About The Sôl Collective

 

The Sôl Collective marries yoga, breath work and unfiltered, loving conversations to birth a safe space where women are loved and supported as they morph into their highest self.  Our offerings and products encourage women to unearth the deepest, most unapologetic levels of self-love as they heal, fall in love with and accept all versions of themselves. With accessibility in mind, most offerings are virtual, with limited in person options.

Heeeey!

I’m Sonjachardé

If this about me section was an annoying ass “Tell Me About Yourself” icebreaker, this is what I would say…

  • I’m a single mother to a teenager with ADHD and the oldest out of 8 kids - nurturing is in my blood 

  • I’m a rape and childhood trauma survivor. On the daily, I fight through depression, anxiety and negative self-talk (so funnnn!) but I always win the war

  • I prefer to drink coffee out a china cup and my skin crawls when I have to use plastic or paper plates, cups, spoons etc (yes, even on Thanksgiving). Judge me. I don’t care

  • Expensive whiskey out of a heavy crystal glass is my libation of choice

  • Cooking and shit talking is my love language. Recipes and shit talking sessions are posted on my blog and podcast, respectively, when I feel like it.

  • I’m calmed by nature, plants, yoga, water, horror movies/shows and love to read poetry that makes me cry (especially Langston Hughes and James Baldwin)

  • I’m a certified drama queen and I love opulence, luxury and overdressing

I’ve worked as a therapist and I am a master’s level social worker, but the productivity metrics, sterile boundaries and whack ass policies didn’t allow me to do what I do best - nurture and love people. I wanted to build honest, organic, raw and authentic relationships that support collective healing. After a decade of the social work dance, I was like byeeeeeeeee! This ain’t for me.

That’s where self love guidance and yoga got up in the mix. What is a self-love guide? Think of working with a coach (I hate that word - it sounds like White-washing and stiff suits) who is highly educated and extremely qualified, but who also happens to be your homegirl that gets you together real quick and encourages you to show up for yourself. I’m big on holding you accountable but also, I’m relatable as fuck because I’ve been (am sometimes still am) where you are.

As a yoga and meditation teacher, I focus on the mental and spiritual aspects of the practice and how we can use what we do on the mat to beautify our life off the mat. Yoga is a way of life, not just physical movements you do for an hour, that cultivates love for the parts of ourselves that we feel may be too dark, ugly, messy, heavy or fragile to be loved abundantly. During my classes, you’ll gain endurance, strength and flexibility that is both physical and mental. That’s where the healing comes in.

Do Coaching & Yoga Go Together?

If that’s the question you’re asking, the answer is yes!

My life’s purpose is to nurture and empower others, especially women. A few ways I do this is through teaching yoga and breath work, and hosting unfiltered, loving conversations (aka self-love guidance or a coach) in a safe space. A place where women feel home. Many of my clients have experienced trauma, which shapes a person’s world view and how they relate with themselves and others.

No matter which professional hat I’m wearing, I help women manage their trauma responses and see how radiantly beautiful they are, inside and out, so they can have healthier relationships with themselves and others and engage in uninhibited and unapologetic self-love and self-acceptance.

Yoga sessions can be tailored to your individual emotional and physical needs with hands on adjustments, guided mediation, journaling, discussion and breath work. Remember, yoga isn’t just downward dog and crow pose. It’s digging deep, not running from what’s ugly and transforming. Birthing that lotus flower from the mud.

Below are questions I get asked a lot about yoga and coaching (this is not an exhaustive list - who got time to write all that?!):

What is yoga?

In the simplest of terms, it’s a spiritual practice that has roots in ancient Egypt and South East Asia. It connects physical poses, breath work and concentration to connect our mind and body in order to awaken energy channels (aka chakras). This helps us to reach deeper consciousness and self-awareness.

I’m fat/stiff/old/from the hood. Is yoga for me?

Yesss, baby! Yoga is for everybody & all bodies! Contrary to marketing, yoga is not just for White, wealthy, skinny people. Let’s reclaim it, k? The self-exploration, liberation & freedom yoga brings is too good for you not to get you some. Plus, even if you’re not flexible, you’ll still get the mental & physical benefits from the physical asanas (poses).

How is coaching different from therapy?

That’s a whole mouthful, so click here for an explanation of the difference and a look at my credentials. Hit me up if you’re still confused.

What do we work on while we talk, breathe and do yoga?

All. The. Things. This includes inner child work, confidence, body image, boundaries, inner voice, forgiveness of self and others and anything else needed to center your self-love, healing and growth (physically and mentally).

To have a more intimate conversation about my skills, offerings or anything else, head to the “BOOK ME” page so we can have a heart to heart.

“Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it.”

- James Baldwin