About
Chelsea Schmitz, Esq. (RYT 200)
Project Founder & Lead Facilitator
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I’m Chelsea, a skilled and intuitive group facilitator, advocate, teacher and somatic practitioner who designs and leads meaningful and intentional gatherings. With over 15 years of experience, I gather and guide groups of people with a compassionate and restorative justice-based lens across community, educational, and legal settings.
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I specialize in facilitating conversations and cultivating group dialogue around topics that require care, courage, and vulnerability. My work ranges from guiding youth through creative practices to leading a healing and support Circle for someone anticipating an open-heart surgery to facilitating dialogue around restorative justice–based responses to racially motivated violence. Creating trauma-informed spaces of care and dialogue requires a delicate dance around reflection, connection, and collective dialogue.
My approach to facilitation is informed by my background as a restorative justice practitioner; youth defense attorney; high school educator; yoga practitioner and a mother of wild and wonderful little dragons. These experiences shape how I hold space—a flexible, soulful and well thought out plan, balanced with empathy and an awareness of my positionality in the space—allowing me to navigate complex dynamics while centering voice, meaningful rituals, and a deep sense of belonging.
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My facilitation is also shaped by the lineage of Circle practice, and I hold deep gratitude for the Indigenous and Black women whose teachings, leadership, and wisdom have informed how I understand and guide this work. I approach this practice with respect, accountability, and an ongoing commitment to learning.
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At the core of everything I do is a deep resolve for creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and supported—while also holding space for the sacred magic that can evolve from a group of people gathering with purpose. This work is more than a profession for me—it’s a practice rooted in the belief that how we come together, in difficult moments or in everyday conversations around the dinner table, has the power to shape more just and connected communities.
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You’re likely to find me wandering outside barefoot and dancing my way to the closest body of water with my little ones trailing behind. Dirt therapy (gardening), live music, intentional time spent outside, howling at a full moon and creating art allow me to feel reconnected to the great beauty and magic of it all.
Testimonials
"I could not have asked for a better facilitator. She did an incredible job each month of holding the space and allowing us to share ourselves when we were ready. She was engaging, intuitive and deeply compassionate. I loved that she showed up as her whole self, making it easier for us to show up as our authentic selves."
- Embodied Gatherings participant
"To be a part of this monthly community and experience meant to be held, nourished and seen…it was deep, transformative, and a space to unwind trauma."
- Embodied Gatherings participant
"Chelsea offered acceptance and support and she seemed to put us all at ease, allowing folks to open up readily. Her presence is like a hug. This community and experience was very spiritual, very vulnerable, and important work for us as women."
- Embodied Gatherings participant
"Chelsea is such a special soul, a person who has a unique talent of coaxing us out of our shells, making us feel safe and special. She is a confident leader, while also being extraordinarily sensitive and caring. Consider yourself lucky to sit in a circle led by Chelsea."
- Embodied Gatherings participant
"Having my child in Chelsea's youth yoga classes has brought tools of better communication into our family. This class is supporting my [middle school] daughter to gain emotional and physical resilience. She is also coping with stress and adversity in more positive and healthy ways."
- Parent of a youth participant
"Our youth yoga classes have affected me in every way. It has made me more flexible physically and emotionally. I have become so much more grounded when I'm doing yoga, especially with you. I feel really welcomed and engaged in this community and feel really connected with everyone even though I’m usually a shy person."
- Youth participant