In this episode of The Healing Core, Dr. Maria Muto-Rodriguez sits down with Reiki practitioner and wellness coach Stephanie Zamora, founder of Elevate with Stephanie, for an honest conversation about nervous system regulation, emotional healing, stress, and the powerful connection between mind and body.

Together, they explore what Reiki actually is, how it may help the body shift out of chronic fight-or-flight mode, and why so many physical symptoms can be connected to unresolved emotional stress and nervous system dysregulation.

Stephanie shares her unique approach to healing through Reiki, hypnosis, acupressure, intuition, and coaching, while Maria reflects on her own experiences as both a patient and a women's health physical therapist. The conversation dives into emotional release, trauma stored in the body, the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery, and the importance of creating safety before true healing can occur.

Whether you're curious about Reiki, struggling with chronic stress, navigating pregnancy or postpartum, or simply looking for ways to feel more connected to your body, this episode offers a compassionate and grounded perspective on what healing can look like.

Topics discussed:
• What Reiki is and how it works
• Nervous system regulation and chronic stress
• Emotional release and trauma stored in the body
• Why trying to control everything creates more stress
• The connection between physical symptoms and emotional experiences
• Pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and reconnecting with your body
• Building trust, safety, and resilience in the healing process
• Why your body needs to feel safe before it can change

Connect with Stephanie Zamora:
https://elevatewithstephanie.my.canva.site

Learn more about Holistic Physio:
https://holisticphysiodoc.com

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this conversation. Your support helps more women discover the connection between their body, nervous system, and healing journey.

Heal from the inside out. Start at the core.

The Healing Core is a women’s health podcast focused on pelvic floor therapy, hormone balance, chronic pain, gut health, and nervous system regulation. Hosted by Dr. Maria Muto Rodriguez, each episode blends holistic healing and physical therapy to help you heal from the inside out.

Learn more and connect at: https://holisticphysiodoc.com/

Follow the show at the link, so you never miss an episode: https://thehealingcore.buzzsprout.com

Music provided by https://mibemusic.com/

In this deeply personal episode of The Healing Core, Dr. Maria shares her real-time experience navigating pregnancy with baby number two while balancing motherhood, business ownership, pelvic pain, emotional regulation, and birth preparation.

From pelvic floor tension and nervous system regulation to labor positioning and postpartum recovery, this episode blends personal insight with expert clinical guidance for moms preparing their bodies and minds for birth.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• How pregnancy changes the body physically and emotionally
• Why nervous system regulation matters during pregnancy
• Pelvic floor therapy techniques for pain relief and birth prep
• Exercises and positions that help create space for baby during labor
• Why traditional pushing positions may not always be optimal
• Questions to ask your OB about labor, delivery, induction, and birth options
• How breathing and pelvic floor connection can support an easier birth and postpartum recovery
• The importance of emotional support, regulation, and postpartum preparation

Dr. Maria also opens up about:

• Pregnancy while parenting a toddler
• Managing stress and physical tension
• Reiki and emotional healing during pregnancy
• Morning routines and grounding practices
• The realities of preparing for postpartum the second time around

Download Dr. Maria’s FREE Labor Preparation Guide here:
https://holisticphysiodoc.myflodesk.com/laborprep

If this episode resonates with you, share it with another mom or mom-to-be and help spread awareness around pelvic health, nervous system healing, and empowered birth preparation.

The Healing Core is a women’s health podcast focused on pelvic floor therapy, hormone balance, chronic pain, gut health, and nervous system regulation. Hosted by Dr. Maria Muto Rodriguez, each episode blends holistic healing and physical therapy to help you heal from the inside out.

Learn more and connect at: https://holisticphysiodoc.com/

Follow the show at the link, so you never miss an episode: https://thehealingcore.buzzsprout.com

Music provided by https://mibemusic.com/

Is pelvic floor therapy only for pregnancy and postpartum? Or is it the missing piece for chronic pelvic pain, intimacy issues, and whole-body healing?

In this episode of The Healing Core, Dr. Maria is joined by pelvic floor occupational therapist Marlene Handler, founder of The Lifted Lotus in Brooklyn, to break down a truly holistic approach to pelvic health.

Together, they explore how chronic pelvic pain, nervous system dysregulation, stress, and lifestyle factors all connect, and why traditional, symptom-focused care often falls short.

Marlene shares her unique occupational therapy perspective, focusing on therapeutic listening, nervous system regulation, habit stacking, and individualized care to help patients finally feel safe and supported in their bodies again.

Learn more about Marlene and her practice: https://www.lifted-lotus.com/

If you’ve struggled with:

• Chronic pelvic pain or unresolved diagnoses
• Painful sex or intimacy challenges
• Pregnancy or postpartum recovery
• Fear around movement or exercise after injury
• Feeling dismissed or unheard in the healthcare system

This episode will give you a new lens on healing—and practical tools you can actually use.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why pelvic floor therapy is about more than just pregnancy and postpartum
• The connection between chronic pain and the nervous system
• How stress, trauma, and daily habits impact pelvic health
• Why “just doing exercises” isn’t enough for lasting healing
• How habit stacking and small daily practices can regulate your body
• The role of therapeutic listening in healing complex conditions

Healing isn’t about doing more—it’s about understanding your body and supporting it as a whole.

Listen now and start reconnecting with your body.
https://thehealingcore.buzzsprout.com

The Healing Core is a women’s health podcast focused on pelvic floor therapy, hormone balance, chronic pain, gut health, and nervous system regulation. Hosted by Dr. Maria Muto Rodriguez, each episode blends holistic healing and physical therapy to help you heal from the inside out.

Learn more and connect at: https://holisticphysiodoc.com/

Follow the show at the link, so you never miss an episode: https://thehealingcore.buzzsprout.com

Music provided by https://mibemusic.com/