Soma Yoga Dunedin is a studio that runs yoga alongside somatics, ecstatic dance, sound healing and trauma recovery, based at the A Y U Community Space on Crawford Street in central Dunedin. The website says every session is trauma skilled, and that the approach works with the nervous system. Offerings include a beginners' yoga course, 8-week journeys open to all levels, trauma and chronic stress recovery programmes, workshops, retreats and events. The monthly Wild at Heart ecstatic dance is one of the best-known events, and the studio also runs sound-based evenings for the seasons, such as an autumn equinox sound reset. Sign-up is through the website, and a community newsletter lists classes and events.
Customers mention the safe environment, the atmosphere and the ecstatic dance, which one reviewer says left them light and relaxed. Another says the trauma release work and the sound evening helped them through the following days. One beginner describes a course that was welcoming and let them take it easy on hard days. Our pick in central Dunedin for ecstatic dance or a trauma-informed course for beginners.