The Women Writers' Collective in Yoga Therapy was born from a shared desire to bring greater visibility to the women authors and leaders shaping the field of yoga therapy. Our goal is to create a space where we can learn together, exchange ideas, and collectively advance our profession. Each month, we spotlight a different theme, featuring one or two inspiring authors whose work offers valuable insights into yoga therapy practice.

Come learn, connect, and grow with us. The only pre-requisite is curiosity and an interest in learning from each other.

All are Welcome!

Shawnee Thornton Hardy is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), somatic touch facilitator, and Ayurvedic wellness guide. She is the founder of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs and Yoga Therapy for Youth, and the author of Yoga Therapy for Children and Teens with Complex Needs: A Somatosensory Approach to Mental, Emotional, and Physical Wellbeing as well as Asanas for Autism and Special Needs.

Shawnee’s work spans over three decades supporting children, teens, adults, and families — with a focus on neurodivergent individuals and those with diverse developmental, sensory, emotional, and physical challenges. She also works with women navigating trauma, grief, chronic health challenges, and the embodied process of healing.

An educator and international trainer, Shawnee leads professional trainings, workshops, and certifications throughout the U.S. and abroad, empowering practitioners to bring yoga-based approaches to youth and adult populations of diverse needs. Her work centers on nervous system regulation, inclusive embodied practices, and compassionate care that honors the whole person.

Rachel Krentzman, PT, C-IAYT, CHT, MBA is an internationally recognized yoga therapist, physical therapist, and author dedicated to integrating yoga and mindfulness into modern healthcare. Founder of Wisdom-Body Yoga Therapy School—Israel’s first IAYT-accredited program—she developed the Happy Back Yoga Method to help people heal back pain by uniting intelligent alignment, emotional awareness, and the body’s innate capacity to realign and renew.

Rachel is also a certified Hakomi psychotherapy practitioner and the author of Yoga for a Happy Back, Scoliosis, Yoga Therapy & the Art of Letting Go, and As Is: A Memoir on Healing the Past Through Yoga. She holds an MBA in Healthcare Innovation and works with hospitals such as Sheba Medical Center to bridge yoga therapy and rehabilitation within integrative care models.

Rachel’s teaching combines precision, compassion, and depth, guiding participants to release chronic patterns, reconnect to their essence, and find freedom in both body and life.