ABOUT KRISTIN

Neurodivergent Trauma-informed 500hr RYT

As a late diagnosed autistic/adhder who grew up poor in rural Alaska, I struggled not only with fitting in socially but also with sensory processing, eating, and autoimmune disorders. My nervous system had been on high alert since birth, and it was taking it’s toll on my physical and menta health. As I reached adulthood, I found myself working in high pressure, physically demanding jobs in loud and chaotic environments (bars-restaurants). The physical pain this lifestyle left me in was unmanageable, and the constant overstimulation on my overly sensitive nervous system left me feeling constantly defeated and drained. So I compensated by self medicating with substances and unhealthy dopamine seeking behaviors for years; suffering in silence and keeping myself numb in my self-made cocoon.

My introduction to yoga was slowly self-taught, and while I enjoyed its effects like increased flexibility and pain reduction, it never stuck. I would inevitably fall out of my routine, returning to a tightly wound ball of disconnection and withdrawal. I eventually tried a few in person classes, but most of my experiences were negative. I felt uneasy in environments catered to neurotypicals and felt very left out. Then one day a studio finally clicked with me. I had never felt so much support, connection, and love in my entire life. That’s when I began to integrate yogic philosophy, and I became more confident, content, patience, loving, and understanding. Before I knew it I was practicing on a regular basis. The more I went, the more I realized how much there is to this beautiful practice besides the physical benefits. I started listening to my breath, my heart and even my thoughts. I realized that trauma had caused me to become trapped inside my head, because from an early age I learned that my body was not a safe place to be in. But as I learned to somatically release that stuck energy, I fully stepped into the awareness of the present moment, and my heart overflowed with gratitude for this beautiful life all around me.