Sara Santos

Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher
Mind-Body Practitioner –
Chronic Pain & Symptoms Coach
Reiki Practitioner

Qualifications

Biomedical Sciences
Mindbody Syndrome Practitioner
C.B.T. T.E.A.M level 1
Mindfulness Teacher
Yoga Instructor
Reiki Level 2

CPDs

Neurodiverse-informed Mindfulness
Letting in the Light: Mindfulness Practice to Reconnect to Positive Emotion, Experience and Wellbeing
Mental Health First Aider
Healing Trauma with Integrative Approaches and Somatics
Managing Chronic Pain with Mindfulness
20h Nourish: Slow Yoga & Restorative
20h Teaching Inclusive & Accessible Yoga
20h Myofascial Release Teacher Training
NHS Wellbeing Champion
Promoting Health and Wellbeing in the Community Level 2
20h Yin Yoga Teacher Training
20h Nourish and Restore Teacher Training
30h Yoga Anatomy Teacher training
50h Energetic Alignment & Intuitive Sequencing Teacher training
Pranayama and Meditation
Yoga Nidra
Hypermobile Yogis Online Training
Polyvagal Theory and Mindful Movement
Muscle Imbalances in Yoga

Contact
sara.santos@centre-yoga.co.uk
07902 359123

About Sara

Sara is a certified Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher, Mind-Body Syndrome Practitioner (chronic pain & symptoms coach) and Reiki Practitioner. She is a passionate and warm-hearted practitioner with a strong foundation in Biomedical Sciences and nearly a decade of experience working alongside healthcare professionals in the NHS.

“Nine years ago, a hypermobility and fibromyalgia diagnosis set me on a transformative journey into the world of mind and body healing. Facing challenges became opportunities as I embraced yoga, somatics and mindfulness to navigate through physical and emotional pain. As I delved deeper, my passion grew, leading me to guide others towards healing and wellness.

My mission is rooted in both personal experience and professional insight. I strive to support and empower others on their path to wellness, addressing both physical pain and emotional challenges, flourishing in life. With a wealth of expertise and personal experience, I became a pillar of hope and support for those navigating the complex landscape of chronic pain, chronic symptoms and life difficulties. My mission is to guide clients on a safe and inclusive healing journey from the inside out, with tailored holistic science-based practices.”

Learn more about Yoga >

Learn more about Meditation >

Sara specialises in Yoga, Meditation and Healing chronic pain & symptoms:

Yoga is a mind-body practice that originated in ancient India. It combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and ethical principles to promote overall health and well-being. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means to unite or integrate. Yoga aims to create a balance between the body, mind, and spirit. Some of the expected benefits are: promotes balance and stability, enhance nervous system regulation, increases flexibility, promote relaxation and better sleep, strengthens muscles, ease tension and pain and improves introception.

Sara's mission is to guide students on a healing journey from the inside out by incorporating mindfulness and accessible, inclusive yoga in her classes. She aims to inspire and support people in connecting with their bodies, fostering acceptance, easing physical and emotional tension, and enhancing overall mental and physical health. Sara is dedicated to helping individuals live holistic, happier lives despite life's challenges, promoting greater wellbeing, kindness, and resilience.

With a particular interest in working with people suffering from pain, chronic illness, or those seeking life balance, Sara brings a wealth of experience in teaching various yoga styles, including group and private classes, workshops, and corporate sessions. You can collaborate with Sara through personalized 1-2-1 sessions, group classes, corporate workshops, and monthly workshops (see events).

Fees

£60* (60min session)

£70* (75min session)

£80* (90min session)

* 10% discount applies on private classes booked in blocks of 4.

For group classes prices please refer to events.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is indeed rooted in ancient Buddhist philosophy and has been adapted and integrated into various therapeutic approaches in contemporary contexts. The essence of mindfulness lies in cultivating a present moment awareness with an attitude of openness and acceptance. By being fully present and non-judgmental, individuals can observe their thoughts, emotions, and sensations without getting entangled in them. This practice fosters a greater sense of clarity, emotional regulation, and resilience in the face of challenging situations.

Research in psychology and neuroscience has demonstrated the numerous benefits of mindfulness, including stress reduction, improved emotional well-being, enhanced focus and concentration, and better relationships. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), have become widely used in clinical settings to help individuals manage stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

Moreover, the practice of mindfulness encourages individuals to respond thoughtfully to situations rather than reacting impulsively. By creating a space between stimulus and response, mindfulness allows individuals to make more intentional and skilful choices, leading to healthier coping strategies and improved overall quality of life.

The acceptance and non-judgmental attitude inherent in mindfulness also play a significant role in reducing self-criticism and promoting self-compassion, which is crucial for building a positive self-image and enhancing overall wellbeing.

General Benefits:

• Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression

• Improve ability to cope with pain and illness

• Less worrying and obsession over things

• Greater appreciation of what is pleasant and enjoyable in life

• Feeling clearer about what is truly meaningful, and living life with a stronger sense of purpose

• Improve overall wellbeing, even in difficult times

• Improve Relationships and Communication

• Improve Sleep

Fees

£60 (1-2-1 60min session)

£75 (60min private group session for 2-3 people)

Chronic pain is seen as a life sentence by most, the name says it all, and if this is a diagnosis you have received I am sorry to hear it, truly! However, in the majority of cases this does not have to be for life or to impact your life harmfully. According to the latest research in Pain Neuroscience, the cause of persistent, chronic pain is to be found in the way that pain perception and sensitivity are heightened in the nervous system, but this CAN be reversed.

Sara recognises and understands that Chronic Primary Pain consistently has its origins in trauma, emotions, conditioning and a dysregulated nerve system resulting in limbic system impairment.

Amongst other tools she uses neuroplastic-based techniques designed to retrain the brain (neuroplasticity) and limbic system; Sara helps to create new healthy neuronal pathways to replace previously damaged functions that currently keeps you stuck in persistent pain and symptoms. She uses dynamic neural, and amygdala retraining to rewire the autonomic nervous system and calm the overactive nervous system.

What is Chronic Pain Coaching?

Chronic pain is more than just a symptom – it’s a deeply personal experience, often woven with memories, emotions, and daily challenges. Sara’s approach to addressing chronic pain is deeply informed by both lived experience and professional expertise. She recognises that each person’s path with pain is unique, and is here to guide and empower you along the way.

As you embark on this journey, equipped with the right knowledge, tools, and guidance, you can begin to navigate life in a new, empowering manner where pain and your symptoms stop dictating the way your life needs to go. Together, you will delve into the intricacies of mind-body pain, unravelling its sources and understanding its nuances.

Sara's role is to provide you with the support and empowerment needed to navigate the journey or chronic pain to reduce your symptoms or recover completely.

Her approach entails:

• Understanding Mindbody Pain: Assisting you in comprehending the complexities of mind-body pain, helping you gain insight into its underlying mechanisms.

• Addressing Anxiety Sources: Together, you will identify the sources of anxiety that perpetuate the pain cycle, enabling you to break free from its grip.

• Cognitive Behavioural Techniques: By working with your reactions and thought patterns, you can reframe your relationship with pain, fear and anxiety and core beliefs.

• Exploring Emotional Dysregulation: You will explore how current stress factors, past trauma or repressed emotions may contribute to chronic pain and anxiety, providing appropriate guidance and support to process them.

• Mind-body Techniques and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT): Teaching you specialised techniques and therapies designed to help the brain “unlearn” chronic pain and symptoms.

• Physical Activities: Together, you will cultivate the right mindset to approach or resume physical activities.

• Nervous System Regulation: Through tailored practices, assisting you in healing a dysregulated nervous system and help you to feel safe in your body again.

• Preventing Flare-ups: Empowering you with strategies to avoid flare-ups and lay the foundation for a life free from chronic pain.

Conditions that can be improved or recover from chronic pain and symptoms by using the mind-body approach (chronic pain & symptoms coaching):

• Fibromyalgia

• Migraines

• Myofascial pain syndrome

• Tension headaches

• IBS

• Long Covid

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Back pain (including pain attributed to disk herniations)

• Persisted pain of 3-6 months after injury

• Neck pain

• Sciatica pain

• Piriformis syndrome

• Pelvic pain

• Shoulder pain

• Leg pain

• Foot pain

• Unexplained nerve pain and numbness

• Repetitive strain ‘injuries’

• Joint pain attributed to arthritis (not including rheumatoid conditions)

• TMJ disorders

• Various skin disorders

• Heartburn, acid reflux

• Abdominal pains

You don’t have to suffer any of these conditions to benefit from this approach, particularly if you suffer from anxiety. You can book a free call to discuss if you would fit under the mind-body syndrome (TMS).

Fees

Initial 15min free call

£65 (60min session)

£240 (4 x 60min sessions)

Reiki is a complementary therapy and a type of energy healing that was developed by Usui in the mid 1800s in Japan. Reiki means “Universal life energy”. It is not part of any religion or belief system. And it is used to release emotional tensions and to improve overall wellbeing.

Reiki treatments are meant to rebalance the body, promote relaxation, deal with stuck energy and work on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level.

Reiki has been an extremely useful practice to Sara during her chronic pain healing journey, to process stuck emotions and beliefs as well as promoting a sense of safety in my body and mind. She explores self-myofascial release techniques with energy healing upon request. These techniques can have a huge healing quality integrating mind-body release and balance.

Benefits:

• Improves a variety of somatic symptoms: headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension

• Improve sleep and insomnia

• Reduce anxiety, low mood and overwhelm

• Helps to process body trauma

• Increase energy levels

Sara offers stand-alone treatments or in combination with myofascial release and chronic pain coaching.

Fees

£60* (60min session)

£80* (90min session)

*10% discount applies for block bookings

Fees

For individual fees, see above

Contact

sara.santos@centre-yoga.co.uk

07902 359123

Sara Santos

About Sara

Sara specialises in Yoga, Meditation and Healing chronic pain & symptoms:

Fees

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