Sophis Martinez

Sophis began practicing Iyengar Yoga in 2007 and apprenticed with Theresa Rowland from 2008 to 2014 at Studio Yoga in Madison. They received their certification in 2014 and joined the Faculty of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York in 2015. Over the years, Sophis has studied with many Senior Iyengar Yoga Teachers including Lois Steinberg, Gabriella Giubilaro and H.S. Arun. Sophis served as the vice-president of the Iyengar Yoga Association of the United States from 2022 to 2024 and was an active member of IYNAUS Yoga & Equity Committee from 2021 to 2024.

Sophis came to Iyengar yoga to recover from a knee injury and fell in love with the depth, rigor and care of the practice. The practice became their chosen spiritual path. Sophis continues following the lineage of B.K.S. Iyengar by studying with Institute Faculty as well as visiting teachers. 

In addition to teaching, Sophis is an activist-scholar focusing on the construction of the body, its governance and liberation. They hold a B.A. in Sociology and are currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Gender-Sexuality Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center. Sophis is an avid reader, food enthusiast and arts lover.

Sophis’ teaching style can be described as joyful, grounded and philosophical. For them, the role of an Iyengar Yoga teacher is to support their students in the journey to connect and understand their physical embodiment and move towards the depth and fullness that exists within. Each asana becomes an entryway into this knowing. To new students, Sophis says “Be consistent, and cultivate curiosity.”