Shake It Out Yoga
supports the body’s natural ability to release stress, tension, and stored emotions. Through gentle yoga, shaking, breathwork, and chakra-based awareness, this trauma-informed practice helps restore balance, safety, and connection within the body.
A Practice That Listens to the Body
Rather than asking the body to perform or push through discomfort, Shake It Out Yoga invites a slower, more attuned approach. When we create space to notice breath, sensation, and subtle movement, the body begins to communicate what it needs.
This practice is rooted in the understanding that healing doesn’t come from forcing release, but from allowing it. By working gently with the nervous system, the body is given permission to complete stress responses that may have been interrupted—restoring a sense of ease, presence, and internal balance.
The Body Stores Stress and Trauma
Rather than asking the body to perform or push through discomfort, Shake It Out Yoga invites a slower, more attuned approach. When we create space to notice breath, sensation, and subtle movement, the body begins to communicate what it needs.
This practice is rooted in the understanding that healing doesn’t come from forcing release, but from allowing it. By working gently with the nervous system, the body is given permission to complete stress responses that may have been interrupted—restoring a sense of ease presence, and internal balance.
The Psoas: A Key to Trauma Release
A central focus of Shake It Out Yoga is the psoas muscle (pronounced so-as), a deep muscle that connects the spine to the legs and plays a vital role in posture, movement, breathing, and stability.
The psoas is closely linked to the nervous system and is heavily involved in our fear and stress responses. When we feel threatened, the psoas automatically contracts, preparing the body to curl inward or move quickly to safety. Because of this, it is often referred to as the muscle of survival.
When stress or trauma is unresolved, the psoas can remain chronically tight, contributing to:
Lower back, hip, or pelvic pain
Restricted movement or posture issues
Shallow or restricted breathing
A persistent sense of tension or unease
Through specific yoga postures, mindful movement, and shaking techniques, Shake It Out Yoga helps activate the body’s natural release mechanism within the psoas—allowing stored tension and stress to safely discharge.
The Science Behind Shaking
Shaking is not something we invented—it is something the body already knows how to do.
In nature, animals instinctively shake after surviving a stressful or life-threatening event. This shaking helps regulate the nervous system and release excess stress energy before the animal returns to a calm state. Humans are born with this same ability, but over time, we often suppress it due to social conditioning or misunderstanding.
Shake It Out Yoga re-introduces this innate shaking response in a controlled, supportive environment. When allowed to occur naturally, gentle shaking can:
Help regulate the autonomic nervous system
Release stored muscular tension
Improve circulation and energy flow
Restore a sense of safety and presence in the body
Rather than forcing movement, shaking emerges organically as the body feels safe enough to let go.
Chakra-Based Healing and Energy Flow
Many private sessions follow a chakra-by-chakra approach, beginning with the Root chakra and gradually moving upward to the Crown. Each chakra represents an energy center associated with specific physical, emotional, and energetic themes.
By working with one chakra at a time, clients are able to:
Build safety and grounding first
Increase awareness of bodily sensations and emotions
Support balanced energy flow throughout the system
Integrate healing in a structured, approachable way
Each session may include movement, breathwork, shaking, and focused awareness aligned with the chakra being addressed. Clients receive a personalized chakra handout to support integration between sessions, offering tools such as breathwork, sound, affirmations, poses, and reflective journaling.
Where Science Meets Body Wisdom
Shake It Out Yoga blends modern understanding of the nervous system with ancient practices that honor the body’s intelligence. Influenced by research in trauma physiology and mind-body science, this approach recognizes that healing happens not just through thinking, but through felt experience.
Practices such as:
Breath regulation
Mindful movement
Sensation awareness
Visualization and guided focus
help strengthen communication between the brain and body. Over time, this increased awareness allows clients to recognize stress patterns earlier and respond with greater ease and resilience.
A Practice for Real Bodies and Real Life
Shake It Out Yoga is accessible and adaptable. You do not need to be flexible, experienced, or “good at yoga” to benefit. One pose counts. One breath counts. Awareness itself is the practice.
Clients often report:
Feeling more grounded and present
Improved physical comfort and mobility
Greater emotional clarity and calm
Increased confidence and self-trust
A deeper connection to their body
Healing is not about fixing something that is broken—it’s about reconnecting with what is already there.
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
Shake It Out Yoga is offered through private sessions, live stream, and group classes. Whether you’re seeking gentle support, deeper healing, or simply a new way to connect with your body, these practices meet you where you are. For class details, click below.