Sonya comes from a diverse background that includes studying Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, running a multicultural environmental education program for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, writing science curricula for the Community Science Workshop Network, teaching kids how to use SCUBA equipment at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and working as a birth doula.

Sonya experimented with yoga in 2001 while experiencing complications with her health and found that the repeated practice of yogic breathing and postures greatly improved her quality of life. After several years of maintaining a dedicated home practice, Sonya decided to pursue a career in helping others through yoga and breathing. She graduated from the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco in 2011 and extended her knowledge with programs at Mount Madonna College of Ayurveda and Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts. Sonya now balances her time homeschooling her two kids and teaching yoga and breath work.