Noreen “Yen” Belarmino – Nikolic, is a Trauma-Informed Yoga practitioner and educator certified as advance provider by the US-Based Center for Yoga and Trauma Recovery (CYTR). Yen is also an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with Yoga Alliance. Currently an in-training Certified Healthcare Musician (CHM) using harp as her main instrument under Therapy Harp Training Program, Australia.
Yen started her yoga as a spiritual practice in 2008 that led her to take on in-depth trainings and mentorship among Indian acharyas as well as Western teachers and practitioners. Her meditation practice is greatly influenced by Vipassana and Zen traditions.
With an educational background of Bachelor of Science in Psychology and completed master’s degree units in Humanities major in Women’s Studies. Nonetheless, it is Yen’s longstanding involvement with women’s human rights advocacy in the Philippines and being a feminist counselor to the survivors of Violence Against Women, particularly domestic and sexual abuse, and as a trauma survivor herself, that truly influenced her more grounded, affirmative and socially responsive approach to the yoga practice. For her, yoga can be a practical and sustainable tool offering a great potential to bring forth healing and empowerment to everyone. A staunch advocate of yoga and other healing practices be trauma-informed and for the practice to be accessible among the marginalized and disadvantaged population.
She’s an ethical vegan practitioner, loves playing tennis and currently exploring “art meditation” through watercolor painting and journaling.