Therapy + Yoga, a collaborative process.

Written By rachel quigley

Finding Presence Through Yoga: A Somatic Therapy Perspective in San Luis Obispo

I just finished a power yoga class at Spark Yoga—10:45 a.m. on a Monday morning. I’m tired, but deeply energized. Grounded. Clear. And ready to mindfully engage and hold space for my clients through individual therapy and somatic therapy sessions.

I don’t take this moment for granted. Having the time and flexibility to attend a morning yoga class—especially on a weekday—feels like a gift. Between school drop-offs, errands, home responsibilities, and time spent at my office in downtown San Luis Obispo, these small pockets of intentional movement and stillness have become essential. Yoga has evolved into a cornerstone of my self-care routine—supporting not only physical health, but also self-compassion and deep self-curiosity.

Returning to Yoga: A 20-Year Relationship

I’ve practiced yoga on and off for over 20 years, but in the past year, I’ve made a conscious effort to return to it more consistently—ideally once or twice a week. With the variety of yoga studios, class styles, and scheduling options available in San Luis Obispo, it’s often possible to find a class that fits into a busy day.

What keeps me coming back isn’t just the physical benefits. It’s the experience: an hour of calm, focused energy; the grounding scent of palo santo; the rhythm of breath and movement; and the opportunity to step away from the noise of daily life. Even a single class can shift my entire nervous system.

Yoga as a Tool for Self-Exploration

Last year, while listening to “No Bad Parts” by Richard Schwartz, I began to notice something interesting happening in my yoga practice.

As many of my long-term clients know, I love diving into books on psychology, self-help, and wellbeing—especially in audiobook form. But this time, the insights didn’t stay in my head. I started bringing them onto the mat.

During practice, with fewer distractions and a heightened awareness of my body, I found myself getting curious about different “parts” of myself—thoughts, emotions, patterns. Yoga became more than movement; it became a space for internal dialogue.

On my mat, I:

  • Observed new parts of myself with curiosity

  • Revisited old emotional patterns with compassion

  • Noticed where feelings lived in my body

  • Gained unexpected clarity and insight

This blending of mindfulness, movement, and psychological exploration felt powerful—and deeply aligned with the principles of somatic therapy.

The Intersection of Yoga, Mindfulness, and Mental Health

What began as a personal self-care practice gradually expanded into something more. As I continued to explore research on mindfulness, the mental health benefits of exercise, and body-based therapeutic approaches, I became increasingly curious:

How might practices like yoga support the therapeutic process for clients?

We now know that movement-based practices can:

  • Regulate the nervous system

  • Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression

  • Increase body awareness (a key component of somatic therapy)

  • Support emotional processing in a non-verbal way

For clients who feel disconnected from their bodies—or overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy—integrating mindful movement can offer an alternative pathway toward healing.

Bringing It Into the Therapy Room

While my journey with yoga began as something deeply personal, it continues to shape how I show up as a therapist. It informs the way I think about presence, regulation, and the mind-body connection.

For clients who are interested, I sometimes invite gentle exploration of body awareness, breath, and internal sensations—always at a pace that feels safe and supportive. This isn’t about asking clients to “do yoga,” but about expanding the ways we can access insight, healing, and self-understanding.

Final Thoughts

In a busy life, it’s easy to overlook the importance of slowing down and tuning in. But again and again, I’m reminded—on the mat and in the therapy room—that meaningful change often begins with awareness.

Yoga, for me, has become a bridge:
between mind and body,
between curiosity and compassion,
and between personal practice and professional purpose.

If you’re in San Luis Obispo and exploring ways to support your mental health—whether through therapy, mindfulness, or movement—you’re not alone. There are many paths inward. Sometimes, it starts with simply showing up, taking a breath, and noticing what’s there. If this resonates, feel free to reach out for a free consultation.

rachel quigley