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Episode 69

69. What Is Somatic Yoga? A Gentle Practice for Trauma Healing, Stress Relief & Nervous System Regulation

Somatic Yoga is a gentle, body-led healing practice designed to support trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, and emotional release. In this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore what Somatic Yoga truly is, how it differs from traditional yoga, and why this slow, intuitive approach can be deeply healing for anyone carrying stress, anxiety, burnout, or unresolved trauma. You’ll learn how mindful movement rewires the nervous system, restores a sense of safety, and helps the body release stored emotional tension in a compassionate, accessible way.

Throughout the episode, we also answer some of the most searched questions about this healing modality, including:

• What is Somatic Yoga and how does it work?

• How does Somatic Yoga help with trauma, PTSD, and emotional release?

• What makes Somatic Yoga different from traditional yoga practices?

• How can gentle movement support nervous system healing?

• Why does the body store emotional tension, and how can it be released safely?

• Is Somatic Yoga beneficial for anxiety, stress, and overwhelm?

• Can beginners or those with chronic pain practice Somatic Yoga?

• How does Somatic Yoga strengthen intuition and mind-body awareness?

• What are the benefits of trauma-informed yoga practices?

• How can I start a Somatic Yoga practice at home?

This episode offers education, support, and a deeper understanding of how reconnecting with the body can open the door to profound emotional and spiritual healing.

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Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine
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About your host

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Bertena Varney

Bertena is a spiritual teacher, priestess, and intuitive guide who blends ancient wisdom with grounded, modern insight. She is the creator and host of The Spiritual Sanctuary, a podcast devoted to the Wheel of the Year, Divine Feminine wisdom, goddess traditions, ritual, meditation, and soul-aligned living.

With decades of experience as a college educator and a deep background in spiritual studies, Bertena brings a rare combination of academic depth and embodied spiritual practice to her work. Her teachings weave together seasonal spirituality, priestess paths, somatic awareness, tarot and oracle wisdom, and contemplative ritual—always with an emphasis on empowerment, discernment, and personal sovereignty.

Bertena is the founder of the Ancient Arts of the Priestess Academy, where she offers self-paced courses, seasonal lessons, and immersive spiritual education rooted in the cycles of nature rather than hustle culture. Her work is especially supportive for women seeking a slower, more meaningful spiritual path—one grounded in trust, rest, and inner authority.

Through her podcast, courses, and writings, Bertena invites listeners into a sanctuary space where wisdom is remembered, not rushed, and where spiritual growth unfolds in its own time.

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