Paula
Hello, I’m Paula I am a Yoga Therapist and senior yoga teacher.
Yoga Therapy is a unique embodied therapy which considers the ‘whole’ person. Our mental and physical health is a combination of body, mind and breathing working in harmony together and through all life experiences, our physical body will respond to what is happening from moment to moment, whether the experience is one of joy & happiness or anxiety & fear.
Working alongside the therapist and counsellors at Hertford Counselling, Yoga therapy offers individuals practical and physical tools to move through, and past difficulties you are experiencing.
When challenge in body and mind is present, whether through stress, PTSD or trauma, the connective tissue in our body, as well as the nervous system, breathing and heart rate often stay in hyper vigilance, resulting in feelings of dis-ease, discomfort, stress. Well documented research and literature by Stephen Porges (polyvagal theory) and Bessie Van De Kolk (The Body Keeps The Score) explains, that we hold our life experiences in our body, and using specific yoga techniques, yoga therapy encourages and empowers individuals to be an active participant in improving their own mental and physical health. During a session we might explore a combination of breathing practices, mindfulness, focus techniques, physical stretches to release tension, meditation, lifestyle reflection, journaling, voice work and relaxation practices.
I am empathetic by nature and during each session I will offer you tangible practices / tools to take away and use in your day to day life to help bring ease to the challenges you face. I adhere to a professional code of conduct and belong and am recognised by the BCYT, British Council for Yoga Therapy, and the CNHC, Complimentary and Natural Health Council.
What to expect from your first session
Sessions will be held in the specially designed Yoga Therapy suite at Hertford Counselling.
In our first session, I take time to find out more about what you're experiencing / holding in your body, mind, emotions as well as looking at how you’re breathing and holding your body. We then move into yoga practices to help ease any difficulties which may be with you. At the end of each session I will offer you hand drawn practices to do at home (only if this is something you're keen on).
Sessions are 55 minutes in length, at the same time each week.
There are no fixed number of sessions. However, it is suggested a minimum of 6 sessions is requirement for individuals to begin to understand the nature of how Yoga Therapy can be of great benefit.
Qualifications
2024 Yoga Therapist 600 hours
2024 Yoga for digestive health
2023 First Aid training
2020 Sleep Recovery
2020 Qigong for yoga teachers
2020 The Vagus never and deeper dimensions of yoga therapy & pranayama
2019 Therapeutics of yoga
2018 Yoga for those affected by cancer
2018 Yoga for cardiovascular disease
2017 Specialist 1:1 yoga training
2016 Yoga for pregnancy
2016 Hypermobility on the mat
2016 Teaching meditation training
2015 Restorative yoga
2015 Yoga Nidra
2015 Sacred Sound training
2014 Deeper dimensions of sequencing
2014 Yoga Teacher 200 hours
1998 Started practicing yoga
1998 BA Hons Art, Design & Fashion
Yoga Alliance continuing education provider
6000 + teaching hours
Paula currently teaches internationally on yoga retreats
26 years personal yoga & meditation practice
10 Years teaching
