Meet Katya Garcia

We recently connected with Katya Garcia and have shared our conversation below.

Katya , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

As the inspiring spiritual Guru Sri Dharma Mitra says “We’re all passing through the same things. Some are younger souls and some are older souls. But we all will be or have already been there”. This resonates with me so deeply when my
mind wonders: “am I good enough to teach this or that?” Then I instantly remember: I can help some souls that are younger than me! That’s it! No more doubt – sure, I am walking a step behind someone, but I also walk one step ahead someone else, so my job is to hold hands of both sides. Continue learning from those who have more knowledge than me, and pass it on to those who seek it from me. And then it becomes easy to share what I already know or have a skill to do.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I created Sound of Om as a space where people can come home to themselves. It’s a yoga and wellness studio based in Jersey City, and we also have a growing online community. We offer yoga, meditation, breathwork, and live virtual classes—rooted in tradition but taught in a way that’s accessible, grounded, and real.

Although I say I created Sound of Om, that’s not exactly accurate—it feels more like it was born through me. Of course, I took the practical steps to make it happen, but the idea came through me so clearly, and then the whole universe conspired to bring it to life. I’ve received immense support from fellow teachers, the community, the Brunswick Center where we’re located, and everyone who keeps showing up day after day. I’m beyond grateful.

After living in Bali, Thailand, and Malaysia for nearly seven years, it was really hard for me to settle into the fast-paced, often isolating lifestyle of New York City. I missed the sense of community and the free-spirited self-expression that’s so alive in that part of the world. After a lot of crying and complaining about it, I realized—if I couldn’t find it, I had to create it. I drew inspiration from the community culture at Ashtanga Yoga House in Ubud, the unique offerings at the Yoga Barn, the teachings of the Dharma Yoga Center, and the lighthearted wisdom of my teachers from all over the world. My hope is that Sound of Om can be a tiny bright light for everyone who walks through our doors.

What’s most exciting to me is how this work keeps deepening. I’ve spent years practicing and studying styles like Ashtanga and Dharma Yoga, and what I love most is helping people build a practice that’s personal—something they can actually live with, not just something they do on a mat.

Right now I’m really excited about our new 50-hour training called Eight Limbs, which helps students and teachers explore the full depth of yoga philosophy and integrate it into daily life. We’re also expanding our online offerings—so whether someone’s in the studio or across the world, they can still be part of this.

Sound of Om is really about community and bringing people together. One of the ways we’re doing that is through the Wellness Circle—a 7-week journey that’s already starting to shift our community from the inside out. It’s been powerful to watch people support one another, form real connections, and take small but meaningful steps toward living more intentionally.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Honestly, it all comes back to three things: first, I never give up my personal practice. Most of the time I make it my priority to practice over teaching. If I don’t continue learning, what can I bring to my students to share? So that’s a must.
Second, I refuse to compromise on the original vision. Trends shift and shortcuts pop up, we adapt and change, but if the heart of the work gets watered down, the whole thing loses its magic. If in the end of the day we are not doing yoga but solely transacting and running a business, then I don’t want it.
And this is where the third step comes in: Trust. Trusting that I’m on the right path, trusting that the right people will come, trusting the practice will take care of the students, trusting that if it’s meant for me, it will come. This is my favorite and works very well with yogic principle of Isvara Pranidana – surrendering to the divine (or in our earthly ways – trusting the process) – it removes so much pressure of performing, controlling, doing, influencing… We are not in control, we are not the doers, but we can go through life with a little less worry and suffering, if we trust that everything is already perfect the way it’s meant to be.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Remember, we always go through life with some pain and suffering, we all have to face challenges, we are all together in this. It has its positives – growing our character through overcoming difficulties, learning compassion and empathy, and also according to yogic beliefs, removing samskaras and living our karma. So everything is perfect just the way it is. But we don’t have to identify with our hardships, we can learn some techniques of managing our stress levels – which yoga is great for – and keep on living through our human experience.
Of course, having a community and friends and family to turn to is also very helpful, and surely yoga helps with that too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Soundofomyoga.com
• Instagram: Soundofom

Image Credits

Domenica Bernetti