-presenter on the UK’s biggest radio show, BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright in the Afternoon. She has written five books on Holistic living including the #1 Amazon best seller Imperfectly Natural Woma...
Ben Wolff. Breath, neuroscience and dream yoga
January 20, 2021 16:00 - 51 minutes - 35.4 MBThe Wholly Aligned Inspiring Soul in this episode, is Ben Wolff. Yoga teacher, neuroscience explorer, dream yoga practitioner and facilitator of sleepovers in this method (100 at his last virtual session) chats with Ciara about how he came to yoga originally. And his lightbulb moment around the coherent breath technique in 2012 that has helped hundreds in his classes and sessions alone. We also chat about: What the key active ingredient Ben believes was present in Freud’s work Misunder...
Imelda Almqvist. Shamanic Sacred Living. The power of imagination.
January 18, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBCiara enjoys a deep exploratory conversation with Imelda in this episode. Imelda's shamanic work extends across working with children, holding sacred space for deep group immersions into the ancient teachings. Alongside a formidable brain, Imelda's heart shines through as a mother of three boys, an artist of shamanic wisdom as well as a brilliant writer. Highly recommend signing up to her newsletter as that is magic alone! Imelda Almqvist is an international teacher of Sacred Art and Seidr/...
Isabel Firecracker shares her decision to be child-free
January 15, 2021 19:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBCiara in her brand new ' Inspiring Souls' podcast series, chats with Columbian born and raised Isabel Firecracker. A world traveler, avid kitesurfer, and childfree intersectional feminist, Isabel describes herself as a pragmatic, no-nonsense coach for childfree women who struggle with feelings of anger, insecurity, shame, and guilt that surround their choice to not have children. She has designed her coaching programs specifically for this end: to help childfree women evolve and grow into ...
How to nurture your wellbeing fund. Feel better!
June 04, 2020 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBCiara chats about her Wellbeing Fund analogy. Allow yourself to reflect on the 6 different areas of your health fund. Where's off - where's in balance. Small changes, make differences. 1. Nutrition - what and how much we eat 2. Sleep - how much and how deep 3. Activity & movement - running, swimming, walking, jumping, anything? 4. Purpose - sense of fulfilment 5. Wealth - access to money and basic needs fully met 6. Support - friends, family, community, work environment Ciara Jean Roberts...
Understanding coherent breath
April 22, 2020 13:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBTo be partnered with the episode: '20 minutes of guided coherent breath'. Link below. https://www.buzzsprout.com/246643/3199480 In this episode, Ciara expands on breath awareness and introduces you to a broader view of how a technique like coherent breath can help you. Learn more about: *the qualities of coherent breath *the profound impact breath has on your emotional state *letting the breath be a path within - to come more into the awareness of your inner state, away from distractions...
A guided 20 minutes of coherent breath (6/6 breathing)
April 01, 2020 13:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBCiara brings you a guided breath practise. Very useful for self-regulation and physiological recalibration. The breath has a profound impact on our emotions. This breath technique moves the body/mind into a safer state. To discover more about the benefits of this breath, listen to the episode 'How to breathe well. Understanding coherent breath.' https://www.buzzsprout.com/246643/9961875 During times of intense stress, this is so helpful. Be gentle in your exploration. Let go of the need t...
Wholly Aligned, Wholly Alive: Awakening your Inner Physician
October 01, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11 MBIn this podcast, Ciara is actually the interviewee featured on The Authors Show, a U.S based podcast for authors. The title of this podcast is the very same as the title of her book. Hear directly from Ciara on her inspiration and journey hat informed her non-fiction book - from leaving the crazy world of banking behind her, to stepping into following her true passion of yoga and nutrition against a challenging backdrop of kidney illness. Enjoy! Find out more about Ciara and her work here:...
The Childhood Years: Wholly Aligned, Wholly Alive
June 24, 2019 16:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBCiara, an expert in kidneys and a published author, shares with you the first chapter from her book in this podcast, 'Wholly Aligned, Wholly Alive: Awakening your Inner Physician'. The book launched 25th June 2019. You can get your own copy through: https://www.whollyaligned.com Sign up for Ciara's mailing list there too to receive nourishing and practical advice every fortnight! Enjoy. To connect directly with Ciara to discuss consultation or 1:1 yoga, drop her an email: ciara@whollyalign...
Yoga in Healthcare
February 18, 2019 00:00 - 32 minutes - 15.3 MBFresh off the inaugural conference on Yoga in Healthcare at University of Westminster over three days, 15th to 17th February 2019, Ciara Jean Roberts shares some of the key points around social prescribing and highlights keynote speakers including Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health. The conversation now is how we truly integrate yoga into our NHS for both staff and patients. For more info specific to the conference, check out here: https://yogainhealthcarealliance.com Join t...
The Peruvian Medicine Wheel.
February 09, 2019 00:00 - 15 minutes - 7.73 MBIn this episode, Ciara Jean Roberts talks about her experience in Peru learning more about the traditional wisdom of the Andean medicine wheel. using the cardinal directions and the symbolism of totemic animals, we dive into the beautiful nature of this ancient wisdom.
The beauty of yin yoga
February 09, 2019 00:00 - 16 minutes - 8.23 MBCiara Jean Roberts of Wholly Aligned speaks of the necessary practise of yin yoga as the much needed soother to modern life and all its busyness. Check out Ciara's yin yoga video here: https://youtu.be/VsfJWigwx88 www.whollyaligned.com
The Peruvian Medicine Wheel.
February 09, 2019 00:00 - 15 minutes - 7.73 MBIn this episode, Ciara Jean Roberts talks about her experience in Peru learning more about the traditional wisdom of the Andean medicine wheel. using the cardinal directions and the symbolism of totemic animals, we dive into the beautiful nature of this ancient wisdom.
The benefits of yin yoga.
February 09, 2019 00:00 - 16 minutes - 7.65 MBCiara Jean Roberts of Wholly Aligned speaks of the necessary practise of yin yoga as the much needed soother to modern life and all its busyness. Decompressing the deeper fascia and just being with yourself and all that arises. To explore further, enjoy Ciara's yin yoga video here: https://youtu.be/VsfJWigwx88 Ciara Jean Roberts Author, Yoga Teacher & Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist https://www.whollyaligned.com
Introducing Wholly Aligned
January 17, 2019 05:00 - 15 minutes - 7.11 MBCiara Jean Roberts introduces her new podcast Wholly Aligned. She shares her background with you including the journey she's had with her kidneys, transitioning out of the corporate world and setting up her business Wholly Aligned to help others discover their own alignment through yoga and nutrition. Get inspired through story and sharing to live your life in alignment.