Embracing Regulation & Connection in NYC: Bringing Somatics, Sound, and Breath to The Door
- Johanna Olivas
- Oct 17
- 2 min read
I never imagined I’d guide a soundbath inside a mock-trial courtroom - but that’s where I found myself in New York City: bowls shimmering under fluorescent lights, breath traveling the room, advocates exhaling together. The retreat, Embracing Regulation and Connection, was created for staff serving immigrant youth and families at The Door’s Legal Services. The day balanced trauma education with embodied practice—and I was invited to bring Luna Serenity’s blend of somatics, breathwork, and restorative sound.
“Small resets, big returns: clarity, compassion, connection.”
We gathered at The Legal Aid Society—a space dedicated to equal justice—while facilitators from the Sanar Institute wove trauma-conscious frameworks: what trauma is, how vicarious trauma shows up, and why self- and co-regulation sustain people who hold so much.
Turning science into felt experience
To translate the “why” into a body-level “oh, I feel that,” I guided:
Orienting & arrival – gentle sensory check-ins to signal safety.
Down-shifting breath – steady box/tactical breathing to invite the parasympathetic “rest-and-replenish” response.
Somatic micro-resets – spinal waves, jaw/shoulder release, and seated twists to discharge tension (no yoga mat required).
Restorative soundbath – crystal alchemy bowls, water drum, and soft percussion—letting the nervous system practice what calm feels like.
“In five minutes between client meetings - or five seconds before a hard call - your breath is a bridge.”
Why this milestone matters (for me and for Luna Serenity)
Traveling to NYC to serve teams on the front lines felt like a homecoming to my purpose. Luna Serenity exists to help people return to self and rise in community. Bringing these practices to legal advocates supporting immigrant youth was a powerful alignment of mission, impact, and accessibility. I led a soundbath in a mock-trial room - and watched a room of advocates soften together.
Learn more about the organizations
Sanar Institute – training, healing, and capacity-building for trauma-conscious practice: sanar-institute.org
The Door — Legal Services – comprehensive immigration and legal support for NYC youth: door.org/legalservices
The Legal Aid Society – equal justice across NYC’s five boroughs: legalaidnyc.org
Resource starter pack: nervous system regulation
Trauma-informed principles (leaders/teams): SAMHSA’s six guiding principles
Breathwork basics (quick calm): how and why box/tactical breathing works
Team practice (make it stick): pair short breaths with short movement resets; schedule 3-minute “arrivals” before tough meetings
Bring Luna Serenity to your workforce
Ready to move beyond another slide deck into experiential regulation?
Offerings:
60–90 minute workshops (onsite/virtual)
Half-day “Resonance & Regulation” retreats
Series for burnout prevention & leadership resilience
Custom add-ons: journaling prompts, “micro-reset” cards, manager toolkits
Ideal for: legal services, nonprofits, schools, healthcare, social services, and corporate ERGs.
Let’s collaborate: Share your team size, goals, timeline, and accessibility needs. We’ll shape a trauma-conscious, culturally rooted experience for your people.
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