Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonali Patil.
Sonali, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started practicing yoga after the birth of my second child and at the end of a very busy graduate program. I completed my Ph.D. in molecular biology and began working as a scientist in a drug development company.
As I got deeper into my yoga practice I realized that sharing what I had learned would be nice. I trained to be a certified instructor and began my journey as a yoga instructor about 10 years ago.
What I gained from yoga was the mental and physical strength to continue through days, even if they had not turned out to be the best. It helped me during the years of juggling a full-time job and raising young kids. I looked forward to the yoga days as a getaway for a couple of hours a week.
Apart from the mental aspect, I also found it affected my physical fitness in many ways. Muscle tone and flexibility was certainly way better than it had ever been!
As a yoga teacher, I find great joy in working with small groups, sharing my experiences and practicing with my students. I have also recently started teaching young children and it is amazing how absorbent their minds and bodies are. Teaching brings me immense satisfaction specifically when one can see the results.
Has it been a smooth road?
The journey as a yoga teacher has not been a huge struggle only because I love doing what I do. I must admit there are times when it seems difficult to get away from other things of the daily routine and make time to go teach a class, but the minute I walk into the room and begin the session, I immediately know this is the best place to be. I walk out feeling renewed and refreshed and at peace.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Life Foundation yoga has been the legal entity under which I teach yoga. However, I do not consider it a profession as I do have another job. For me, the business is for business purposes and to pay my taxes:)
Life Foundation Yoga is more than a business, it is a means of spreading the joy of yoga and meditation to hopefully aim to help many people going through various struggles in their life. To try to give them an hour of mental peace and help them find the light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
Teaching younger children will hopefully help them make right choices regarding their health and fitness as they grow into adulthood.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Houston has many large gyms and fitness places, however, small studios such as yoga places are not as popular as perhaps San Francisco or LA.
Smaller studios are less intimidating and many yogis often prefer small groups rather than loud gyms.
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