Have you been searching for a Yoga teacher who understands the first hand difficulties those with long term stress and trauma related health issues experience?
Perhaps you’re new to Yoga, or feeling shy after not practicing for a long time?
Or maybe, you’ve been practicing for a while and already have a steady practice.
I offer Trauma Sensitive Slow Flow and Somatic Yoga Classes, Yin Yoga, Deep Stretch & Vinyasa Flow ALL LEVELS, ALL ONLINE!
Yoga in the privacy and safety of your own home, at your own pace… Simply choose a class suited to your own needs, or pick from a few to try out what’s best for you.
I am fully aware of the ever changing state of the nervous system those with complex lives have to navigate. There are days when we feel we need to express, release and expel the stress from our bodies. There are days when we may be in too much pain to move. Then there are the days when we want to practice but our attention span just won’t allow it.
I’m currently offering short 45 minute online Slow Flow classes and Vinyasa Flow classes in the mornings so that you can ease your way into the day without having to rush to the studio on the way to work.
Classes incorporate Somatic movement, ensuring an easeful warm-up for those who live with hyper-mobility, neurodivergence and trauma-divergencies. I like to invite my students at the end of class to come into longer periods of passive stillness at their own pace and will. Knowing that you can come out of a pose at any moment.
Inspired by The Trauma-Sensitive Teaching style (accredited twice by Yoga Alliance). I still like to retain the integrity of The Roots of Yoga and respect for the individuality, creativity and intelligence of individuals who live with trauma and divergencies. I’m working with my own style of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Teaching whereby I do not perceive my students as ‘less-than’, disabled, or incapacitated but creative and intelligent individuals who are empowered to make their own decisions, set their own boundaries and explore their own creativity with compassion and curiosity.
The invitation is there for students to begin to explore the Ancient Wisdom and Philosophical Roots of Yoga, if they would like to. My classes are structured around the philosophical underpinnings of Yoga, incorporating a Trauma Sensitive approach.
You are invited to join my longer sessions in the evenings where we will go into deeper practice and end with Yoga Nidra, Pranayama and Meditation.
Blessings,
Gii Nina.
The Stressed out Yogi.
About me
I am a trauma sensitive Vinyasa and Yin Yoga Teacher. Trained in somatic and restorative Yoga.
My love for Yoga and Eastern Philosophy developed in my early 20’s after battling trauma and stress induced debilitating health issues. I was bed bound and confused about what was happening to my body and mind. Weak and in physical pain every day. I battled extreme stress related health issues throughout my Psychology degree and began experimenting with meditation and Jungian Psychology in my personal time.
I devoted my entire spare time to studying my mind in search of a ‘cure’ for my trauma.
I gained a 1st class in my Psychology degree despite the odds, which enabled me to have a deeper understanding of trauma psychology which I then used for my own recovery. I fell in love with various Psychology perspectives from Neuropsychology, to Jungian Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, and Eastern Psychology. I began practicing a variety of methods regularly, partly inspired by self-experimentation and partly trauma integration and recovery. I then went on to master in Neuro-Psychology at Bristol University which I later dropped out of. I realised it would take me fifteen years of study before I would be able to research and measure altered states of consciousness in Trauma Survivors and that I could and already was doing this at home.
Throughout my 20’s, I’ve very much enjoyed digging myself into Trauma Research, Yogic Philosophy and altered states of consciousness. I’ve spent much of my spare time over the past 9 years writing my own essays and dissertations on Consciousness, Neuropsychology, Social Psychology and Trauma Psychology and have a deep love for scientific writing and research which you can find on my ‘The Real Stressed out Yogi’ & ‘The Super Fucking Stressed Out Yogi’ Blogs.
I have been practicing Yoga Asana since my early 20’s and am a Yoga Alliance Certified Advanced Yoga Teacher. Using a combination of Sankhyan Philosophy practices and Western Psychology has helped me every step of the way on my journey of trauma integration and recovery. Sometimes fun, sometimes hard work. Everything from dream Yoga and Astral projection, to long hours studying, meditation, introspecting and exploring the shadow aspects of my mind.
When I first went to A Yoga Asana class, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and felt like the most embarrassing person in the room. It was strenuous and I couldn’t quite understand the instructions which I kept getting back to front. I then discovered Hatha Yoga in the Jungle in Bali which at the time was very amusing to me. I also attended my first Yin Yoga class on the same trip and fell in love with the practice immediately.
Throughout my journey of trauma recovery I was diagnosed with many conditions that I refuted from a place of academic understanding of Trauma Psychology. These included; POTS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. During Covid, I experimented with different styles of Yoga Asana and fell in love with Yin Yoga. Initially, I found it extremely stressful and was swearing at the woman who was instructing the YouTube class. Overtime, I began to truly appreciate this meditative practice. Around about the same time I was overwhelmed with a chronic eating disorder and severe intrusive thoughts and phobias related to trauma as well as nightmares and sleep paralysis attacks and a whole host of somatic daily disturbances. From chronic pain, to fatigue, bladder issues, facial drooping, headaches, excessive sweating… YOU NAME IT! I discovered a book called ‘Brain Lock’. Locked myself away in my flat for 6 weeks and relentlessly practiced the methods in this book in order to work on my mental health, whilst using Yin Yoga to try and ease my nervous system and body.
Several years have passed, I fell out of love with Yin and involve with Vinyasa, back out of love with Vinyasa and in love with Slow Flow. I haven’t been in a state of chronic fatigue for nearly a year, have beat my intrusive thoughts, and overcome Bulimia Nervosa.
Still an ever so slightly dysregulated bunny, with disorganised creativity that overflows from my Chakras, ever so slightly a bit too exited to be alive, some times scared, sometimes angry. I’ve fallen in love with myself. Moving my body in the ways that it needs to that day. Not beating myself up if I can’t manage a face to face Yoga class and becoming more introverted and private about my practice which I choose to do at home, in my own space most days and weeks.
Yoga has taught me to listen to my body, over my ego. To not punish myself for eating too much peanut butter, to feed my vessel the nourishment it needs, see through my own projections and self limiting beliefs and to value myself and my journey as an individual.
Regular Yoga Asana practice has enabled me to piece back together a once broken body, releasing stress and re-mobilisiation. I use a combination of The 8 Limbs of Yoga daily to manage symptoms and regulate my nervous system. From Pranayama (Breath work) for the nervous system, To Dharana (Concentration practice) to cultivate awareness of mind.
My Offerings
Slow Somatic Flow - Tuesday 09:00am - All Levels - Morning Class (45 mins)
A Slow Somatic Flow, for those who struggle to move their bodies in the morning. Somatic movement teaches us to move our bodies in new and novel ways, an effortless, soft, morning practice.
Vinyasa Flow - Monday 09:00am - All Levels - Morning Class (45 Mins)
A medium paced morning Vinyasa Flow Class, for those who love a little energy boost before work. We will work week by week with the Subtle body system (The Chakra System and Prana Vayus). A cleansing and balancing practice for the mind, body and soul.
Deep Stretch & Nidra 60 Mins - Beginner - Sunday Class 10am (UK Time - 60 Mins).
A soothing, calm, relaxing evening practice. We will go deeper into Yoga Asana postures, exploring with staying close to the earth and expanding from root to rise. Preparing for a rested evening with a Yoga Nidra. Deepening and holding Asanas enables us to relax the body, opening up the fascia and muscles. Perfect preparation for those who wake up with fatigue and pain.
Working with The Mind, Body and Soul
Frequently asked questions
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Due to the fact that I am a small business owner, I do not offer refunds.
However, I am happy for you to take your class ticket over to the following weeks class if I am given up to 1 hours notice.
You are able to do this twice only.
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I offer 1:1 online and in person classes (given that we are in the same country of residence for in person classes).
These will be tailored to your own physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs at the time and the starting costs are approximately £80.
Please send an email enquiry.
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It is important for your Yoga teacher to know before hand if you have any injuries. Please inform me if this is the case. It is your responsibility as a student to be mindful of your own physical limitations during class. Please tend to your own physical needs and don’t push your self beyond your limits. Yoga Asana is a mindful practice, not a competitive one.
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I’m an inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming practitioner. My practice is inclusive and affirming for everyone, I welcome you to share as much or as little as you want with me in order to help you feel comfortable joining my healing space.
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We’ve all been a beginner at something at some point in our lives. We’ve all felt the nervousness and even embarrassment at not being great at something. The answer is NO! You do not have to be flexible, or super strong, or be able to do headstands. Everything comes with practice.
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Anyone from any religious background can practice Yoga, Yoga Asana, Meditation and Pranayama (breath work practices). You do not have to follow The Hindu traditions. I welcome all people from all religious backgrounds in my classes and have many friends who identify with different religions who still practice Yoga.
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I do not have my own retreats on offer just now. If you would like to book me for a retreat please fill out the ‘contact me’ form below.
