In This Episode In this intimate and nourishing conversation, Leah sits down with somatic yoga teacher and writer Bettina Schelkle of Bettina’s Yoga Journey. During this conversation, Leah and Bettina explore how slowing down, moving gently, and listening inwardly can open a deeper relationship with the body—especially for sensitive humans who have spent years living primarily in their heads. Together, they unpack what embodiment really looks like in real life: the subtleties of rebuilding trust with the body, and why gentle, internal movement practices can be more transformative than rigid, structured yoga practices for the sensitive system. If you’re a sensitive human who has been longing to feel more connected to your body, soften, and gently come home to yourself, this episode offers a grounded entry point into the practice and philosophy of somatic yoga. Meet Bettina Bettina Schelkle is a somatic yoga teacher, longtime practitioner, and reflective writer whose work centers on the art of embodied awareness and intuitive, nervous-system–supportive movement. With over fifteen years of personal practice and nearly a decade of teaching, she blends Hatha yoga, somatic principles, Feldenkrais-inspired exploration, and gentle somatic guidance to help sensitive souls reconnect with their bodies. Bettina’s yoga practice is rooted inside her own healing journey as she navigated challenges with anxiety, numbness, disconnection, and burnout. Today, Bettina supports humans in the often messy, complex, and slow process of returning to their bodies through gentle movement paired with curiosity, compassion, and inner trust. Explore her writing and offerings at: Bettina’s Yoga Journey on Substack. In This Conversation: In this episode, Bettina shares her journey from living primarily in her mind—analyzing, intellectualizing, and overthinking her inner world—to slowly finding her way back into her body through somatic yoga. We explore the subtle yet profound experience of the mind–body disconnect, how it forms over years of stress, burnout, and emotional withdrawal, and how difficult it can be to recognize when disconnection has become your default. Bettina describes how somatic yoga and Feldenkrais principles helped her rebuild trust in her body’s wisdom, and explains why slow, subtle, internally guided movement can create deeper shifts for sensitive systems than high-intensity, dopamine-fueled workouts. Bettina also shares how learning to move from within, rather than perform movement from the outside, reshaped her entire relationship with practice. We talk about why sensitive and neurodivergent folks often feel intimidated by open-ended or unstructured movement practices, and how patience, imagination, and permission each become essential tools for embodied healing. The conversation then expands into how embodiment supports emotional resilience, healthier boundaries, and meaningful self-care, especially for deep feelers. We close with a reflection on why showing up for your practice regularly is one of the most radical acts of self-trust you can choose. Explore the Episode During this part of the conversation, Leah prompts Bettina to imagine a simple somatic practice for the aspiring yoga student rolling out their mat for the first time. Bettina shares an answer that might surprise you… Choose a Chapter to Listen 01:29 – Bettina’s Journey into Somatic Yoga05:29 – The Mind-Body Disconnect10:54 – Reconnecting with the Body14:52 – The Process of Embodiment18:12 – Exploring Different Yoga Practices22:25 – Defining Hatha Yoga27:05 – Integrating Somatic Approaches into Hatha30:09 – Intentions and Feedback in Teaching37:43 – The Future of Somatic Yoga Teaching41:48 – Navigating the Journey of Self-Discovery46:24 – Experiencing Breakthroughs in Somatic Yoga51:45 – Connecting to Collective Consciousness54:11 – Practical Steps for Reconnecting with the Body01:01:01 – Embracing the Process of Being01:05:34 – Personal Benefits of Somatic Practices Listen, Share, and Leave a Review If this episode reached your heart and nourished your soul, please consider sharing the love with a friend and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your words help sensitive voices be heard—and let others know they’re not alone. About The Show: The Nourished Sensitive Podcast is a sanctuary for quiet listeners, sensitive storytellers, and everyday healers who speak to the sensitive soul of life and grow together through authentic conversations and genuine connection. Hosted by holistic health coach, registered dietitian, and heart-led healer Leah Tarleton, MS, RDN each episode invites you into intimate conversations on sensitivity, nourishment, healing, personal growth, and self-discovery. With warmth and empathy, Leah weaves personal stories, soulful reflections, and practical wisdom drawn from her signature Nine Elements of Nourishment framework—a body-mind-spirit approach to thriving as a sensitive, neurodivergent human. Connect with Leah & The Nourished Sensitive Leah Tarleton, MS, RDN, is the founder of The Nourished Sensitive—a holistic health guide, dietitian, and mind-body eating coach supporting sensitive souls through her Nine Elements of Nourishment framework. * Substack: nourishedsensitive.substack.com * Free Guide: Holistic Guide to Thriving as an HSP (subscribe to download) * Instagram: @the.nourished.sensitive * Contact Leah: nourishedsensitive.com/contact Get full access to The Nourished Sensitive Magazine at substack.nourishedsensitive.com/subscribe
