You’ve tried to move forward…
but your body still feels anxious, in pain, overwhelmed, or shut down

Somatic Trauma Therapy in Hertford & Online
A gentle, body-based approach to healing trauma, anxiety, and nervous system overwhelm

Esme Winterflood | Somatic Trauma & Yoga Therapist
Hertford, UK & Online

Feel Calmer — Get the Free Kit

When Trauma Persists In The Body

If you’ve been searching for somatic therapy, trauma-informed yoga, or help for anxiety, chronic pain, stress, PTSD or nervous system overwhelm, you’re in the right place.

This work may be helpful for you if:


• anxiety or tension appears without a clear reason
• your body stays on high alert even when you know you are safe
• you feel stuck in survival mode, burnout, shutdown or overwhelm
• talking therapy helped you understand, but something still feels unresolved
• you want therapy that works with the body and nervous system, not just the mind
• you are interested in trauma-informed yoga or somatic practices to support healing

If this feels familiar, your nervous system isn’t broken — it just hasn’t learned safety yet.

Get your Free First Aid Kit

Trauma and stress are not only something we remember, they are something the body and nervous system hold on to. When your body begins to safe feel again, everything else can start to change.

Many people I work with have already tried to understand their experiences…
but still feel stuck in anxiety, overwhelm, or shutdown. That’s because trauma isn’t only held in thoughts and memories. It’s held in the body and nervous system.

This work gently supports your body to feel safe and relax again— so patterns can begin to shift, not just be understood.

We use a combination evidence based practices such as:

  • breathwork

  • trauma-informed yoga

  • mindfulness meditation

  • nervous system regulation

  • evidence based somatic trauma therapy

Over time, weaving in these powerful practices helps the nervous system to out of survival mode and into a greater sense of safety, stability and control in your body.

If you’re curious to see how this work can help you, your invited to book your free call to get started.

Book your call

A Body-Based Approach to Trauma Therapy

Work With Me

If you're ready to explore this work more deeply, there are a few ways we can work together—whether you're looking for personalised support or a gentle place to begin, either online or in person.

1:1 Somatic Trauma Therapy

This is a space for deeper, personalised support.

If you’re feeling stuck in patterns of anxiety, chronic fatigue, pain, overwhelm or shutdown, 1:1 work allows us to gently understand what’s happening in your body—and begin to shift it.

We work with the nervous system so your body can begin to feel safer, calmer and more in control. Research shows that body-based approaches, including trauma-sensitive yoga, can support trauma healing by working directly with the nervous system—not just thoughts or memories.

Over time, you may begin to notice:

  • responding differently to stress

  • more energy and capacity in daily life

  • less overwhelmed by anxiety or stress

  • a growing sense of ease within yourself

  • feeling more present and connected in your body

Sessions combine trauma-informed yoga therapy, somatic practices, TCTSY principles, breathwork and Havening® techniques. Each session is paced and tailored to your needs. No experience needed to get started.

1:1 sessions offered online, and in person sessions at The Secret Space, in Hertford, UK.‍ ‍Packages recommended.

Trauma-Informed Yoga Classes

These small, supportive group sessions are a gentle place to begin in you live in or near Hertford.

Classes combine slow movement, breath and somatic awareness in a calm and welcoming environment. I offer a variety of sessions- all are trauma aware and led with compassion.

This can be a powerful first step, or something you return to alongside deeper 1:1 work.

You may notice:

  • less tension in the body

  • feeling calmer and more grounded

  • more awareness of what you need

  • a greater sense of ease and connection

This can be a powerful first step, or something you return to alongside deeper 1:1 work.

No experience is needed to get started.

In person yoga group sessions are held at The Secret Space, in Hertford, UK.‍ ‍

Explore Classes
Explore 1:1 Support

Testimonials

  • “I absolutely loved working with Esme 1:1.  She has a profound intelligence, and an incredibly compassionate and skillful way of working.”

    ~ Vicky

  • “I can't compliment or recommend Esme's classes enough. I'm so grateful to have found such a fantastic teacher to help me on my yogic journey. Esme, your classes are a lifesaver for me. Thank you.”

    ~ Medhika

  • “The feeling of safety within those 4 walls was amazing , I felt completed safe and unjudged and free , I also felt cared for by not just you but all the other group members , it was a feeling of us all holding our hands out for one another with support and kindness , it really was an amazing feeling and very hard to come by.”

    ~ Cath

  • "For anyone who has experienced trauma and is on a healing journey, I highly recommend Esme’s TCTSY course. Esme’s incredibly gentle, compassionate and accommodating teaching style immediately sets the group at ease.."

    ~ Catherine

  • "….I’m so grateful I could participate this year, the experience undoubtedly played a key role in my recovery, thank you, Esme. “

    ~ Catherine

  • "Her trauma-informed yoga is truly healing—a small oasis in life’s hurricane. Her sessions have been a lifeline for me and many others. Highly recommended."

    ~ Basia

  • "Esme's skill, care and empathy allow her to offer very precise practices (during her yoga sessions and to take into your daily routine) which respond to the person’s needs. Esme’s sessions offer relief and resilience to body and mind and I would recommend this form of yoga to all, but most especially, I recommend Esme."

    ~ Kate

  • "Esme is lovely, gentle and very knowledgeable."

    ~ Jody

  • " Esme is an exceptional teacher. Warm and professionalshe guided me through our sessions with so much kindness and gentle support. I noticed positive changes in my body during and after the sessions. I will continue to practice the techniques I learned. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her'.

    ~ Jo

About Esme

I’m Esme, a somatic trauma therapist specialising in body-based approaches to healing. I’ve been a student of yoga and philosophy since I was a teenager and I’m forever learning!

My work is grounded in the understanding that trauma is not only something we think about—it’s something the body and nervous system hold onto.

I offer a gentle, trauma-informed approach to help you feel safer, more regulated and more connected within yourself.

Alongside my professional training, this work is also shaped by my own experience of finding support through somatic and yoga-based practices during challenging times.

If this resonates, you’re welcome to begin wherever feels right for you.

Learn more

You Can Begin This Work at Home

From Survival to Safety – A 5-Day Nervous System & Somatic Healing Course

If you often feel anxious, overwhelmed or stuck in survival mode, this gentle 5-day course gives you simple tools to help your body begin to feel safer and more regulated.

You’ll learn practical somatic and breath-based practices you can use in everyday life—whenever you need grounding, support or a reset.

This is a supportive place to begin, or something you can return to alongside classes or 1:1 work.

A Foundations Of Healing Resources

Explore the course

Explore Resources

These resources are designed to help you understand your nervous system and learn simple tools to begin feeling more connected and safer in your body.

Featured
5 Signs Your Nervous System May Be Stuck In Survival Mode
5 Signs Your Nervous System May Be Stuck In Survival Mode
The Power of Mindfulness for PTSD and Extreme Stress
The Power of Mindfulness for PTSD and Extreme Stress
Uncovering the Connection: Bessel Van Der Kolk’s Perspective on Yoga and Trauma
Uncovering the Connection: Bessel Van Der Kolk’s Perspective on Yoga and Trauma
Explore the toolkit

Start Here: Free Nervous System First Aid Kit

If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stuck in survival mode, start here.

Simple tools to help you calm your nervous system in difficult moments.

A foundations of healing resource.

The Blog

Nervous System Toolkit And Guide

Ready to go deeper?

Move beyond quick fixes and start understanding your nervous system, your patterns, and how to build lasting support.

A simple, structured guide to help you feel more stable, more aware, and more in control over time.

A foundations of healing resource.

Download Your Free First Aid Kit
Read the blog

YouTube

Stay connected with me! These videos include nervous system education, breathwork and gentle somatic practices.

Learn how more about trauma, the body, nervous system and brain and how move out of survival mode and start feeling calmer, safer and more connected to your body.

YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re curious to learn more about how this work works, what to expect, and how to get started, you’re very welcome to explore the FAQ page below.

Learn More

  • Somatic trauma therapy is a body-based approach to trauma therapy that works with the nervous system, body and brain rather than just talking about the past. It helps regulate the nervous system, release patterns held in the body, and support recovery from trauma, anxiety, stress and nervous system dysregulation.

  • Trauma-informed yoga is a gentle, body-based approach that focuses on safety, choice and nervous system regulation rather than physical performance. It can help with anxiety, trauma recovery, stress, emotional regulation and reconnecting with the body in a safe and supportive way.

  • No. In somatic trauma therapy and trauma-informed yoga, we do not need to retell or relive traumatic events. The work focuses on helping the nervous system and body feel safe, regulated and more in control in the present.

  • I offer somatic trauma therapy and trauma-informed yoga sessions both online and in person in Hertford, UK. Online sessions can be just as effective as in-person sessions for nervous system regulation and trauma recovery.

  • The easiest way to get started is to book a free introductory call. This gives us a chance to talk about what you’re looking for, what you’re struggling with, and whether somatic trauma therapy or trauma-informed yoga feels like the right approach for you.

    If we decide to work together, we will begin gently, focusing first on helping your nervous system feel safer and more regulated before moving into deeper work. I recommend booking a package of 6 or 12 sessions to allow the work to develop gradually and effectively, giving the nervous system time to build safety, regulation and lasting change. Sessions are available online or in person in Hertford.

Your First Step To Book a Somatic Trauma Therapy Session or Class

Feel free to email me here and we can arrange a chat about how this work can help you.

esme@embodiedtraumatherapies.com

(+44) 7415 710 961