Somatic Yoga in Los Angeles | Mind-Body Healing
If stress and overwhelm feel like your default state, you’re not alone. I’m Chelsey Reese, a therapist and somatic yoga and meditation practioner in Los Angeles , supporting women of color who are carrying years of stored trauma, tension, and silence in their bodies. If you’ve tried talk therapy and still feel like something’s missing, it might be time to try a more embodied approach listen to the messages your body has for you . Through somatic yoga and sound baths, we help your body exhale, your nervous system reset, and your inner wisdom rise to the surface.
Let’s explore how somatic yoga can help you release, reconnect, and return to yourself.
What is somatic yoga?
Somatic yoga is a gentle, body-led practice that blends slow, mindful movement with deep inner listening. Unlike traditional yoga that focuses on structure and alignment, somatic yoga emphasizes sensation, breath, and nervous system regulation. It’s not about getting into the “perfect pose”—it’s about getting into your body.
Somatic yoga supports trauma healing by helping you reconnect with areas of the body where stress, fear, or suppression may be stored. You learn to notice subtle sensations, release chronic tension, and build trust with your body—one breath at a time. Trauma happens in isolation, but healing happens in the moments of connection.
For women of color who’ve spent years in survival mode, pushing through, performing strength, or silencing their needs, somatic yoga offers a chance to reconnect back to you, to soften, to feel, and to reclaim peace.
Most common reasons people benefit from somatic yoga
- Constant tension in the shoulders, neck, or jaw
- Feeling exhausted even after sleeping or resting
- Struggling to slow down without guilt or anxiety
- Difficulty expressing needs or setting boundaries
- Feeling disconnected from your emotions or body
- History of medical gaslighting or feeling unheard
- Anxiety that doesn’t respond to traditional therapy
- Chronic people-pleasing or caretaking patterns
How do I know if somatic yoga can help me?
Ask yourself:
- Do I often feel on edge or tense, even when I’m “relaxing”?
- Do I have a hard time saying no, even when I’m depleted?
- Do I feel like I’m always in my head and disconnected from my body?
- Do I get physical symptoms (like stomach aches or headaches) when I’m stressed?
- Do I stay silent when I want to speak up, then feel stuck with unspoken emotions?
- Do I crave peace, rest, and reconnection but don’t know how to access it?
If any of this resonates, somatic yoga may be a powerful way to reconnect with your body, reclaim your voice, and release what you’ve been holding.
Where to find local somatic yoga in LA
At my practice in Los Angeles, I integrate somatic yoga into therapy sessions and offer private, body-centered classes for women looking to feel grounded, present, and at peace.
Our approach is trauma-informed and nervous-system aware. Each session is designed to help you:
- Feel safe in your body again
- Release tension stored in muscles and joints
- Build awareness of physical and emotional sensations
- Practice boundaries and self-trust through movement
- Explore breathwork and guided rest to regulate your nervous system
We use tools like gentle movement, guided visualization, breathwork, and stillness—not to push through, but to slow down and come home to yourself.
How does somatic yoga help with mindfulness?
- Releases stored tension – Chronic stress gets trapped in the body. Somatic yoga helps release it gently and sustainably.
- Brings you into the present moment – You practice noticing subtle sensations, which grounds your awareness and calms the mind.
- Builds body trust – By tuning in and responding to your body’s needs, you start to rebuild trust with yourself.
- Supports emotional processing – Movement and breath help emotions flow, especially those that were never expressed.
- Teaches rest as resistance – You learn to rest without guilt, honoring your body’s need to slow down.
- Helps regulate your nervous system – Somatic yoga signals safety to your body, shifting you out of fight-or-flight.
Ready to get started?
Awareness & Understanding
Identify how stress, self-silencing, and past conditioning affect your body and mind. Gain clarity on the patterns keeping you stuck and reconnect with your inner voice.
Nervous System Regulation
Learn somatic techniques to release tension, calm your nervous system, and create a sense of safety within, allowing you to navigate stress with greater ease.
Boundaries & Self-Trust
Develop the confidence to set boundaries without guilt, express your needs, and trust your intuition—so you can show up fully for yourself and others.
Somatic yoga teacher in LA
I’m Chelsey Reese, a therapist and somatic yoga teacher specializing in nervous system regulation for women of color. My work is grounded in the belief that healing doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from finally letting go.
Whether you’re navigating burnout, emotional suppression, or chronic stress, I help you reconnect with your body’s wisdom, release stored trauma, and create a more peaceful, connected life. You don’t have to hold it all alone anymore.
Tips and guidelines for a successful gentle somatic yoga practice
- Choose a quiet, safe space where you won’t be interrupted
- Start small – 5 to 10 minutes is enough to begin
- Focus on sensation, not form or appearance
- Practice with your eyes closed if that feels safe
- Let your breath guide your movement
- Skip anything that feels like too much because this is your practice
- Journal afterward to reflect on what your body shared
- Be gentle with yourself – there’s no “right” way to do this
Want to try a guided session? Reach out here to book a somatic yoga session in LA.
Hello, I’m Chelsey Reese
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Relational and Somatic Therapist, Certified Sound Healer, and 200HR Registered Yoga Teacher.
I help people cultivate self-awareness by reconnecting with their bodies, releasing trauma and stress, and fostering deeper connections. I believe true healing comes from processing lived experiences and letting go of what no longer serves us. Passionate about community and wellness, I create spaces for growth and restoration. When I’m not working with clients, you’ll find me tending to my plants, lost in a book, or hiking in nature.
Investment: $150 per 50-minute session
Includes:
- One 50-minute virtual therapy session
- Personalized session notes with key insights and reflections (provided as needed)
- Curated resources or recommendations tailored to your healing journey
Book your first session or inquire
FAQ
Is somatic yoga for beginners?
Yes. Somatic yoga isn’t about perfect poses, it’s about presence. Whether you’re new to yoga or returning to your body after a long time, this practice meets you where you are. It invites you to slow down, tune in, and move with intention, not performance.
What does somatic yoga actually help with?
Somatic yoga supports emotional release, stress reduction, body awareness, and healing from trauma. It helps regulate your nervous system and cultivates deep rest.
Is somatic yoga good for weight loss?
Somatic yoga isn’t focused on weight loss. Instead, it supports holistic wellness by helping you release stress and feel more connected to your body.
What is the difference between somatic yoga and traditional yoga?
Traditional yoga often emphasizes poses, alignment, and structure. Somatic yoga prioritizes internal sensation, rest, and trauma-informed movement tailored to your nervous system. In this practice I am just a guide where somatic yoga empowers you as the expert in your own experience.
How often should I do somatic yoga?
Even practicing once or twice a week can be beneficial. The key is consistency and tuning into what your body needs.
