Exploring Yoga and Lymphatic Drainage with Heidi Otero
When you think about wellness, yoga and massage might be the first things that come to mind. But there’s another powerful system in the body that deserves attention: the lymphatic system. In this week’s podcast episode, we sit down with Heidi Otero, a former dancer turned yoga teacher and lymphatic drainage specialist, to learn how yoga, lifestyle, and intentional self-care can keep this vital system running smoothly.
From Dance to Yoga to Wellness
Heidi’s journey began in the world of professional dance and choreography. After years of performing and teaching, she realized she had lost her passion and felt stagnant in her body. That’s when she turned to hot yoga in 2014.
What started as a way to reconnect with movement quickly grew into a new calling. By 2016, Heidi was teaching yoga and exploring other wellness practices, including massage modalities like Thai massage. Her curiosity and dedication eventually led her to specialize in lymphatic drainage therapy—a practice that has become the cornerstone of her work today.
What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system plays a critical role in immunity and detoxification, but unlike the heart or lungs, it doesn’t have an active pump to move fluid through the body. Instead, it relies on three things:
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Hydration
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Vibration
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Exercise
Without proper support, the lymphatic system can become sluggish, leading to symptoms such as brain fog, bloating, poor digestion, inflammation, fatigue, and disrupted sleep.
Heidi explains it simply:
“Think of your lymphatic system like the plumbing in your house. If the pipes get clogged, the whole system slows down. Lymphatic drainage is like the maintenance that helps everything flow again.”
Signs Your Lymphatic System Needs Support
If your lymphatic system isn’t working optimally, you might notice:
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Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
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Lethargy and low energy
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Digestive issues
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Sleep disruptions
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Excessive bloating or inflammation
The good news? There are plenty of ways to support your lymphatic health at home.
At-Home Tools for Lymphatic Health
Heidi encourages her clients to take a proactive role in their wellness between sessions. Some of her favorite tools and practices include:
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Dry brushing – Gently brushing the skin toward the belly button helps stimulate lymph flow while also exfoliating.
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Rebounding – Jumping on a mini-trampoline creates gentle vibration that encourages lymph movement.
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Sauna therapy – Especially infrared saunas, which promote detoxification.
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Movement and yoga – Daily exercise keeps the lymphatic system active.
What to Expect from a Lymphatic Drainage Session
Heidi’s lymphatic drainage sessions last between 75–90 minutes and focus on releasing stagnation in the body. Clients often leave feeling lighter, less bloated, and more energized—even after a single session.
The benefits build over time with consistency, especially when combined with hydration, a nutrient-rich diet, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Lymph Addicts: Combining Yoga and Lymphatic Wellness
To make lymphatic health accessible to more people, Heidi created a group program called Lymph Addicts. These classes combine yoga, fitness, vibration tools, and manual self-massage techniques in a heated room, offering participants the benefits of exercise, detoxification, and lymphatic support—all in one session.
Heidi’s 5 Wellness Tips for a Healthy Lymphatic System
If you’re just starting your wellness journey, Heidi offers these five essentials:
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Hydrate daily – Water is key to keeping lymph fluid moving.
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Move your body – Yoga, walking, or any exercise helps circulation.
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Use sauna therapy – Infrared or heated environments support detoxification.
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Eat clean, whole foods – Nutrition plays a huge role in overall wellness.
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Choose joy – Actively seek activities and practices that bring you peace and happiness.
As Heidi puts it:
“Joy is an activity. It’s something you choose and create every day.”
Final Thoughts
Heidi’s journey from dancer to yoga teacher to lymphatic wellness expert is a reminder that health is about more than physical fitness—it’s about balance, flow, and intentional living. By combining yoga with lymphatic drainage, she helps people unlock more energy, reduce inflammation, and cultivate greater vitality.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, sluggish, or out of sync with your body, Heidi’s wisdom might be the invitation you need to pause, reset, and start supporting your lymphatic system in simple, effective ways.
✨ Listen to Heidi’s full episode on the Resoluna Podcast for the complete conversation and even more practical tips.