To request an interview, contact kmcg @ stanford "dot" edu.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Exercisers Fitness July/August 2010

Despite what you may think, the trick to exercising regularly isn't finding your inner enforcer. Rather, "it's getting creative and tapping your natural motivations," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist and fitness instructor at Stanford.

Excuses, Excuses! Women's Health July/August 2010

We've heard them all before, and probably used them too. We're putting an end to that right now.

Befriend the Body: Yoga Can Help Ease the Challenges of an Autoimmune Disorder. Yoga Journal August 2010

"With autoimmune disorders, there can be a sense of betrayal because the body is literally attacking itself," McGonigal says. "Learning how to relate to the body in a compassionate way can be very healing."

Yoga, Self Care & The Dalai Lama: Q & A with Kelly McGonigal, PhD Mind Body Green June 2010

We talked to Kelly about yoga as "self-care," her collaboration with Tibetan monks including His Holiness, and her upcoming book The Science of Willpower.

Video Interview with Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard (I conducted this interview for the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education).

Living Yoga Radio Show. Original air date: May 14, 2010.

In this 1-hour show, I talked with host Robin Rothenberg about yoga therapy, my personal path of yoga and meditation, and how compassion (for yourself and others) can be trained through both.

Stanford Researchers Say Yoga Key to Pain Relief Watch video here. CBS Evening News Original air date: May 25, 201

Yoga Strengthens Mind, Body; Ousts Pain CNN.com May 21, 2010

"The best way to unlearn chronic stress and pain responses is to give the mind and body new, healthier responses to practice," wrote Dr. Kelly McGonigal, in her book Yoga For Pain Relief. "There are yoga practices for relaxation, reducing stress, dealing with difficult emotions, examining your thoughts and beliefs about pain, and training the mind to be less reactive to painful sensations," McGonigal wrote.

The Healing Power of YogaYoga Journal May 2010

"The Western health care model looks at evidence-based medicine," says Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist and yoga teacher and at the School of Medicine at Stanford University, and editor in chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy. "If you don't have peer-reviewed studies, people think that the modality must not work."

6 Ways to Boost Willpower U.S. News and World Report April 27 2010

Practicing mindfulness meditation for a few minutes each day can actually boost willpower by building up gray matter in areas of the brain that regulate emotions and govern decision making. "Paying attention to what's happening in the moment, what's going on in your body, your mind, and all around you, can make it easier to tune in to choices you make several hundred times a day when it comes to eating," says health psychologist Kelly McGonigal who teaches a class on the science of willpower at Stanford University. Click here to try one of her short meditation exercises.

Breathe Through It Women's Health April 2010

Kelly McGonigal, PhD, points to another weight-gain factor that can be regulated by breathing: heart rate variability (HRV), the moment-by-moment fluctuation that can help determine how you response to stress. "Studies show that people with a high HRV tend to have more self-control, and those with low HRV are more likely to give in to temptation."

Stanford Yoga Instructor Writes the Book on Pain Stanford Report February 2010

“What I want people to know about yoga is that even if you are on a ventilator in bed you can do yoga,” said McGonigal, who is an instructor for the Stanford Prevention Research Center, which operates the Health Improvement Program. “There’s this image of yoga as a trendy exercise that involves doing crazy things on a mat. That’s not what yoga is. There’s something for people in any type of pain.”

Researchers Find Link Between Stress Hormone, Alchohol Dependence Drug and Alcohol Addiciton Recovery Magazine February 2010

Health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD, noted that the effectiveness of CRF suppression contradicts popularly held beliefs that addiction is merely a matter of seeking pleasure in unhealthy ways. “The direct applications of this study are far from obvious,” McGonigal continued. “But for my money, I’d bet on stress-reduction interventions (whether psychological, pharmaceutical, or spiritual) as the foundation for any behavior change, and the best way to help develop resilience against future addictions.”

New Year's Resolutions Special Edition Stanford Magazine January 2010

"No matter how many times we’ve failed in the past, setting resolutions will always be a part of celebrating the New Year. Research shows that just deciding to exercise makes people feel taller, and starting a diet makes people feel stronger and more hopeful. Sometimes the best part of the New Year’s resolution is the momentary promise that this year will be better. And there’s nothing wrong with that." -- Kelly McGonigal, PhD, lecturer on willpower

"11 Ways to Feel Beautiful (and not one involves applying more makeup)" O! The Oprah Magazine January 2010

"Your brain isconstantly checking in with your body to find our how you're feeling," says Kelly mcGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist at Stanford University. "Body image can be externally influenced by a number on a scale or an image in the mirror, but it's also affected by physical sensations like discomfort," says McGonigal.

"The Ethics of Environmentalists"The Stanford Review December 7 2009

From over at the Stanford Medical School, Kelly McGonigal, writes a prescription in Psychology Today for the struggle to eat well that applies equally to avoiding self-righteousness:

"Awareness is a powerful antidote to all of these challenges. If you know that eating certain foods is going to fool your appetite, you can prepare yourself to make more conscious choices. And if you know that your choices today are likely to influence your choices tomorrow, you will be less likely to tell yourself, 'Today I indulge, tomorrow will be different.' "

Basically, if you know that your good behavior (environmental, dietary or otherwise) is going to license you to act badly, and if you undertake it with the awareness that your actions are interrelated, you will have more control over the entire process. Generally speaking, the more we are aware of our subconscious’ mechanisms, the better we are able to control them.

"Mind Matters: In Defense of Downtime" Science Careers December 4 2009

"Focus, willpower, and the ability to tackle difficult projects all draw from a limited reserve of energy," writes Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist based at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. "When you deplete these reserves--whether through sleep deprivation, which alters how the brain and body use energy, or through pushing too hard on too many projects--the quality of your work plummets, along with the usual pleasure of working on something important, such as doing good science." It's biological. "No one can afford to skip rest, and anyone's work will be refreshed and restored from some time off."

"Yoga as a Tool" American Psychological Association Monitor on Psychology November 2009

"The evidence is showing that yoga really helps change people at every level," says Stanford University health psychologist and yoga instructor Kelly McGonigal, PhD. That's why more clinicians have embraced yoga as a complement to psychotherapy, McGonigal says. They're encouraging yoga as a tool clients can use outside the therapy office to cope with stress and anxieties, and even heal emotional wounds.

"Happiness Takes the Cake"Boston Globe October 15, 2009

Unfortunately, we have been trained over the years to reward ourselves with food, says Kelly McGonigal, a health educator and PhD at Stanford University. “If you celebrate your good mood with high-fat foods, recent research suggests that the brain gets tricked by the fat molecules into ignoring signals of fullness, so you keep eating,’’ McGonigal says.

Although it’s tempting, McGonigal warns me that my ticket back to Skinnyville is not making myself miserable. In fact, she explains that stress, fear, and depression are triggers for eating even more.

"Is Yoga Part of Your Pain-Relief Plan? There's Good Reason to Think It Should Be" Pain Solutions October 2009

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., author of the book Yoga for Pain Relief (New Harbinger, December 2009), believes that yoga can “create real and lasting change” in pain sufferers. “Sometimes that means the pain goes away. Sometimes it means you still have the sensation of pain, but it does not get in your way or affect your mood or enthusiasm for life in the same way.”

Perhaps most important, yoga makes it easier to tune in to what’s happening in your body. “People learn to reject the body when they are in pain,” McGonigal says. “They feel betrayed by their body and the fact that the body is getting in the way of their life.”

"Yin Yoga: Yang-Styles' Less Aggressive Counterpart" Los Angeles Times September 21, 2009

The centered and contemplative breathing seems to help release emotion, much like thawing ice, she says. Also, because much of the stretching is done when the body is cooler -- as opposed to yang yoga, in which the muscles have been warmed up -- the resulting discomfort helps train the nervous system to be less reactive to the stress of a stretch, McGonigal says.

"Inner IDEA: A Time-Out to Sample New Mind-Body Workout Techniques"Gaiam Life September 22, 2009

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., author of the upcoming book Yoga for Pain Relief and a regular instructor at Inner IDEA, and explained the conference’s palpable culture: “Teachers and students return to Inner IDEA year after year for the same reason we return to the yoga mat day after day: to remember things we know to be true but need to be reminded of. Inner IDEA was designed to help attendees remember the value of being in the present moment, refresh their sense of gratitude for life, and reconnect to their own inner strength, inner wisdom and inner joy.”

"Exercise Your Willpower"Today's Diet & Nutrition July/August 2009

How often have you thought that if you just had more willpower, you could lose weight and stick to your exercise regimen? Here's a surprise: "You don't exactly need more willpower; you need to exercise the willpower you have and learn how to spend it wisely," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist at Stanford University, where she teaches a course called "The Science of Willpower."

Listen to Kelly McGonigal and Halle Tecco discuss how yoga can support cancer survivors on public radio (original live broadcast June 26 2009). "Veronica Rueckert and her guests discuss the use of Yoga, meditation, and stress-reduction as a supplement to traditional medical treatments."

"Striking a Pose for Girth" The New York Times May 14 2009

Rather than creating separate classes for plus-size yogis, Ms. McGonigal said, she would prefer to see studios work harder to attract a broader cross-section of students to their open classes. She pointed to the Samarya Center in Seattle, which has marketing materials that forgo the usual 100-pound model putting her foot behind her head.

"Send the Right Message" Yoga Journal My Yoga Mentor April 22 2009

Your main focus should be providing useful content. McGonigal says, "The best newsletters from teachers actually teach. The lists I stay on are the ones that include some personal message from the teacher, a link to a new podcast, or a suggestion for yoga or meditation practice. I want to feel connected to the teacher or organization, not just marketed to."

"Psychotherapy on the Yoga Mat: Talk, Share, Stretch!" Time Magazine April 14 2009

Psychotherapy has historically been an exercise of the mind, but in the offices of more and more modern-day mental-health providers, emotional healing is taking place not just on the couch, but on the yoga mat. The practice is quickly gaining popularity. There are now close to 50 schools of yoga offering yoga therapy training in the U.S. And the International Association of Yoga Therapists more than tripled its membership between 2003 and 2009, to about 2,500 members. "Now we have more licensed health-care providers, including psychologists, coming in who are interested in using yoga in their work," says Kelly McGonigal, the editor in chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy.

The Stupid Cancer Show (a radio show/podcast) March 23 2009

Yoga Bear founder Halle Tecco and mind-body/yoga expert Dr. Kelly McGonigal talk to Kairol Rosenthal (Author of "Everything Changes: The Insider's Guide To Cancer In Your 20's and 30's") and Matthew Zachary (Founder/CEO of the I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation) about yoga for cancer survivors.

"Pushing the Limits" Yoga Journal's My Yoga Mentor March 2009

McGonigal says that it has taken her years—and her share of "perfection-seeking injuries"—to learn that asanas aren't something to perfect but something to experience. "Always pushing to get better, improve, do more in the rest of our lives is what makes yoga practice necessary in our culture. We shouldn't need yoga to recover from our yoga practice."

It's yoga that needs to be flexible, not students. "I don't ever presume a student should go farther or deeper into an asana physically," says McGonigal. "I want students to have a deep experience of the pose. I want to invite their full attention into a pose. I want to lure them back into that experience of 'nothing wrong' that can be experienced in a pose. You can't measure that with inches gained in a forward bend or seconds added to a free-standing inversion."

"Out From Under: Escaping the Burdens of Debt Stress" Experience Life March 2009

The ways people routinely deal with that stress can cause more problems. “Stress triggers primitive coping strategies that offer an immediate sense of security and abundance, as well as the promise of reward,” McGonigal notes. Essentially, our brains go into emergency mode. That can undermine our ability to think clearly, and it can also trigger cravings for self-soothing comforts like chocolate chip cookies, alcohol or cigarettes — anything that triggers the brain to release feel-good chemicals that temporarily interrupt the stress response.

Equally damaging, the scarcity mentality that often accompanies debt stress can cause people to cut back on self-sustaining behaviors that are essential for emotional and physical health, she says: “Things like spending time with friends, buying fresh produce instead of processed foods, exercising and getting enough sleep — these are true self-care actions, the things that sustain our well-being in the long term as opposed to giving us a short-term comfort fix.”

"Why You’re Healthier Now Than Ever" Glamour March 2009

"People who begin to keep track of their finances and follow a budget strengthen their willpower ‘muscle,’ and begin to find it easier to eat healthier and exercise, too,” says Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D. “The idea is that you get into the habit of making conscious choices instead of following your first impulse to splurge, and that helps you develop a greater capacity for self-control in every area of your life.”

"Project (E)motion: How Exercise Can Help You Heal" Fitness March 2009

The exercise-emotion connection is closer than many people realize....Once the body's stress-reducing, mood-boosting chemicals kick in--about 10 minutes into a moderate workout--"negative thinking is more easily pushed to the background, allowing people to put things into perspective," says psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD, editor of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy.

"The Enlightened Path, With a Rubber Duck" New York Times January 1 2009

“I do think there’s a trend toward lightening up in the yoga community,” said Kelly McGonigal, 31, the editor in chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy (found at iayt.org). “Mostly around the rigidity and humorlessness of doing things ‘the one right way’ — always having to get better, feeling like every yoga practice has to be one big self-improvement project.”

"Lessons from the Being Yoga Conference in NYC" Yoga Bear Newsletter Winter 2008

Kelly McGonigal, PhD, and Matthew Taylor, PhD, outlined the principles of yoga therapy and their approach to yoga as a healing practice. Kelly emphasized the true purpose: to end suffering.

"Shore Up Your Willpower" Self Magazine December 2008

Rather than obsessing over weight, focus on being healthy. "When you realize you are making the choice to exercise because you want to be fit for life, you're driven to the larger positive outcome," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist at Stanford University.

"Interview with Kelly McGonigal, PhD." Integral Yoga Magazine Fall 2008

As editor of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy (published by the International Association of Yoga Therapists), Kelly McGonigal is on the cutting edge of the Yoga therapy field. Here, she shares, from her unique vantage point, her views on the field of Yoga therapy and professional development for Yoga therapists.

"Off the Couch and on to the Mat." Common Ground November 2008

Dr. Kelly McGonigal, Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, has noted a recent shift in psychotherapy as therapists turn to yoga for more effective ways to treat clients, especially those with long-standing issues. “What psychotherapists are beginning to realize is that the body has been left out,” says McGonigal.

"Welcome to the Fitness Revolution." Experience Life October 2008

“The appeal of these classes is the authentic relationship between the movement and the music,” says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a mind-body psychologist and fitness instructor at Stanford University. “The experience taps into our primal need for moving our body to a rhythm.” As a result, your brain releases a flood of feel-good neurotransmitters and endorphins that we would associate with the high of a rock concert, a great party or singing at church.

"The Debt-Stress Connection." Web MD August 12 2008

Debt or money is such a pervasive and difficult kind of stress because it's so interconnected with other areas of our lives, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD.

"The Limits of Self Control." The Denver Post July 13 2008

Kelly McGonigal, who teaches psychology at Stanford University, analyzed 27 studies. She reports that willpower is a mind- body response, not merely a mind-set; it's limited; it's trainable; and using it depletes resources in the body, lowering blood glucose levels and causing fatigue.

"Your Health Depends on Friends and Neighbors." MSNBC June 17, 2008

Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist at Stanford University, said she’s not surprised that stronger social bonds play a big role in better health regardless of a person’s genetic makeup. “People who do not view the world as a supportive place are far more likely to have a fight-or-flight emergency response to minor stressors and challenges,” McGonigal said. “Over time, this chronic heightened stress reactivity makes the body vulnerable to a wide range of health problems, from the everyday cold to cardiovascular disease.”

"5 Ways to Boost Your Will to Workout" Arthritis Today June 2008

"Research shows that if you’re feeling worn-down, you can restore your willpower,” says McGonigal.  There are ways to recover the strength to exercise or do any other task that requires discipline. Try these five tips....

:"The Power of Connection." Fit Yoga June 2008

Yoga teacher and psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD, reports that Americans are more socially isolated than ever before. In 2004, the average American had just two people to talk to about important matters; research shows that socially isolated individuals are 25 times more likely to die over a nine-year period than more socially connected people. Further, low levels of social support are associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other infectious diseases.

McGonigal suggests these meditations to help you feel a deeper sense of connection with yourself and others....

"Blogging for Health." Health June 2008

The impulse to write your way through a crisis is very healthy, according to Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a Stanford University psychologist. Writing about a stressful experience is one way to feel in control of it, which in turn lessens stress. "It's one of the most effective ways of making sense of what often feels senseless and overwhelming."

"The 101 Best Things to Do for Your Body--Now!" Women's Health May 2008

So we rifled through our Rolodex, called more than 70 top authorities on health and wellness, and asked each of them the same question: What are the most important things a woman can do to stay healthy? [Ditch facebook and connect face-to-face. "Having a strong social network improves immune function, protects heart health, and wards off depression and anxiety."]

"What to Do with 20 Minutes." Women's Day April 15 2008

Try a simple yoga pose, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, health psychologist and yoga teacher at Stanford University: Set a timer for 20 minutes. Lie on your back, facing a wall, and slide your legs up the wall until they can rest comfortably. Support your neck with a small rolled-up towel. Close your eyes and place your hands on your belly to feel it rise and fall as you breathe. In 20 minutes, you¹ll be surprisingly refreshed.

"What to Do Besides Eat [While You Watch TV]." My Family Doctor March/April 2008

Stretch! A single commercial (about 30 seconds) is the perfect length of time to hold a stretch, and after several commercial breaks you'll have reduced stress and tension in the whole body.
—Kelly McGonigal, PhD, health psychologist, yoga instructor, Stanford University

"Laugh Out Loud: It's Good for You." Energy Times March 2008

"The act of laughing out loud vigorously has benefits similar to a workout," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist at Stanford University. "It increases heart rate and stimulates deep breathing."

"Mind & Body: The Cold War." Runners World February 2008

Problem: You're stressed. As a result, your body produces hormones that slow disease prevention. Deep breathing and yoga can help you have a healthier stress response, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a yoga instructor and Stanford University psychologist. Solution: Try this breathing technique....

"Got Debt? Financial Stress May Be Making You Sick." Money Matters February 2008.

If handled improperly, debt can quickly spiral out of control and lead to financial and emotional distress.... However, there are some conscious steps individuals can take to help reduce stress and chip away at debt, according to Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist and at Stanford University.

"Boost Brain Power with Balance Training." On Fitness January/February 2008

Balance training “forces the nervous system to solve new problems,” says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health educator at Stanford University. “In ‘use it or lose it’ fashion, this process (neuromuscular facilitation) keeps neurons in the brain healthy and forming new connections."....Balance drills also drive up "mindfulness" which, according to recent studies, "helps prevent age-related cognitive decline and loss of neurons," says McGonigal.

"Weight Training for Seniors." On Fitness January/February 2008

"Greater ease in everyday life -- the ability to stay engaged and independent should be one of the primary training goals with seniors," says McGonigal. "Seniors often shy away from strength training -- they are either intimidated or don't understand why it is important. Seniors are more likely to continue with a program that begins at a low intensity. A low intensity introduction increases seniors' self-efficacy for strenght training, which makes a big difference in motivation and commitment."

"Music Mellows." Heart-Healthy Living  Winter 2007

“The primary health benefits of music come from its mood-boosting effects,” says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist and educator at Stanford University who teaches people how to use music to improve their health. “A positive mood triggers a wide range of physiological responses: lowered heart rate and blood pressure, improved immune response, and reduced experience of pain,” she says.

"Benefits of Membership ." Women's Health   December 2007

It's always good to go after your own goals -- but sometimes it pays to tap the power of the sweaty masses. "Being around people with a similar goal amplifies your enthusiasm," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist and fitness instructor at Stanford University. "You want to keep up with the group. And the dedication, strength, and stamina you need to get through a workout are reinforced because your co-exercisers assume you have them. Subconsciously you feed off that."

"Gym-goers and Clubs Realize the Rewards of Fitness Friendships." MSNBC November 2007

Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University who teaches yoga and group fitness, wrote an article earlier this year in the IDEA Fitness Journal, a trade publication, urging fitness instructors to promote social connections with their clients. She says the benefits of fitness friendships are many. "Social connection amplifies the health benefits of exercise," she says. "It strengthens the immune system, protects the cardiovascular system, improves mood and makes you more resilient to stress. Social connection boosts motivation to work out and makes the experience more fun."

"Health & Wellness: Relax and Renew Yourself." Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2007

Perhaps you can't avoid frayed nerves when you're planning a wedding, but you can use mind-body techniques such as yoga or meditation to keep from being overwhelmed. Try these examples from Kelly McGonigal, a yoga instructor and health psychologist at Stanford University....

"Chief Exercise Officer." Women's Health   October 2007

Women were five times more apt than then men to come up with their best ideas while sweating. "Women may be more likely to experience this creative boost if men are treating exercise as a competition, with themselves or others," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD. How to switch on that inner light bulb? Vary your routine to keep your mind sharp, and crank up your iPOD -- it'll boost your mood and limit distractions.

"Creating an Emergency Plan." IDEA Fitness Journal October 2007

When confronted with stressful situations, our bodies go through powerful emotional and physiological changes. When we go into this state of high physiological arousal, we tend to default to well-rehearsed reactions, explains Kelly McGonigal, PhD. "If you have a well-planned response, you will automatically respond well," she says. "Calming down won't be necessary; you'll be on effective autopilot."

"The Comedy Cure." Reader's Digest  September 2007

A little lightheartedness can lead to a more positive approach in everyday situations, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a Stanford University psychologist. She teaches guided laughter, a group technique in which you prep your body for the physical work of laughter to reap the benefits: joy and social interaction. "All the efforts we put into reducing stress we ought to put into laughing," says McGonigal.

"Handling Criticism." Current Health (a magazine for teens) Fall 2007

“Constructive criticism helps someone to change a behavior or improve performance,” says Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University in California. Destructive criticism, on the other hand, is hurtful and is sometimes used to make the criticizer feel better about himself or herself, she adds. If you think the criticism is valid and believe the person’s intention is sincere, ask specific and non-defensive questions like, “How do you think I should handle it next time?” McGonigal suggests. Then work on the behavior.   

"Between Poses." The New York Times August 23, 2007

The question is: What responsibility does a studio or a teacher have if one student is making another uncomfortable? Some instructors like Kelly McGonigal, 29, who teaches at Stanford University and at the Avalon Art and Yoga Center in Palo Alto, Calif., take matters into their own hands.

The Washington Post. July 24, 2007.

Live online discussion (60 minutes) with psychologist Kelly McGonigal. Topic: Stress, Debt, and Health. Full transcript available.

"In Over Your Head? Ask Your Body." The Washington Post July 24 2007

Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University who studies stress, called debt a "toxic version" of stress, the kind that "feels uncontrollable, is chronic in time, [and] is the most difficult kind of stress." Constant worrying over debt causes a "lingering feeling that something bad is going to happen to you, so you're having this brain-body experience of stress all the time. It can lead to catastrophizing" -- worsening a situation by imagining bad outcomes -- she said.

"Suburban Dwellers May Feel Immune to Violent Crime." Baltimore Examiner June 7 2007

Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University in California, said people who live in the suburbs feel most threatened after they hear about violent crimes. “The people who experience the greatest stress and fear from reports of crime actually have the lowest risk for it.”

"Forgive Yourself."Yoga Journal  December 2006

"Online Yogis." November 2006 issue of Yoga Journal's My Yoga Mentor

For some, the right book can serve as therapist and cheerleader. For others, the search for the perfect book becomes a way to avoid action and personal growth, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, psychologist at Stanford University. "Some books are so comforting that reading them becomes a substitute for thinking about what needs changing," she explains.

"An Attitude of Gratitude." Yoga Life  Summer 2006

"Yoga Therapy." Pacific Sun Magazine May 2006

"In my own experience as a yoga teacher and psychologist, I see the greatest impact on emotional suffering. Many of my own students are dealing with depression, anxiety, and body-image issues. When yoga is helpful for psychological issues, it seems to be because the practice of yoga interrupts patterns of both the body and mind. We’re challenged to experience our bodies in a different way – as strong, as powerful, as able to feel pleasure and ease - and to pay attention to what is actually happening in the moment, instead of letting our minds run off on typical patterns of self-criticism or worry."

Yoga Peeps Podcast February 2006

Follow the link to listen to a 60-minute audio interview with Kelly McGonigal.

"Already Stressed?" The Stanford Daily, January 13 2005

She also warned students not to sacrifice their current health and sanity to worry about a hypothetical future. “The best way to prepare to be happy in the future,” McGonigal said, “is to practice being happy now.”

Yoga instructor Kelly McGonigal, PhD, provides tips for personalizing your yoga practice and sticking with it.

To request an interview, contact kmcg @ stanford "dot" edu.

The Association for Psychological Science (APS) has increased its commitment to communciating the findings and applications of psychology research in the popular media. For more information about how researchers and journalists can collaborate, read this call to action.