Sonya Patel

 

Founder of Zenworks Yoga

 

by Joseph Pinnock, crew 4

 

 

Have you ever done yoga? Sonya Patel does it all the time. She loves it so much, she made Zenworks Yoga, her own business. The Zenworks Yoga’s mission is “to provide balanced yoga instruction to children and families in a fun and meaningful way.”

 

Patel, 31, got the idea for her business, Zenworks Yoga, when she was teaching in New York City. Patel was a teacher for two years. She taught second and third grade at Leadership Prep Charter School. “I saw that my kids were very stressed out and nervous. We didn't have recess and gym was only two days a week,” Patel explained. “During testing time, we started doing yoga in our classrooms and we really thought it helped our students.”

 

When Patel got married to her high-school sweetheart and moved back to Ohio, she thought about starting a yoga business for kids in Cleveland. Her reason to create this program was to provide kids opportunities to resolve stress. Her passion for yoga began when she was a young kid. “I have been doing yoga since I was younger and started doing it more regularly the past few years,” she expressed.

 

As a result of starting her own business, she became the CEO and founder of Zenworks Yoga. She runs the day- to-day business, which means she finds and pays the instructors. She does all of the marketing and fundraising for the program as well. Zenworks Yoga gives free classes at The Ronald McDonald House, Girl Scouts, and local libraries and schools. A lot of people have physical and emotional health issues. Yoga relaxes and calms people. Not only does Patel encourage others to do yoga to improve their health, but also focus.

Patel is morally courageous and brave as a businesswoman. She is a strong business leader because of the skills she has developed. Patel explained, “I am able to focus better, and I have better time management and organization skills.” She manages her busy schedule by planning the tasks she need to do for the day and making sure to complete them. Throughout her life she has faced rejection, but she persevered through her challenges. She describes herself as “the same daring and courageous person” she has always been because she has never been afraid to go up to somebody to talk to them about something or ask a question. She continues to a brave citizen to make sure that the community and her business are thriving and stress-free.

 

Patel went to Solon High School and New York University in New York City. She is fluent in Hindi, which is spoken in India. Her parents moved to the United States from India when they were in their 20s. Patel was born in Ohio, but she speaks Hindi with them. Patel explained that “it was always nice to see a different life and perspective.” Her background and ability to speak another language fluently has enabled her to understand different cultures to connect with people.

 

In the future, Patel may try her hand at another business while managing Zenworks. For example, she explained that she might try to open a restaurant that offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. She also hopes to continue to have her daughter, Layla, and husband involved with daily yoga practices and influences. Patel gives some very wise and encouraging advice. “Dream big and don’t be afraid to get rejected,” Patel said. “If you work hard enough, you will get there.” She is proof that hard work pays off because she has been successful at achieving her goals.