Meet Symphonie Chanel

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Symphonie Chanel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Symphonie , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My purpose emerged through my journey with Multiple Sclerosis, which began at age 14. At first, I didn’t fully understand the diagnosis, so I didn’t feel its impact until my early twenties. At that point, it began to feel like a significant limitation—so many rules, medications, sensations, and seemingly no way forward. Over time, I was diagnosed with additional conditions, including endometriosis, bipolar disorder, PCOS, anxiety, and more. These experiences became a catalyst for exploring alternative paths to wellness.

My most pivotal moment came when I began researching women’s health, particularly around menstrual cycles. I was shocked by how inaccessible vital information about our bodies truly is. My research uncovered knowledge that was never discussed with me by my healthcare providers. The more I learned, the more I realized that our current medical system doesn’t honor the body as a whole. Gaining comprehensive knowledge about my physiology connected so many dots—even with the diagnoses I had been managing for years.

Almost a decade ago, when traditional medical approaches left me feeling disempowered, I discovered yoga—not just as exercise, but as one of many tools for reclaiming autonomy over my health. Over the years, I’ve continued studying and deepening my understanding of women’s wellness. This process opened my eyes to the profound health disparities faced by women in general, and especially in my community. As a result, I pursued certifications in women’s physiology/anatomy, pelvic floor health, and as a Birthworker to complement this new role in supporting women’s wellness.

As I began teaching, I noticed something crucial: while women make up the majority of yoga practitioners in America, traditional yoga was never designed with women in mind. In India, where yoga originated, women were not even allowed to practice. This realization, combined with my birthwork perspective, led me to adapt my teaching to truly honor women’s bodies first. The impact of systemic oppression and medical neglect on Black women’s bodies made this approach feel especially urgent. Generations of discrimination have severed the connection between Black women and their bodily autonomy.

This understanding, coupled with my personal journey and professional experience, led me to found Her Sacred Way in 2020. I envisioned more than just a yoga studio —I wanted to create a haven where practices actively rebuild trust and power within women’s bodies, addressing the deep-rooted health disparities in our community.

Today, my purpose is clear: I am dedicated to transforming health outcomes for women by offering wellness practices that honor their bodies and experiences, addressing health disparities, and empowering women—especially Black women—to reclaim their relationship with their bodies through culturally informed, accessible practices.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As a Holistic Wellness Advocate & Birth Worker, my work centers on transforming women’s health outcomes through accessible, culturally authentic practices. Her Sacred Way emerged from my personal journey with my own health, which taught me the importance of reclaiming bodily autonomy through holistic wellness approaches. What excites me most is seeing women rebuild trust with their bodies and reclaim their power. As someone who navigated complex health diagnoses, I understand the critical need for wellness practices that honor women’s unique physiology and experiences.

This understanding shaped Her Sacred Way into Buffalo’s first Black-owned wellness collective & studio. While currently housed at Princessa’s Studio & Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York, our vision extends beyond a traditional studio space – we’re creating a home for practitioners who have been scattered across the city, teaching in various community and other rented spaces lacking support and/or consistency.

Our programming serves everyone in our community through foundational wellness practices: Yoga and Mindfulness, self-defense, Dance expressions , and mind-body workshops. Drawing from my background in women’s health, we also offer specialized classes like prenatal/postnatal yoga and yoga for menstrual cycles, expanding our wellness offerings to serve diverse needs.

Our commitment to community wellness is reflected in our ongoing programming. We offer regular community classes every Tuesday at 5:30 PM and Saturdays at noon, making consistent practice accessible to everyone. Registration is required for all classes at hersacredway.com. After a two-year sabbatical, we’re excited to announce the return of our Yoga 4 Pregnancy program, now available Saturdays at 10:30 AM with a special 50% discount using code SacredJourney25. This February, we’re also hosting a special Valentine’s Day event featuring a unique collaboration with Princessa and Curtis Lovell, combining paint and sip experiences with yoga flow and meditation.

While our classes welcome everyone, it’s worth noting that women make up the majority of people practicing yogain America. Though not all our classes specifically focus on women’s physiology, women naturally benefit significantly from our offerings based on this demographic reality. Our collective’s approach is unique – we maintain inclusive, accessible programming for all while ensuring we have specialized classes that address women’s specific needs, supported by practitioners who understand women’s physiology and health concerns.

What makes our collective unique is its dual purpose: providing consistent, beautiful space for practitioners to grow their practice while making wellness more accessible to our community. By creating a central hub for wellness professionals, particularly practitioners of color, we’re addressing a longstanding need in Buffalo’s wellness landscape. Our practitioners bring diverse perspectives and modalities that reflect and serve our community’s needs.

We’re also expanding through corporate wellness initiatives, bringing these transformative practices directly into workplaces. By eliminating common barriers to wellness engagement – like time and transportation – we’re making self-care accessible during the workday. Our programs can be customized to support various organizational needs while maintaining our core focus on accessible, inclusive wellness.

What truly excites me is seeing our vision manifest in real-time. Whether it’s someone discovering wellness through our movement classes, a practitioner finding a consistent home for their teaching, or an organization embracing wellness through our corporate programs, each interaction reinforces our mission: transforming health outcomes through accessible, culturally informed practices that serve our entire community.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities or skills that have been most impactful in my journey are grit, self-awareness, and what I like to call “delusionality.”

Grit, for me, is about never leaving myself. No matter how hard things get, I stay committed to my own journey, purpose, and to the women I’m here to serve. This keeps me going, even in moments of uncertainty. It’s in this commitment that I’ve found hope for better outcomes, knowing that I can show up fully for both myself and for others too.

Self-awareness has been an ongoing, never-ending journey. It requires looking at yourself with honesty and without judgment—something that’s nearly impossible without access to the right information. Through practices like yoga, mindfulness, and simply being present, I’ve learned that awareness deepens with time. The more I’ve understood myself, the more empowered I’ve become to navigate my path and help others do the same.

Finally, “delusionality”—not a real word, but one that perfectly captures the power of dreaming beyond conventional limits. This world is ruled by imagination, and if we continue to follow someone else’s rules or limits, we’ll never reach our true potential. Sometimes, the only way forward is to believe in possibilities that others can’t see yet.

For those beginning their own journey: let grit be your foundation, anchoring you to your purpose even when things feel overwhelming. Cultivate self-awareness through consistent practice and curiosity, understanding that it’s a process of learning and unlearning. And don’t be afraid to embrace a little “delusionality”—your wildest dreams might just be the blueprint for a path that doesn’t exist yet.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! At Her Sacred Way, we’re seeking partners who share our vision for accessible, culturally authentic health practices. Our partnership opportunities include:

Corporate Collaborations
We bring customized wellness programs directly into workplaces, making self-care accessible during the workday and supporting employee wellbeing.

Community Partners
We collaborate with educational institutions and healthcare facilities through campus wellness programs, student workshops, and staff development initiatives.

Health & Wellness Organizations
We partner with maternal health initiatives, women’s health providers, and holistic practitioners to create comprehensive wellness programs addressing health disparities.

For Practitioners
We offer consistent space for wellness professionals to grow their practice. Our collective welcomes practitioners aligned with accessible, culturally competent care – and no, you don’t have to specifically teach to women to practice with us.
Ideal partners share our commitment to:

-Addressing maternal health disparities
-Making wellness accessible to all
-Supporting culturally authentic health education
-Creating lasting community impact

Contact us to discuss how we can work together to transform wellness outcomes in our community!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Her Sacred Way LLC.

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