Somatic Therapy & Mindfulness

I help people find a way to express internal states that often don’t have words. The body holds access to deep states of knowledge. Utilizing principles from yoga philosophy and Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing®, we can access this place of wisdom and work toward body-mind unity. Somatic Experiencing is a body-based mindfulness process to address nervous system dysregulation that often accompanies trauma.

Mindfulness, paying attention to the present moment on purpose without judgment, has been found to be beneficial for depression, anxiety, chronic pain, substance abuse, emotional regulation and insomnia. Through either sitting or moving meditation, we can channel energy in our bodies to create a sense of calm and well being.  I've found that a combination of body-based somatic awareness and traditional talk therapy is productive in working toward easing suffering and finding a greater sense of peace and connectedness of mind and body.  

What is yoga psychotherapy?  Citta vrtti nirodha, stilling the fluctuations of the mind, so beautifully and succinctly put by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, is the reason for practicing yoga.  While we work at stilling these fluctuations, they also have powerful information for us as we learn to turn toward them, to examine and glean why they are often shouting for our attention, both in our body and our mind. 
Considering the 8 limbs of yoga and the 5 koshas, or layers of the self, we engage in a deep self-study and work toward achieving this stillness. We can use gentle asana (body postures), pranayama (breathwork), mantras (sound) & mudras (hand gestures), yoga nidra (guided visualization) and yogic self-inquiry.
You do not need to have any yoga experience or ability.  This practice is for any and all bodies. Through yoga and mindfulness, we can utilize the wisdom of the body to find greater space, balance and stability of both the body and the mind.

Contact me for a consultation.