Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

About IBD

  1. All Episodes
  2. Yoga Therapy for IBD: Why Acceptance is the Best Teacher With Bari Gratton

Yoga Therapy for IBD: Why Acceptance is the Best Teacher With Bari Gratton

May 5, 2026

After a devastating Crohn’s disease flare, marketing executive Bari Gratton traded a high-stress career for the healing path of yoga therapy in California. Bari joins Amber Tresca to discuss the "Five Layers of Being," the toxicity of "pushing through," and how she is building community for the next generation of IBD patients.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD201

Key Chapters & Timestamps:

  • [00:00:00] – Welcome to About IBD with Amber Tresca
  • [00:04:40] – Diagnosis in the late 90s: Life as a teen with Crohn’s
  • [00:12:35] – The 2017 Crisis: Three surgeries and a temporary ostomy
  • [00:19:40] – The Barn Door Moment: Finding safety in a yoga studio
  • [00:23:00] – Healing the Next Generation: Camp Oasis and teen advocacy
  • [00:30:30] – Intro to the Pancha Maya Kosha (The 5 Layers of Being)
  • [00:32:15] – Layer 1: Annamaya Kosha (The Physical Body)
  • [00:34:10] – Layer 2: Pranamaya Kosha (The Energy/Breath Body)
  • [00:36:45] – Layer 3: Manomaya Kosha (The Mental/Emotional Body)
  • [00:39:50] – Layer 4: Vijnanamaya Kosha (The Wisdom/Witness Body)
  • [00:42:30] – Layer 5: Anandamaya Kosha (The Bliss/True Nature Body)
  • [00:52:00] – Why "Pushing Through" is a toxic practice for chronic illness
  • [01:03:00] – Girls with Guts and the "Om My Guts" community

What you’ll learn:

  • Why the "pushing through" mentality can exacerbate IBD and how to shift toward acceptance.
  • Bari’s journey from a high-stress NYC marketing career to becoming a yoga instructor.
  • The profound impact of the Pancha Maya Kosha (Five Layers of Being) on managing chronic pain and anxiety.
  • How a devastating flare led Bari to overhaul her life and work towards remission.
  • The unique benefits of clinical yoga therapy for those with IBD.
  • The importance of community through organizations like Girls with Guts and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Find Girls With Guts at:

Find the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter at:

Find Amber J Tresca at:

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.