Frequently Asked Questions

Somatic Therapy has a shared foundation with psychotherapy in the field of psychology, but it doesn’t solely rest there. Traditional talk therapy, otherwise known as psychotherapy, is often able to address mental and emotional issues, but for some people, who may be able to “talk and think around” their deeper challenges and issues due to the ways they have needed to be resilient in their traumas, somatic yoga therapy provides a quick and direct access to communication with the heart of the matter through the body. In addition, these traumas chronically affect our breathing and nervous system, which then affects our physiological systems. Psychotherapy may or may not aid in helping these physiological issues such as digestive issues, chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, or hormonal dysregulation. A modality like Somatic Therapy that works holistically with all the systems of the body, mind, and spirit sees the interrelation of all things, thereby affecting the whole person.

Somatic Yoga Therapy can be effective for a range of issues. It is most effective for people looking to improve their emotional regulation and awareness, decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, increase body confidence, connect with intuition and body sense, address relational patterns, and reduce stress and addictions. Studies show body-centered therapies with trauma-informed care, such as Somatic Yoga Therapy, can be useful in working with PTSD, whether it be from a one-time event or ongoing.

Depending on the situation, various styles of yoga may be used. In general, the yoga is used therapeutically, as opposed to other reasons people have been drawn to use yoga in the West (fitness, flexibility, etc.). Meaning, we may use gentle postures, we may use guided meditations, we may use Kundalini Yoga & Meditation, all under a therapeutic trauma-informed lens.

Very much so. A yoga class is geared toward giving a group of people with differing bodies a guided experience. These sessions are co-directed moment by moment by you. No two sessions are the same. No two people work with the same blend of postures, meditations, techniques, etc.

In Somatic Yoga Therapy, we become aware of signals and sensations the body is sending us and learn to use therapeutic techniques to reflect, digest, and release tension the body is holding by identifying new paths of emotion or experience emerging. What this might look like is talking for a few minutes, some guided meditation, breathing exercises and sensation tuning in, physical exercise like movement or other embodiment activity, voicework, grounding exercises, and, with consent, some hands-on awareness energy healing.

The body, mind, and soul will move toward healing and growth in its own accord, when given the right environment, the right amount of energy, interpersonal safety and interaction, and when conducted in a respectful and positive manner. We co-create the right conditions to allow your self-healing to emerge.

I can relate. See questions. There’s a need for both the body’s release and the metabolism, insight and understanding of the growth and change. So, both the body and the therapy.

I do not. I am happy to discuss my pricing options upon your first call.