Amanda Bush – Yoga & Mindfulness in Schools | Art Heals All Wounds
Art Heals All Wounds
04/29/25
•31m
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Episode Summary:
Explore yoga and mindfulness programs for teens that reduce stress and promote creative healing in education.
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Amanda Bush, a yoga practitioner in residence with Arts in Medicine at Shands UF Health in Gainesville, Florida. Together, we explore Amanda’s vision of bringing yoga and mindfulness practices into middle schools to help students better cope with stress and challenging situations. Drawing on her extensive experience as a middle school educator, Amanda discusses the emotional landscape of adolescence, the potential benefits of integrating yoga and mindfulness into school curriculums, and the obstacles educators face due to underfunding and overburdened staff. The conversation is deeply personal, with both of us sharing our experiences as parents and educators, and it highlights the transformative power of art and movement in healing and supporting young people.
Topics Discussed:
- Amanda’s background in yoga, community outreach, and education
- The unique challenges faced by middle schoolers and the lack of coping resources
- How yoga and mindfulness can provide critical tools for emotional regulation
- Amanda’s experiences implementing yoga and movement workshops for youth
- Barriers to integrating programs like this into schools, including funding and teacher burnout
- The potential for empowering teachers with mindfulness strategies
- Personal stories of transformation through yoga and meditation
- Amanda’s next steps in making her vision a reality
Key Takeaways:
- Middle schoolers are often in emotional limbo, facing adult-level stress without the necessary tools
- Mindfulness and movement can help students manage anxiety, increase self-awareness, and improve resilience
- Making these practices part of the school day (not just after school) would increase accessibility and long-term impact
- Teachers are overwhelmed and underfunded, but can be a powerful ally in supporting student well-being if given the right resources
- Amanda’s work is ongoing, and she aims to expand access and education in this vital area
About the Guest:
Amanda Bush is a yoga practitioner, educator, and community outreach facilitator. She is passionate about integrating yoga and mindfulness into education to support the holistic well-being of young people.
Find Amanda:
- Website: elevatedyogaandwellness.com
- Instagram: @elevatedyogaandwellness and @amanda.elevated.yoga
About the Host:
Pam Uzzell is the creator and host of Art Heals All Wounds, a podcast spotlighting artists whose work brings healing, understanding, and transformation to individuals and communities.
Resources Mentioned:
- Shands UF Health, Gainesville, Florida
- Girls Place (summer camp)
- Breathe for Change (yoga teacher training program focused on educators)
How to Support the Show:
- Follow Art Heals All Wounds on your favorite podcast app
- Leave a five-star rating or review
- Reach out via arthealsallwoundspodcast.com
Credits:
- Music by Ketsa and Lobo Loco
- Podcast editing by Iva Hristova
Thank you for listening! Be sure to connect with Amanda Bush for updates on her journey and the evolution of mindfulness in education.
Previous Episode
Heather Dawn Batchelor – Art Therapy for Dementia
April 16, 2025
•30m
Guest: Heather Dawn Batchelor
Episode Summary:
Learn how art supports memory care and caregiver healing in dementia through creative therapies.
In this episode of Art Heals All Wounds, I speak with Heather Dawn Batchelor, an abstract expressionist painter and arts practitioner with Arts in Health Ocala Metro in Florida. Heather shares her personal journey with art, influenced by her artistic family, and her work with Memory Cafe, a program supporting individuals with dementia and their caregivers through creative arts.
Key Points:
1. Heather's Background:
o Heather grew up in a creative family, with artist parents.
o Inspired by a ballet production on PBS as a child, she has been chasing the sensation of creative expression through various artistic mediums ever since.
o She pursued art school, studying painting and photography, and connected deeply with abstract expressionism.
2. Art and Healing:
o Heather explains her desire to make the invisible visible, striving to capture spiritual elements through her art.
o Art serves as a form of personal self-care and emotional expression for Heather, especially through challenging times.
3. Memory Cafe:
o Heather leads the Memory Cafe, a program for dementia patients and their caregivers under Hospice of Marion County.
o The cafe offers arts and various activities to engage participants, supporting both dementia patients and caregivers.
o Heather shares moving stories of transformation and empowerment through art, emphasizing the universal need and benefit of creative expression.
4. Impact on Caregivers:
o The program also benefits caregivers, providing them with much-needed support and a creative outlet to process their experiences and stress.
5. Future Plans:
o Heather discusses potential virtual components for Memory Cafe, ensuring accessibility for caregivers and patients unable to attend in person.
6. Personal Connections:
o Heather has a personal connection with dementia, having supported friends and family members, including her father, through the condition.
Links and Resources:
· Heather's Website: heatherdawnbachelor.com
· Arts in Health Ocala Metro: Provides resources and information about programs like the Memory Cafe.
· Marion County Hospice: Hosting the Memory Cafe and supporting dementia care initiatives.
Contact and Feedback:
· Pam encourages listeners to reach out through her website and sign up for her newsletter for updates on the podcast.
Music:
· Featured Music by Ketsa and Lobo Loco
Production Credits:
· Edited by Iva Hristova
Tune in to hear how Heather Dawn Batchelor uses art as a tool for healing and connection in the realm of dementia care and beyond.
Follow Me!
● Art Heals All Wounds Website
● My Instagram
Next Episode
Selma Zollman – Music Therapy & Healing Through Song
May 14, 2025
•29m
Selma Zollman shares how music therapy in hospitals helps with grief, emotional healing, and creative well-being.
In this episode, I’m joined by Selma Zollman, a music therapist and member of Brazilian Voices—a nonprofit female vocal group based in South Florida. For over 22 years, Brazilian Voices has been bringing the tranquil sounds of Bossa Nova into hospitals, medical facilities, and schools, uplifting patients, families, and healthcare workers through music.
What You'll Hear:
- Pam’s personal journey with grief and how art and music can provide solace in times of loss.
- Selma Zollman’s story of following her passion for music therapy and joining Brazilian Voices.
- The transformative power of harmony—how Brazilian Voices uses soft, multi-part singing to create a gentle ambiance in hospitals, allowing patients, families, and staff to simply “be.”
- Why the group’s presence is about illumination, not cure, and how performing with “no expectations” brings peace for both singers and listeners.
- Heartfelt anecdotes about the response from patients (including those at end-of-life), their families, and healthcare workers touched by the music.
- Selma’s thoughts on the importance of expanding similar music programs to more hospitals and healthcare settings, despite the challenges around privacy and logistics.
- Ways to follow and learn more about Brazilian Voices, including their Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Learn More:
Find out more about Brazilian Voices:
Connect with the Show:
Host Pam Uzzell welcomes your feedback and stories. Reach out via arthealsallwoundspodcast.com.
Credits:
- Music in this episode: Ketsa, Lobo Loco, and Brazilian Voices
- Editing by Iva Hristova
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