We all know how intense life can be —

but did you know feeling stiff and shattered doesn’t have to be?

"What we lived through is living in us." - Rupi Kaur

photo credit: Jean Francois Brabant

So people turn to YOGA when they feel stiff and overwhelmed

Mostly traditional yoga. And by design this kind of yoga as one goal: strengthen and prepare the body for Samadhi and Kundalini Awakening.

For 10+ years I have been a dedicated practitioner of this style of yoga, emphasizing the discipline through mindful repetition and committed practice.

But one day, when I found myself shattered by nervous system dysregulation, dealing with a whole lot of issues as a diasporic woman of colour in the west, I realized I needed something more.

Something that placed less emphasis on repetition, control, discipline, and rigid forms.

Something that would help me tap into the innate healing capacity of my body, and trusting this body as an embodiment of the story of my life and the imprints of my trauma, both big and small.

But Do You know What Yoga Cannot Change?

Your Joint Structure Is Set – No matter how much yoga you do, your anatomy is your anatomy. The shape of your bones and joints won’t change with stretching.

Tendons & Ligaments Can’t Be Stretched – Unlike muscles, these connective tissues have minimal elasticity. Best we can is to strengthen the muscles around them to improve support and stability.

But I still felt tense even after yoga - why?

When we live in a constant low hum of stress — rushing, worrying, coping with chronic anxiety — our bodies prepare for danger.

Muscles tighten. Breath shortens. Movement feels restricted.
Not because you’re “not flexible” — but because your nervous system is guarding you.

You can’t stretch your way out of fight-or-flight.

You need practices that tell your whole body: it’s safe to let go.

And it's where Somatic Yoga comes in to help.