LOGIN
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin
Search
Close this search box.

Podcast

Vaginal Sovereignty, Sexual Medical Violence, and Laughter as Medicine with Toni Nagy

Picture of Jen

Jen

On this episode of the Body Literacy Podcast, I’m joined by accomplished comedian, actress, filmmaker, mother, dancer, performance artist, embodied creatrix, and self described codependent, Toni Nagy. Toni has gained a loyal social media following that regularly tunes in for her latest satirical take on the big and small issues plaguing our modern world. Toni uses interpretive dance and comedy to explain complex concepts such as fascism, artificial intelligence, and even contradictory facets of topics pertaining to spirituality, growth, and personal development. Toni runs her own dance studio, Sidestream Studio, in Vermont and I highly recommend her virtual Gyration Nation dance class for anyone looking to explore dance as a form of expression and holistic health practice.

Toni completed her undergraduate work in philosophy at Sarah Laurence College and marries her embodied sense of humor with her philosophical and spiritual curiosities to create performance art that both entertains and provokes deep ponderance of compelling issues.

In our conversation together, Toni and I explore some heavy topics that are, perhaps, better received through a comedic lens in order to make them more approachable and easier to digest. We discuss humor and dance as medicine, pornography and erectile dysfunction, pain avoidance, commoditization of the human body, medicalized childbirth, pelvic exams, and systemic medical violence… all with a twist of humor, of course. Neither Toni nor myself are strangers to controversy. In this episode we explore the barriers to broaching tough topics through comedy and even the role of embodiment practices to express things that are limited by the English language through words alone.

You can follow Toni’s production company at https://www.cavelightproductions.com , her dance studio is at https://www.sidestreamstudio.com/ , and her journey through parenting at http://tonibologna.com/ . Be sure to follow her social media accounts @toninagy on Instagram, @toni.nagy on TikTok, @tonynagycomedy on Facebook and YouTube.

* * * * *
The Body Literacy Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Any statements and views expressed by myself or my guests are not medical advice. The opinions of guests are their own and the Body Literacy Podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. If you have a medical problem, please consult a qualified and competent medical professional.

The Body Literacy Podcast may promote, affiliate with, or partner with other individuals or businesses whose programs, products and services align with mine and Body Literacy, LLC may receive commissions or compensation for promotion of those products or services.

Theme music for the Body Literacy Podcast is provided by Big Wild, https://bigwildmusic.com/ .

Be sure to subscribe and sign up for updates at https://JenMayo.com . Follow us on social media @jenmayo.bodyliteracy .

As always, five star reviews are appreciated if you enjoy the content on the Body Literacy Podcast. Please visit Apple iTunes Podcasts to leave your rating or review.

Subscribe to Our Tribe!

Stay in the know with the latest in  integrative health tips + upcoming events

Let's Be Friends

Related Posts

Want the latest articles, podcasts, special offers, and more?

Let's Be Friends!

Instagram Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube

LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS

Romantic and close relationships have the ability to tip the body and mind towards feel good chemistry and energy or towards chronic and acute disease. Learning how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships is essential to creating wellness.

LYMPH

The lymphatic system is among the most overlooked systems of the body. It’s role in removing cellular waste and regulating the immune system is imperative to building a healthy, balanced body. Stagnant lymphatic fluid leads to build up of toxins and weakened immunity.

PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH

Pelvic floor health extends far beyond sex, pregnancy, and bladder control. The pelvic floor is the seat of health for so many bodily functions for both women and men. In many Eastern medical traditions, the pelvic floor is the “root” of our energy flow. Leaving the pelvic floor out of any holistic health regimen is akin to expecting a tree to flourish with damaged roots.

SELF CARE

In our busy world filled with family and work responsibilities, many of us find ourselves to be the lowest priority on our lengthy to-do lists. When we recognize that putting our own needs at the top of the list improves our availability to show up and genuinely help others, the dynamics of our world begin to shift. The rewards extend beyond just how we feel and manifest in all aspects of our relationships, work life, and finances.

CONSCIOUS MOVEMENT

The caloric model of weight management is dead. Exercising in the wrong way can often add to hormone imbalances that perpetuate unhealthy weight and chronic disease. Learn to exercise smarter, not harder, and exercise your mind in a deliberate way at the same time.

DIGESTION

Digestion is the cornerstone of good health. You aren’t what you eat, you are what you digest. If your digestive system is in a state of imbalance, which is true for most Americans, you will not be able to sustain health in other systems of the body. The gut is considered the second brain and its health is imperative to the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Learn to love your gut and balance your body and mind.

DETOX

Any efforts to add elements that nourish our bodies and minds can be futile as long as we are exposed to toxins that continue to cripple our bodies ability to assimilate healthy food, clean water, mindful exercise, and healthy relationships. Removing those forces that impair our bodies is critical to allowing nourishing factors to rebuild and maintain health.

DENTAL HEALTH

Although insurance companies have deemed the oral cavity to be something completely separate from the rest of the body, the beginning of the digestive tract is one of the most important locations in the body to creating optimal health. Poor diets that create dental caries, toxic materials that poison the body and block energetic flow, and procedures that allow decaying tissue to remain in the body heavily contribute to imbalance and chronic disease. Employing biologic and holistic dental strategies can be the missing link for many people’s quest for wellness.

HORMONE BALANCE

Hormones are the messengers that help our bodies’ systems run smoothly and communicate with one another. When hormone production or balance is off due to many lifestyle factors, stress, trauma, nutrition, and relationship factors, the result is often disease. Understanding how this magnificent symphony works can be the key to creating beautiful music in your body.

SEX

Healthy sexuality is a largely overlooked aspect to maintaining optimal health, so much so that it, perhaps, should be at the top of the feel-good list. The hormones, endorphins, and neurotransmitters manufactured with sexual expression inside of healthy, connected relationships is not a bonus feature of our biology but an imperative that extends beyond just reproduction. Cultivating sexual health reaps benefits that extend well beyond the bedroom.

BREATHE

The way we breathe is very often neglected in modern models. Yoga and breathwork use the power of breath to facilitate true healing in the body without pharmaceuticals and surgery. Breath goes beyond just the exchange rates of oxygen and carbon dioxide; it also serves as a modality to move energy and even shape the body.

SLEEP

Good sleep hygiene and alignment with the natural circadian rhythms of day and night is imperative to achieving good health. Getting enough quality sleep during the hours of the night that works best with our bodies’ natural chemistry sets the stage for our bodies to maintain homeostasis. Likewise, the emerging field of sleep medicine has shed light on the impact mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep apnea have in maintaining healthy balance of hormones and neurotransmitters in the body. Breathing well and sleeping well are game changers when it comes to feeling good.

NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION

Stress and trauma are responsible for 75-90% of all doctor’s office visits, but very few people really understand what stress and trauma are or how they shift the body into chronic stress response perpetuating energy and hormone imbalances that keep people unwell. Learn strategies to take your body out of fight or flight and into rest and digest.

NUTRITION

Clean eating and healthy nutritional habits are usually the entry point into feel good living, holistic wellness, and addressing root causes of chronic disease. Start by crowding out industrial foods, additives, and agrochemicals with organic whole foods and pasture raised meat, eggs, and dairy.