Episode 11: Nervous System Regulation & Breathwork for Healers | Koya Webb on Somatic Healing

Nervous system regulation is at the heart of embodied leadership and holistic wellness. In this episode of The Holistic Therapist Podcast, LeNaya Smith Crawford sits down with Koya Webb, an embodiment and nervous system regulation teacher, to explore somatic healing, breathwork, and what it means to build a life that actually reflects what you value.

Koya breaks down how the nervous system protects us, how survival, emotional, and executive states shape our decisions, and why so many of us feel "wired but tired" from constant stimulation. This conversation covers breath healing, somatic movement, tapping, meditation, and trauma-informed practices for nervous system regulation and holistic wellness.

In This Episode:

  • What nervous system regulation actually means, and how survival, emotional, and executive states affect decision-making.
  • Why breathwork works as a nervous system regulation tool, and a simple breathing practice to start with.
  • How somatic movement, tapping, and shaking help release stored stress in the body.
  • Koya's personal story of grief after her mother's transition, and how it shaped her breath healing framework.
  • The seven areas of well-being from her book, Wellbeing Rituals, and how to choose where to start.
  • How to design a schedule that reflects your real priorities, including rest, nourishment, and well-being rituals.

About Koya Webb:
Koya Webb is an embodiment and nervous system regulation teacher and author of Wellbeing Rituals. Her work focuses on breath healing, somatic practices, and trauma-informed guidance for holistic well-being.

Resources Mentioned:
Wellbeing Rituals by Koya Webb, purchase here: https://bookpal.com/wellbeing-rituals-9781394387229/
The Second Annual Holistic Therapist Conference, October 1 to 4, 2026, Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, North Carolina. Virtual tickets available. Save $100 when you register by September 18: https://lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/holistic-therapist-conference

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Keywords/Tags:
nervous system regulation, somatic healing, breathwork, holistic therapist podcast, embodied leadership, trauma informed practices, Koya Webb, Wellbeing Rituals, holistic wellness, mental health podcast