Have you been searching for a Yoga teacher who understands first hand the 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, for all levels Online and In-Person!
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.
Intimate, private and personalised 1:1 classes, tailored to your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs. Whether it’s long term back and hip pain, fatigue, Anxiety, rumination, burn-out or deep spiritual healing and Chakra cleansing.
Whilst your here, sign up to my mailing list NOW, to receive a HUGE DISCOUNT on my ‘Pranayama for Stress and Anxiety’ Work shop + 1 month FREE Online Yoga Classes with me to use this January.
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 session on Sundays 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 in love 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
Expressive Flow - Monday, 09:00am - All Levels - Morning Class (45 Mins).
A medium paced morning Vinyasa Flow Class, for when you're feeling more energised and expressive. Whether it’s anger, excitement, or anxiety… This is the class for you to release and express.
We will work week by week with the Subtle body system (The Chakra System and Prana Vayus). This practice will help you release any excess tension, whilst working with your own energy system to create more harmony, peace and balance.
Soulful and Slow Somatic Flow - Tuesday 09:00am - All Levels - Morning Class (45 mins).
A practice for when you're struggling to move your body in the morning. Perfect for those achy fatigued mornings & those flare up chronic pain days.
Somatic movement teaches us to move our bodies in new and novel ways, an effortless, soft, morning practice to regenerate the soul and slowly ease into the day.
Deep and Meaningful Stretch, Relax & Nidra, All Levels - Sunday Morning Class 10am (UK Time - 60 Mins).
A soothing, calm, relaxing practice. For those who feel stress and anxiety as tension and pain within the body and a great remedy for those who wake up fatigued.
Going deeper into postures, exploring with staying close to the earth, slowly, softly and gradually expanding from root to rise. Preparing you for a restful, softer Sunday with a Yoga Nidra to end.
Workshops & Retreats
Running specialised workshops is something that I'm very passionate about. Specifically Pranayama (breath work) for stress, anxiety, and PTSD/C-PTSD. Having used these healing practices myself for my own recovery and self-regulation I am deeply passionate about sharing these practices and my expertise with others. If you would like to understand more about these practices and how they can help you manage day-to-day stress, trauma related health issues, anxiety and a variety of different mental health issues check out my ‘Pranayama for Stress and Anxiety’ Workshop were you’ll find a step by step guide on four different breathwork techniques for managing stress and anxiety. A 1 hour long pre-recorded, online workshop with four personally written PDF’s with Yogic self care practices and guides to support each breath work practice.
Keep your eyes peeled for my next available online product which will promote and benefit your full spiritual healing.
Retreats and Private Bookings
I am currently a travelling Yogini about to head to India for my own pilgrimage as part of my own deep spiritual journey. It is of great importance to me that I maintain my skill and development as a Yoga teacher along the way. If you would like to book me for your retreat, or block group bookings please fill out my FAQ’s form, or send me a personal message on Instagram. I will get back to you as soon as possible. If I don't, it’s because I’m in an Ashram.
Working with The Mind, Body and Soul
Private 1:1 Classes Online 75 Mins.
£80-£160
A tailored, private, personalised 1:1 online lesson, just for you.
1:1 lessons enable me as a teacher to specifically tailor a class to your own individual psychological, physiological and spiritual needs. Whether it's for lower back and hip pain, tight hamstrings or injuries, chronic stress or anxiety, parasomnia's, or deep spiritual chakra healing.
This is the perfect option for you if you need a more personalised approach to yoga healing.
All in the comfort, safety and security of your own home.
Private 1:1 Classes In-Person 75 Mins.
£100-£200
A tailored, private, personalised 1:1 in-person lesson, just for you.
This is the perfect option for you if you need a more personalised approach to yoga healing. With physical adjustments and hands-on-healing touch.
All private 1:1 classes come with tailored Yoga Asana, Yoga Nidra, Pranayama and Dharana (breath work & meditation) practices specifically for your own needs.
Frequently asked questions
-
Trauma sensitive yoga is an approach to yoga that focuses on optional suggestive language, often tailored to pain, anxiety and nervous system regulation. I incorporate this method into my teaching style as I am deeply passionate about trauma recovery and integration.
-
Pranayama - Prana is our life force energy, our breath Ayama means to lengthen, expansion, control. Sama vritti refers to the equal part breath practice. This has been scientifically shown to increase heart rate variability, increasing our stress tolerance levels calming the nervous system. The three-part-yogic breath, or belly breathing, breathing into the lower ribs and diagrammatic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system - calming the nervous system. These methods and techniques when practiced over time help us with nervous system regulation and stress and anxiety management.
-
If you experience any nerve pain during any poses please come out as gently as possible and come to a rested, restorative pose. If you have a sports injury and are working with a physiotherapist, or a doctor please gain their advice prior to classes and inform me of any injuries prior to working with me. With yoga we work with gradual and consistent practice. We start with the more easeful variations and work our way up to more advanced poses. Please do not attempt an advanced pose if you are not familiar with the specific pose. There are many variations for many bodies and abilities.
-
I offer a FREE consultation and 1 FREE first private 1:1 online and in person (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.
Please send an email enquiry.
-
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.
-
I am currently a travelling Yogini searching for retreat work. Please contact me via the ‘contact me’ section of my website if you’d like to book me for a retreat.
-
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.
-
Due to being a small business I do not do refunds. However, I am happy to take any class fund over to the next class if you miss a session due to emergency, or you’re not feeling too well.
