This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
From Politics to Yoga: Sonia Birdi's Journey to Wellness ¶
As a former member of parliament and accountant, Sonia Birdi was no stranger to stress and burnout. However, after experiencing a series of frustrations and health issues, she discovered yoga and found a solution to her stress.
Published on June 27, 2020, Sonia shares her journey from exhaustion to entrepreneurship, and how she turned her passion into a successful business.
After being nominated to be a member of parliament in 2013, Sonia held the position until June 2017. Beyond politics, she is an accountant by profession. However, her work in politics and accounting left her feeling frustrated and disillusioned.
"I was suffering from symptoms such as high blood pressure and insomnia. My cholesterol was high. I was physically exhausted and my brain was fogged," Sonia recalls.
It was during this time that Sonia discovered yoga. She had always been interested in the practice, but it wasn't until she was exhausted and in poor health that she decided to delve deeper into it.
"I got the idea to start a hot yoga studio to get people back to a place of wellness. I had envisioned a community of people who, in spite of holding a job and leading normal civilian life, were also conscious of their wellness," Sonia explains.
With the help of research and practice, Sonia became a certified meditation mediator and yoga instructor. She then opened Hot Yoga Nairobi in May 2019, with a start-up cost of Sh20 million.
"Our model was (and still is) to sign newbies at a cost of Sh3,000 for one month. In that one month, the signee will attend ten hot yoga sessions. We presume that by the end of the month, they would have made a choice – whether it is something they want to take on for longer," Sonia says.
Today, Hot Yoga Nairobi has grown faster than Sonia anticipated, with over 800 signees in their database. However, the business has suffered due to the COVID-19 lockdown, and they are currently only managing online yoga classes for a few clients.
Despite the challenges, Sonia remains optimistic and shares her tips for success: "Do a lot of research before starting the business. And also, have solid skills associated with running the business."
