Yuki Tanaka-Williams, IBC-HHE™

Their Story

Yuki Tanaka-Williams has been teaching yoga for 22 years. She was practicing therapeutic yoga before “yoga therapy” had a credentialing pathway. She’s watched the field evolve from fringe to clinical, and she’s trained over 300 yoga therapists through her institute.

Her background is unusual for the field: a master’s degree in somatic psychology from Naropa University, a C-IAYT (Certified International Association of Yoga Therapists) credential, and a decade of clinical work in trauma recovery. She’s published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy and speaks regularly at IAYT’s annual conference.

When ICONIC Board launched, Yuki saw something she’d been waiting for: a credentialing body that evaluated the practitioner’s professional practice — not just their yoga knowledge. The Educator tier recognized her role in training the next generation of ethical, competent practitioners.

Modalities & Specialties

• Yoga Therapy (C-IAYT certified, 22 years)
• Somatic Psychology
• Trauma-Sensitive Movement
• Yoga Therapist Training (300+ graduates)

Practice Philosophy

Yuki’s approach sits at the intersection of Eastern movement traditions and Western somatic psychology. She doesn’t teach poses — she teaches people to inhabit their bodies again, especially after trauma.

“The body keeps the score, as they say. My job is to help it keep a different score. Not through forcing flexibility, but through inviting safety. Yoga therapy isn’t about what the body can do — it’s about what the nervous system is ready to receive.”