Colleen Bell
Trauma Informed Yoga- Mindful Movement for a Sustainable Practice
Meet Colleen
I have been practicing Yoga for almost 20 years and teaching since 2013. This path of Yoga has helped me with depression, anxiety, grief, and chronic fatigue. It continues to give me space to embrace both my shadow and my light. As a trauma survivor, Yoga has helped me be more present in my body and strive to find balance in my nervous system. I'm blessed to be on this path and so grateful to be able to share emotional healing through yoga, with others.
I believe that Yoga is much more than the physical (asana) practice and hope that students leave my classes feeling balanced. I incorporate Chinese Medicine and seasonal awareness into my classes. I am passionate about women's health and embracing the cycles of life. I enjoy being playful and challenging, while also bringing individual alignment awareness to my classes. I encourage you to come join me outside your comfort zone and find acceptance of yourself in your practice.
My classes are fun and accessible. I take a functional movement approach, using action cues to guide students to a deeper awareness of their bodies. I offer mindful movement for a sustainable practice. (Where am I trying to engage or stretch, what is the purpose of this movement versus this shape should look a certain way.) I enjoy bringing in a balance of stability, mobility & strength to create openness and balance.
You will hear a lot of encouragement to listen to your body and breath; to work with where you are in that moment. Plus there are always variations (find the one that works best for you!) Each class starts with centering, breath awareness, & meditation, as a foundation for the rest of your practice.
In my spare time, I love snuggling with my cat, Galadriel. I enjoy reading and spending time in nature.
TRAININGS
200 Hour Certification with Kathleen Hunt at Samadhi Yoga, Seattle, WA, March 2013
500 Hour Self Study Certification with Twist Yoga, Edmonds, WA, October 2019
Yin Yoga with Janell Hartman- 20 hours- February 2016
Ayurveda on Your Mat with Kate Towell- 20 hours- January 2018
Myofascial Release for Yoga and Wellness- 10 hours- March 2017
Yoga Nidra- 15 hours- March 2019
Prenatal Modifications- 15 hours- December 2018
Yoga for Emotional Wellness with Christy Fisher & Laura Yon/ Phinney Ridge Yoga, Seattle- 35 hours- March/ April 2018
Common Injury training with Jason Crandell- 21 hours- November 2018
Find Your Cener- Teacher Renewal with Jason Crandell- 20 hours- May 2017
Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) with Morgan Vanderpool- Tacoma, WA, 16 hours- January 2018
3 Wisdom Traditions (Yoga, Ayurveda & Psychology) online with Kathryn Templeton- 12 hours- February 2018
500 Hour Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist certification with Tiffany Cruikshank (in progress)
Chinese Medicine & Yoga- 26 hours- July 2018
Mental Health & Wellness- 60 hours- August 2019
Women's Health and Wellness- 24 hours- November 2020
Nervous System & Restorative Yoga- 55 hours- May- July 2021
Spine Anatomy- 24 hours- February 2020
Yoga Anatomy Training online Immersion- Yoga Intl- 20 hours
Yin Yoga, Fascia, and Mindfulness
Insight Yoga teacher training Primary Level with Sarah Powers, Seattle, WA- 70 hours- September 2018
Fascia, Form & Functional Flow with Karen Sprute-Francovich- Seattle, WA- 12 hours- January 2020
Yin Yoga, Myofascial Release, and MyoYin with Nicky Hadjithoma- 30 hours- January 2021
Sequencing for Yin Yoga with Jo Phee- 10 hours- February-May 2021
Miscellaneous trainings
Yoga Therapeutics with Amy Ippoliti, Seattle, WA- 27 hours- September 2018
Trauma Informed Yoga- 1 day training with Zabie Yamasaki, Seattle, WA- April 2018
and online course- Transcending Trauma with Yoga- 24 hours- May 2020
Five Elements of Yoga w/ Saul David Raye, Sianna Sherman, Juan Pablo Barahona, Janet Stone, Sreedevi K. Bringi/ Online Immersion- Hanuman Academy- 35 hours- July 2017
Creative Sequencing with Sheri Celentano and Jamie Silverstein/ The Grinning Yogi, Seattle, WA
Some Workshops through the years
Transforming the Five Negative Emotions- Yin Series w/ Stephanie Nosco May/ June 2021
Yin and the Five Spirits with Stephanie Nosco- February/ March 2021
Balancing the Pelvis with Leila Stuart- May 2018
Chakra Activation with Anodea Judith- May 2018
Weekend workshops with Sianna Sherman- December 2017
Energy Medicine Yoga with Lauren Walker- September 2017
Weekend workshops with Noah Maze- May 2016
Photos of Colleen by the amazing Sukha Design & Photography
Classes
In- Person Pop- Up
Myofascial Release & Yin for the Arms & Hands
October 14, 6- 7pm
During this MyoYin (Myofascial Release & Yin) practice, our focus will be on releasing through the arms, hands, & neck to help create space in the shoulders and chest. We'll work with the fascial lines of the arms to find more body awareness and introspection. This practice will start with rolling out the hands & arms using MFR balls. We'll then move into the stillness of Yin, holding shapes for 3-5 minutes.
Suggested props if you're practicing with us virtually: 2 MFR balls or tennis balls, blocks, blanket, sock
Virtual Classes
You can practice with me on YouTube
"Colleen appeals to beginners and advanced practitioners alike because she's all about creating balance...not tricks. She uses her knowledge of Chinese medicine and the energetics of specific yoga postures to help you feel refreshed and alive after every class." Camron M.
Photos of Colleen by the amazing Sukha Design & Photography
Get In Touch
Thank you for visiting my web site! I am currently based in Seattle, WA. I offer private and semi private classes, customizable to your individual or group needs. Send a message below for pricing or for questions on upcoming workshops and retreats.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
