Annie Au on how Somatic Yin Yoga uses the language of the body to support nervous system regulation and reconnection.

Annie Au is an expert for Somatic Yin Yoga, a trauma-informed approach that centers on creating safety in the body. In this interview, she explores the subtle art of reading nervous system states, using somatic tools throughout class and sequencing based on energy, not asana. Somatic Yin Yoga shifts the focus to emotional safety and self-regulation.

Drawing connections between fascia, meridians, and the autonomic nervous system, Annie shows how teachers can create classes that regulate rather than simply relax. She explains how sequencing becomes an energetic journey and why true healing begins with safety.

INTERVIEW

YOGA AKTUELL: Annie, you are a somatic yin yoga teacher. What are the differences between traditional yin yoga and Somatic Yin Yoga?

Annie Au: I get this question a lot. While both traditional and Somatic Yin Yoga involve long-held, passive poses targeting the fascia, Somatic Yin Yoga prioritizes restoring a sense of safety in the body. This is key because the fascia and the nervous system are deeply connected — and true healing begins when the body feels safe.

In Somatic Yin, students are empowered to choose: to opt in, opt out, or modify postures based on how they feel. The emphasis is on agency and self-trust. We integrate somatic tools — such as breathwork, visualization, tapping, and orienting — to help students reconnect with their bodies. These tools support the nervous system in sending signals of safety to the brain, gradually guiding it back into a more regulated state.

This is especially important for those who are stuck in dysregulation or navigating unresolved trauma responses.

Unlike traditional Yin, where the focus varies depending on the teacher’s background, Somatic Yin centers on nervous system regulation. And that doesn’t always mean relaxation. Sometimes what a student needs is “up-regulation” — a gentle stimulation to feel more energized, empowered, and present.

It’s not just about melting into stillness — it’s about meeting the body where it is, and guiding it toward balance.

What makes Somatic Yin Yoga “somatic”?

The term somatic can be a bit misleading — all yoga is, in a sense, somatic because it connects body and self. But in Somatic Yin Yoga, we focus specifically on using the body to “communicate with the nervous system”. Since the nervous system is non-verbal and deeply embedded in our being, it doesn’t respond to words — it responds to experience.

By placing the body in certain shapes and using specific techniques, we help it feel safe again. And that’s what makes it somatic: using the body to bring the body and mind back into connection and regulation.

Who is it for?

Honestly — if you have a nervous system, it’s for you. As humans we all experience moments of dysregulation — feeling overwhelmed, angry, or vulnerable. These are natural human emotions. The key is learning how to recognize and work with them.

Somatic Yin Yoga offers tools to help regulate the nervous system. And the more we understand and support our own regulation, the more our relationships — with ourselves and others — can truly thrive.

How can I, as a Yin Yoga teacher, better read my students’ nervous system states in the room?

Great question. It is key to focus on recognizing autonomic expressions — subtle cues in body language that reveal nervous system states. Since most trauma is nonverbal, many students may not even realize they’re stuck in a state of survival mode.

Some might show signs of dorsal vagal activation — like shutdown, numbness, or dissociation. Others might be in fight or flight, appearing restless or agitated. As a teacher, learning to spot these patterns helps you meet your students where they are.

From there, you can offer tools and sequences that gently guide them toward safety and regulation — creating a more supportive, responsive class experience.

Can you give an example of a nervous system state I might observe in students during Yin Yoga?

Sure. Take students in flight mode, for example — Yin can be especially challenging for them because staying still feels unsafe. Their nervous system is wired to escape discomfort or overwhelm. However, Yin asks them to stay relatively still.

As a teacher, you might notice signs such as restlessness or frequent fidgeting. Some students may get up often to use the bathroom or repeatedly reach for their water bottle — even though Yin Yoga typically doesn’t require much hydration. You may also see them constantly adjusting their props or changing positions. During rest poses, they might keep their eyes open, scanning the room — as if searching for an exit.

These behaviors are subtle indicators of a flight response. Their nervous system is reacting automatically trying to protect them by staying alert or „escaping“ from a situation that feels unsafe.

You were born in Hong Kong and have a deep connection to Chinese medicine. Is there a link between meridian theory and neuroscience?

That’s a fascinating question — and a bit of a complex one. If you put a neuroscientist and a Chinese medicine practitioner in the same room, they might argue until the cows come home.

But the more we explore both paradigms, the more overlap we begin to see. While science hasn’t “proven” they’re the same, emerging research suggests that the way fascia functions is remarkably similar to how meridians are said to operate. Some scientists and doctors are beginning to recognize these parallels — even potential relationships between the two systems. Others remain skeptical.

At the end of the day, like in yoga, it often comes down to direct experience: practicing, observing, and noticing how the body responds over time.

Do you have any tips for Yin Yoga teachers on how to sequence from a Somatic Yin Yoga perspective?

Yes — above all, sequencing is about energy, not postures. No single pose will cure anxiety or depression. What matters is how you weave the poses together and create a container of safety.

That includes everything — when you speak or stay silent, the music you choose, your presence, your body language. All of it helps students drop into their bodies and build trust.

I like to compare sequencing to making a really good cup of chai. You don’t eat cinnamon or cardamom on their own — it’s how the ingredients come together that creates something nurturing. The same goes for your class. Sequencing starts the moment you meet your student — not with the first posture, but with your first eye contact, your tone, your energy. It’s an experience you build from the very beginning — one that invites regulation, connection, and healing.

When I have a room full of students with different nervous system states — some agitated, some shut down — how can I help bring them into a more regulated, shared baseline?

This is a common concern. First, unless you’re working with a specific trauma-affected group — such as clients in recovery settings — your students are likely more resilient than you think. Most people who come to a regular weekly Yin Yoga class aren’t in a fully dysregulated state. They’re seeking calm, connection, and a pause from everyday stress.

In these settings, I recommend what I call a “Chinese medicine approach”— like offering a gentle tonic that supports the whole system. Just as a Chinese medicine doctor might prescribe a general vitality boost instead of treating a single symptom, your class can offer nurturing themes like self-compassion, grounding, or trust.

How can I use somatic tools in class to support that?

First off, they don’t need to be limited to the beginning or end of class. Somatic tools — such as breathwork, visualization, and orienting — can help regulate the nervous system, whether someone is in fight-or-flight or feeling shut down, and they can be applied throughout class.

You can introduce grounding at any point. If you sense the energy shifting or students becoming overwhelmed, sprinkle in a tool that recalibrates. Somatics tools do have an energetic effect: they might be up-regulating and help activate and empower or they are down-regulating and help soothe and settle.

Sequencing is about guiding your students on a journey — not just keeping things “relaxing” the entire time. That kind of flat-line experience is like driving down a long, empty prairie road. Instead, ask: Where are my students now, and where do I want to take them?

From there, choose your tools accordingly and place them thoughtfully throughout the class. This flexibility allows you to create a dynamic, responsive experience — one that meets students where they are and helps them return to a more balanced, connected state.

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, Annie.

More information:
https://annieauyoga.com/
Instagram: annie_au_yoga