hi, i’m sonia

I’m a trauma sensitive yoga teacher and a Counsellor, specialising in Trauma and PTSD, family and relationship dynamics and Domestic and Family Violence.

In my time as yoga teacher and therapist, I have become acutely aware of the impact that trauma, anxiety and grief has on our bodies and lives. I’ve experienced how easy it can be to move through the day feeling disconnected, and how this feeling can be more profound and long lasting in people who have experienced trauma.

For over 10 years I taught at some of Sydney’s largest yoga studios. During classes I would observe how much discomfort could be present – a teachers instruction to be still and close the eyes, wearing minimal clothing and potentially moving in a way that makes us feel vulnerable, or finding that a yoga pose unexpectedly brings up emotion. It felt important to me to teach my classes in a way that made people feel safe and for my yoga space feel inclusive. It was during my counselling studies in 2017 when I was studying trauma theory that I started to make connections between treatments for trauma and aspects of the yoga practice. Shortly afterwards, I discovered the practice of trauma sensitive yoga. 

where i teach

For the past six years I’ve been facilitating group and private trauma sensitive yoga and mindfulness classes supporting clients who have experienced complex trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, chronic anxiety and a range of mood disorders.

I’ve taught group classes for psychology clinics and community organisations including The Birchtree Centre, The Hills Clinic, Centre Point Psychology, inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence and Bondi Beach Cottage Women’s Counselling. I’ve also facilitated multiple workshops and classes for psychologists and trauma counsellors in Sydney.

I teach one of Sydney’s only regular weekly group Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes at Union Street Yoga in Erskineville, a beautiful welcoming space in Sydney’s Inner West. You can read more about my group class or book in here.

I offer a limited number of weekly private trauma sensitive yoga classes that incorporate somatic therapy techniques and yoga therapy tailored to the healing that is required.

my counselling practice

I draw on trauma informed principles to also guide my Counselling practice - safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment.

In sessions I utilise a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Mindfulness and Self-Compassion based therapies. If its appropriate, I also incorporate somatic therapy tools and interventions in sessions to assist in nervous system regulation. I offer both online telehealth appointments and in-person sessions in Annandale, Sydney’s Inner West. You can read more about my Counselling approach here.

my training

I have over 500 hours of yoga teacher training under the guidance of internationally renowned yoga teachers including Maty Ezraty and Simon Park and Trauma Sensitive Yoga Teachers Annabel McLisky and Shirley Hicks.

I completed my trauma sensitive yoga teacher and clinician training with Trauma Sensitive Yoga Australia and a ‘Transcending Sexual Trauma through Yoga’ training with Zabie Yamasaki. I’m a Certified Practicing Counsellor with PACFA and hold a Graduate Diploma of Counselling (ACAP). I have completed trainings in Clinical Trauma Informed Practice, Trauma Specialist Practice, Complex Trauma Intervention and specialist response in the Domestic and Family Violence space.