About Barbara
Facilitating Wellbeing Is My Life’s Work
Creating a safe and supportive environment is the foundation for facilitating transformation. In the 24 years I’ve been practicing and teaching yoga, I’ve learned to meet my own body, the bodies of my students where we are today- with compassion and great attention to detail.
Certified as a yoga teacher in the Svaroopa® style, I am registered at the 500-hour level with Yoga Alliance. I have intensive training as a Yoga Therapist and enjoy working with people dealing with major and minor health challenges. I’ve witnessed the power of yoga to bring comfort and ease to body and mind. I’m also certified as a meditation teacher through Master Yoga Academy and love to share the impact a customized, consistent practice can make in our daily lives.
I have 43 years of heartfelt experience in the field of addiction- as a woman in recovery, a counselor, program manager and executive director of five addiction treatment facilities. I’ve blended my passion for transformation with my background as a communication coach, breast cancer thriver and life-long horsewoman to create a fresh approach to deeply engaged and empowered living.
My Expertise
I consider myself a wholistic health interventionist. It is through hard-won life experiences with my own health challenges and of those in my family, that I’ve learned what works and what is effective and sustainable when navigating difficult situations, conditons and diagnoses.
I believe that our capacity for emotional regulation is essential to our wellness. How did I learn that? By seeing that we can’t sustain ease of body, if we don’t simultaneously manage our minds and emotions as well. Knowing how to reset our nervous systems (sometimes hourly) is key to enjoying life in these challenging times. It would be my honor and my pleasure to share with you the myriad tools and understandings that I’ve gathered to make this true for you as well.
Education
B.A. English, California State University, Sonoma
A.A. Franklin College, Lugano, Switzerland
Certifications- Past & Present
- Svaroopa® Yoga Instructor, Master Yoga Academy– LaJolla, CA
- Embodyment Yoga Therapist- Master Yoga Academy, LaJolla CA
- Meditation Teacher, Master Yoga Academy – LaJolla, CA
- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Facilitator® – EAGALA, Santequin, UT
- Inner Relationship Focusing Facilitator – Focusing Resources, Oakland, CA
- Creative Communication Consultant – San Francisco, CA
Education
B.A. English, California State University, Sonoma
A.A. Franklin College, Lugano, Switzerland
Certifications- Past & Present
- Svaroopa® Yoga Instructor, Master Yoga Academy– LaJolla, CA
- Embodyment Yoga Therapist- Master Yoga Academy, LaJolla CA
- Meditation Teacher, Master Yoga Academy – LaJolla, CA
- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Facilitator® – EAGALA, Santequin, UT
- Inner Relationship Focusing Facilitator – Focusing Resources, Oakland, CA
- Creative Communication Consultant – San Francisco, CA
Testimonials
“Svaroopa yoga has helped me relax and unplug. I’ve been given tools to help myself out when I get spun up. It’s been an opening to a world not previously explored. Thank you.”
– Verlene Turner, Sacramento, CA
Thank you Barbara, you are a great teacher. I appreciate your openness and giving nature. The main thing I am taking away from the class besides understanding how the poses help with managing my back pain is the importance of having a consistent practice.
– Michael Suk, Elk Grove, CA
“I have been a student and practitioner of Svaroopa yoga with Barbara Thompson for a couple of years. Barbara has extensive and exceptional knowledge of the form of yoga practice. She imparts her wisdom in a friendly, graceful and easy manner- guiding and adjusting as needed in her classes. My aging body greatly appreciates each session. The bones are in much more proper alignment and ease with less pain after practicing with Barbara. I highly recommend her classes for all ages, even the young.”
– Kathy Englemann, Jackson, CA
“I’ve been taking your classes for three months now and my cardiologist asked me what I am doing differently. I told about the kind of yoga you teach and he said keep it up because my blood pressure has come down.”
– Mike O’Brian, Sacramento, CA
“I enjoyed every moment of the meditation course. Has supported me to put meditation into practice, otherwise I may never have done it. Learned lots about my inner self. Great tips and tools. Thank you so much.”
– Letty Assad, Elk Grove, CA
Testimonials
“Svaroopa yoga has helped me relax and unplug. I’ve been given tools to help myself out when I get spun up. It’s been an opening to a world not previously explored. Thank you.”
– Verlene Turner, Sacramento, CA
Thank you Barbara, you are a great teacher. I appreciate your openness and giving nature. The main thing I am taking away from the class besides understanding how the poses help with managing my back pain is the importance of having a consistent practice.
– Michael Suk, Elk Grove, CA
“I have been a student and practitioner of Svaroopa yoga with Barbara Thompson for a couple of years. Barbara has extensive and exceptional knowledge of the form of yoga practice. She imparts her wisdom in a friendly, graceful and easy manner- guiding and adjusting as needed in her classes. My aging body greatly appreciates each session. The bones are in much more proper alignment and ease with less pain after practicing with Barbara. I highly recommend her classes for all ages, even the young.”
– Kathy Englemann, Jackson, CA
“I’ve been taking your classes for three months now and my cardiologist asked me what I am doing differently. I told about the kind of yoga you teach and he said keep it up because my blood pressure has come down.”
– Mike O’Brian, Sacramento, CA
“I enjoyed every moment of the meditation course. Has supported me to put meditation into practice, otherwise I may never have done it. Learned lots about my inner self. Great tips and tools. Thank you so much.”
– Letty Assad, Elk Grove, CA
Get Started Today
Barbara offers a range of yoga and meditation classes, both online and in-person, in group or private settings. Barbara’s classes can help you experience the benefits of yoga and meditation in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment.
Heart Rhythm Yoga
About Barbara
Svaroopa® Yoga
Meditation Made Easy
Blog
Offerings
Online Offerings
Local Offerings
Get Started Today
Barbara S Thompson
PO Box 186 Amador City, CA 95601
barbara@barbarasthompson.com
916.572.7521
Heart Rhythm Yoga
About Barbara
Svaroopa® Yoga
Meditation Made Easy
Blog
Offerings
Online Offerings
Local Offerings
Get Started Today
Barbara S Thompson
PO Box 186 Amador City, CA 95601
barbara@barbarasthompson.com
916.572.7521