Through a Trauma-informed Lens: Soma, Psyche and Soul

In this podcast episode, I explore the theme of soul care and embracing our full humanity. I discuss my struggle to articulate the importance of how to talk about nurturing the soul, and invite you to understand soma, psyche, and soul as a unified system. I explore the price we can pay when living without questioning our society's overemphasis on efficiency and productivity, and viewing  our life as a project to be fixed and improved. In this episode I also invite you to reconnect with life's mystery and its sacredness.

I share with you one of my favourite poems "The Hidden Invitation of Loneliness" by Jeff Foster to encourage finding beauty in solitude and life's simple moments. This episode is my call to appreciate life's mysteries and to connect with the world and life in a personal, meaningful way.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Tessa Sanderson. We chat about Tessa's journey as a yoga teacher and educator, bringing in a more trauma-informed approach to her teaching, working with women and birth trauma, and celebrating her upcoming book 'Circle Holding'.

Tessa Venuti Sanderson is an experienced yoga teacher and trainer, yoga for birth trauma specialist and circle facilitator.  She is the co-author of Circle Holding: A Practical Guide for Facilitating Talking Circles publishing in October 2024 by Singing Dragon. 

Welcome to this reflective episode, where we delve into the harmonious dance between life and work, exploring why success is not a sprint, but a rhythm to be embraced. Join me as we uncover the profound benefits of aligning our personal and professional lives with our natural rhythms.

In today’s episode, we’ll explore why knowing and honouring our needs and aligning with our inner rhythm, contrasts with society's expectations and its often frantic pace. We'll discuss practical strategies for tuning into your body’s signals, honoring your energy and creativity flows, and making space for rest and rejuvenation, as well as play, - crucial aspects often overlooked in our hustle culture.

Whether you're a self-employed practitioner, an entrepreneur, a leader, or anyone feeling the frustration of not moving forward fast enough, this episode will guide you to question and embrace a more balanced, fulfilling path. Tune in to transform your approach to life, work and business into one that celebrates your unique rhythm, empowering you to thrive on your terms.

Welcome to 'Be One of the Voices' Mini-series where I have the pleasure to speak with participants of our Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women training certification about their experience of the training, and its impact on their growth, healing and work.

In this episode I am speaking with Jane Garrett, who completed our Beta Cohort training. Jane is talking about why she signed up, what her experience was and how this training changed the way she works.

You can find more about Jane's work at: https://www.facebook.com/HeartCentredYogaUK

Welcome to ‘Be One of the Voices’ Mini-series where I have the pleasure to speak with participants of our Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women training certification about their experience of the training, and its impact on their growth, healing and work.

In this episode I am speaking with Fabi Belgardt, who completed our Beta Cohort training. Fabi is talking about why she signed up, what her experience was and how this training changed the way she works. You can find more about Fabi’s work at: www.fabiennebelgardt.com

Welcome to 'Be One of the Voices' Mini-series where I have the pleasure to speak with participants of our Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women training certification about their experience of the training, and its impact on their growth, healing and work.

Welcome to 'Be One of the Voices' Mini-series where I have the pleasure to speak with participants of our Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women training certification about their experience of the training, and its impact on their growth, healing and work. 

In today's podcast episode "Season of Renewal: Celebrating Spring Equinox and Feminine Seasons" I invite you to celebrate the energy of Spring that brings with it awakening, renewal and a fresh perspective. We explore the profound parallels between the Nature's Seasons and the cyclical seasons of a woman's life.

I share with you some ideas for embracing the energy of Spring - from the refreshing concept of spring cleaning in your health, personal life, and business endeavours to the deep dive into connecting with your inner body wisdom and somatic intelligence. 

This episode is a holistic guide to embracing change and fostering growth, both internally and externally, and in alignment with Seasonal Living and life transitions.

Whether you're looking to revitalize your health routine, declutter your home or your emotional landscape, or celebrate the unique phases of womanhood, this episode is my invitation through the transformative season of spring and beyond. Join me as we honour the balance of light and dark, inside and out, and welcome a season of renewal, reflection, and rebirth.

In today's podcast episode I invite you to explore the topic that resonates deeply with me - healing of the feminine and feminine empowerment. I want to take you on a journey towards a radical change that includes the integration of your heart and mind, the essential balance between the masculine and feminine energies and aspects within us and its profound impact on our communities and collective wellbeing, and the healing and nurturing of our environment and Mother Earth. 

I discuss how we can reclaim the value of the feminine through connecting with and acknowledging our body wisdom, our needs, and through learning deep embodied listening. I talk about the importance of starting with our inner transformation and healing through the power of vulnerability, the art of balancing our inner energies, and the journey of self-discovery that leads us to harmonize with the world around us. Through empathic embodied listening and unlearning social patriarchal conditioning, this episode invites you to rediscover the wholeness of your embodied feminine authentic expression, and contribute to co-creating a thriving, balanced, and healed planet. 

This podcast is my invitation to you to Become One of The Voices in this important conversation - tune in to awaken your heart, transform your perspective, and join a community committed to healing and empowerment.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Louise Cashin. We chat about Louise's experience of recovering from an injury by learning and practicing Yoga, and her love for sharing healing Yoga practices for others. We also talk about how Somatic Movement can be a wonderful addition to more traditional Yoga practices.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Fiona Parr. We chat about Fiona's path of hitting burnout as a dance practitioner and becoming a Focusing Practitioner and Trainer, which changed significantly how she worked. We also discuss why Focusing is relatively unknown even though it is being integrated and taught in many better known like Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing.

Fiona is a British Focusing Association (BFA) recognised Focusing Teacher and Mentor, and Certifying Coordinator for The International Focusing Institute (TIFI). She teaches in Devon and online, and offers individual Focusing sessions. She teaches the foundational Focusing Skills course, and professional trainings to Practitioner, Teacher and Coordinator levels.

Fiona has facilitated personal development in others and herself since 1978, and practised Focusing since 1991. She has lived at the Findhorn Foundation, which is a spiritual community in Scotland. Her spiritual life is important to her, and Focusing supports her spiritual practice.

She believes that Focusing is a truly wonderful ability for life. It enables people to gain an invaluable resource and support in their lives. She works with people who are working with others, such as practitioners and health professionals, to deepen their work; and people who want Focusing for their personal healing journey.

Fiona teaches Focusing at the Just Being Centre in India on their Presence Oriented Psychotherapy training courses. She is co-chair of BFA, and she is on the steering committee of the European Focusing Association (EFA), where she initiated a special interest group for Focusing teachers in Europe.

In this podcast episode, I take you on a journey into the heart of boundaries, viewed through the transformative lens of trauma-informed practices. I delve deep into the essence of boundaries, emphasizing their pivotal role in leading a life that feels aligned, resourceful, joyful, and balanced.

This episode is not just a discussion; it's an experiential voyage into understanding and asserting boundaries, especially for those of us touched by trauma. I underscore the significance of somatic practices—a body-centered approach to recognizing and honouring our personal limits. These practices not only help us navigate the challenges of setting boundaries but also teach us how to embody them. I will invite you to participate in a gentle, somatic exercise designed to attune to your own sense of boundaries. This practice aims to foster an awareness of how our bodies respond to the respect or violation of our personal limits, providing a tangible, physical understanding of boundaries.

I also explore how trauma affects our ability to set and maintain boundaries. With insights from trauma-informed somatic teacher and coach training, the episode illuminates the transformative shifts that can occur when women, in particular, gain an awareness of their needs and boundaries. This awareness is the first step towards changing behaviour, moving towards a life where we do things not out of habit, but from a place of informed choice and self-respect. I share powerful real-life stories and insights, illustrating how somatic practices can lead to a deeper connection with ourselves and a clearer expression of our boundaries. The episode emphasizes that setting boundaries is an act of self-love and an essential component of self-compassion and healing.

Whether you're a practitioner looking to deepen your understanding of trauma-informed care, someone who struggles with setting boundaries due to past trauma, or simply interested in exploring how your body holds and communicates its needs, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tools for embracing and honouring your boundaries in a healthy, empowered way. Join me on this insightful exploration of boundaries through a trauma-informed lens, and discover how somatic awareness can transform the way you perceive and assert your own limits.

In today's podcast episode I want to invite you to explore the topic that resonates with many of us - how to deal with overwhelm and burnout. This subject comes up a lot in my conversations with other practitioners - in our mentoring and training sessions. I believe that it's important to acknowledge the impact of our society's expectations and the glorification of busy-ness, productivity and efficiency on how we approach our work and life. Ultimately the reason why so many of us embrace self-employment is to create more balance and freedom in our lives but the reality of running your own business can be very different to what we imagined.

In today's podcast episode I want to invite you to celebrate with me the completion of our Beta Cohort of Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women training certification.

This is a celebration of an amazing achievement for all of us - women who signed up for 10 months training and completed it, for our Associate Coaches who contributed and shared their wisdom and expertise, and for me as a founder and main trainer and coach. It's been a journey filled with a lot of learning, growth and healing. There were many insights and inner shifts, lots of connections and conversations, many laughs and some tears. I watched the participants grow and change, and implement their learning and insights in their lives and work. The most important thing is that they kept showing up for themselves and their process even thought it was challenging at times.

In this podcast I reflect on the changes and outcomes reported by the graduates in our final Embodied Wisdom Circle, and how holding this space for other women changed me - as a woman, female practitioner, coach, trainer and feminine leader.

In today's podcast episode I want to invite you on a journey of reflection, to ask yourself whether how you work and how you run your business is done in a nervous system friendly way - in a way that supports and nurtures YOUR nervous system. This is something we discuss and focus on a lot in my programmes, especially in our Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women training certification, and in the Embodied Business Mandala™ Mentoring Programme.

Reflecting on the questions I share with you here, and making necessary changes in how you work, can make a big difference between hitting burnout and giving up on your dreams, or having a sustainable thriving business and working for many decades to come. I hope you find this conversation insightful.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Dawn Wright. We chat about Dawn's learning and path of becoming a yoga teacher and trainer, how she integrated her experience of working in a financial profession with supporting yoga teachers, the changes within the yoga community and its landscape, and her unique approach to embracing her definition of success.

Dawn has been teaching yoga for over 23 years now, and has a wealth of experience in how to be a professional, passionate and profitable yoga teacher. She is still there at the coalface, teaching classes, workshops, retreats and running teacher training courses alongside business coaching and mentoring yoga teachers.

For Dawn this is really important so that she is coming from a place where she TOTALLY KNOWS the reality of being a yoga teacher and the challenges that others face.

Dawn has been able to use years of working in financial, tax and business management (including yoga studio management) to help her create the yoga business she desires, and because she LOVES to learn, she continues to invest a lot of time, money and energy in updating her knowledge and skills in modern marketing, business planning, supporting technology, and coaching and mindset skills. Dawn is also a professional coach accredited with the Association of Coaching and the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Jane Dancey. We chat about Jane's journey through becoming a yoga teacher, her own trauma and healing, the wisdom of being a 50 year old woman, a history of women's rights movements and circles, and how we can support women towards a more feminine embodiment.

Jane is a certified Embodiment Coach, Yoga Teacher /Teacher Trainer, Somatic Movement Facilitator and Functional Kinesiologist. She is a specialist in women’s health including menstruation, menopause and the female pelvis and has 20 year’s experience in supporting women’s health and wellbeing through transitions and change. 

She was a presenter on The Embodiment Conference and is the founder of The Embodied Female Pelvis, an online course for women, cultivating pelvic health and connection.

She works with a bio/psycho/social/soul lens and is passionate in helping her clients grow self-awareness, autonomy and body agency.

Jane originally studied fashion design at St Martins, going on to work in film and TV until experiencing a health crisis that resulted in swapping career and life in London for a much slower existence by the sea in Sussex. This change of scene allowed so much more time for yoga classes which led to her studies in this field.

She lives in the Sussex countryside with her husband, daughter, dog and cat.

In this episode "Nurturing Your Self-trust for Embodied Integrity", we explore the essence of what it means to be true to oneself, and the profound role of self-trust in achieving and maintaining personal integrity. I invite you to reflect on the relationship between the trust we have in ourselves and our ability to live authentically and with integrity.

Our exploration begins with an examination of what it means to have self-trust and integrity. I define it as a state where one's actions, thoughts, and feelings are in alignment with each other and with their core values and beliefs. I discuss how a strong sense of self-trust is essential for making decisions that reflect our true selves and how we can nourish our self-trust and integrity with somatic practices like Embodied Listening. I also invite you to commit to nourish your self-trust over the next year as a priority for deep embodied healing.

In our last podcast episode for 2023 "Review Your 2023 and Plan Your Next Year 2024 for Embodied Success" I invite you to follow my 3-step powerful practice of reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the year ahead. This episode is designed to guide you through a transformative process of reflection, self-discovery and growth. I shared this process in my free 3-Day Exploration called Yearly Reflection and Planning, which I want to offer to you here. 

We start with Step 1 - Reviewing and Reflecting - looking back at 2023, exploring the highs and lows, the lessons learned, and the growth experienced. This is a vital part of the learning and effective planning process. In Step 2 we explore how to Reconnect with you Embodied Vision, Mission and Goals. I share with you my process for understanding your Mission and setting aligned goals that you can achieve. We finish with Step 3 - Refocus on Your Embodied Wisdom Path, which asks you to become aware of all your habits - those that support you and those that hinder you, and who you need to become to achieve your goals and your Mission.

Join me on this journey of reflection and intention-setting, and step into 2024 with confidence, clarity, and an embodied sense of purpose. And I wish you from my heart Embodied Success for 2024.

Welcome to my special Winter Solstice edition of the podcast "Honouring Solstice Sacred Pause: A Path to Inner Wisdom through Embodied Listening and Clearing Space", where we dive into the transformative practice of Embodied Listening (Focusing) called Clearing Space, and take time to honor the end of the year. I invite you to join me in a nurturing journey that intertwines the ancient wisdom of the Winter Solstice with modern somatic practices. In this episode, we explore the art of slowing down, pausing, witnessing and acknowledging – a method that allows us to deeply connect with our inner selves, listen to our body's wisdom, and clear space - so we can let go and embrace new beginnings.

We discuss how the solstice and this time of the year, can be a time of reflection and renewal, and a powerful catalyst for personal growth and healing. Through a guided Embodied Listening practice, I invite you to connect with yourself on a deeper level to witness, acknowledge and honor your inner felt experience.

This episode is an invitation to a deeply personal experience where you can align with the natural rhythms of the Nature, celebrate your journey, and prepare for a restoring start to the New Year. Join me for a gentle exploration, compassionate connection, and self-empowerment as we embrace our inner experience together.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Jenni Stone. We chat about Jenni's journey from a yoga teacher and reflexologist specialising in working with and supporting people living with cancer and going through recovery, to sharing this important knowledge and training other yoga teachers through her Yoga for Cancer Academy. We are also talking about some big statistics that every practitioner working with female clients and students should know about.

Jenni Stone is a senior yoga teacher and professional reflexologist with over 20 years’ experience working with people who have cancer. She has supported people with cancer in various settings including a hospice, cancer charities, and in private practice. Currently, she is the resident yoga teacher for Maggie’s Royal Free where she has been for 9 years and continues to develop the yoga programme there.
In 2019, with an awareness of the growing rates of cancer diagnosis and how deeply beneficial yoga can be, Jenni developed her yoga for cancer teacher training programmes so that other yoga teachers can be empowered to support people with cancer. As these trainings have grown and she has taught hundreds of teachers, Jenni founded the Yoga for Cancer Academy whose mission statement is for everyone who has a cancer diagnosis to have access to a suitable yoga class.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Sarah Cooke. We chat about Sarah's journey from being an Athlete and experiencing an injury, to working in a busy corporate job and experiencing burnout, to building a successful business on her own terms and supporting other female entrepreneurs.

Sarah is a high performance business & marketing coach for ambitious, female entrepreneurs & leaders. She specialises in providing clarity and simple strategies to supercharge sales & income to build a business model that increases financial sustainability and profits whilst also thriving in life.

Sarah has lived and worked across the world, both in large scale multinational corporate environments and as an award-winning entrepreneur, setting up 3 successful businesses – she has experienced the pitfalls and learnt how to achieve business & financial goals without compromising your health.

With over 20 years experience in sales, marketing & business strategy, Sarah is also a Positive Psychology Coach, best-selling author, former England athlete and qualified holistic health therapist. Sarah has scaled her own multi-tiered sustainable business model to 6 figures, whilst keeping a flexible lifestyle and is passionate about supporting ambitious women who want a successful business and a freedom-based lifestyle.

She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two young children after spending 7 years living and working abroad.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Norman Blair. We chat about Norman’s journey as a Yoga Practitioner, Teacher and Trainer, his passion for taking social justice action, and being part of the Union for Yoga Teachers fighting for a fairer pay.

Norman began practising yoga in the early 1990s and he has been teaching since 2001. His practice and teaching embrace both Ashtanga yoga and Yin yoga as well as mindfulness meditation. Through significant periods of training with teachers such as Alaric Newcombe, Judith Hanson Lasater, Richard Freeman and Sarah Powers, he has gained the Yoga Alliance 500 hour accreditation. He believes that yoga is accessible to all of us and through regular practice we can experience profound changes in our mind and body. His own experience has taught him that yoga is an enjoyable way to release and make available energetic potential to enhance our lives. Yoga can help us to become more flexible, physically stronger and improve our stamina, focus and awareness.

Norman teaches intuitive/dynamic flow yoga and Yin yoga classes and workshops throughout London, as well as leading retreats. His Yin Yoga Training courses are respected and popular. He has run yoga teacher mentoring groups for more than ten years.

You can find out more info about Norman’s work via his website: 

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Sophie Rey. We chat about Sophie’s journey as an Artist, Yoga Teacher and Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach, and her passion for creating safe inclusive spaces for her clients to connect with their Inner Child and express their creativity.

Sophie is an Artist, Yoga Teacher and Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher & Coach for women, in training. 

Sophie has been an artist all her life, working as an illustrator since 2010 & began guiding community Yoga classes, art workshops & working 1-1 with clients in 2018. 

Her Yoga & Somatic teaching supports older adults with encouraging deeper self-awareness and independence, through practices that improve functional mobility, balance and strength, whilst working on mindset. Sophie has worked with clients with a wide variety of health conditions, and through an accessible and collaborative approach, works closely with her clients to explore their needs. Sophie aims to create accessible spaces, and is committed to providing safe, trauma-aware support to anyone who experiences marginalisation, due to any aspect of their identity or culture, including the disabled community and the LGBTQIA+ community.

A main theme in Sophie’s work is creativity and self-expression, and the importance of inviting play and joy in. Sophie believes we can all access this magic within us and use these practices as tools for inner resourcing and inner child healing. 

Sophie’s workshops encourage a playful approach with a focus on the process of art making and teaches in a way that helps support her clients to reclaim their inner joy, trust in their bodies and reconnect with their creative inner child, whilst working through the challenges of life and holding space for those difficult emotions.

In this podcast episode "Embracing a Trauma-Informed Approach: Transforming Your Business Practices", I explore a strange phenomena I observed over the past decade of mentoring and coaching conscientious practitioners, and I invite you to reflect on your business practices. Is your business model and structure built on your own personal definition of success? Is your business truly sustainable and nervous system friendly?

I share with you my insights and how they impacted my business, and my plans for next year. I introduce you to a new approach to fostering a business environment that is both nurturing and effective, using an embodied, gentle and nervous system-friendly marketing approach. And how through the process of creating small collaborative, co-regulated, compassionate, and supportive communities, we can finally give ourselves permission to practice what we preach within our business, and make an impact within our communities and our own lives.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Shulamit Ber Levtov. We chat about the challenges of being a woman business owner and the impact of business on our mental health.

Shulamit (she/her) is the Entrepreneurs' Therapist. She works with women business owners to care for their mental and emotional wellbeing and their money psychology in an era of relentless stressors that can make you want to lose your crap on the daily.

She is also a certified facilitator of the Trauma of Money method and supports her clients to address their money psychology so that they can have a flourishing relationship with the money in their businesses and lives.

Shulamit has been an entrepreneur for over 27 years and has more than 22 years of professional experience in the field of mental health and personal growth. Shulamit also teaches in private and university business programs and speaks locally, nationally and internationally about mental health, money and entrepreneurship.

As an award-winning entrepreneur, masters-level, licensed trauma therapist and trauma survivor, with certifications in Brené Brown's Dare To Lead™ methodology, Nonviolent Communication and Yoga, Shula brings a unique perspective and approach to supporting women in business.

In this podcast episode "The Difference between 80-Hr Trauma-informed Yoga TT and 160-Hr Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher & Coach for Women Certification", I answer a question I've been asked a lot over the past few months. To help you understand the difference between those two trainings I explore the history and intention behind creating both training certifications, who they are best for, and what to consider when deciding which training is right for you.

I hope you will find it helpful if you are considering training with us at Golden Mandala Yoga-Soma Institute. I look forward to connecting with you soon.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Ron de Brito. We chat about the power of being in a relationship with our vulnerability and simplicity, showing up fully as ourselves and finding our voice, and living in connection with nature and others.

Ron de Brito is a Powerful Embodied Peace Coach and Non-violent Communication and Embodiment Facilitator. Ron was born in London to African/ Indian Trinidadian parents and attended Grammar School in Finchley, North London. She is a Certified Facilitator of Radical Wholeness and Embodied Presence, an Empowerment and Compassion Coach, Nonviolent Communication Facilitator and I hold Grief Circles. 

Ron is passionate about helping discover all that’s alive within us in relationship with the world. Our sensitivity and vulnerability connect us to vitality of feeling human experience dulled by our culture. When we meet lovingly the parts of ourselves that have been hidden or dismissed, in alignment with our grounded and spacious awareness, we can become empowered to show up in the world in our truths, in radical authenticity and fullness. In this way we can change what’s around us and grow more love.

Ron is a former secondary schoolteacher, research biochemist, children’s tutor and a mother. She is in love with aliveness and being a vast and humble being connected to everything in a vibrant interconnected universe.

In this podcast episode “Befriending Your Nervous System: A Game Changer for Practitioners” I explore the critical importance of understanding the human nervous system for any practitioner. As a practitioner your ability to create a safe enough space to facilitate learning, growth and healing for your clients and students depends on your own physiology and nervous system state. Understanding your own nervous system's conditioned reactions, your triggers and your needs - as well as ways of taking care of yourself and your needs is a game changer. Today I want to invite you to take time to reflect on what currently works for you and what doesn't in the way you approach your self-care and your work, and follow your own wisdom in choosing how you work and hold space for others. 

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Isabelle Griffith. We chat about Isabelle’s journey from burnout to embodiment, the challenges of embracing the role as a leader, and her vision for creating an embodied feminine leadership movement.

Isabelle is the Founder of The School Of Somatic Leadership For Women™, a Somatic and Embodied Feminine Leadership Coach and Trainer for women and practitioners working with women.

As a Somatic and Embodied Feminine Leadership coach and trainer, her life’s work is to help women break the internalised narratives that are keeping them feeling stressed, burnt out, doubting themselves and playing small. She helps women to embrace more fully who they are, their potential and the imprint they desire to leave within their families, communities, and workplace.

Isabelle founded her coaching practice in 2017, after spending 20 years in the corporate world. Her doorway into this work was a severe burnout. While it shattered her life and her sense of self, left her feeling broken and wondering how she could move forward - it also served as a catalyst to reorient her life, her purpose, her work, and her impact. She is deeply committed to this work and the women she supports.

In this podcast episode “The Dandelion Effect - Trauma-informed Yoga for Social Impact” I invite you to explore the essence of our actions as powerful seeds, much like the dandelion’s – carried by the winds of our intention, creating a powerful influence and landing in unpredictable places, where they can sprout roots and create environments safe enough for healing, growth and recovery. These little seeds can help build resilience and create transformation in the lives of our students and communities.

In every safe space we hold for our students and the stories we share, we are sowing seeds of that impact. With each practice, each moment of shared connection, vulnerability, and strength, we create more possibilities, encouraging growth, recovery, and deep transformations. The impact of our interactions, seen and unseen, reverberate through our students' lives and their families, nurturing communities marked by empathy, compassion, understanding, and profound social inclusion.

As yoga is becoming more popular within our society and more people from various backgrounds are joining the classes, it is our responsibility as yoga teachers and therapists to be trauma-informed and learn skills and practices that allow us to support our students effectively in our chaotic and unpredictable times. I want to invite you to join me in creating safer and more inclusive spaces for our students and communities to experience the healing and transformative power of yoga teachings.

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Anna Kerry. We chat about Anna's experience of having a stroke as a young person, what helped most with her recovery and her passion for supporting other stroke survivors.

Anna is a trauma informed Yoga teacher and wellbeing coach, she specialises in helping stroke survivors on their recovery journey using a holistic approach. During Anna's own experience of stroke recovery she leaned into her Yoga practice to help her through this experience. The practices and tools she has gained on this journey now form the basis of her work with other stroke survivors. From Anna's 121 programme which focuses on the whole person to her Nervous System Workshop, Anna addresses the imbalance between physical and psychological recovery that arises with stroke recovery. 

Anna says "in stroke recovery there is a lot of emphasis on the physical recovery, our physical self is what we present out to the world and can cause extreme difficulties for the person this affects so I understand the importance of this, but what is lacking in stroke recovery is looking at the psychological impact and working in a holistic way so that nothing gets left behind - we can't truly move forward with our lives if we only work on our physical recovery". 

Anna's stroke may have altered the direction of her life but she feels passionate about using her own experience to help others on their recovery journey. Anna believes that even though all strokes are different there is a common thread that pulls survivors together and is creating a safe space for stroke survivors to explore and rebuild the trust with themselves and their body.

In this podcast episode “The One Thing I Do Daily to Heal My Imposter, Be More Visible and Grow My Business” I explore the nature of our inner part called the Imposter and the challenges that it can create for us - especially those of us who want to be more visible to build impactful and thriving businesses.

I invite you to approach your inner landscape and your relationship with the Imposter part from a more holistic and compassionate perspective, one that will help you nurture self-trust, authenticity and visibility, and help you build a sustainable and thriving business you love.

I share with you my favourite practice that can support you on your journey of healing, growth and integration, so you can share your passion and wisdom with others. 

In this podcast episode “Three Reasons Why Trauma-informed Somatic Training Should Not be an Add-On for All Practitioners” I dive deep into the essential nature of trauma-informed somatic training for yoga teachers, coaches, and all practitioners working closely with people. I explore three profound reasons why incorporating trauma-informed somatic practices should be more than just an additional skill, but rather a core component of every practitioner’s approach.

Join me for a powerful conversation that illuminates why trauma-informed somatic training is not merely an ‘add-on,’ but an integral, transformative, and healing pillar in the practice of yoga teachers, coaches and wellness practitioners dedicated to making a meaningful impact.

In this podcast episode "Navigating Feelings: Unpacking Our Human Responses to Shared Sadness" I am taking you through on a journey of emotions and reactions that unfolded following a heartfelt Facebook post I recently shared. The post was a reflection of my vulnerability at that moment, where I expressed deep sadness and feelings of the relentless impact of the world's events over the past few years. It sparked a lot of unexpected comments, which showed how we react to others' vulnerability in our shared virtual spaces. I'd like to invite you to share these reflections with me and unpick the impact our reactions might have on us and our communities.

In the podcast episode "Cultivating Self-compassion for nervous system regulation” I explore the transformative power of self-compassion, how it can impact our nervous system state and physiology, and why it is the essence of all my work and my personal daily somatic practice. I consider the challenges that might come up when starting practicing and teaching compassion practices – especially if you or your client experienced trauma, and how we can invite inner sense of safety and change our language to reduce internal resistance from our inner critical parts. I also share with you some of my favourite practices to cultivate self-compassion. Hope you find it useful.

In the podcast episode "Your Body as Your Ally: Embodied Healing through Trauma-informed Somatic Coaching for Women," we explore the profound connection between the body and trauma healing within the context of Somatic Coaching. I discuss how important it is for women to feel empowered and to view their bodies as allies in the healing journey, rather than as sources of confusion, pain or disconnection. 

This year we are celebrating Autumn Equinox on 23rd September. It's a day when day and night are of an equal length and an important point within the cycle of a year. I love working with seasons and cycles, and they are an important part of the way I work with my clients and all trauma-informed somatic training certifications I facilitate. Today I want to reflect on the power of honouring cycles and invite you to celebrate Autumn Equinox through creating your own rituals. 

Today I want to talk about the essence of trauma-informed somatic work – which is community and collaboration. Why? Because healing comes from co-regulation and from our experience being witnessed and acknowledged. This is a different path. A healing path. A path of connection and co-regulation. A deeply transformational path. This is also the essence of my Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach for Women training certification and community.

This week I'm celebrating living one year alcohol free and in this episode I'm sharing my reflections from last year. It's been an interesting journey with lots of learning, healing and growth. I experienced many significant and positive shifts within my wellbeing, relationships and in my business. As a 50 year old woman who is going through peri-menopause and who runs her own business and training other practitioners in trauma-informed somatic coaching and yoga approaches it's important to me that I prioritise my health and wellbeing so I can support others from a regulated, stable and connected place.

I'm often asked a question about why is my Trauma-informed Somatic Teacher and Coach training certification for women only? This is a really important question. This is why in this episode I am exploring all the reasons why I chose to focus on women and women's wellbeing, even though I work in an inclusive way too.

If you are a self-employed practitioner or business owner there are two types of skills you need to learn. First you have to learn your 'modality' skills, second you have to learn business skills to make your business sustainable. From my own experience and working with many practitioners I know that many of us focus on learning how to be better in our work but don't spend enough time to learn how to make our business sustainable and thriving. And without learning how to build our business that is right for us we can easily hit burnout or give up doing what we love.