About Breathing Space Retreats

 Kaitlyn Bouton LMSW-CC

My journey into this work began with children and families in the foster care system, where I witnessed both the tenderness and the complexity of the human spirit. Supporting therapeutic-level foster children opened my eyes to the depths of pain people carry, but also to the incredible capacity for resilience and healing. That experience became a calling — one that encouraged me to continue my education and devote myself to trauma-informed care, walking alongside those seeking restoration and reconnection with themselves. I earned my Bachelor’s in Mental Health & Human Services and later my Master of Social Work with a clinical focus from the University of Maine. Along the way, I became a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II) and obtained training in Somatic Therapy for Complex PTSD. My work has led me into many spaces of support — advocating for survivors of domestic violence, working crisis helplines, and holding space for women in recovery as they rebuild their sense of self. Every chapter of this path has shaped how I show up with others: with compassion, presence, and a belief in the body’s natural wisdom to heal. I now weave together evidence-based practices and somatic approaches to create nurturing spaces for stress relief, grounding, and emotional healing — spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to reclaim their inner strength 

 Gayle Worden, RYT500 

Yoga has always felt to me like a graceful meeting point between art and science—a living practice that invites us inward, softens our edges, and teaches us to listen deeply to the wisdom of the body. When approached with compassion for oneself, yoga becomes far more than movement; it unfolds into a sacred journey of self-discovery and inner transformation. Since the year 2000, it has been my joy and purpose to guide others along this path, sharing the practice that continues to shape and nurture my own life. My teaching style reflects a heart-centered philosophy—gentle, enriching, and rooted in presence. Like many, I first arrived at yoga through the doorway of asana, drawn by its physical benefits. With time, the practice revealed itself layer by layer, showing me that postures are just one expression of yoga’s vast and ancient wisdom. What began as movement blossomed into a holistic exploration of breath, energy, emotion, and spirit. Over the years, I have continued to study and deepen my understanding of the practice. My training with the Shiva Shakti School of Yoga & Healing Arts led me to advanced certifications, and I am honored to be recognized by Yoga Alliance as a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) provider with the 500RYT designation. I believe that learning is a lifelong journey, and I remain devoted to expanding my knowledge so I may better serve my students. My current exploration includes sound healing with crystal singing bowls—each one attuned to a Hindu chakra. Through sound, vibration, and gentle instrumentation, I create soothing spaces where the nervous system unwinds and the heart is invited to open. I have also completed Trauma Sensitive Yoga training, earned certifications in Polyvagal Therapy, and became a Somatic Coach. These modalities infuse every class I teach, supporting safety, embodied awareness, and emotional regulation for all who attend. As my practice continues to evolve, so do my offerings. My classes weave pranayama (breathwork), meditation, asana, and sound therapy into a full-bodied experience of grounding and upliftment. It is my intention to guide others not only into movement, but into connection—with breath, with inner truth, with spirit, and with the quiet place inside that remembers its wholeness.