therapy service
Somatic Yoga in pasadena & online in California
explore
What it is / Benefits / faqs
Forget "picture Perfect" Poses
Healing isn’t about forcing, fixing, or performing—it’s about listening.
Unlike traditional yoga practices that ask you to force poses, push through discomfort, or mindlessly follow a flow, Somatic Yoga invites you to do the opposite. It brings you into real relationship with your body—not a performance of it.
Rather than focusing on alignment or achievement, this practice moves slowly and intuitively, encouraging you to meet your body with curiosity: “How do you want to move?” Somatic Yoga is about deep listening to your body’s wisdom, staying present with what arises, moving when your body wants to move, and resting when it calls for stillness.
the body knows best — all you have to do is listen.
This practice isn’t about how it looks—it’s about how it feels.
My approach to Somatic Yoga weaves together principles from Somatic Experiencing®, polyvagal theory, and Yin/Restorative practices. The focus is on helping you tune into your nervous system’s signals and build a deeper sense of safety in your body.
Because trauma, stress, and emotions are stored in the body—especially in the nervous system and fascia (the connective tissue that holds memory and tension)—Somatic Yoga supports gentle fascia unwinding and the natural release of stored experiences in a way that feels safe, intuitive, and self-led.
Movement is not just exercise; it’s a conversation with your nervous system.
The benefits
Somatic Yoga is truly trauma-informed and supports nervous system healing
return to your body
Connect with your body if you feel numb, dissociated, or disconnected.
Cultivate deep listening and curiosity by honoring your body’s cues instead of pushing through discomfort.
Restore trust in your body after trauma or chronic stress.
restore inner peace
Soothe your nervous system through gentle movement, breathwork, and mindful awareness.
Find rest and stillness without feeling restless or uneasy.
Enhance emotional regulation by anchoring into the body’s natural rhythms.
rebuild your resilience
Release stored tension and trauma in a safe way.
Foster self-connection by integrating mind, body, heart, and spirit.
Build resilience by expanding your window of tolerance for sensation and emotion.
FAQs
you’ve got questions - I’ve got answers
-
Somatic Yoga is less about achieving perfect poses and more about attuning to your body’s internal sensations. It focuses on slow, mindful movement, nervous system regulation, and releasing stored tension rather than structured sequences or flexibility goals. It’s a practice of deep listening to your body, allowing movement to emerge organically rather than being externally imposed.
-
Not at all! Somatic Yoga is accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or ability. Since it’s about tuning into your body’s natural rhythm rather than mastering poses, it can be beneficial whether you’re brand new to yoga or have been practicing for years. The focus is on presence, awareness, and nervous system support rather than performance.
Also, flexibility is NOT required! (But it may become a positive side-effect, mentally and physically.)
-
Not at this time. Somatic yoga is integrated into therapy sessions as needed and, in some cases, offered as “homework” to support your somatic process outside of sessions.
-
Yes! I completed my 200-hour teacher training in 2021, followed by additional training in yin and restorative yoga. I am also trained in Thai massage adjustments for yoga and touch techniques for trauma release. My approach to somatic yoga blends my three-year training in Somatic Experiencing®, polyvagal theory, and over 20 years of personal yoga practice to create a deeply embodied, trauma-informed experience.
online
in-person
trauma-informed Somatic Yoga for nervous system healing Near me?
Somatic yoga is woven into therapy sessions as needed, and is sometimes offered as “homework” to help you continue developing somatic awareness between sessions. This practice can be integrated into in-person therapy at my Pasadena, CA office, or virtually if you're located anywhere in California.