“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
– Ghandi
A Chapter of My Personal Story
I am a survivor of sexual abuse/assault. When I was younger, my sense of worth was taken from me. I didn't believe I was of use in this world.
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It is said, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." I believed this for many years. My inner child was told this, time and time again. "Suck it up", "move on", "it's not that bad", all the sayings that didn't let me feel what I needed to feel, until I found yoga, or shall I say, when yoga found me.
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Now, I think differently. I am needed in this world. I help those who have been sexually assaulted find their voice, find themselves, to free themselves from the belittling that can overwhelm.
Heather is an intuitive yoga instructor dedicated to creating a nurturing, supportive environment where students feel safe to explore and honor their bodies. She encourages mindful movement that meets each individual exactly where they are, empowering students to connect with themselves in an authentic and healing way.
My Experience
Certified Yoga Instructor | Trauma-Informed Specialist | Embodiment Facilitator
Heather Ding is a certified yoga teacher with over six years of teaching experience and a lifelong dedication to the practice. She holds a 200-hour certification from Almaden Yoga (2019) and is completing her 300-hour training in 2025. Heather specializes in trauma-informed yoga, completing advanced training through Collective Resilience Yoga (2021) and Porchlight Wellness, focusing on support for survivors of sexual assault.
She leads “Coming Home Embodiment Work,” an integrative offering that blends yoga, meditation, somatic movement, journaling, and energy work. Heather teaches at Jiaren Yoga Studio, Downtown Yoga Shala and a local counseling center, offering trauma-sensitive yoga and meditation.
Additional experience includes work with The Art of Yoga Project (2019–2020), over 30 hours of community volunteer service, and recognition as San Jose Library’s Volunteer of the Year (2020). Certified in Laughter Yoga (2021).
Certifications
2019
Registered yoga teacher (RYS200).
Received my certification from Almaden Yoga in San Jose, CA.
I studied under Anuja Chaudri and Nate Jones.
2020
I received my laughter yoga certification.
2020
I had logged over 30 volunteer hours and was named "Volunteer of the Year" with the San Jose Library: Edenvale Branch.
2019 - 2021
I worked with The Art of Yoga Project
2021
I am an advanced trauma certified yoga teacher. I have my certification with Collective Resilience yoga under Hala Khouri, Kyra Haglund and RW Alves.