Somatic Movement Practitioner.
Integrative Yoga Facilitator.
Intercultural Competence Trainer.
Interdisciplinary Researcher.
+44 74933 97563
Healing in Recovery with
Yoga & Somatic Practice
The body holds our unfolding story.
The breath invites us home.
Just for today, we walk the path—
with courage, compassion, curiosity, and care.
Research Insights
Substance use disorders are complex conditions that benefit from holistic treatment approaches. Research indicates that yoga and somatic practices can effectively reduce cravings, improve self-efficacy, and support emotional regulation (Petker et al., 2021; Krishnan, 2024).
Qualitative studies emphasize yoga as a holistic lifestyle aiding body awareness and emotional sobriety (Miller, 2024; Kruger, 2021). Trauma-informed yoga integrated into addiction treatment shows promise in enhancing retention and addressing trauma-related somatic symptoms (Davidson, 2020; Kuppili et al., 2018). These findings highlight the value of embodied practices as complementary therapies in addiction recovery.
References
Davidson, L., 2020. Integrating yoga into a medication assisted treatment program to improve retention. Scholarly Projects, University of New Hampshire Scholars’ Repository. Available at: https://scholars.unh.edu/scholarly_projects/33/ [Accessed 4 March 2025]. Krishnan, A., 2024. Integrative treatment for substance use disorders: Improving outcomes through evidence-based practice of yoga-derived breathwork and meditation. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 18(2), pp.103–109. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0000000000001263 [Accessed 31 July 2025]. Kruger, C., 2021. Healing expressions: A dance/movement and yoga therapy method for emotional sobriety. Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses, Lesley University Digital Commons. Available at: https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/481/ [Accessed 12 August 2024]. Kuppili, P.P., Parmar, A., Gupta, A., Balhara, Y.P.S., 2018. Role of yoga in management of substance-use disorders: A narrative review. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice, 9(1), pp.117–122. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_282_17 [Accessed 24 June 2024]. Miller, N.M., 2024. ‘Yoga is a way of life’: Exploring experiences of yoga as a treatment for substance use: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12817 [Accessed 31 July 2025]. Petker, T., Yanke, C., Rahman, L., Hodgson, S., Geller, J., 2021. Naturalistic evaluation of an adjunctive yoga program for women with substance use disorders in inpatient treatment: Within-treatment effects on cravings and self-efficacy. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 15, pp.1–10. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218211036815 [Accessed 1 July 2025].
Embodied Healing and Resilience in Substance Use Recovery.
Recovery is a deeply personal journey, and integrating movement into healing can offer profound support.
Rooted in compassion and embodied awareness, my approach blends trauma-sensitive yoga and somatic practices to support individuals navigating the complexities of substance use disorder (SUD). Drawing on professional experience, personal insight, and interdisciplinary research, I create safe, responsive spaces where movement, breath, and stillness engage the body’s natural capacity to release, reconnect, and restore. Honouring the principle of just for today, these practices gently invite a transformative shift—towards resilience, self-regulation, and a fuller sense of presence, beyond words or judgment.
Evidence-Based Benefits:
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Stress Reduction: Yoga and somatic practices have been shown to decrease cortisol levels, aiding in stress management.
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Improved Emotional Regulation: Regular practice can enhance mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Enhanced Self-Awareness: These practices foster a deeper connection to one's body and emotions, supporting mindful decision-making.
Artwork shared with the kind permission of Vitalij.
My Experience:
At ANA Treatment Centres, I have the privilege of working with individuals on their recovery journeys, tailoring sessions to meet diverse needs. Drawing from Yoga and methodologies including Somatic Experiencing (SE) and the teachings of Sondra Fraleigh, I offer personalised programs that honour each person's unique path.
Building on my PhD research—which demonstrated meaningful benefits for participants, including strengthening mind-body connection, deepening awareness of personal paradigms, fostering agency, and cultivating empowerment—and over 30 years of embodied practice, I have developed Somatic Movement Exploration© (SME). This trauma-sensitive, culturally informed programme integrates yoga and creative movement practices with person-centred principles within a robust, ethical framework. Rooted in Māori-centred methodology (from a Pākehā perspective) and transformative learning theory, SME provides an ethically responsive space for deep personal change, supporting mind-body connection, resilience, and empowerment. This innovative programme offers a powerful pathway for those seeking to reconnect, reclaim agency, and nurture holistic healing through movement.
Services Offered:
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Individual Programs: Customized sessions focusing on yoga and somatic techniques to support personal recovery goals.
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Collaborations with Recovery Centres: Available for workshops, staff training, and group sessions to integrate these practices into existing programs.
If you're interested in exploring how these practices can support you or your organization, please reach out for more information or to schedule a consultation.
