Neuroscientist · Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner · Somatic Yoga Therapist
My work sits at the intersection of clinical neuroscience and embodied therapeutic practice — a place I reached through academia, clinical work with clients, and my own relationship with the body as a site of healing.
I am a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner and Somatic Yoga Therapist. With over more than a decade of practice, I developed an integrated clinical approach that draws on SE principles, somatic yoga, neuroscience, and trauma-informed movement. I then brought that approach into a formal research context — conducting a feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial as the Therapist-Researcher in the NEUROADS Lab at Kings College London, published in BJPsch Open, which found large effect sizes for both symptom reduction and improvements in interoceptive awareness in patients with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
That research gives me something rare: an approach that is not only clinically tested through practice, but independently validated through peer-reviewed trial. When I work with a client, I am drawing on both.
My fascination with the mind-body connection began long before I had the scientific language for it. As an undergraduate at Dartington College of Arts, I encountered body-based practices that made viscerally clear what the research now confirms: that physical experience and emotional life are inseparable.
That early insight sent me on a journey that has taken in yoga teacher training, Somatic Experiencing® certification, neuroscience, and clinical practice. My own experience of healing — and the limits I encountered in purely cognitive approaches — convinced me that lasting change requires working with the body, not just the mind.
The approach I developed emerged gradually from that clinical work: from sitting with clients, tracking what the nervous system needed, noticing what moved and what didn't. Once it had taken clear shape I took it into research — to test whether what I was observing clinically held up under rigorous scrutiny. It did.
Today, I work with individuals navigating trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and functional neurological symptoms. I also teach weekly yoga classes and monthly somatic group sessions at The Tree of Life Centre, Hove.
This approach was developed through direct clinical work — then validated through a peer-reviewed feasibility RCT, published in BJPsych Open. The research confirms what clinical practice had already demonstrated.
I am a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP). SE is one of the most rigorously developed trauma-informed modalities available, grounded in decades of work by Dr Peter Levine and increasingly supported by peer-reviewed evidence. It forms the clinical core of my one-to-one work.
Yoga is not an add-on in my practice — it is a therapeutic vehicle. I use somatic yoga principles alongside SE to work with interoceptive awareness, proprioception, vagal tone, and nervous system regulation. This integration sits at the heart of my approach and my work with individual clients.
My classes and workshops are open to all levels and designed to be genuinely supportive, not intimidating. The science informs everything — but it never gets in the way of the experience.
Ian
Executive Creative DirectorEmily has been a real breath of fresh air after managing chronic pain for a long time. Her academic work means she’s on top of the emerging science around the impact of mindfulness and movement on the nervous system, and she’s been a fantastically supportive coach for someone new to yoga.
Importantly for anyone struggling with chronic pain, she brings a huge amount of emotional intelligence and kindness to her practice.
Rose
Brand DesignerI’ve been attending Emily's dynamic flow yoga classes for the past two years, and I can’t recommend her classes enough. Emily’s cheerful personality, combined with her well-paced, energetic sessions, makes each class the perfect way to start the day. Her choice of music keeps things upbeat, and the flow is challenging enough to push you, but always balanced. I leave each class feeling energised, positive, and ready to take on whatever the day brings.
Dee
Massage TherapistEmily’s early bird yoga class is the best start you can have to a day. Emily’s knowledge and passion understanding the mind and body is infectious. I find myself utilising Emily’s teachings in my everyday life…it’s the class that keeps giving, done in a calm and well structured way.
Hannah
GPEmily is a special person and teacher. Her yoga is balanced, insightful, strong and never rote or dull. She is always learning and ready to share her new found wisdoms. I always feel so held and safe in Emily’s classes. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Nicole
Neuroscientist
My first yoga session with Emily was truly transformative. As someone new to yoga, I walked in feeling nervous and unsure of what to expect, but Emily's warm and welcoming presence immediately put me at ease. Her calm guidance helped me let go of my fears and fully immerse myself in the practice.
By the end of the session, my body felt rejuvenated—like it had been gently awakened—and my mind was clearer than it had been in weeks. Emily's approach not only taught me the movements but also created a safe space for self-discovery and relaxation. I’m so grateful for this experience and can’t wait to continue my yoga journey with her.
Bones
Yoga TeacherI love Emily’s classes. They are always playful, encouraging and full of nourishment for the body mind and soul. She creates a beautiful safe space to explore and play through a mix of creative flows, shaking, expert cues and self enquiry. After every class I feel so grounded and open. Thank you Emily for your magical and beautiful space holding!
Amy
Teacher and Individual Needs AssistantFinding my happy flow...
As a newbie to yoga I was a little nervous going to my first Vinyasa Flow session. Emily soon had me smiling from the inside out.
Emily is a warm, professional teacher who gently guides you through the flow in a calm, safe space.
Having had a baby 5 months ago, this was the 'me time' that my mind and body so desperately needed.
I left feeling revitalised, stronger and happy. Thank you Emily!
Emmie
Freelance Brand StrategistEmily’s yoga classes always shift my energy, lift my vibe, and leave me in a much better mood than when I arrived. She has such an incredible understanding of the body and knows all the science-based techniques to help us reconnect with ourselves—out of the mind and back into the body. Her longer somatic classes are a must-try, packed with practical hacks to shift your energy. Plus, her soundtracks are the best!
Ivonne
Yoga TeacherI truly enjoyed Emily’s guidance in her class. As a long time yoga practitioner myself, I love when I find instant connection to a teacher that makes me feel, calm, motivated and challenged in a gentle way.
I definitely want to come back to Emily’s classes for more of her yoga magic 👌. Thanks Emily.
Charlie
Mama & StorytellerI didn’t quite know what to expect from somatic yoga, but I was thrilled to discover how peaceful and balanced I felt every time after Emily’s classes.
The class is gentle and Emily has a wonderful, nurturing presence.
Also I have seldom been able to practice anything whilst on my period, but I was amazed to leave cramp free (having come into the class with pain)!
Thank you Emily for the unique work you do and I’m looking forward to becoming a regular on your deeper dives!
Keely
TeacherEmily is a wonderful teacher and she offers her own unique style and expression. She’s always so gentle and encouraging and her classes have such a great flow to them, which is helped by the amazing ambience she manages to create. She is a truly unique teacher who is able to convey genuine empathy and kindness through her yoga. I cannot recommend her enough.