Joanna’s journey to yoga began after struggling for many years with depression, chronic fatigue, migraines, insomnia, and extreme stress. Her body, mind, spirit, and soul needed profound calming, centering, and relaxation. After her first yoga class, Joanna’s mind was clear and open, her body’s tension had subsided, and she felt that there was work that could be done on her mat. Several years later, Joanna found herself gravitating towards teacher training to advance her practice and find passion and purpose in her life.
Deeply moved deeply by the psychological effects of yoga, Joanna decided to pursue a career in yoga and mental health. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Boston-area, and assists women along their journey to self-awareness, loving-kindness, and moving towards optimal emotional well-being. Joanna mainly focuses on practices for individuals with anxiety and depression, as well as trauma-sensitive yoga. She also teaches small and large groups in the traditions of restorative, yin, vinyasa, and prenatal yoga.
Joanna completed her 200-hour teacher training at South Boston Yoga with David Vendetti and Todd Skoglund. She continued her studies and completed her Relax and Renew® restorative yoga teacher training with Judith Hanson Lasater, yin yoga teacher training with Joshua Summers, and prenatal yoga teacher training with Bec Conant. Additionally, she completed teacher training modules with Bo Forbes and “Trauma Informed Mindy Body (TIMBo)” foundations training with Sue Jones and YogaHOPE. Joanna also attended workshops with David Emerson at The Trauma Center. Joanna is a graduate of a 100-hour professional development and mentorship program with Kate Graham at South Boston Yoga.
Joanna regularly attends national workshops and classes to learn new tools to bring to her students. Joanna is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT-200) through Yoga Alliance and a member of IAYT. She is also a member of the Massachusetts Mental Health Counseling Association, American Counseling Association, and American Psychological Association.
More information can be found at www.joannabarrett.com.