Shawnee is a C-IAYT - Certified Yoga Therapist, SEP - Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Somatic Touch Facilitator and Author

Shawnee brings to her teachings a wealth of experience spanning 30 years of working with children, teens and young adults with complex needs. She is a published author, Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, M.Ed in Special Education and Educational/Behavioral Specialist.

She infuses her profound insights into the transformative power of yoga and somatic practices with a deep dedication rooted in personal triumph. As a survivor of childhood and adult trauma, and a journey through cancer, she truly embodies the resilience she fosters in others.

Shawnee's approach is steeped in firsthand knowledge of navigating neurodiversity, adversity and trauma, equipping her to guide young people and adults toward greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empowerment.

Beyond her role as the founder of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs, and director of the Yoga Therapy for Youth Certification Program in which she has trained thousands of humans throughout the US and Internationally, Shawnee's impact resonates through her publications Asanas for Autism and Special Needs - Yoga to Help Children with their Emotions, Self-Regulation and Body Awareness and Yoga Therapy for Children and Teens with Complex Needs - A Somatosensory Approach to Mental, Emotional and Physical Wellbeing and the creation of the C.A.L.M.M Yoga Toolkit and Products.

Her commitment shines in training professionals and leading workshops globally, sharing strategies to transform stress into strength and pain into purpose. Shawnee's heart for service, blended with her expertise, illuminates a path for her students to connect with their authentic selves and embrace a life of enriched well-being.

Ann is Trauma Trained Expressive Arts & Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with 30 years combined experience in public health & education. She also authored a chapter on Expressive Arts & Trauma in Shawnee's newest book.

Ann has extensive experience working with youth and families living in chronic trauma.  

Ann serves as an Expressive Arts Practitioner at a center for mental health and wellness, Aspiring Families.

For several years she was the Expressive Arts Therapist at a school for youth impacted by homelessness and immigration. It was here where she began her deep dive into learning and understanding how our bodies and brains are impacted by and carry the story of, trauma. Working with these courageous families taught her that we are all capable of healing, we humans have an innate capacity for resilience, that every single behavior is a child’s way of communicating a need that they may not yet have the language for, and that we cannot heal alone.

Healing happens in safe, secure, and loving relationships. 

Sam is an LCSW, SEP and NATP with over 27 years of experience working with adults, couples, families and young children. She has a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) as well as a Masters in Education (MSEd) and Masters in Social Work (MSW).

She began her career as a licensed special education and art teacher and made the transition from education to therapy because she found herself more passionate about promoting healing and growth and wanted to move toward the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

She has trained extensively and assisted with Kathy Kain and Steve Terrell. She has been a part of the assisting teams for several of SE faculty. She is a lead assistant and consult provider for NeuroAffective Touch, assisting with trainings and workshops across the globe.

One of Samantha's passions is exploring the intersection between mind and body. She works with the child in each of her clients, supporting both the child parts and the growing adult inside each person, regardless of age. Premised on healing developmental trauma, NATouch continues to influence her work.

She finds that through touch work and the body’s intelligence, her clients begin to rediscover what might have been missing from their early developmental years and work toward restoration of what has been lost, ultimately reconnecting them or helping them find and discover their essential self. She has a subspeciality in working with individuals who identify as neurodiverse.

Samantha utilizes the whole person approach to her work. She weaves together various modalities to meet each human right at where they are, collaborating together to create a plan that makes the most sense for their healing journey. She may integrate play therapy, art, psychodrama, and/or improvisational movement.

When she is not supporting her clients, you can find her on the dance floor, using 5 rhythms and ecstatic dance modalities to support somatic self-discovery and community building.