Exploring Life & Business with Sophia Sáenz of FlowSoFit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Sáenz

Hi Sophia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My interests span across a variety of areas, but my lifelong passion for movement and health has always been at the core. Growing up in Southern California, I was immersed in dance and had a passion for all fitness, anatomy, and wellness-related knowledge. My dance experience includes performing and competing in Ballet, Modern, Flamenco, and Rumba, though Salsa and Traditional Dominican Bachata hold a special place in my heart.

My entrepreneurial aspirations led me to Chicago, where I earned my Bachelor’s in Business and built my career in project management within the tech industry. I enjoy organizing events, projects and initiatives that positively impact environmental and community well-being. My love for yoga came later after taking Vinyasa and restorative yoga classes with my family during my holidays from school. My mission to improve my community and deepen my spiritual practice eventually led me to pursue my 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification (200RYT). Over the years, I studied Mat Pilates and developed a deep love for weight training, which I incorporate into my teachings. I founded FlowSoFit, born from my love of movement and the healing power of yoga. I have three years of experience teaching Vinyasa and Yoga Sculpt (yoga with strength-training). I currently work with a diverse group of individuals, including elementary school students, adults, and seniors, helping them improve strength, mobility and stress management while offering personalized wellness guidance. I aim to create a welcoming and holistic practice to help my students tap into their natural energy flow and foster a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them. It is the most rewarding experience to help facilitate the physical, mental, and emotional transformations in my clients and students. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the power of moving and healing our bodies!

When I’m not in the studio or gym, I love to read, hike, watch tv and experiment with cooking healthy recipes.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Teaching yoga and guiding my clients throughout their health and wellness journeys has been the most joyful experience of my life. One of the most challenging aspects of my entrepreneurship path has been learning to fully commit and believe in myself— trusting in my skills, my talent, and my ability to grow. I have a lifelong learner mentality so I always view myself as a student, however now as a certified yoga instructor, I realize I have more knowledge to share with others. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned to help them make healthier decisions and prioritize their well-being. I recognize how my knowledge of tailored movement empowers my students and clients to appreciate and care for their bodies. Learning to trust in myself and release self-doubt is an ongoing journey, but the results speak for themselves.

Another challenge has been navigating the unpredictable financial landscape and the lack of stability that comes with choosing the entrepreneurial path. Entrepreneurship is about trusting that your passion and expertise will resonate with others, but that doesn’t always guarantee immediate or consistent financial rewards. Additionally, collective health and well-being are not always a top priority in our modern society—clients may fluctuate, the market can shift, and there isn’t always a guaranteed path.

However, the reward lies in the transformation—not just in my clients, but in myself. It’s about focusing on what I offer and trusting that, through dedication and effort, opportunities will continue to unfold over time. Ultimately, my yoga teacher certifications and health/wellness education have given me a profound sense of self. I am deeply connected to my mission and living in alignment with my purpose.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
FlowSoFit was created from my deep love of movement and the healing power of vinyasa yoga. I’ve blended my love for movement with weight training, creating a holistic approach to fitness that empowers the body and mind. Whether you’re new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice, I’m here to help you feel strong, centered, and connected.

As a Latina, growing up I was immersed in dance, including Ballet, Modern, Flamenco, and Rumba, I’ve always appreciated the power of movement and rhythm as a way to connect to oneself. This foundation combined with my love for weight training, has shaped my unique approach to teaching, where strength, mobility, and mindfulness come together seamlessly. My varied interests allow me to bring a well-rounded and grounded approach to teaching, always focused on the individual needs and goals of each student.

I work with a diverse group of individuals, including elementary school students, adults, and seniors, helping them improve strength, mobility and stress management while offering personalized wellness guidance. I value the history of yoga and often incorporate Ayurvedic knowledge to create the most personalized wellness plans for my students and clients.

I currently teach Vinyasa, restorative and Yoga Sculpt, a dynamic fusion of yoga and strength training. I value creating a welcoming, inclusive, and holistic environment where students of all experiences feel supported. While I teach at gyms and studios, I also host multiple yoga and strength-training events per month that are affordable, accessible and inviting to people from all backgrounds. In Downtown Santa Ana, I co-host yoga with live piano sessions called “Melodies & Movement”, where my brother accompanies the class on the grand piano. Another event I’m proud to lead, is a themed Yoga Sculpt series, “Fuerza y Flow”, where I combine yoga and strength-training movements to the rhythms of Reggaeton, House/EDM, and other genres.

My lifelong passion for movement, strong background in dance, mat pilates and my 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and 50-hour Yoga Sculpt Instructor Certifications provide a well-rounded influence to my yoga teaching. I have over two years of experience teaching Vinyasa and Yoga Sculpt (yoga + strength-training). I will soon work towards earning my Health and Wellness Coach certification online at UCSD.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, it became more evident that most pre-dominantly Latino & Black communities do not have access to affordable wellness services such as yoga, strength-training/personal training, and other physical and mental health services. I was raised in Downtown Santa Ana and had the privilege to study dance at multiple companies and non-profit organizations. Physical movement, such as dancing, helped me stay focused and ambitious in my studies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staying active by lifting weights and practicing yoga provided the balance I needed to restore my energy, helping me to me avoid overworking to the point of unproductive exhaustion in my career. I am grateful to have the privilege to share my knowledge and love for mindfulness as well as the principles of yoga—such as balance, self-awareness, and healing—with my greater community in Southern California. As a Latina in the wellness space, I invite all people of color to seek out more opportunities to learn about their physical wellbeing and invite more movement into their busy lives.

Pricing:

• $20 per person for Melodies & Movement and Fuerza y Flow, themed yoga/wellness events
• $250 -$450 per month for individualized yoga & strength-training plan
• $70 per private 1:1 yoga session
• $100 group yoga session for 10-20 individuals
• $10 per person for Yoga on the Beach

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flowsofit.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flow.so.fit/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-saenz/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlowSoFit
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flow-so-fit/

Image Credits
SmartMusePiano by Tweena Vuong for the space for Melodies & Movement: Yoga with Live Piano