Joy Somatics Testimonials
CLIENT LOVE
1:1 Somatics & Breathwork
"Thank you so much Joy for guiding me on the right path to healing. After my first session with you, I knew I needed to sign up for more. The trauma I endured as a child stemmed deep and has caused me to feel stuck in my adult life in many ways. It is through your somatic therapy that I feel I finally dove deeper than ever and I now feel I have the tools to tackle the stressors that come my way going forward. I understand that self-healing is a life-long journey and I will continue to make the effort. I am grateful for the work you do and how much you care about others. I have learned so much thank you! "
~ C.M. (professional recovering from trauma and chronic workplace and relational stress)
Before working with Joy, I was overwhelmed by stress from past trauma and struggled to feel safe in my own body. Through her somatic sessions, I gained control over my physical responses and learned to establish healthy boundaries while understanding what it truly means to hold space for myself and others. Joy's approach created a safe environment where healing could happen naturally, even when my mind wasn't fully present, my body knew the work was helping me heal.
~ Candice (professional recovering from intergenerational trauma, adverse childhood events and traumatic incidents)
"Meeting Joy has been life-changing for me. Joy is an angel. Her holistic approach is what was missing in my life. She has helped me on my journey of healing from burnout in releasing and regulating my emotions through somatic movement, breath-work and nervous system coaching. Through the Polyvagal and trauma-informed lens, Joy helped me understand how my body is stuck in survival mode and how to relax (tone) my vagus nerve, incorporating various exercises and lifestyle changes to better my health. Thank you Joy for everything."
~ Aya (Nurse)
"Joy has made a huge difference in my life. I worked with several different people before meeting Joy, and am really grateful for her approach. Joy takes great care in offering her insights and experience while being so present with me during sessions. I can see - and feel - the passion she has for her work. Each session has allowed me to make more and more progress towards using somatic-based skills to manage stress and anxiety. Joy has been encouraging and gentle while guiding my sessions and teaching very helpful exercises for breathwork."
~ Lisa (Educator recovering from complex trauma)
"Breathwork & Somatics with Joy has been an important piece of my recovery puzzle.
I feel hopeful and in charge of my life again."
~ Corinna C.
"I had my first 1:1 breath work session 4.5 years ago. It has had the most profound effect on my growth and healing that I have ever experienced. Although I've had several therapists and grew, learned and healed with all of them, Joy’s somatic sessions have been ideal for me. I have had regular sessions and sometimes just here and there just to stay on top my mental health. I keep coming back because it is incredibly effective! I feel heard, understood, and accompanied in the spots where I have suffered the most.
Joy epitomizes the phrase “soft and strong”. She is really clear in how she engages with me, and always asks permission before we explore. I find her support really helps me feel my feelings (both vulnerable feelings and feelings of strength), and I have learned to manage my nervous system in a way that has lead me to more peace and both personal and professional success."
~ Glenn Schroder, True Listening
"The approach that I’ve needed for years...a valuable missing piece that I haven’t found in other practices...
I have more room to breathe and have gained more awareness to respond effectively. This kind of work helps you help yourself. Thanks Joy!'
~ Garrett L. (Somatic Movement Student, 2020)
"As the fortunate survivor of a non-malignant brain tumour, I have lived a bit off-kilter the past five years. Weakness, chronic pain, headaches all slowing me down. I’d sampled dozens for somatic therapies before I found SomaSensing. Joy helped me beyond my expectations, and also provided me with a lasting solution for joint mobility in my knees, hips and neck. I was nervous about attempting such sensitive work over Zoom, but Joy has been the perfect guide. Through inquiry and gentle instruction, she introduced me to a simple practice that opened my awareness to some patterns that caused me to stiffen up BEFORE the pain started. She was fully present, took notes and provided me with home practices each week. After 12 weekly sessions and some daily homework, I plotted out new neural pathways and established better balance."
~ Hester Riches, Toronto (online Somatic Movement, 2019)
1:1 Breathing Behaviour Retraining
"Working with Joy has been transformative. What began as somatic bodywork sessions led me to Breath Analysis and Retraining, which has been a game changer. I've developed a powerful sense of partnership with my body - I now trust its wisdom in a whole new way. Every session brings valuable insights, and I always leave feeling more connected and empowered."
~ Stacie Gottfried (Student Acupuncturist), 2025
“Before seeing Joy I was struggling with anxious breathing, not being able to get enough air, and trouble breathing when going to bed. My nervous system also felt worked up and I felt very sensitive to external stimuli.
Joy listened very carefully to my concerns. Joy heard every word I said and I felt so connected, comfortable and genuinely cared for. Joy suggested that we do breathwork in our sessions to help me with breathing struggles. I was wearing a monitor to track my oxygen and CO2 levels while speaking, resting, and doing breathing exercises. It was revealed that my CO2 levels were below normal. I didn’t even know that body should maintain a certain CO2 level for proper function. Joy gave me several breathing and vagus nerve exercises to work on in between our sessions. The exercises helped me to identify and correct imbalances in my exhales and inhales. After 4 sessions I felt more relaxed and didn’t starve for air. My CO2 level increased to the normal level and became more consistent. I became more comfortable with my voice and felt more confident expressing myself through speech, which was a benefit that I didn’t expect would come out of the breathwork sessions.
Joy went above and beyond my expectations. She spent more time with me than the allocated session time which was wonderful because I felt that I could relax, be present, and focus fully on our work together. I am so grateful to have met Joy! If you’re feeling stuck, hurt, emotional, can’t breathe well, thinking of giving up, reach out to Joy! Just the genuine connection with her will make you feel warm and fuzzy, and the rest will follow.”
~ Valeria (P. Eng, 2024)
CapnoTrainer device rental improved outcomes.
" My first 4 visits were excellent for getting me started in my breathing retraining. Working with Joy, the CapnoTrainer, and software was eye opening. Joy's knowledge and passion helped me find more peace and serenity in my life through breathing, and it is so appreciated.
I experienced great improvements after each of my 4 initial visits, so when I had the opportunity to rent a unit to practice at home, I was all in. What a great tool to use on a daily basis to practice and improve my breathing. I saw major improvements with in a week and even more in the weeks to come. To be able to take the knowledge gained from the 1:1 sessions with Joy and implement, adjust and change my breathing on the go at home was amazing. That’s when I really started to see the importance of 1:1 sessions combined with renting the Capnotrainer for home practice.
Working with Joy in person was so beneficial and being able to keep practicing between personnel visits at home was where I saw my greatest growth. I would strongly recommend renting the Capnotrainer when working with Joy. The longer that I rented it, the more I improved. I plan on renting it again in the future to do some maintenance, and try to grow more. "
~Kelly K. (Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery, Sleep Disorder), 2025
Events & Retreats
"It was exactly what I needed… and I am so thankful I chose to go. This was my first weekend retreat I’ve ever gone on so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I came back feeling so grateful and so much more connected to myself. It sort of blew my mind what a weekend away with the right people and experiences could do. I received so much from the weekend, and am seeing and feeling the shifts in my life that are happening now after the “ work “ we did on ourselves. Such a magical and heart expanding weekend.'
~ Marla (Breath & Boundaries Retreat 2022)
"...deepest gratitude for the transformative experience I had at the breathwork retreat. It was truly a journey of self-discovery and healing, and I am immensely thankful for your guidance and support throughout the process.
From the moment I arrived, I felt completely at ease with you and the other facilitators. Your professionalism and kind approach created a safe and nurturing environment for everyone involved. I especially appreciated how you emphasized that participation was voluntary, allowing each of us to engage in the practice at our own pace and comfort level."
~ Claude Bellefeuille (Sounding the Inner Landscape Day Retreat, Feb 2024)
"Joy and Sara co-created a beautifully safe, supportive and caring environment for all of us to go inward, calm down and release some tension. I am still in awe at the internal shift I felt after just one weekend in Joy’s peaceful country home. The weekend was filled with authentic and meaningful connections. We arrived on Friday as strangers and left together on Sunday as dear friends. If you are feeling pulled towards booking one of these retreats just do it! Take the dive and invest in yourSelf! It is beyond worth it!!"
~ Michaela (Somatics & Sound Retreat June 2023)
"I've found a part of myself I've been neglecting, in this very special place, tucked amongst the fields near the Pembina Valley. The many layers of healing we penetrated with the rich modalities that were shared with us will forever change and connect us from this unique retreat. It’s one of the most beautiful things I have ever done."
~ ShameShift Retreat Participant, October 2023
"A truly enlightening experience! Joy and Natalie provide an environment in this retreat that will be beyond your expectations. A place where a group of women can gather and share in an open and non-judgmental way. Profoundly spiritual retreat, providing skills to overcome personal adversities and to discover yourself in ways that can elevate your life."
~ ShameShift Retreat Participant, October 2023
"From the moment I read the words “Shame-shifting” I knew this retreat was for me. What I didn’t know was how sweetly and expertly I would be held along the journey. The House at Kaleida is the absolute perfect spot for souls to meet land and sky. The nourishment was divine! Joy and Natalie were world class hosts and facilitators. I’m already looking toward the next opportunity to retreat to Kaleida."
~ ShameShift Retreat Participant, October 2023
"I had a self-led retreat in December 2023. It was amazing! The yard is so peaceful and relaxing. The accommodations felt familiar, although I had never been there before. The "salt of the earth" country feel was exactly what I needed, and the wood stove was the perfect end to my day. The great food was highlighted by amazing farm fresh eggs. I would strongly recommend staying here if you are looking for a self-led country retreat!!"
~ Glenn Schroeder, True Listening (Self-Guided Retreat)
Ready for more presence and joy?
Reaching out for support takes courage. I'm happy to talk with you prior to booking so you can get a sense if my approach is right for you.