Wren is a creative, teacher, and healing professional who places intention & attention at the center.

She brings a rich background in the arts, Eastern and Western Psychology, Somatic Experiencing, Yoga, and Mindfulness Meditation to her work with others.

Her contemplative training began over thirty years ago, as a young teen practicing yoga and sitting silent retreat with her primary teacher Shinzen Young. She resided long term at Shambhala Mountain Center in the Colorado Rockies and Mount Madonna Yoga Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Wren is grateful to have practiced and studied with many beloved teachers, especially Reggie Ray, Fleet Maull, Pema Chodron, Roger Cole, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the late Lama Mingyur (Dr. Ed Podvoll). Wren’s interest in the mind/body has extended beyond mat and cushion, into her former work as a psychotherapist in outpatient settings and currently as a somatic practitioner in private practice.

Wren’s practice life was radically changed when she became a mother. With the birth of her second child her family experienced extensive medical and separation trauma. She found healing through daily communion with the native land, which continues to be a touchstone for her spirit and service today.

As a fifth generation Californian, she shares her value of stewardship with youth by offering discovery based learning and open ended art making experiences. Her many years as a teaching artist in schools, the Museum(s) of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, San Diego, La Jolla, Boulder, and the Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland bolstered her founding of Creative Freedom, an enrichment program for kids. She currently teaches at Pacific View Art Center and offers art therapy to adults at West Coast Recovery Center.

As an artist, Wren works in a broad range of media. She collaborates artistically with LitvakDance and has illustrated six books for Shambhala Publications including “The Awakening Body” by Reginald A. Ray and “Yoga Myths” by Judith Hanson Lasater.

Whatever the role or activity, Wren’s purpose is to alleviate suffering, nurture understanding, and inspire creative joy. Her wish is for all folks to be able to access the ease and vitality that is their birthright.

Education

MA Counseling psychology, wright institute, berkeley 2008 
Graduate work in contemplative psychology, naropa university, boulder 2005
BA CUM LAUDE studio art, Scripps Women's College, Claremont, ca 1999 

Training

Somatic Experiencing Training Int II 2025   
DREAMS, IMAGINATION, AND TRANSFORMATION WITH DR. LEVINE 2025
Somatic Healing Immersion WITH EMBODIED LABS 2024 
Exploring Our Sense of Place program San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy 2024 
Purejoy Parenting for Professionals Certification 2023
UCSD Center For Mindfulness MBSR Training 2009 
 Piedmont yoga advanced yoga studies program and teacher certification 2008  
Vipassana Support International Certified Mindfulness Instructor 2008 

Images by Wren Polansky Copyright Shambhala Publications 2022

Illustrations by Wren are featured in these Shambhala Publications titles:

The Fourth Trimester

by Kimberly Ann Johnson

A postpartum guide to healing your body, balancing your emotions & restoring your vitality

Copyright 2015 Shambhala Publications

Hip Healthy Asana

by Charlotte Bell

The yoga practitioner’s guide to protecting the hips and avoiding SI joint pain

Copyright 2018 Shambhala Publications

The Awakening Body

by Reginald A. Ray

Somatic meditation for discovering our deepest life

Copyright 2016 Shambhala Publications

Conceiving with Love

by Denise Weisner

A whole-body approach to creating intimacy, reigniting passion, and increasing fertility

Copyright 2019 Shambhala Publications

Yoga Myths

by Judith Hanson Lasater

What you need to learn and unlearn for a safe and healthy yoga practice

Copyright 2020 Shambhala Publications

Teaching Yoga with Intention

by Judith Hanson Lasater

An essential guide to skillful hands-on assists and verbal communication

Copyright 2021 Shambhala Publications