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
