This week’s Yogi in the Community Sonia Roberts talks with us about her transition from dance to yoga, family, motherhood, and yoga. Sonia’s yoga journey is a testimony for how yoga can be used as a tool for transformation. It was particularly refreshing to learn how Sonia’s yoga practice aided in her resistance against depression. Take some time today and read more about Sonia and other Yogis in the Community on Chelsea Loves Yoga!
Name: Sonia Roberts
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Hometown (optional): Redwood City, CA
1. What led you to your first experience with yoga?
My first experience with yoga was when I was studying at the University of California at Berkeley. I was a Dance Minor and one of my dance teachers had us doing downward facing dog at the end of class. 
I thought it was so weird. I remember looking around the room to see if I was doing it right. I continued to study dance for a few more years in hopes of pursuing a dance career. I was very drawn to dance because it was such a cathartic release for me. In pursuing dance as a career path, it became very stressful and the dance environment was not very uplifting. I started practicing yoga instead because the practice was so much kinder on my body and I was digging the spiritual journey. I loved the practice of moving, being in my body, connecting to my body, breath and inner being. It gave me life. Right away I knew I had to teach it.
2. Can you talk about the ways in which your yoga integrates into your day?
I started battling depression when I was 12 or 13 years old, maybe even younger. I’ve been winning that battle for a long time now.
It seems like it was a lifetime ago and a completely different person/mind/body existed then. One of the greatest gifts was finding YOGA and sharing this awesome practice by teaching others.
My day usually starts with a yoga practice. I teach a 6am yoga class three times per week. Sometimes its just a few minutes sitting and breathing or moving into a few postures before leaving to teach. Since I’m fortunate to stay at home with my two small children, I usually squeeze a brief practice in whenever I can throughout the day or during their bath time or right before bed.
3. Perhaps you can talk about how yoga contributes to your role as a mother in particular.
Yoga helps me with my greatest challenge, being the best mother and wife possible. It’s a process. I try to do better and be better everyday. It’s a lot of slowly undoing bad habits and a practice of positive thinking. Breaking habits and changing thought patterns is a process.
Raising children takes an incredible amount of patience. I find myself pausing a lot and focusing on my breathing before I react. 
Time outs have become sitting them down with me and giving them a big hug if it’s attention they need or I’ll say to sit down and take five deep breaths. Of course I take five deep breaths also.
Trying to be my best means raising my vibration to the highest: one of optimism, joy, gratitude, and appreciation. One way to do this is by meditating daily. Even if you only have a minute, take time to sit still, be silent. Meditating is a time to connect with a higher power and your intuition. It doesn’t matter how you do it or for how long, just do it.
4. What suggestions do you have for mom/dad yogis who manage family units and find it difficult to fit yoga (or other self care practices) into the day?
It is so important to carve out time for self care, “me” time. I know it can be difficult, especially if you are a single parent. Sometimes the only time I get is when I wake up early before my children rise. Even if it’s only five minutes to breathe, clear your mind, sense your body, set an intention. It is worth it so your day can start off peaceful versus chaotic.
If you can’t find time just for yourself then integrate your children into your practice. Teach them savasana “nap” pose before their homework, reading or play time. Kids love structure so create a routine for everyone. They will most likely love sharing the practice of yoga with you. You will be giving them a gift of taking care of yourself and showing them how to care for themselves.
You can find Sonia on Instagram: @soniarobertsyogamagic
and Facebook: Sonia Roberts Yoga
