About
Hello! I’m Dr. Sheena Sood
I'm the founder and creative director of Yoga Warrior Tales!
I’ve been living in Philly since 2010. I'm a sociology professor, yoga teacher and activist. I have been teaching yoga in Philadelphia since 2011, when I traveled to India to become a certified teacher.
While I was completing my PhD in Sociology at Temple University, I fell in love with teaching kids yoga by teaching at a local pre-school in south Philly, Beanstalk pre-school!
During Covid, when my in-person yoga classes shut down, I created a virtual space for kids to practice yoga with me.
Kids from all over tuned in! It was beautiful to see them sing and dance along to yoga songs, embody yoga asanas, and move their bodies. I saw how naturally and enthusiastically kids grasped concepts like racial and environmental justice; and how imaginative they were at using yoga and political action to address issues like deforestation, environmental pollution, and animal rights. The program was meant to sustain kids during a 2-week shelter-in-place order, but it amounted to an 8-week program that served over 40 families.
Then came Korra & Yoga Warrior Tales!
After the Zoom series ended, so many parents shared with me how thankful they were for the impact that yoga series had on their children. I wanted to keep the momentum going by building on a vision for fusing yoga and social justice for children.
Then, Korra, my puppy, came into my life in August 2020. Needless to say, Korra inspired me to manifest Yoga Warrior Tales. She also soon became the mascot!
I started YOGA WARRIOR TALES because I believe everyday children are our future social justice warriors of the world. I wanted each child to feel empowered and inspired to take responsibility for the planet and all living species.
Yoga Warrior Tales Mission Statement
Yoga Warrior Tales LLC is a mindfulness program for kids. Our target age range is kids ages 4-10 years old. Our mission is to help build a world where children learn how to problem solve and take agency over pressing social issues while also learning about their hearts and bodies!
Every lesson is uniquely designed to reach the hearts and spirits of children -- and to spread more love, peace, and justice in the world -- by fusing the following principles together:
- Breath & mindful movement
- Loving kindness meditations
- Social justice education
- Adventure-based & interactive storytelling
- Animal- & nature-based wisdom
- Creative, free expression
Our Team
Sheena Sood
Dr. Sheena Sood (she/her) is the creative director of Yoga Warrior Tales. She is a Philly-based educator, yoga instructor and healing justice artist. Sheena currently works as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Delaware Valley University.
Kayla Naomi Watkins
Kayla (she/her) is the videographer and editor at Yoga Warrior Tales. She is a documentarian, media educator, and color correction artist who works as a Digital Producer at WHYY.
Lucy Souttor
Lucy is a Philadelphia filmmaker and one of the editors of Yoga Warrior Tales. She has provided post production services for a diverse assortment of projects including but not limited to commercials, feature films, web-hosted television, and now of course, children's yoga programs. Past clients include Stevie Van Zandt, Adobe Max, the Curtis Institute, and more. Her most recent short film debuted at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival in November 2023.
Korra
Korra is a West Philadelphian puppy who loves stretching in the mornings, meditating with her mom, playing with her friends Gina, Bunny, and Chini, and chasing after squirrels and cats! Cuddling happens on her terms, the way to Korra's heart is through play and treats!
Voice Actors
Kaiya
Kaiya - Kaiya Wongshen-Jackson is 11 years old and has a twin brother named Guari. Kaiya is in 5th grade and goes to Henry Houston elementary school. Her interests are singing, making videos and reading.
Guari
Guari Wongshen-Jackson is 11 years old. He is in 5th grade at Houston elementary school with his twin sister, Kaiya. His interests are in gaming, karate and drawing.
Imala
Imala Bray Jones is a fifth-grade student from West Philadelphia. Imala’s hobbies include watching anime, gymnastics and rollerskating. Imala is an avid reader and hopes to one day visit Tokyo, Japan.
Naya
Naya - Naya Erakat-Haddad is a 9 year old Palestinian and Lebanese girl. Naya is in 4th grade and goes to Adaire Elementary school in Philly. She finds joy in dancing, playing piano and loving on her cat Honey and all her other animal friends like Muffin, Korra, and Zaatar. She has two big brothers named Jude and Julian.