Real Stories of Transformation

Discover how our students are reclaiming movement, reducing chronic pain, and restoring balance through science-backed somatic practices through our expertise.

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This weekend has changed my life. A million times thank you. You two are a gift to chronic pain sufferers.

Kerry K, Yoga Teacher Ottawa, Oct 2023.

I came to this training to learn how I can help myself manage pain. I learned so much more. I now have an understanding of how my body is working, how it is responding to other aspects of my life, and how to explore, calm and ease my nervous system to allow growth, kindness and fluidity into my life.

March G, Ottawa, Oct 2023.

I was interested in this training as a way to release stored trauma in the body. Carrie and Nicole through guided practices showed me how easily pain and discomfort can be released. I’m looking forward to incorporating this into my practice.

Francesca Ranger, Ottawa, Canada, Oct 2023
"After years of movement restricting back pain, in my lumber spine, it feels unreal for most of the pain has disappeared."
A.H. Yoga teacher, Cypress
"Since starting this course my breathing has improved, I have gained control over my muscles - pandiculation really works!"
N.B., Retiree
"I can't think of a better investment than my own body and mind."
R.M. Biologist
"Since starting this course my breathing has improved, I have gained control over my muscles - pandiculation really works!"
N.B., Retiree

I could have saved myself many years of pain

I registered to the 3-months starter package last February and did one session everyday either combining several short videos or doing a full 1-hour class. I enjoyed every video and was able to decrease the pain in my left hip and buttock learning how the body and its muscles work and how they are affected. After 90 days, I was almost pain free and knew the pandiculation technique to apply it myself to diverse part of my body. I felt I had the tools to go through a 'pain session'.What you are doing is amazing and it is working, and I wish I could have discovered Carrie before leaving the Yukon. I could have save many years of pain (that led to other problems) and lots of useless physiotherapy money. You were my last option/chance as the surgeon gave me a prescription for cortisone injections in the hip and buttock, but I wasn't so thrilled about that. I'm still not sure if I have the piriformis syndrome or not, or something else, or a 'trauma' stuck in my hip/buttock, but at least I was able to cut down on pain killers and anti-inflammatory pills and avoid cortisone. THANK YOU!

Marjolene G.

I recommend the MBB Course to anyone

This program (Mind Body Blueprint: A Roadmap to Somatic Embodiment) has gifted me an awareness of self and a number of tools that I now use to re-set my vagus nerve, and reassure and reconnect my mind with my body. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn more about the wisdom of their body.

R.K. (Professor)

Relief to move pain-free

I suffered a painful back injury that required spine surgery and a great amount of physiotherapy. After five months of post-operative physiotherapy my rehabilitation stalled, and I began to seek an alternative mode of recovery. In just five weeks of seeing Nicole, my recovery jumped in leaps and bounds. Under Nicole's care I have been able to regain a great amount of mobility pain-free. Through controlled movements and exercises she has given me back not only my strength but flexibility and confidence.She is incredibly knowledgeable, caring and compassionate. Nicole understands pain and is sympathetic but also realizes that sometimes you need a push to prove to yourself that yes, you can. Nicole looks at the chain or system of muscles and can quickly determine a plan of controlled movements that will give relief and eventually restore strength. Prior to surgery I felt that I would never be able to rise out of bed without grimacing with pain, simply roll over, or unload the dishwasher, now I feel relief: relief to be able to move pain-free and even enjoy a 5km walk. I urge anyone who has low back pain to trust Nicole to help you out of pain.

R.B.

Pain Relief Program Results Impossible to Believe

Since having my son in 2018, I've experienced chronic back and pelvis pain. Even before this I've battled with chronic stress and insomnia. Nothing I did seemed to help with any of my issues. Manual therapies just kept things from getting worse. Walking, strength training, yoga, Pilates, eliminating anti inflammatory foods, and supplements didn't work. I was desperate to feel better and being pregnant again with even more pain, I started taking very strong medication, hoping it would ease my pain by reducing inflammation.BUT OMG since starting the pain series program 4 weeks ago, my pain has reduced significantly and shifted dramatically!! I no longer have this tight, tense, bone on bone, ceasing pain along my lower lumbar spine, SI joints and pelvis. It's just incredible.For the first time in almost 3 years I can pick up my kids and play without feeling debilitating pain—pain to the point that I needed to sit down and immediately apply a hot water bottle on my back and take ibuprofen. I also feel more energized and have tools to help cope with my emotional pain and stress, and insomnia—which all impacts physical pain. I'm beyond grateful that I heard about Carrie and Nicole's pain relief program. What you learn from the pain relief series are life long tools; if you keep up with this practice you will keep your mind and body healthy. I have a newborn and toddler and make sure to fit in 20-30 mins a day and the results have been almost impossible to believe. It's worth it!

A.L.

The Lifestyle You Develop Will Change You Forever

Don't hesitate. This program is for everyone. The lifestyle you will develop here will change you forever. Everything contained in this program is balanced, well researched, understandable, deep and thoughtful and above all else very well supported from beginning to end.I really believe that I am calmer; more peaceful and grounded; energized and happy. I can see joy in things I never thought possible. I don't worry about things like I used to. I carry on from here happily knowing that I will always have access to this program.Thank you to both of you, Carrie and Nicole for putting this amazing course together. It is life changing.

L.W. (Retired Nurse)

Looking for physical healing but found emotional healing

6 months after I got my new hip, I started to get a really sore back. My Osteopath suggested I see Carrie and I immediately set up an appointment.Before seeing Carrie, I did not feel calm and at peace in my body. I knew something had to change.Working with Carrie has been a mind blowing experience for me!!! It has been an emotional journey as well as a physical healing journey. I expected to get physical healing, but I did not expect to get emotional healing as well.Carrie is really incredible – because she shows you how it is all related. Your mind and your body. And she taught me how to listen to my body which I had ignored for over 60 years. Now I am learning how to do that and my physical body feels so much better!I have to say I am now a different person. I feel so much better!! I highly recommend soma yoga to everyone. I feel such calmness and such peace in my body now, I really did not like doing stretching before, and now I love doing my pandiculations – because I can see that they make me feel better in so many different ways.

H.W.

I learned how to take control of my own healing

At 15, I discovered I had a scoliosis and for the following 30 years I mostly just ignored it because I was told there was nothing that could be done about it. I loved to run and hike and put up with the occasional time when my back would give me trouble for a few weeks or months at a time.Then one day, during a particularly stressful time period, I woke up with lower back pain that got progressively worse. As the weeks led to months, I sought out all sorts of specialists: chiropractor, physiotherapist, massage therapist, pelvic health physiotherapist. Most would ultimately tell me that they didn't know how to help me as all their usual 'tricks' were not working. My back had become one tight mass of muscles that simply would not release themselves. Even taking the dogs for a short walk was painful.After a year and a half, I stumbled upon Carrie Meyer and her Somatic Neuromuscular Re-education Therapy. It has been a lifesaver. My back has transformed from a mass that moved as one unit, to a functional back where I have regained control over individual muscle groups. My posture has changed dramatically. I can lie flat on a table again. I can walk the dogs without pain again.Most importantly, she has given me the skills to keep working on my back. This is not a type of treatment where someone works on your back and fixes it for you – Carrie teaches you how to fix it yourself, giving you incredibly valuable skills and body awareness.

R.M.

Seemingly simple movements lead to extraordinary results

Working with Nicole has been a game-changing experience for me. For years, I've been struggling with low back pain as a result of several serious injuries. I've tried numerous different exercise programs and various therapies. But nothing helped to alleviate the chronic pain in my lower back and hips. Luckily, my long journey led me to Nicole. I was hopeful that by working with her and following her individualized program, that I would get some relief. Much to my surprise, I gained so much more from the experience. I drastically reduced my pain level and have become even stronger. Nicole was extremely supportive throughout the process and encouraged me to move forward each week. Together, we flipped a switch in my body and mind.Seemingly simple movements lead to extraordinary results. Her kind spirit and knowledgeable practices have changed the way I feel inside my own body. With the tools she has given me, I finally feel that I can start to trust my body again. I know how to get myself out of pain and that is something I never thought was possible. Thank you, Nicole, you have helped me in so many ways. I'm so grateful to have met you.

A.C.

More SomaYoga Foundations 20hr Training Testimonials

I have spent lots of time and money.. to try and ease my pain and improve my mobility. The things I learned in this workshop have opened my mind to other possibilities and to the possibility that I can help myself. By helping myself get unstuck, I will then be able to reap the benefits of other modalities, exercise and enjoy a life of freedom.

Anonymous

More SomaYoga Foundations 20hr Training Testimonials

Carrie & Nicole created an environment that allowed safe and empowering learning to take place. Not only did I feel it in my physical body in the different movements, BUT I was truly able to safely absorb the course content.

Anonymous

Taught me how to take control over my symptoms

I have been suffering from chronic pain and tightness in my jaw, neck and shoulders for over three years now. I have tried every possible treatment available to try and ease my symptoms. I began seeing Carrie after being referred to her by my physiotherapist and have been working with her for over four months now. She has taught me how to take control over my symptoms and to manage things in a positive and preventative way. Although my symptoms are still present, I have experienced a significant decrease in their intensity. I am so happy with the results of doing this somatic work with Carrie!I am conscientious about doing the somatic exercises that Carrie has recommended for me every day. I actually look forward to my daily practice as it is a great stress reliever and a time for me to focus on healing. In fact, the somatic work has improved not only my physical health but my emotional well-being too!

C.K.

20 Hr SomaYoga Foundations Training

I came to this training to learn how I can help myself manage pain. I learned so much more. I now have an understanding of how my body is working, how it is responding to other aspects of my life, and how to explore, calm and ease my nervous system to allow growth, kindness and fluidity into my life.

March G

More SomaYoga Foundations 20hr Training Testimonials

I have taken a few trainings in Trauma Informed/Sensitive Yoga and I wish that Somatics was incorporated…specifically THIS very digestive, personal, and informative training.

Anonymous

Relief to move pain-free

I suffered a painful back injury that required spine surgery and a great amount of physiotherapy. After five months of post-operative physiotherapy my rehabilitation stalled, and I began to seek an alternative mode of recovery. In just five weeks of seeing Nicole, my recovery jumped in leaps and bounds. Under Nicole's care I have been able to regain a great amount of mobility pain-free. Through controlled movements and exercises she has given me back not only my strength but flexibility and confidence.She is incredibly knowledgeable, caring and compassionate. Nicole understands pain and is sympathetic but also realizes that sometimes you need a push to prove to yourself that yes, you can. Nicole looks at the chain or system of muscles and can quickly determine a plan of controlled movements that will give relief and eventually restore strength. Prior to surgery I felt that I would never be able to rise out of bed without grimacing with pain, simply roll over, or unload the dishwasher, now I feel relief: relief to be able to move pain-free and even enjoy a 5km walk. I urge anyone who has low back pain to trust Nicole to help you out of pain.

R.B.

Pain Relief Program Results Impossible to Believe

Since having my son in 2018, I've experienced chronic back and pelvis pain. Even before this I've battled with chronic stress and insomnia. Nothing I did seemed to help with any of my issues. Manual therapies just kept things from getting worse. Walking, strength training, yoga, Pilates, eliminating anti inflammatory foods, and supplements didn't work. I was desperate to feel better and being pregnant again with even more pain, I started taking very strong medication, hoping it would ease my pain by reducing inflammation.BUT OMG since starting the pain series program 4 weeks ago, my pain has reduced significantly and shifted dramatically!! I no longer have this tight, tense, bone on bone, ceasing pain along my lower lumbar spine, SI joints and pelvis. It's just incredible.For the first time in almost 3 years I can pick up my kids and play without feeling debilitating pain—pain to the point that I needed to sit down and immediately apply a hot water bottle on my back and take ibuprofen. I also feel more energized and have tools to help cope with my emotional pain and stress, and insomnia—which all impacts physical pain. I'm beyond grateful that I heard about Carrie and Nicole's pain relief program. What you learn from the pain relief series are life long tools; if you keep up with this practice you will keep your mind and body healthy. I have a newborn and toddler and make sure to fit in 20-30 mins a day and the results have been almost impossible to believe. It's worth it!

A.L.