Faces of AWNY: Meet Sonja Johansson

Sonja Johansson lives at the intersection of science and sustainable movement. Once a shy child who found her calling through dance, her expertise in Pilates, strength training, and mindful movement led her to develop Smart Moves program, a program designed to help women maintain strength, mobility, and confidence as they age.

Host of AWNY’s Special Summer 2025 Event, The Art of Listening to Your Body: A Guided Movement Workshop for Women, Sonja’s interest in wellness began with two college classes that changed the course of her life. Here she shares how a vacation in New York City led to a career helping women move with ease through different life stages.    

Tell us about your life in Australia before moving to the US, and what shaped your career choice.

I grew up on the west coast of Australia–what locals affectionately call “the sandbox.”

Growing up, I was a shy and observant child—the kind who preferred quiet corners to center stage, and I seemed to be keenly aware of everything. I wasn’t particularly verbal, but I felt things deeply. When I was five, my mum enrolled me in ballet classes, and something shifted. I still remember the feeling: this sudden freedom in my body. Movement became my first real form of communication.

Those weekend dance classes eventually led me to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where I immersed myself in every dance form I could. While I loved performing, two classes changed the course of my life: Anatomy & Kinesiology, and The Feldenkrais Method.

Anatomy gave me the what—a deeper understanding of structure, form, and function. And Feldenkrais gave me the how—a profoundly intelligent way of exploring movement through curiosity and awareness. It’s been almost 35 years since those early classes, and I’m still completely hooked. 

I graduated as a Feldenkrais Practitioner 25 years ago, and ever since, my work has lived at the intersection of science and movement—where practical knowledge meets embodied intelligence. Over the years, I have continued to deepen my practice with extensive training across multiple disciplines. I’m a certified Pilates teacher, trained in Total Body Resistance Exercise (TRX), martial arts, breathwork, and neuro-motor re-education.

I’ve also developed my own somatic approach to Nordic Walking—a full-body, outdoor exercise that builds strength, cardio, and coordination.

My early experiences in Australia laid the foundation for everything I do today. It taught me that movement isn’t just about making beautiful shapes or burning calories – it’s about confidence, curiosity, and connection.

When and why did you move to NYC? And what have you been doing since?

How did I end up in New York? Believe it or not, my partner and I originally had our sights set on a Fijian island getaway. We were planning a holiday to Matamanoa when a pair of Aussie friends living in NoLita offered to swap apartments while they headed back home for a few months. We said yes—and the rest, as they say, is history.

When we left Sydney, I was working as a producer at Jack Morton, a global live events company. It was exhilarating—one week I’d be coordinating a high-energy concert for 3,000 people, and the next, curating a black-tie gala for Fortune 500 execs at the Four Seasons. But the long hours and constant deadlines started to take a toll on my body.

So I took the leap–not just moving to a new country, but completely pivoting my career.
I committed to working full-time as a wellness practitioner, and for the past 25 years, I’ve specialized in movement therapy with a focus on neuro-motor retraining. Think of it as a blend of physical therapy, occupational therapy, with a healthy dose of psychology thrown in. 

Being in New York has given me the opportunity to study with some of the world’s leading anatomists. I’m constantly fascinated by how the human body functions best.

Tell us about a time you experienced culture shock after moving to New York.

One of my most memorable culture shock moments came on a scorching August day during my first NYC summer. Desperate for a swim, my partner and I pulled out a map and headed to the nearest beach—Coney Island. Having been raised on the white-sand beaches and crystal-clear Indian Ocean waters of Western Australia, let’s just say the gray sand and murky waves left us speechless…and not in a good way.

Do you spend all your time in NYC?

We’re lucky enough to escape the hustle and bustle a few times a year and head to Jamaica. Friends of ours own two beautiful hotels on the West End of the island, and it’s become our go-to place to decompress and shake off the city.

During the pandemic, we were incredibly fortunate to spend an extended stretch there. We essentially relocated for a while—living outdoors, swimming in the Caribbean Sea every day, and immersing ourselves in the slower rhythm of island life.

We got so swept up in our surroundings that I ended up fulfilling a secret dream. My partner, a photographer, was helping a friend who owned a fashion label, and I got to step in as a late-life model. Despite my early training as a performer, I never imagined I’d end up featured in the style section of a national newspaper (Yes, there are photos!).

What has been your craziest “only in New York” experience?

My craziest “only in New York” experience is also one of my favorites: my partner and I got married on rowboats in the middle of Central Park. We gathered a small group of friends, a celebrant, and a pink parasol, then paddled out onto the lake and held the ceremony beneath Bow Bridge. It was equal parts romantic, chaotic, and unmistakably New York–a perfect blend of spontaneity and scenery.

What was your “dream come true” moment in NYC, and why?

During the pandemic, I finally brought a long-standing idea to life—a fusion of Pilates, strength training, and mindful movement. The result is Smart Moves, a unique program I developed to support women in maintaining strength, mobility, and confidence as they age.

Helping pre- and post-menopausal women to build strength in a way that’s safe, effective, and sustainable is a passion project for me.

As a woman over 50, I know firsthand how much the fitness world overlooks the needs of mature women—and how important it is to offer safe, sustainable ways to build real strength without strain.

If we were to follow you around for a week, what would we experience?

You’d start each morning with a Zoom class full of women from all over the world—Australia, the U.S., Europe—logging on in their comfy clothes, ready to move. These aren’t your typical fitness sessions. They’re short, focused functional strength classes designed to build resilience, mobility, and confidence–especially for women navigating midlife and beyond.

After a virtual class, I visit private clients in their Manhattan homes, some of whom have profound neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, ALS, stroke, and spinal injuries. And I have an office near Penn Station where I see clients who are dealing with pain, musculoskeletal issues (hips, knees, shoulders), rehab, or postural concerns.

Some afternoons, you’ll find me in Central Park, coaching Nordic Walking sessions along the bridle path. It’s the perfect way to close the day–fresh air, easy conversation, and a fun, full-body movement. Plus, you can’t beat the skyline views at sunset.

What do you miss most about Australia, and how do you stay connected with Australian culture in NYC?

I sometimes worry about losing touch with my Australian identity, so I’m always looking for ways to stay connected to the mindset and culture back home.

Strangely enough, I’ve become addicted to the ABC series You Can’t Ask That. An American journalist friend introduced me to it! The show poses anonymous, often uncomfortable questions to people from marginalized or misunderstood communities—no filters, no sugar-coating. It’s raw, honest, and very Australian in its humor and directness. Watching it makes me feel instantly reconnected to home, both the accent and the attitude.

And of course, Bourke St Bakery hits the spot with its pies and sausage rolls!

What are your favorite places in NYC to meet friends for a drink or meal when they visit from Australia?

I’m drawn to relaxed outdoor spots with a view of the water. We’re a bit spoiled living in Battery Park City—there’s easy access to the waterfront, and plenty of restaurants and bars around South Cove and Brookfield Place.

For something a little more special, I love taking visitors to Governors Island. There are a few casual eateries right near the ferry dock, and you get an unbeatable view of Lady Liberty in all her glory.

For a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, I like to hop on the ferry to Red Hook for some of the best BBQ in the city at Hometown Bar-B-Que.

If you were to start your NYC life over again, what advice would you give yourself?

I often reflect on the irony that I was born in one of the most isolated cities in the world–Perth–only to move to one of Australia’s busiest urban neighborhoods, Darlinghurst, after graduating from university. And now, somehow, I find myself living in one of the most vibrant and fast-paced places on the planet: New York City.

If I were to start over again in NYC, my advice would be: don’t take things personally. Americans, in general, aren’t shy about saying what’s on their mind–and New Yorkers take that to an Olympic level. What might come across as blunt or even rude to an Australian is often just someone being direct and efficient. It took me a while to realize that most of it isn’t personal—it’s just the rhythm of the city. Once you stop absorbing every sharp edge, you can actually appreciate the honesty… and maybe even enjoy it.

How can AWNY members connect with you?

You can check out my classes and clinical practice at Honest Exercise.
And you can find short videos and tips on moving better at my Facebook page.