Yoga Therapy is not a Yoga Class
Yoga Therapy is a therapeutic practice with a focus on healing rather than fitness or flexibility. It is often beneficial in support of healing from physical pain, chronic conditions, trauma, mental health challenges, or life transitions (like menopause, stress, grief).
Sound and nervous system regulation
Sound has a profound effect on the nervous system. It can soothe, stimulate, or shift our physiological and emotional state, depending on its tone, rhythm, and frequency. This makes sound a powerful tool for regulation, healing, and stress relief, especially in somatic and trauma-informed practices.
Yoga as an ancient somatic practice?
Yoga as an ancient somatic practice bridges modern somatic movement therapy with thousands of years of embodied wisdom. It is considered a somatic practice because it involves directly engaging and sensing the body to promote awareness, healing, and integration of bodily experiences. The term "somatic" relates to the body as experienced from within, emphasizing internal awareness and feeling.
The stress response, nervous system and the benefits of movement.
Movement like yoga, breathwork, shaking or grounding can help to signal safety in the body and release stress hormones. Movement plays a powerful role in regulating the nervous system—especially when done with awareness. Whether it's yoga, somatic movement, walking, or gentle shaking, movement helps shift us out of stress responses and into more balanced states. Stress and trauma often create muscular holding patterns—tight jaws, clenched shoulders, braced bellies. Movement helps discharge that stored energy from the body, creating space for relaxation and ease.
The Vagus Nerve
Somatic practices, breathwork, and yoga can help you shift out of stress states and into the ventral vagal state, where healing and connection happen. By tuning into body cues and gently moving or breathing in specific ways, you signal to your nervous system that you are safe—helping to regulate emotions, reduce chronic tension, and restore resilience.
Somatic Movement Therapy for Women
Somatic Movement Therapy is especially powerful for women moving through perimenopause and menopause because it supports the whole person—body, mind, and nervous system—during a time of profound hormonal, emotional, and identity transition. Somatic movement helps women reconnect to their intuition, inner rhythms, and authentic voice—qualities that often awaken or intensify during midlife.