Hi, I'm Sarah.

I'm a somatic practitioner, trauma-informed yoga teacher and trainee biodynamic craniosacral therapist.

Soma by Sarah is dedicated to offering somatic (body-based) practices to help you re-connect to your body, regulate your nervous sytem, and find greater emotional, physical and mental health.

About me

I spent 30+ years of my life trying everything to attempt to recover from anxiety, panic attacks, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain so severe it left me unable to walk or sit down at times, spinal disc issues, sciatica, nerve damage, arthritis and IBS, being regularly let down by medical professionals who were unable to explain what was going on.

Eventually I began to understand that my body and my nervous system were screaming at me to slow down and to listen to the stories that they had been holding for me. I stepped away from my busy life and dived into finding my truth and befriending my body. The practices I share now are what finally helped me recover and get back to finding peace, joy and fulfilment in my life.

This isn't magic or mystery; these are tangible practices backed up by the latest research in neuroscience and psychology. This approach is empowering; I will give you tools you can practice and use yourself, and guide you gently back to your body and to listening to its messages. This isn't therapy but it may be therapeutic; it might not be easy but it will be worth it and you can rest-assured I am trained to hold space for any emotions or stories that come up during sessions.

My style is practical but relaxed, my held spaces are considered, inclusive and gentle. You do not have to 'do' or 'be' anything other than yourself. You are welcome.

Training & experience

MSc Psychology (distinction) with a particular interest in psychoneuroimmunology (how stress and trauma impact the nervous, endocrine and immune systems)
200 hour Yoga Teacher Training
300+ hours of Advanced Yoga Teacher Training
200+ hours of Advanced Somatics/Embodiment Teacher Training
Foundation training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY)
Certificate in Integrated Somatic Trauma therapy
Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery
80 hours Breathwork/Pranayama training
50 hour Trauma-Informed Restorative Yoga Teacher Training
Certificate in Mindfulness, Meditation, Breathwork & Mental Health Empowerment
CPD training in Body Mind Centering and embryological movement patterns
Foundation certificate in Integrative Counselling
Approx. 1000 hours of yoga & somatics teaching experience
2+ years of teaching trauma-informed yoga for mental health organisations
Personal lived experience of using somatic practices to heal mental and physical health

'The mind is like the wind and the body like the sand: if you want to see how the wind is blowing, you can look at the sand.'

Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen