Carly Lua is a PhD student in Counseling Psychology at the University at Buffalo, specializing in embodiment, self-care, yoga therapy, and sex and couples therapy. She has been practicing yoga since 2010 and received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from East Meets West Yoga in 2020 . Carly completed additional trauma-informed yoga training in Rishikesh, India, and holds certifications as a Mindfulness Therapist, Mind Body WellBeing Practitioner, EMDR Trauma Therapist, and Reiki I practitioner. She is currently completing her ASSECT certification in sex and couples therapy as well as her IAYT yoga therapy certification.

As a therapist, Carly integrates yoga movement and philosophy with traditional psychotherapy techniques to support holistic healing. Her classes combine slow, mindful stretching with vinyasa-style movement and curated music to promote embodiment, emotional awareness, and physical connection. Carly’s teaching emphasizes interoceptive awareness—guiding students to tune into the subtle cues of the body to foster self-compassion and deepen their connection to themselves.