My mission is to help you move toward healing
Gentle Spirit Yoga was created to offer individuals with a personal history of trauma a space to practice gentle movement and meditation in a supportive environment.
MY MISSION
Gentle Spirit Yoga, LLC provides Trauma-Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga to individuals, small groups, and community agencies with the goal of offering hope, support, and inclusivity for all who come through the door.
MEET THE FACILITATOR:
Shawn
Shawn Archer (she/her) is a certified RYT-500 yoga teacher, Trauma Center-Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator, certified in Restorative Yoga, and author of the Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Movement and Mindfulness Journal. In addition, she is currently enrolled as a Clinical Extern at the International Institute of Yoga Therapy and will be certified as a Yoga Therapist in January 2025.
Shawn has a Master of Arts in Leadership and Counseling and a Master of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies. She has 20 years of experience providing counseling services, support groups for survivors of abuse, and educational workshops for the community.
She is dedicated to guiding people on their healing journey and compassionately assisting them in exploring the healing aspects of gentle movement while incorporating mindfulness, breathwork, and body awareness into each session.
WHAT IS TRAUMA?
Individual trauma has been defined as “the result of an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
— SAMHA
Services offered by Gentle Spirit Yoga
Private Sessions
Every yoga session will incorporate choice-based language to welcoming participants to explore the mind-body connection in a supportive environment.
——————————————————
In-person Individual Session:
$100/1 hour
Sliding Scale available, please contact Shawn to discuss options
—————————————————
Some flex spending and HSA accounts will cover TCTSY.
Group Sessions
————————————————
Did you know statistics indicate up to 70% of individuals have experienced at least 1 traumatic event in their life?
Gentle Spirit Yoga is available to provide on-site trauma-informed yoga classes for organizations, shelters, and yoga studios.
Group classes can be designed for those exposed to secondary trauma including EMTs, teachers, therapists, direct, hospital staff, etc.
—————————————————
Educational workshops for yoga studios, yoga teacher training groups, mental health agencies, and schools
—————————————
Learning to be more trauma-informed can create a safe place for all students and increase your student and staff retention rate. Contact Shawn and let’s talk about how she can assist you with creating a more trauma-informed and safe space for all your students and staff!
——————————————————
Contact Shawn to design a workshop to fit your needs!
Learning - Creating - Meditating
Meditation Bead Workshop
Meditation beads are also known as Malas, prayer beads, Japa Malas, and even worry beads. I will bring with me a variety of beads from religions and cultures I have gathered or been given over the years to each workshop for individuals to explore and learn about.
In each workshop, individuals will design and create a custom set of meditation beads, also known as a ‘Mala’, that will serve as a portable meditation tool, an expression of their intentions, and a visual reminder of self-care.
What is a Mala?
A Mala is a string of 108 beads that is used to help the mind focus during meditation. The beads are typically arranged in a specific pattern and are often used to count the number of repetitions of a mantra, breath, or prayer. A Mala can be created from seeds, wood, gemstones, or crystals depending on how each person plans to use the beads. Individuals can even bring personal beads or charms to add to if they choose.
The benefits of a regular meditation practice include improved emotional health, self-awareness, sleep quality, focus, control of anxiety, and reduced stress.
Including a workshop as part of your retreat experience can provide your guests with a meaningful experience and create a tangible memory of their time!
Hosting a private workshop provides a mindful and memorable experience for Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Birthday Parties, and New Year’s.
If you do not see a public meditation bead workshop on the ‘EVENTS’ page, you can contact Shawn to schedule a workshop that meets your needs.
Trauma and Recovery
“Recovery can only take place within the context of relationships; it cannot occur in isolation.”
― Judith Lewis Herman
Ready to move towards healing?
Fill out the form or email us at gentlespirit.sa@gmail.com to get started!