The Art of Holding Space with Heart
A Training and Book for Rest-Centered, Trauma-Informed Community Facilitators
A few kind words from people who’ve practiced with me:
“A beautiful experience as always. Class format is structured for deep rest, which all of us need! I always feel like I just woke up from a power nap with Nirel. I enjoy how accommodating the classes are— from the various poses to the prop offerings, these classes are always built to set you up for success. I never thought to fold a blanket to place under my foot in a reclined figure 4, love that!!”
Meet C.A.R.E.S., my simple framework for creating spaces with intention and heart.
It was born from years of teaching and facilitating and from the moments I found myself asking, “How do I lead with structure while still feeling human?” C.A.R.E.S. is designed to help you plan with intention and lead with clarity, with care for the people in the room and for yourself too.
The C.A.R.E.S. framework is:
C- Clarify your values
A- Anchor in feelings
R- Realize through action
E- Establish boundaries
S- Shift if needed
Cover reveal coming soon!
Learn to create inclusive spaces where rest, healing, and community care take root.
Rooted in the C.A.R.E.S. framework, this book offers a powerful approach to spaceholding that is trauma-informed, accessible, restorative yoga based, and culturally aware. Whether you are a yoga teacher, healing practitioner, group facilitator, or community leader, this guide supports you in showing up with integrity and care.
You’ll learn not only the framework itself, but also from my years of experience teaching restorative yoga in community, clinical, and wellness spaces. This is more than a book, it is a supportive guide. Inside, you’ll find journal prompts, reflection questions, and a full toolkit to draw from as you grow your own unique facilitation practice.
❤️The Art of Holding Space with Heart is a must-have for anyone stepping into the sacred work of guiding others.
🌱Grounded in values. Built for facilitators. Rooted in rest.
Join the interest list to get updates and priority access when the book is ready to order.
This in-person, immersive training is a companion to the book. You’ll explore the C.A.R.E.S. framework in real time, connect with other values-based spaceholders, and learn from my hands-on experience teaching restorative yoga in both community and clinical settings. Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for this training upon request.
Interest list gets first access to limited training seats + early-bird pricing.
The Art of Holding Space with Heart is for you if you’re a:
Yoga teacher or wellness practitioner who wants trauma-informed structure and clear, grounded guidance you can sustain over time
Facilitator holding circles, support groups, sound healings, retreats, or community gatherings who wants to lead with steadiness, not depletion
Healer or facilitator offering one-on-one sessions who wants clients to feel safe, seen, and supported while protecting your own energy
Spaceholder who wants to lead with care and boundaries, without burning out
Community leader guiding change who wants to move with heart rather than force, and pace the work for longevity
Guide looking for rest-centered tools and language that support self care, sustainability, and real life capacity, not hustle tactics
If you want to keep showing up without burning out, this is for you.
About the author:
Hello, I’m Nirel! I’m a restorative yoga teacher, community facilitator, and wellness entrepreneur deeply rooted in the practice of rest as resistance and healing. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of holding space in libraries, clinics, gardens, and community centers—creating soft landings where people can truly rest, reconnect, and heal.
As a second-generation Filipino American, I know firsthand the power of safe, culturally aware spaces, especially for those of us from historically marginalized communities. My lived experience, along with years of teaching restorative yoga in both community and clinical settings, has shown me that the way we prepare, arrive, and hold a space makes all the difference.
I wrote The Art of Holding Space with Heart because I believe facilitators deserve tools that honor their values, their lived realities, and the unique needs of their communities. This book is an offering and a guide for anyone called to guide with care, lead with integrity, and co-create healing spaces rooted in collective well-being.
More words from people who’ve practiced with me:
“Nirel cultivated a very spacious and welcoming practice centered on resting for resilience. Her language was invitational and left room for choices and exploration. She was exceptionally intentional and organized - from the invitation to introduce ourselves via chat, to the slides including journal prompts, and all the way to a follow-up email with tips from fellow resters and resources! I also really appreciated her muting herself during the restorative poses and recommending an ambient sound playlist.”
Pilipinx in Wellness Podcast:
In this conversation, I share how I create space as a restorative yoga teacher rooted in rest, radical care, and cultural groundedness. I walk through the practices that shape my facilitation, including clear communication, consent, and spacious pacing so people feel seen, safe, and supported enough to soften into real rest. Alongside fellow restorative teacher Liza Gesuden, I reflect on co-creating community care for Pilipinx and BIPOC communities and why holding space with heart can support healing and collective resilience.
Stream on your favorite platform: