Hi, I’m Dominique!
Nature based Facilitator & Restorative yoga Teacher MA, RYT 300
I am honored to have you here. As a highly sensitive young person, I would hide under tables or try to blend into the grass to create a personal sanctuary from the world that I struggled to understand. Now, I pinch myself when I think about the great responsibility and honor to co-create brave & sacred spaces for others.
After finishing years as a NCAA D1 collegiate athlete, I was faced with the reality that my mental and emotional wellbeing had been severely neglected. What followed was an exploration of yoga, mindfulness and politicized healing movements that encouraged wider perspective of how to soothe and regulate the nervous system.
In addition to an academic background in psychology, I’ve committed to embody yogic philosophy with humility and reverence for the original stewards of these ancient practices. The power of energy continues to drive my search for nourishment for the mind, body and spirit.
I wholeheartedly believe that spiritual practice cannot be separated from social justice so my offerings always prioritize the empowerment and self determination of populations made vulnerable to violence, trauma and oppression. As a proud Black queer femme, there is a lot of importance in honoring our identities while also holding the truth of our expansive & energetic selves. My offerings aim to give space for folks to remember their tenderness, sacredness and capacity to feel deeply.
My professional career has been a mixture of teaching yoga and leadership roles in non-profit organizations. Through the years, I have gained so many incredible tools, skills and meaningful partnerships and a fine tuning for compassionate listening. I formerly held the title of Healing Justice Program Director supporting Queer and Trans survivors of violence (Intimate Partner Violence, Hate Violence and Police Violence) through peer counseling, support groups, trainings and organizing at Community United Against Violence (CUAV) in San Francisco. In addition to teaching weekly Restorative Yoga classes, I am a facilitator & curriculum developer with Reclaiming Our Own Transcendence (ROOT). We provide 10 week somatic healing workshops called Healing Cycles of Harm. Each session includes a variety of modalities in the expressive arts for those who have been impacted or enabled violence and seeking a way to build healthier / regenerative communities.
I introduced Black Seeds Project during the Summer of 2020. My services include 1:1 outdoor wellness sessions and seasonal group programs that center BIPOC / QTGNC / People of the Global Majority. My approach to this work is collaborative and in prayer to create a world that thrives on honesty, integrity, vulnerabilty and accountability. I’m humbled by the wisdom, truth and experience that lives within you as it also heals my own soul wounds. Thank you for committing to being on this path with me.
With deep care,
Dominique
Education & Trainings
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology- M.A. International Psychology
University of California Riverside- B.A. Psychology
The Earthbody Institute - Ecotherapy Level 2 Immersion
Piedmont Yoga Nature as Teacher
Piedmont Yoga Subtle Body Awareness
Piedmont Yoga Trauma Informed Yoga Training
Namaste Yoga & Wellness- 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
In Our Element Flower Essence Training- The Spirit SEED School for Essences, Ecotherapy & the Divine
NQTTCN Healing Justice Strategy Lab
W.O.M.A.N. Inc. 40 Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training
Community United Against Violence (CUAV): Fundamentals of Healing and Community Leadership
East Bay Meditation Center- Practice in Transformative Action (PiTA6)
Emergent Strategy Facilitation Training
Emergent Strategy Institute Immersion
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) Healing Justice: Peer Support Training
Intro to Ecotherapy J Phoenix Smith
Niroga Institute- Dynamic Mindfulness Training
Niroga Institute-Teaching Yoga to Youth
Restorative Yoga Relax & Renew Level 1 with Judith Lasater