PUblic Classes

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30-8:30am @The Practice Space - SE Portland, Or

Nianna Bray is an experienced yogini and teacher with over 25 years of practice and 15 years of teaching. She received her Bachelors of Arts from the University of California Los Angeles World Art and Culture Department. Aside from teaching and being a full-time mom, Nianna is an approved Somatic Experiencing ™ Practitioner seeing clients in private practice. Before moving back to Portland she co-owned a retreat company, co-founded a non-profit and taught workshops, teacher trainings and retreats globally. Her work in the world is to help people integrate overwhelming life experiences into the fabric of a healthy and well adjusted life through embodied living, accessing the nervous system to release trauma and thwarted survival energy. Over her many dedicated years as a student she was trained and mentored by Shiva Rae, Eric Schifmann, Max Strom, Annie Carpenter, Micheline Berry, Denise Kaufman, Nandan Guatam and many more. Nianna is dedicated to being a force of love in the world and a friend on the path.

Class description

My teaching style is based on the principle that movement is medicine. Each class is well balanced and offers intelligent, intuitive sequencing, somatic explorations, inner curiosity and a focus on breath, alignment and embodiment. I incorporate hands-on assists and help each practitioner rise to the next level of their practice. Classes are a strong Vinyasa flow yet all are welcome and will be encouraged to challenge themselves at their own pace.

Private Yoga Lessons

In-home Bespoke WEllness - Portland, Or

I have spent the past 25 years developing my craft, refining my technique, studying and cultivating the expertise required to offer you the best in personal mind-body wellness. I believe our body the only true home we have, and it is our responsibility to take care of it for as long as possible. We are never too old to start repairing the damage, never too young to embark on a life of embodied health. If you are feeling disconnected from your body, experiencing emotional or physical pain, not sleeping well, suffering from the effects of stress, anxiety and depression or simply feeling tired and uninspired I am here to help.

My approach

I have a unique approach to vinyasa yoga that is somatic based in nature. With an emphasis on opening fascial lines, stabilizing the core and awakening the spine I work with circles, spirals and undulations, moving away from rigid shapes and into a surrendered strength that requires complexity of movement intelligence yet is accessible to all body types and levels of experience. You’ll hear me say more than once, “Move and breathe in your body in a loving and healing way.”

I combine my studies in diverse movement modalities, spiritual philosophies, and current research in biomechanics to bring artful, fluid and empowering somatic yoga classes to curious and inquisitive students. To heal we first must feel. To be strong we must first face our weakness. To integrate all aspects of ourself we must begin to accept and love even the darkest of parts within.

In each private session I encourage my students to get honest, real and raw with themselves. I hold a space of non-judgment that allows all parts of yourself to be revealed. My cues, curiosities and language open pathways of somatic, physic and imaginal inquiry so that you continue along an intimate dialogue with your ever changing and evolving self.

My job is to help you get you unstuck, out of your rut and back into your body. It is time to reclaim your vital energy and innate healing power so that you shine and succeed in all areas of your life; work, family, sex, relationship, connection to source. It all begins with your desire to get moving again. I am honored to be your guide on this journey of discovery. I believe that when we are healthy, happy and fully in our bodies we are better humans, more capable of compassion, readily available to overcome obstacles, be resilient in the face of adversity, and open to deeper expressions of love and joy.

I know how hard it is to take care of yourself. Especially with all the other demands of life. We tend to put our body-mind needs after everything else like work, family, lovers, friends, even cultural expectations. As if self-deprivation ever really worked! (It doesn’t). If you have experienced trauma or suffer from extreme bouts of stress, your body might not feel safe, nor are you able to trust it, let alone be in it. That’s why our work together is so important. Together we carve out space for you to be you, to feel into yourself, to take care of yourself, to have your needs met and to honor your deepest desires. It is through your body that you experience all the pleasure and pain of life. My work is to guide you back to yourself, your body and reclaim your power of peace, presence and perseverance to overcome and celebrate the ups and downs of life.

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The ways that I serve

• Somatic Experiencing ™ body based trauma release technique

• Multi-disciplinary movement practices: Somatic Movement, Yoga and Dance

• Bodywork - Thai Yoga Massage, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release

• Strength, flexibility and mobility training

• Physical Therapy exercises

• Mindful awareness mediations

• Scar Tissue Massage and Castor Oil Packs

• Pain management and reduction strategy

• Posture correction