Author Interviews & Talks
Come Home to Your Body Wisdom
Author Interview Series Chapter 0 | Britta Jo interviews Chandra Zas on reconnecting with body wisdom, somatic awareness, and the foundations of conscious living.
Chandra Zas is the compiler, editor, and lead author of Handbook for Human Potential. She is a somatic coach with nearly three decades of experience and the creator of the Mood Before Food and Functional Embodiment frameworks. She writes Chapter 0 (Come Home to Your Body Wisdom), Chapter 10 (Mood Before Food), and the Epilogue (Life Design 101).
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Who is Chandra Zas?
Chandra Zas has dedicated her life to helping people reconnect with their internal wisdom for sustainable well-being. With nearly three decades of experience in somatic practices and consciousness work, Chandra bridges ancient wisdom traditions with modern psychological understanding to create practical pathways for transformation.
Currently serving as an integration circle facilitator with Sierra Psychedelic Society, in Reno, Nevada, Chandra supports community members in integrating profound experiences into daily life.
Her training includes certifications as a yoga teacher, massage therapist, and Ayurveda practitioner, complemented by years of immersive study at institutions including Esalen Institute, BodyMind Restoration Retreats, and Quiet Star. This diverse background allows her to offer a uniquely integrated approach to healing that honors both the body's intelligence and the mind's capacity for conscious choice.
Learn more about Chandra's work, offerings, and philosophy at chandrazas.com. You can also find her on most social media @ChandraZas.
She welcomes your connection.
“Your body has been waiting patiently, welcome home to your body wisdom.”
— Chandra Zas, Come Home to Your Body Wisdom
Chapter 10 — Mood Before Food
Mood Before Food is Chandra's signature framework. The core insight: the nervous system state you are in when you eat determines how your body processes, absorbs, and relates to food — more than the food itself.
Drawing from somatic science, Ayurveda, polyvagal theory, and two decades of client work, Chandra offers a step-by-step practice for checking in with your mood, shifting your internal state, and creating the conditions for true nourishment. This chapter is the practical bridge between body wisdom and daily eating.
Chandra specializes in relationship-based change, helping people transform their connections with stress, food, mood, time, and themselves. Her journey from a chronically ill child to a vibrant guide for transformation began with a pivotal food experiment at age fifteen that allowed her to "feel the difference."
Key Takeaways to Implement
From the end of Chandra's chapter
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Honor your body signals, cues, and instincts. When your body says no to water, food, or medication — honor the cue. Your body's wisdom is refined by millions of years of evolution. Get to know the thoughts, beliefs, and expectations in your supercomputer mind. Write them down and look at them objectively. Notice their cascade effect on your emotions and behavior. Remember: you have the option to choose your thoughts and make clear requests.
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The snacking/scrolling challenge. For one day, flag every time you reach for food or your phone. Ask: "Am I doing this to avoid an emotion?" If so, make the choice to lean in and feel that emotion instead. Allow it space in your metaphorical car.
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Implement mindful check-ins. When wanting to shift habits, regularly ask: "How do I want to feel in two hours? Tomorrow morning? Ten years from now?" Make decisions considering how you want to feel long term.
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Find your growth community. Consider joining a local integration group or finding growth-focused humans to be around. Growth is contagious and encouraging, especially when integrating 'the work' feels challenging.
