Hi, I’m Donna, and I’ve taught in the fitness and wellness space for over 20 years. For much of that time, I believed that movement had to be hard to be effective. High-intensity wasn’t just my exercise of choice; it was a way of life.
After pushing my body past its limits for years, a complex jaw condition required me to pause and, for the first time, listen and develop a new practice of repose. There was so much my body was trying to say, and still is.
In what I thought was an “in-between” space, I studied and practiced functional breathwork. It became a gateway to breathing better and improving my body’s sub-optimal movement patterns. Over time, this expanded into conscious rest and recovery practices such as yoga nidra and myofascial release. I’ve spent the last decade studying and teaching these modalities and am passionate about helping people integrate them into their own embodiment practice.
Inspired by what this journey has taught me, I founded VIA SOPHIA, a somatic practice that honors the wisdom of the body and offers practical breathwork, restorative movement, and self-inquiry tools for daily life. My goal is to help people “unbrace” and move and breathe better than optimally. The work also explores the healing capabilities of sacred rest.
Feel free to email me at donna@viasophiastudio.com. I’d love to hear your story and how I can support you in your wellness journey.