Jewel West is a dedicated yoga educator and nonprofit leader specializing in Trauma-Focused Yoga, a clinically integrated modality she created to support survivors through evidence-based somatic practices. With over 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit administration and victim services, Jewel brings a unique blend of operational expertise and compassionate care to every aspect of her work. She is recognized for bridging the gap between somatic healing and systems-level care, creating pathways for yoga to be acknowledged as a vital component of trauma recovery in clinical and nonprofit settings.
She developed one of the nation’s first Clinical Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and Somatic Movement programs, fully incorporated into a Rape Crisis Center and Children’s Advocacy Center. This work set a new standard for integrating yoga into clinical care for trauma recovery.
Jewel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Interdisciplinary Business and is a highly credentialed yoga teacher with E-RYT 200, RYT 500, RPYT, and YACEP designations through Yoga Alliance. She has completed over 1,000 hours of specialized training in trauma-informed yoga modalities, including Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, and the Trauma-Conscious Yoga Method (TCYM-T). Her background also includes study in prenatal yoga, Ayurvedic nutrition, mindfulness, and meditation.
As the founder of Trauma-Focused Yoga, Jewel teaches classes designed to support nervous system regulation, reconnection, and healing. Her favorite class style is Vinyasa, and she holds a deep personal and professional passion for Yoga Nidra, which she considers the heart of her practice. She especially enjoys teaching yoga instructors, therapists, and administrators, equipping them with the tools to bring trauma-focused practices into both individual and organizational care.
Jewel has presented at national conferences and professional forums on the integration of trauma-informed yoga within clinical and nonprofit systems. Alongside her teaching, she applies her nonprofit expertise to develop sustainable, accessible, and impactful programs that meet the needs of both individuals and communities.