What are some of the amazing memories, highlights you have regarding the past 17 years that you have been the owner of Sonic Yoga?
Wow, there are so many amazing memories over the past 17 years. Our lease was signed on September 10th, 2001 the night before 9/11 so things were feeling pretty heavy in NYC at that time. Jonathan Fields the original founder and I were worried about the timing of opening the studio, but in the end it turned out that after the attacks people really needed to heal, connect and find community, so we decided to move forward as planned and provide a space for that to happen.
The early years were pretty amazing that first night before we opened the studio in November of 2001 when Jonathan Fields, the founder and I pulled a few all nighters to get the studio ready for our grand opening. It was pretty crazy, the two of us were teaching all of the classes on our own, working the desk, running the studio, cleaning, marketing, you name it, we had so many hats.
We got a lot of press in the first few years since Jonathan was always coming up with wild ideas to bring attention to the studio. Like the time he commissioned Adelphi University to do a comparison study on the cardiovascular effects of Vinyasa Yoga and running which led to a series of our first Yoga classes on VHS. And when he created a sound and light show class invited Time Out Magazine to write a story and his speaker system blew out a few hours before the class was supposed to start, somehow he managed to run to 42nd Street, buy a new system and get it set up just in time!
I also have some great memories when 8 years later in 2009 Jonathan sold the studio to me and Johanna came on board to help run it. We had a beautiful re-opening ceremony with Shiva Rea where we did a puja with thousands of rose petals. And of course there were the multitude of amazing Costa Rica retreats with Jeffrey and Tracy and so many transformational experiences within the over 75 teacher trainings that we have held at Sonic.
It’s been an amazing journey so many shifts and changes, including the move 2 years ago to our new space at 944 8th Ave which I felt like gave the studio a new beginning. Chris and I pulled that all nighter the night before just as Jonathan and I had done more than 15 years ago. The studio is alive and vibrant it has it’s own energy and it has continued to evolve and change over the past 17 years. The one thing that never changes is the beauty of the Sonic community the teachers, students, and teacher trainees who all show up authentically, full of love and passion for the practice. The studio has had an amazing re-birth in the past couple of years with Chris at the helm and our amazing staff, you [Todd], Mitch and Darby. It’s been a wonderful journey and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!
Could you tell us about how Sonic Yoga came to be? How did it all begin?
The original concept of Sonic was created by the founder Jonathan Fields. I had just finished graduate school and was working as a Wellness Consultant and teaching some corporate wellness meditation and Yoga classes. A mutual client introduced me to Jonathan. I went to meet with him to see if I could do some consulting for him. We met at the original space at 754 Ninth Ave, after talking with Jonathan for 5 hours I somehow walked out as his business partner. We had an amazing connection and we had a vision to create a Yoga studio with a super friendly vibe that was accessible to all people. Back in the early 2000’s the studios that were open at that time were a bit more serious and could be intimidating to a non-Yogis. We wanted to create a space that was welcoming and would make people feel happy and peaceful the moment they walked into the door! That was our mission statement and I think we did a pretty good job of pulling that off, to this day Sonic is known as the friendly studio with the most loving accepting community!
How has the Sonic grown over the years? How have programs evolved, such as Teacher Training?
Sonic has evolved in so many ways. I think the most important aspect is in the quality of our teaching staff. All of the teachers at Sonic have been trained by us. The level of experience of the Sonic staff is unparalleled in the Yoga community. The loyalty and commitment of our Senior teachers, Jeffrey, Chris, Keith and Sarah is phenomenal and they have guided so many of our junior teachers through the TT program and provided them with an outstanding education. Right now all of the Sonic teachers have a 500 Hour YA certification which makes us stand out as a top Yoga studio in the world. Both our 200 and 300 hour programs have been elevated each year as we continue to re-asses and improve upon our curriculum. It’s unbelievable to see such powerful growth. But the most important part of Sonic which is the love and support that the studio provides, the ability to transform your life and experience health, wellness and bliss, is actually something that has never changed. Sonic is definitely and will always be the place to find your bliss.
What do you think makes Sonic Yoga unique, different than other studios?
We have created a welcoming environment that is filled with wisdom, love and support. I think the community is what makes us different. The love that is felt from the minute you walk into the door!
What have you learned from the Sonic community/family over the years?
I have learned that there is nothing more important than the beautiful connection that we share as fellow students on this amazing path. I have learned to surrender, to go with the flow, to be steady and peaceful, to have faith and vision and to never give up on your dreams.
Why should people come and celebrate on Friday, November 30th for the Anniversary celebration?
I hope everyone comes to celebrate with us Friday so we can all take a pause in the busyness of our lives to remember what Sonic gives to us and to take pause and honor the healing power of this sacred community and to acknowledge the beautiful souls that have touched our lives and of course most importantly to get your face painted and to laugh, dance in the black light and celebrate the joy of living life as a Sonic Yogi!
