ABOUT MIYA

Miya was raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania by hippie parents, along with two creative and loving older sisters. Her parents were passionate about education, and they founded a “free school” based on A.S. Neil’s radical English boarding school, Summerhill, which she and her sisters attended. Their philosophy was that children should be given the opportunity to learn at their own pace. Students came from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and the foundation was set that everyone, regardless of where they come from or what they look like, is fundamentally the same at the core of who we are. This environment instilled in her the importance to listen within, speak from her heart, and care for those around her. These same ideals were what, many years later, were re-awakened in her through yogic practices and teachings.

Early in her yoga practice, she took a class at Jivamukti in New York City and was moved by the balance between the physical practice and spiritual teachings. The linking of asana (the physical) and the yogic philosophy helped her tap into my innermost self. She felt she could let down her guard and began to embrace the whole of who she is, and in turn the wholeness that connects us all together. After years of honing her personal yoga practice, she was drawn to teaching these principles to others. She has come to understand the profound healing that yoga has to offer the body, mind and spirit and became inspired to search for other physical modalities that incorporated these same elements.  

After many years of inquiry, she discovered Somatic Experiencing, a body based trauma therapy. She attended a workshop by Peter Levine, the founder of S.E. She watched him work with a client who was extremely restricted within his body and had obvious internal barriers built from major trauma, which seemed as though no one could help him move past. As Peter worked skillfully, in a kind and gentle way, the man began to soften and express emotions. His body began to relax, and the barriers began to dissipate. It was profoundly moving to her to see this tough man soften and trust another person inside such a painful emotional place. Somatic Experiencing reminded her again of the intrinsic principles she had been taught, and reaffirmed that we all want to be seen, heard, loved, and supported. She has learned through this work that being fully present for another person, in whatever they are going through, can bring deep and lasting comfort and shift them into a space of healing.

As she continues to work with these modalities, she realizes that one informs the other. Like everything in life, what we study infuses all facets of what we do. Yogic practice and somatic experiencing promote deep listening within your body. This listening can lead us to innate healing. Through supportive guidance, kindness and understanding, she believes we can find compassion for all parts of ourselves and return to a fully formed sense of self, whole, complete, and perfect.