Prepared a power point presentation and spoke at an Oncology Integrative Care Conference on 3/7/18. My presentation explains the role of the vagus nerve in relation to HRV for stress management. I utilized information from the modules, MTY book, and literature to highlight the impact yoga has on stress resiliency. The audience was cancer patients as well as care providers, therefore, I related the stress to physical and emotional aspects of cancer. Further explained how yoga is an avenue for health and stress resiliency. I explained that not all yoga is created equal and touched on the different regulations and what each consumer should be aware of. I also discussed the PYTI program and MTY precepts to explain how yoga should be incorporated (safely and effectively) in healthcare using the BPS model.

-Responses/feedback from students/audience/participants:
• More interactive after two previous presentations it was getting long for audience
• Examples of working with this population (I didn’t have case studies and after reaching out to PYT community, they did not have case studies/experience either re: MTY approach specific to cancer patients)
• Too much wording on slides was a general comment made at the end, however, not clear if it was a general statement or specific to my powerpoint
• A few audience members approached me after with positive feedback about how interesting the vagus nerve was and the impact of yoga
• Good information with research and practical use
• Co presenters felt it was helpful information to get to the audience
• Well thought/planned out and well delivered
-What worked:
• Visualizations on slides
• Relating science and evidence to everyday life and making it applicable
• It was a good way to market my business as one audience member has since contacted me to work with me for yoga therapy
• The message of the importance of yoga as a means of therapy and a way of life not just exercise or the latest trend was clear
• Effective education on the importance of choosing the right yoga class and teacher/therapist for your specific needs
-What didn't work:
• Some slides may have been too wordy
• Audience didn’t engage too much with my questions
• It was a timed presentation and there were a few slides I had to skim over and not get as in depth to allow the other presenters equal time
-What you would change the next time to improve it:
• Add in experiential learning like breathing, meditation, or chanting
• Ask closed ended questions or ask for people to share relevant experiences
• Add in audio and video to further address multiple learning styles
• Add in thought provoking or self-reflection type questions to encourage interoception
-What you learned:
• I am capable of being confident and talking about what I am passionate about
• Practicing yoga in preparation was helpful for me
• Utilizing my knowledge of the vagus nerve was helpful to settle my nerves for the presentation
• I am motivated to educate on the benefits of yoga to more populations in the future
• There is limited knowledge around this topic
• There is opportunity for more research in regards to MTY approach for patients with cancer
• Furthered my own knowledge of the vagus nerve to utilize in my own practice and with my patients