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How It All Began

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In 1972, Sonia Sumar’s life changed forever with the birth of her daughter, Roberta, who was born with Down Syndrome. At a time when resources for children with additional needs were limited, Sonia refused to accept the narrow expectations placed on her daughter. Guided by intuition, love, and determination, she introduced Roberta to Yoga — long before adaptive or therapeutic Yoga was widely understood.

What unfolded was extraordinary. Through gentle postures, breathing practices, and deep connection, Roberta began to thrive. Sonia witnessed improvements in her motor skills, communication, focus, and overall well‑being. These changes weren’t just encouraging — they were transformative. Roberta became the living inspiration for what would eventually become a groundbreaking approach to Yoga for children with additional needs.

Motivated by Roberta’s progress, Sonia became a Certified Yoga Teacher in 1975. Her home became both a sanctuary and a laboratory of love, where she observed, adapted, and refined techniques to meet Roberta’s unique needs. These early years laid the foundation for the method she would later share with the world.

During this time, Sonia dreamed of traveling to India to find a living Guru who could guide her deeper into Sadhana, her spiritual path. Although financial limitations kept her from making the journey, she found profound wisdom close to home. The teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda — widely available in Brazil — became her spiritual anchor, offering clarity, purpose, and a deep connection to Yoga philosophy.

A pivotal moment arrived in 1976 when Sonia’s Yoga center hosted Swami Nadabramananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda. His week‑long workshop strengthened her bond with the Rishikesh lineage and affirmed her commitment to the path she was carving.

In 1980, Sonia took a bold step forward by opening Núcleo Cultural Sivananda, the Sivananda Cultural Center. As Roberta continued to grow, Sonia’s work expanded. Families began seeking her guidance, hoping to provide their children with the same opportunities for development and joy. Her pioneering approach — rooted in compassion, precision, and the belief that every child holds limitless potential — quickly gained recognition across Brazil, South America, and Europe.

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A Journey of Devotion and Transformation

In 1988, Sonia embarked on her first pilgrimage to India, visiting sacred temples and ashrams in search of a deeper spiritual connection. Although she felt honored to meet revered teachers, she returned home with a lingering sense of incompleteness — her heart still searching for her Guru.

Destiny intervened the following year. Mataji Indra Devi, a legendary figure in the yoga world, spent a week in Sonia’s home, offering profound teachings and lectures at her Yoga center. During the International Yoga Congress in Argentina that same year, a woman approached Sonia with a message: Mataji had suggested she visit her Guru in Brazil soon. Would Sonia host him? She agreed, unaware that this simple “yes” would change her life forever.

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Finding Her Guru

In 1990, Sonia returned to Argentina to teach at the International Yoga Congress. Among the honored guests was Sri Swami Satchidananda — the Guru she had promised to host. When their eyes met, Sonia felt an immediate and profound recognition. Her long search was over.

From that moment, she committed to following his guidance. At his invitation, she later traveled to the United States, where he blessed her path and foresaw a future dedicated to teaching, training, and transforming lives through Yoga for All Abilities. In a beautiful twist of destiny, Sonia learned that Gurudev was a disciple of Swami Sivananda — a sign that her journey had always been leading her to him.

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A Lifelong Mission

Sonia’s deepest calling has always been to empower children with additional needs to reach their full potential and participate meaningfully in society. Her work with Roberta became the seed of a global movement. As she refined her methods, she began documenting her approach — the observations, adaptations, and breakthroughs that shaped her teaching. These insights eventually became her book, Yoga for the Special Child, which has guided countless parents, educators, and therapists around the world.

The heartfelt letters she receives from families reflect the profound impact of her work — stories of children discovering new abilities, confidence, and joy through Yoga.

A passionate educator, Sonia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and has taught at the elementary level. She has led workshops and spoken at special education programs and symposia across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and India.

• In 1980, she founded the Integral Yoga Center of Belo Horizonte, Brazil — now led by her daughter Renata and her business partner Luciana Prakash.

• In 2001, she established the U.S. headquarters of Yoga for All Abilities, the Satchidananda Yoga Center, in Evanston, Illinois.

• Today, from her home in Florida, Sonia continues to teach and offer specialized training worldwide.

Her book Yoga for the Special Child is available in English, Portuguese, Chinese, and Spanish, with an English eBook edition also available.

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Recognized Leadership

Sonia is a proud member of:

• Yoga Alliance (E‑RYT & E‑RCYT)

• Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA)

• International Association of Yoga Therapists (C‑IAYT)

• Yoga Alliance UK

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