Paula Kettula

I am a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) as well as a certified yoga teacher (RYT-200). 

Serendipitously, Yoga came to my life in 2007 after a severe car accident resulted in serious back injuries. I thought I would never run again or do any physical exercise that was a big part of my life. It took two long and painful years to fully recovery from the injuries. The moment I could go for my first run, was a pivotal point in my life: I ran with joy for myself but also for everyone who could not. A deep sense of gratitude filled my heart and I thanked the universe for bringing this "accident" into my life so I may gain the grace of knowledge from this experience: patience, forgiveness, kindness towards myself, appreciating the small things in life, finding peace in stillness,  how to use pain as a teacher, how to ask for help....  and many more...

I credit my recovery  to a regular yoga practice. Yoga was the only form of exercise that allowed me to gradually gain strength and rehabilitate my body.  Through that process, also the mind was healed from its negative thoughts that did not serve me. 

After having had such a profound personal experience with yoga, it became a big part of my life - it became part of me. The deeper I got into the practice, the more it benefitted me physically, mentally and spiritually.

Since becoming a certified yoga teacher in 2014, I have  used yoga in my private psychotherapy practice to decrease stress responses as well as help people create a more authentic and meaningful relationship with themselves. Yoga provides us tools to be in a calm and relaxed state of mind and body. It builds resources and resiliency to face life's challenges with resolve and tenacity. 

Yoga can also help us begin to renegotiate and process traumas. Through specific, gentle, mindful movements, we can begin to listen and trust the wisdom of the body. 

My goal as a yoga teacher is to gently guide my students beyond the physical experience of asanas to a deeper emotional connection and awareness that leads to improved sense of wellbeing and balance.