A Letter from Peyton…
I am grateful that Jamie has invited me to be a part of the newsletter and introduce myself. My name is Peyton and I am a yoga instructor with PhysioCore. I am a 200 RYT working my way to my 500 Hour studying Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Integrative Somatic Therapy and Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga. I feel it's my life's calling to make yoga more accessible, more trauma informed, more welcoming and inclusive. It is important for me to honor these traditional ancient teachings whilealso blending in somatic therapy in hopes to lead students to embodiment.
Yoga changed my life. I was stuck in fight or flight for years, suffering from C-PTSD and Panic Disorder, unable to regulate my nervous system. Talk therapy was helpful (I am a huge advocate for psychotherapy - I go weekly) but I wasn't becoming unstuck. Once I started a yoga practice, I learned to turn inwards to interoceptive awareness while learning to be present, and my healing took off. I rocketed out of a deep depression, crippling anxiety and a stuck-mindset of feeling unable to exercise.
In 2001, Trauma Sensitive Yoga was validated as an effective adjunct treatment for complex trauma and PTSD. In a comparison with cognitive processing therapy, TCTSY yielded quicker symptom improvement, higher participant retention, and an equally sustained effect. Books like The Body Keeps The Score, My Grandmother's Hands and Waking The Tiger are so popular because it is true - the issues lie in our tissues. Waking The Tiger written by Peter Levine who founded Somatic Experiencing is why I have chosen to deep dive into somatic healing to share with our community and incorporate into yoga. Soma is defined as the parts of an organism, the body as distinct from the soul/mind/psyche. Somatics can be thought of as clinical interventions that acknowledge the body in some way.
Yoga has numerous benefits on top of increasing flexibility and muscle strength. It helps increase the breath and respiration, build balance, help protect the body from injury, and increase mindfulness. Yoga is not only an excellent modality for exercise but it is also a transformational practice that helps to connect the body, mind and spirit. I think about Matthew Sanford who has inspired so many people with his story and journey with yoga. He is paralyzed from the chest down due to a car accident and found yoga through his healing journey. Most people thought yoga couldn't help him because he was paralyzed but he learned to explore subtleness within the body, a hum from within, helping him FEEL his body more. He has now been practicing for 17 years and is also an incredible yoga instructor.
I could go on forever talking about how profoundly healing yoga can be but I will pause here. I want to invite you to practice and I will be overjoyed to come into your home and hold space for you. I offer private and small group sessions of vinyasa yoga, prenatal and postnatal yoga, yoga of 12 step recovery. When I graduate from the Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga program I will also be offering TCTSY.
It's a pleasure to share my passion with you and I look forward to hopefully working together. You can show up exactly as you are, no yoga clothes or mats needed. I will bring the props and mat to you and would be thrilled to begin a yoga journey with you whether this is your first time or you have an established practice. -Peyton
Join Peyton in her yoga practice, email kristen@physiocorellc.com for more details
