Yoga & Movement for Grief: A Gentle Journey Through Loss

Yoga & Movement for Grief: A Gentle Journey Through Loss
(A five-week, 90 minute, mind-body grief support series combining yoga, somatic movement, dance and meditation with reflection, connection and grief therapy guided by a licensed clinical social worker.)
Move. Breathe. Connect. Find a little more space to heal.
Feeling the heaviness of grief? You don’t have to carry it alone.
Grief is a natural response to loss which can take many forms.
We may grieve the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job or career, a difficult diagnosis, caring for someone with a terminal illness, a major life transition, or even the loss of the life we thought we would have.
Grief doesn’t affect us only emotionally.
It can show up in the body as tension, fatigue, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, disconnection, changes in sleep, pain and discomfort, or simply a sense of heaviness that can be difficult to explain. Sometimes grief changes from day to day. Sometimes it stays with us much longer than we expected.
There is no timetable for grief, and there is no single “right” way to move through it.
But we can learn ways to support ourselves along the way.
Come move through grief gently.
🧘‍♀️ Yoga & Movement for Grief is a supportive series designed to help you reconnect with your body, calm the mind, ease some of the physical tension and stress that can accompany grief, and create space for the emotions you are carrying.
Through gentle yoga, mindful movement, somatic practices, dance, breathwork, reflection and community, we’ll explore ways to be present with grief without allowing it to consume every part of our lives.
Movement gives us another language when words aren't enough.
A slow breath.
A stretch.
A moment of stillness.
A chance to notice what we're feeling.
A chance to soften.
Yoga and mindful movement can help us turn our attention inward, reconnect with sensations in the body, reduce stress and create moments of grounding and calm. This isn't about "getting over" your grief. It is about learning how to care for yourself as you move through it.
You don't have to be "good at yoga."
This course is designed for all levels, including complete beginners.
You do not need to be flexible. You do not need previous yoga experience. And you do not have to be at any particular stage in your grieving process.
Simply come as you are.
Sometimes healing begins simply by being in a space where we don't have to pretend that everything is okay.
There will also be opportunities to connect with others who understand what it means to experience loss. You are welcome to share when you feel comfortable but you will never be required to tell your story.
💚 What We'll Explore
Throughout the series, our practices may include:
*Gentle, accessible yoga poses
*Somatic exercises and body awareness
*Dance
*Breathwork and relaxation
*Meditation and grounding practices
*Journaling and personal reflection
*Guided conversations about grief
*Supportive community connection
*Practices to help ease stress, tension and emotional overwhelm
Our intention is not to rush grief away. Instead, we will create space to move, breathe, feel, rest, connect and care for ourselves through it.
*** HOW THE SERIES WORKS ***
This is a five-week series combining gentle yoga, movement, breathwork, meditation, reflection and community connection with professional grief support.
Sessions will be led by Anietie Antia-Obong (yoga teacher) and Freda Thomas LCSW-S (a licensed clinical social worker).
Anietie is passionate about making the life-changing benefits of yogic practices accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience. Freda Thomas, LCSW-S specializes in assisting individuals through their grief, providing an opportunity to explore the emotional experience of grief within a caring and supportive environment.
🗓️ Schedule
Friday, October 9th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Friday, October 16th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Friday, October 23rd, 6:30pm - 8pm
Friday, October 30th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Friday, November 6th, 6:30pm - 8pm
📍Location:
Diana's School of Yoga
925 W. Pioneer Parkway, Suite K
Grand Prairie, TX 75051
Grief can demand so much of us.
This Time Is for You.
This series is an opportunity to intentionally make room for your own mental, emotional and physical well-being.
Come breathe.
Come move.
Come rest.
Come connect with people who understand.
Come exactly as you are.
Let's bring in a little more light, shift some energy and ease some of the heaviness of grief together.
Move. Breathe. Connect. Find a little more space to heal.
🖤Spots are limited. Register and join us.
Early bird registration runs through October 4th. Register today.
$189 - Early Bird Registration 🦜
$199 - Regular Registration
$45 - Single Session
FACILITATORS:
Freda S. Thomas, LCSW-S, Grief Specialist
Freda S. Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She's dedicated over 20 years to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of grief and trauma. Her journey has been deeply shaped by personal loss, including the deaths of close family members to suicide. These experiences, combined with her own challenges with depression and autoimmune disease, have fueled her passion for guiding others through their own healing journeys. Whether through individual or family therapy, Freda strives to create a safe space where clients feel seen, understood, and empowered to heal. She's committed to walking alongside you through the hardest moments and helping you find peace and resilience.
Anietie Antia-Obong, Yoga Teacher / Meditation Facilitator
Anietie Antia-Obong is a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher, laughter yoga leader, Reiki Level II practitioner and meditation facilitator with a deep passion for sharing mind-body practices that support greater peace, joy, connection, and well-being.
Anietie believes yoga and meditation can offer meaningful support during grief, loss, and life transitions by creating space to breathe, feel, rest, and process difficult emotions that can create stress and tension within the body.
When Anietie's not teaching yoga, she works as a producer, director and writer for television, film, and theatre, exploring her other great love: storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
◼️Who is Yoga & Movement for Grief for?
This series is for adults and teens who are navigating grief and loss and would like a gentle, supportive space to deal with the myriad feelings and stress of grief through movement, reflection, therapeutic support, and community.
Grief can take many forms. You do not need to be at a particular stage of grief or feel a particular way to participate.
◼️Do I need to have yoga experience?
Not at all. The yoga practices are designed to be gentle, accessible, and beginner-friendly. You do not need to be flexible, athletic, or familiar with yoga.
The focus is not on performing poses or having a traditional “workout.” The practices are intended to help you slow down, breathe, reconnect with your body, and create space for whatever you may be experiencing.
◼️What if I have physical limitations or limited mobility?
You are encouraged to listen to your body and participate only in ways that feel appropriate for you. Movements can be modified, and you are always welcome to rest or choose not to do a particular practice.
If you have a medical condition, recent injury, or concerns about participating in yoga or physical activity, please consult your healthcare provider before participating.
◼️Will I have to talk about my grief?
No. You will never be required to share your personal story.
There may be opportunities for reflection, conversation, or group connection, but you are always welcome to simply listen and participate at your own comfort level.
◼️What if I become emotional during a session?
That is completely welcome.
Grief can show up in many ways, including tears, quietness, anger, relief, laughter, fatigue, or sometimes no strong emotion at all. There is no “right” way to experience grief.
Our intention is to create a compassionate environment where you can allow yourself to be present without feeling pressure to explain, perform, or hide what you are feeling.
◼️Is this only for people who have recently experienced a loss?
No. Grief does not follow a timetable.
Your loss may be recent, or it may have happened months or years ago. You are welcome whether your grief feels new, has changed over time, or has resurfaced during a particular season of your life.
◼️Does my grief have to be related to the death of someone I love?
No, not at all. While many participants may be grieving the death of a loved one, people can also experience profound grief related to other significant losses and life changes.
The important question is whether you feel that grief or loss is present in your life and that this type of supportive experience may be helpful to you.
◼️What happens during the yoga portion of the sessions?
The in-person sessions combine gentle yoga, mindful movement, breathing, stillness, and opportunities for reflection.
These are not traditional fitness-focused yoga classes. Each practice is created specifically with grief in mind, with an emphasis on compassion, choice, rest, and reconnecting with the body.
◼️What happens during the therapy portion of the sessions?
The online sessions provide a supportive space to explore grief from an emotional and therapeutic perspective.
These sessions are designed to complement the physical and mindfulness practices offered during the in-person yoga sessions by creating additional space for reflection, understanding, conversation, and connection.
◼️Do I need to attend every session?
We encourage you to attend as many sessions as possible because the series is designed to build gently over time.
However, grief is unpredictable, and we understand that your energy, emotions, health, or schedule may change. We encourage you to participate with compassion for yourself rather than pressure.
◼️What should I wear to the sessions?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move and breathe easily. Traditional yoga clothing is not required. Comfort is far more important than appearance.
◼️What should I bring to the sessions?
Bring anything that will help you feel comfortable during the practice, such as water, a yoga mat, a light sweater or wrap, and any personal yoga props you prefer to use.
Additional information about what is provided at the location will be shared with registered participants.
◼️Is this a religious or spiritual program?
No particular religious belief or spiritual practice is required to participate.
The series may include mindfulness, breathing, quiet reflection, and other contemplative practices, but participants are invited to engage with them in whatever way feels meaningful and appropriate for them.
◼️What if I don't know anyone else attending?
You are absolutely welcome to come by yourself.
Many people attending grief-related programs may be arriving without knowing anyone else. Part of the intention behind this series is to create opportunities for gentle connection with others who understand something about the experience of grief.
There is no expectation that you socialize beyond what feels comfortable.
◼️Is everything shared during the group sessions confidential?
Participants will be encouraged to respect one another's privacy and to treat personal stories shared within the group with care.
Because this is a group experience, complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in the same way it can in an individual professional relationship. We ask everyone who participates to honor the privacy of fellow participants.
◼️Is Yoga & Movement for Grief a substitute for individual therapy or medical care?
No. This series is intended to provide supportive yoga, movement, reflection, therapeutic resources, and community for people experiencing grief.
It is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health treatment, and it is not designed to provide crisis intervention. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or feel that you may be in danger, please seek immediate professional or emergency support.
◼️What if I'm not sure I'm ready?
You do not have to feel “ready,” healed, strong, or certain before coming.
You are invited to arrive exactly where you are and participate at the level that feels right for you. Sometimes simply giving yourself a little space to breathe, move, reflect, and be around people who understand grief can be a meaningful beginning.