I was born into a large, loving & loud family-smack in the middle of the pack– it was organized chaos. Beautiful, fun and challenging for a creative introvert.
I recognized early on the need to find corners of quiet.. I used to hide in a closet and draw or play chess with my older brother. These quiet adventures helped me cultivate the ability to connect with my wise self. I didn’t have a name for it then, I just knew it was right and true.
This is when I first learned the value of body speak and heart speak – the power of quiet.
Underneath the bully voices of constant mind chatter is the tenderness of heart speak/soul. This is where kindness and connection reside.
This is where – when I give myself time – I recognize the old narratives and stories that want to show up and judge and sabotage.
It is here that we either continue to worry and break and get stuck, or choose to hear the sweet sounds of ever present compassion and love.
Let’s be frank here… Ours is a culture of disembodiment.
Feeling emotion or sensation is scary. Foreign.
We don’t know how to be present.
The first way in is through awareness of
sensation in the body.
I have been a long time practitioner of the more sublime movement practices of Hatha and Yin Yoga, somatic movement and Qigong. The first time I practiced Yoga Nidra, I experienced a depth of inner connection that was indescribable. The emotional release and after effects were extremely powerful. A regular combination of all of these connections with body, mind and heart have built a true sense of belonging.
It feels like coming home. Over and Over.
My passion is guiding people back home to their heart.
Cultivating awareness of unhealthy patterns and literally developing new neural pathways, through somatic movement, breath and meditation.
Accessing your individual healing potential.
I've dedicated my own practice and my work to exploring these quiet places.
My approach bridges a knowledge of Eastern and Western healing practices, pairing ancient mysticism and modern neuroscience. My students and clients are able to develop a toolbox of practices that are always with them, ready to guide them home to insight and healing.
I am forever in awe of the resiliency and ability of the human body and spirit to heal.
The voice of your soul is waiting for you.
Get quiet. You'll hear it.
Professional Bio
Sheila Cullen is one of Canada’s Senior Yoga Nidra instructors and teachers. She has just recently moved back to her hometown of Rochester, NY after living and working in Toronto, Ontario for 23 years. . Her work explores the power of quiet in movement, yoga and meditation. She offers classes, workshops, retreats and teacher trainings both live and online in Toronto and around the world.
Sheila's work integrates Eastern and Western approaches to healing, bridging ancient mysticism and modern neuroscience for healing and wellness. She has a background in both science and the arts, and has most recently ended a long and fulfilling career as a Critical Care Respiratory Therapist at a large urban trauma centre.
Sheila has been practicing, studying and teaching Yoga Nidra, gentle quiet yoga including hatha , yin and restorative yoga along with the beautiful TCM practice of qigong for over 15 years. She has been living and practicing a variety of healing movement arts for over 25 years. She holds a degree in Allied Sciences, Fine Arts and has studied Hatha, Yin, Restorative , qigong and Yoga Nidra extensively. Her teachers include Nischala Joy Devi (Yoga of the Heart: Cardiac and Cancer Care Yoga Nidra), Rod Stryker, Jennifer Reis, Sarah Powers, Judith Lasater, Marisa Cranfill, Anodea Judith and Tara Brach among others.
From the depth of her own personal practice and study, Sheila creates a compassionate atmosphere that nourishes the bodies, minds, hearts and spirits of her students. She especially loves teaching these practices to beginners. Her manifest is to spread the philosophy of Radical Rest in a world that validates “Busy”.