For those seeking a mindful approach to yoga, somatic yoga is gaining traction in New York City. Unlike fast-paced, physically demanding classes, somatic yoga emphasizes a calm, focused connection with the body. It’s a practice that encourages slowing down, deep breathing, and attentive listening to internal sensations.

This approach is particularly appealing to individuals seeking stress relief, holistic healing, or a deeper sense of self-awareness.

What is Somatic Yoga?

Somatic yoga combines gentle movements, breathing exercises, and mindfulness meditation designed to release tension and stress from the body. It’s well-suited for those dealing with chronic pain, emotional trauma, or anxiety. The method centers on listening to the body and responding with compassion.

Benefits of Somatic Yoga:

• Relieve chronic pain: Somatic yoga can retrain the body to move, relieving tension and reducing pain.
• Increase flexibility and balance: Slow, fluid movements improve posture, and mobility.
• Reduce anxiety and improve mood: The practice instantly calms the nervous system and the mind.
• Promote deep relaxation: Slow breathing and body relaxation guide you into a calm state.
• Support trauma recovery: This gentle practice can help reconnect with the body in a safe, non-traumatic way.
• Develop emotional awareness: You’ll begin to notice how emotions manifest in your body.

Where to Practice Somatic Yoga in New York City

Here are several studios in New York City offering somatic-based yoga training and therapy:

Anastasia Health: Food, Mind and Body

Founded by Anastasia Nevin, this space integrates nutritional therapy, yoga, and trauma healing. Nevin is a registered dietitian and somatosensory yoga teacher, helping individuals recover from eating disorders, trauma, and physical alienation.

What sets Anastasia Health apart?

• Provides a safe space for emotional and physical healing.
• Offers somatic experiencing therapy to heal trauma at a neurological level.
• Provides effective trauma healing yoga.
• Focuses on integrity, encompassing food, exercise, and spirit.
• Offers therapies for those suffering from eating disorders, trauma, chronic stress, and anxiety.

“Sacred Movement” by Elimo Ruiz

Sacred Movement is a heart-centered space for healing through breathwork, body movement, and Ayurveda. Founder Elimo Ruiz offers wellness training in gentle breathing exercises, yoga, and trauma healing.

Sacred Movement New York Somatosensory Yoga Classes

• Body Breathing releases emotional tension and promotes healing.
• Offers both in-person and online classes.
• Provides a 30-hour online trauma-informed somatosensory wellness training course certified by the American Yoga Alliance.

Downtown Somatic Therapy

Downtown Somatic Therapy uses body-based rehabilitation to help individuals restore physical and mental balance.

What makes Downtown Somatic Therapy unique?

• Focuses on body-based rehabilitation.
• Offers deep emotional support through safe and supportive relationships.
• Provides personalized goals and progress tracking.
• Effective for anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and identity issues.

Brooklyn Somatic Therapy

Founded by Andrea Lea, Brooklyn Somatic Therapy offers in-person sessions in Brooklyn or Midtown Manhattan, as well as online courses.

The Living Seed Yoga and Holistic Wellness Center

This studio, run by Carisa Borrello, offers Hanna somatosensory education, a gentle and effective method of neuromuscular exercise.

Why choose Hanna’s somatosensory education?

• Addresses the root cause of chronic muscle pain.
• Improves muscle function and sensory awareness.
• Enhances posture, comfort, and quality of movement.
• Helps rebuild a deeper mind-body connection.

Alchemy Studio

Alchemy Studio provides a relaxed and spiritual environment for exploring body rhythms, sound baths, and other alchemical practices.

Somatosensory yoga classes at Alchemy Studio

• Somatosensory movement classes explore body sensations through movement, breathing, and play.
• Body Sound Bath + Alchemical Groove combines meditation with gentle rhythms and soothing sounds.