I was born into a large, loving, and loud family—smack in the middle of the pack. It was organized chaos: beautiful, fun, and, at times, overwhelming for a creative introvert.
Early on, I learned to seek out corners of quiet. I’d hide in a closet to draw or play chess with my older brother. These quiet adventures became sacred spaces—places where I could hear myself think, feel, and just be. I didn’t have a name for it then, but I knew it was true. I was listening to something deep within.
This was my first introduction to the language of the body and the whisper of the heart—the power of quiet.
Beneath the bully voices of constant mind chatter is something tender and wise: the soul’s voice. This is where kindness lives. This is where true connection begins.
When I give myself time to pause, I can hear the old stories trying to return—the ones that want to judge, sabotage, or replay outdated fears. But in that same space lives compassion. In that stillness, I remember: I have a choice.
I can continue to worry, to break, to stay stuck…
Or I can soften. I can return to the sweet presence of ever-available love.
Let’s be honest: we live in a culture of disconnection.
Feeling deeply—emotion, sensation, presence—is often foreign. Even frightening.
But the first way in is simple:
Awareness of sensation in the body.
I’ve been a long-time practitioner of the more subtle arts—Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Somatic Movement, and Qigong. The first time I experienced Yoga Nidra, something profound shifted. It was like nothing I had felt before. I touched a depth of connection that was beyond words. The emotional release and afterglow were undeniable.
Over time, weaving these practices together—body, mind, breath, and heart—I found something precious:
A sense of belonging.
A feeling of homecoming.
Over and over again.
This is my passion: helping people come home to themselves.
Together, we bring awareness to the patterns that keep us stuck.
We rewire.
We soften.
We begin again.
Through somatic movement, breath, and meditation, we access the healing potential that already lives within each of us. I’ve dedicated my life and work to exploring these quiet places—where the body remembers, and the heart can finally speak.
My approach bridges the wisdom of East and West—pairing ancient practices with modern neuroscience. My students and clients walk away with real tools: a grounded, embodied toolbox they can turn to anytime, anywhere.
And always, I am in awe—of the body’s resilience, of the spirit’s capacity to heal.
The voice of your soul is waiting.
Get quiet.
You’ll hear it.
Professional Bio
Sheila Cullen is a dedicated guide in the field of rest, healing, and embodied awareness. Recently returned to her hometown of Rochester, NY after 23 vibrant years in Toronto, Sheila is recognized as one of Canada’s senior Yoga Nidra teachers. Her passion lies in exploring the power of quiet—through movement, breath, meditation, and deep inner listening.
Sheila teaches classes, workshops, retreats, and Yoga Nidra teacher trainings, both live and online. Her work gracefully bridges Eastern and Western approaches to wellness, combining the subtle arts of Hatha, Yin, Restorative Yoga, Qigong, and Yoga Nidra with her background in science, fine arts, and over 3 decades as a Critical Care Respiratory Therapist in a major urban trauma center.
Rooted in both modern neuroscience and ancient mysticism, Sheila’s approach is both soulful and practical—empowering students to develop a personal toolbox for rest, resilience, and self-connection.
She’s been practicing and teaching for over 25 years, drawing inspiration and wisdom from master teachers including Nischala Joy Devi, Rod Stryker, Sarah Powers, Judith Lasater, Jennifer Reis, Marisa Cranfill, Anodea Judith, and Tara Brach, among others.
Her classes are accessible, deeply nourishing, and especially welcoming to beginners. Whether you're seeking to soften stress, heal old patterns, or come home to yourself, Sheila offers a gentle and powerful path forward.
Her heartfelt mission is to spread the philosophy of Radical Rest in a world that too often validates “Busy.” Through breath, stillness, and presence, she invites you to remember the quiet voice within—your own source of healing and wholeness.