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“Move with care, breathe with awareness, heal at your pace.”

About Me

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Welcome. I’m Paulette Carvalho, a trauma-informed yoga teacher and integrative psychotherapist.

My work is rooted in the belief that healing happens when we feel safe, seen, and empowered. I recognise the profound impact trauma can have on both body and mind, and I adapt my teaching to minimise potential triggers while promoting agency, choice, and self-compassion. Using invitational language and an emphasis on options, I guide participants toward self-exploration and resilience, always at a pace that feels right for them.

My journey into teaching yoga began with a desire to share movement and mindfulness in a way that honours the unique experiences of trauma survivors. From the beginning, I envisioned sessions that were inclusive, welcoming, and empowering for people from all walks of life. After completing my 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher training, I deepened my studies with Alexander Cat, specialising in the integration of Trauma Sensitive Yoga. This training equipped me with practical tools to support participants in reconnecting with their bodies, developing self-trust, and cultivating resilience.

As a woman of colour, I also understand the importance of representation in wellness spaces. Too often, people do not see themselves reflected in mainstream yoga environments, which can contribute to feelings of exclusion or alienation. My intention is to help bridge this gap by offering a relatable perspective and creating a sense of belonging. I honour diverse experiences, identities, and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that my sessions remain accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all.

Qualifications and Training

  • MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy

  • Yoga Alliance Teacher Training - 200 hours

  • Trauma Sensitive Yoga -20 hours

  • Yoga Therapy Foundation Course - 100 hours (in training)

Professional Memberships

  • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

  • Yoga Alliance Professionals

Who can benefit

Every one of us has problems,

Some are big and some are small.

Every one of us has different ways

To make it through the fall. Kaylene Carter

  • Young person with large natural afro hairstyle sitting on a sofa, resting their chin on their hand, wearing a beige sweatshirt.

    PTSD or other trauma-related conditions

    With a focus on mindful movement and safety, trauma-informed yoga supports managing depression and emotional overwhelm. Fostering resilience and nervous system balance to enhance overall well-being and inner stability.

  • Person sitting on the floor with knees drawn up, arms resting on knees, head bowed, face hidden, wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans, against a plain, light-colored wall.

    Recovering from substance misuse

    Trauma-informed yoga supports recovery by offering a safe space to build body awareness, cultivate healthy coping skills, self-regulation, and empowerment throughout the healing journey.

  • A close-up of a person's eye with long eyelashes, resting on a white surface.

    Chronic stress or anxiety

    Supporting the management of chronic stress and anxiety, trauma-informed yoga, offers accessible practices that nurture balance and inner strength, in daily life.

How I can help

Trauma-informed yoga provides a gentle, supportive space where emotional and physical safety are prioritised. Unlike traditional approaches, the emphasis is on choice, agency, and body awareness rather than performing or perfecting postures. There is no right or wrong way to practice; participants are encouraged to listen to their bodies, honour boundaries, and move at their own pace. No prior yoga experience is needed, and there are no physical adjustments or touch. Wear whatever feels comfortable.

Group sessions run for 60 minutes in six-week closed blocks with no more than six participants, creating an intimate, supportive environment. Individual sessions take place online or in-studio, beginning with a 90-minute assessment and practice, followed by 60-minute sessions. This practice supports nervous system regulation, body reconnection, and empowerment for healing.

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Mindful Yoga

Group sessions from £20

Mindful yoga is a gentle, choice-based practice that honours safety, accessibility, and presence. Trauma-informed, it offers grounding movement, mindful breathing, and compassion—no chanting, no pressure, just space to reconnect and restore.

Three individuals practicing yoga in a studio with wooden floors and large windows, with the man in the foreground sitting on a black yoga mat.

Trauma-Informed Yoga

Group sessions from £40

In a group setting, trauma-informed yoga fosters safety, choice, and connection. Each participant is empowered to move at their own pace, with supportive guidance that emphasises grounding, presence, and compassionate community.

Two women practicing yoga in a studio, one in a side plank with arm extended upward and the other in a bent-over pose with arm extended, on yoga mats, with a tablet nearby.

Yoga Therapy

Individual sessions from £60

Yoga therapy blends movement, breath, and mindfulness to support healing and wellbeing. Trauma-informed, it prioritises safety, choice, and empowerment, helping individuals gently reconnect with their bodies and cultivate resilience at their own pace.

Contact

You can get in contact with Paulette Carvalho by completing the form below.

Sessions are available in-person and take place in a yoga studio located in Bristol within the following area BS3. Online sessions use the platform Google Meet and MS Teams. Outdoor sessions take place at a local nature reserve or park.

paulette.mindfulbeing@gmail.com
07534373967

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