From running the rat race to survivor and sharing, meet Saori Soga—a Yoga Tune Up® Certified Trainer who took control of her life and pain.
Over the past decade, Saori has used Tune Up Fitness methods to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts as well as to support those with chronic pain and medical conditions like her own. She brings her own experience of discovering the Coregeous® Ball, and using it as her lifeline, helping her manage pain from a 15-pound tumor until she was able to secure the care she needed while still continuing to inspire her students.
From Art Director to Directing and Sharing Healthy Lifestyle Habits
After spending over 16 years as a Graphic Designer and Art Director in the music and entertainment industry, Saori’s sedentary lifestyle led to obesity, chronic pain, and sleep struggles. In her late 30s, after years of poor health and hitting rock bottom, she recognized the urgent need for a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Determined to reclaim her well-being, she lost over 30 pounds and transitioned into a career dedicated to fitness and wellness.
Today Saori has spent over a decade empowering athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals managing chronic pain and medical conditions—including her own. Her journey is marked by personal triumphs and a deep commitment to helping others. Saori’s story is not just about overcoming adversity; it’s about inspiring others to reclaim their health and live a life of purpose.
Now as Fitness Professional who helps train and coach for marathons and triathlons, Saori enjoys helping others achieve their best and teaches a wide range of classes: from Yoga Tune Up®, HIIT Bootcamp, Running, Cycling, Swimming, Pilates, Yoga, and Sound Meditation, at companies such as Equinox, Center For Yoga, YogaWorks, Artha, Valley Hot Yoga, Hollywood studios (Disney, Paramount Pictures, NBC Universal), and many other corporate companies, as well as private clients all over Los Angeles.
Additionally, Saori enjoys participating in community programs such as the High School Obesity Prevention/Nutrition Program, SOS Mentor Shape Up, and Project Angel Food Nutrition Department as well as teaching community fitness classes for Cancer Support Groups.
Interview led by Meg, Tune Up Fitness’s Brand Engagement Manager, with over 25 years of dance experience, starting in Dallas, Texas, and has now traveled the nation performing and teaching. After years of repetitive dance movements, Meg’s pain in her shoulders, hands, and feet was relieved by the Roll Model® Method. This new knowledge inspired Meg to complete more Tune Up Fitness courses; she continued to take Body by Breath and Yoga Tune Up® Teacher Certification to share it with her students and reawaken her love for anatomy.
Learn more about Saori in this month’s Teacher Highlight interview below.
Meg: How many years have you been teaching?
Saori Soga: Fitness 20 years, Yoga Tune Up® 10 years
Meg: What’s your Number 1 tip for teachers?
Saori Soga: Always follow your heart, your calling, and your passion. No matter your background, experience, history, etc., there are so many “puppies” to be saved in the world, and there are people out there who need you. Be available, visible, and ready so your tribe can find you. And be 100% authentically YOU and not be like anyone/everyone else. There are always 1% haters out there but don’t let that dim your light, ever! Every experience we have (good or bad) makes us unique and can help others who might be going through similar struggles.
Meg: What is your favorite rollout?
Saori Soga: Feet! I’ve been a runner all my life, and this is my first go-to. Every single day!
Meg: What is your favorite move?
Saori Soga: Tubular Core/Diaphragmatic Breathing. Jill’s “Body By Breath” book saved me so many times… from running marathons, swimming, surgeries, and navigating through LA traffic to everyday self-care.
Meg: How has the Yoga Tune Up® training impacted your teaching?
Saori Soga: I stumbled upon my very first Yoga Tune Up® class at Equinox Santa Monica, a day after my very first LA Marathon. I didn’t know what YTU exactly was, but it was in the yoga room, so I figured it’d help alleviate my insane soreness and agonizing pain. I was limping, couldn’t walk straight, and couldn’t even get up from my chair, car, and toilet seat! When a teacher asked the class for any requests, I raised my hand and explained my situation, and she kindly catered to the class to help me. I couldn’t believe my eyes when the class was over, I was walking out of the studio like a normal person! And all I was thinking was how excited I was for the next Marathon!
I knew then that this was exactly what I needed in my life to keep pursuing fitness, teaching so many classes, and being able to do it all safely. I wanted to learn everything about YTU and signed up for the next Yoga Tune Up® teacher training. I’ve been following Jill Miller ever since!
YTU truly changed my life over a decade ago. And I knew then that this was my life’s calling!
Meg: What is your favorite Roll Model® Method Therapy Ball to us?
Saori Soga: It is between the ALPHA Ball and the Coregeous Ball®.
In 2020, another turn of events happened when I was already a “healthy” trainer. I had to remove 15 lbs of tumor from my uterus. It was the biggest surgery of my life, and due to the pandemic. Due to insurance reasons, I had to postpone/carry that pain for 4+ years along with anemia. During that time, I hid this condition from almost everyone, not to be seen as a “weak/incapable” marathon coach or a professional trainer.
The Coregeous Ball® was my savior, and it helped me sustain myself until I finally got the surgery day set. This experience propelled me to pursue Yoga Tune Up® even further. Not only for runners, athletes, and people solely with sore muscles but also for people with different medical conditions.
Meg: I see you work with sound baths and Reiki. Have you incorporated sound baths into Yoga Tune Up®?
Saori Soga: I’m so grateful to bring Yoga Tune Up® everywhere! I have new studios all over LA, such as Center For Yoga, YogaWorks, Valley Hot Yoga, Artha, and Equinox Palisades who are excited to bring back the format after 15+ years including Equinox Sports Club LA, Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Encino.
Always follow your heart, your calling, and your passion. And be 100% authentically YOU and not be like anyone/everyone else. Every experience we have (good or bad) makes us unique and can help others who might be going through similar struggles. – Saori Soga
Meg: What have you taken away from your training with Tune Up Fitness®?
Saori Soga: Having gone through all the trainings with Jill and other excellent YTU teachers has been a true gift and has impacted my teaching on so many levels. Having gone through multiple pieces of training, including the National Academy of Sports Medicine and RYT500, etc. I love Jill’s unique approach to body mechanics and modality incorporating breathing and fascial aspects.
YTU was the missing piece of the puzzle in my wellness coaching. I can now blend them all together and come up with something beautiful. Additionally, I assisted Jill at her last in-person training winter at Center For Yoga. The experience assured me that I was on the right path.
The dream is starting to happen, and I now teach a back-to-back YTU class followed by Soundbath. This is such a yummy combo, and it’s been a huge hit!
Meg: How are you tuning up your self-care in 2025?
Saori Soga: This is my calling—I live and breathe this work. I’m constantly engaging with people about pain and body awareness. I love introducing them to Yoga Tune Up® methods and Roll Model® Therapy Balls. I always carry a set in my purse, and I frequently gift them to friends, family, and clients. The positive feedback and “thank you’s” I receive remind me of how transformative it can be to alleviate pain. I literally carry the balls EVERYWHERE I GO and help spread the love for YTU. People even call me the “Ball Lady” because I always have Roll Model® Therapy Balls in my bag or as gifts to others.
Meg: I saw you did a yoga fundraiser for Minnie, your dog. How did that incorporate your two passions, yoga and your pup?
Saori Soga: Yes, my dear rescue dog Minnie has stage 4 cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. I don’t have kids, so I am doing everything and actively doing fundraiser classes to help pay her medical bills. Minnie has her own Coregeous® Ball that gives comfort and support as it works for humans.
Saori turns 52 in March and is in the healthiest shape of her life! She’s forever grateful. She strives to help her clients to breathe better, walk better, get stronger, and ease any pain by prevention.
You can take her classes in the LA area below:
Saturdays: Equinox Sports Club LA 12:30pm / 1:20pm / Equinox Studio City 5pm
Sundays: Equinox Westwood 11:30am / Equinox Beverly Hills 1:45pm / Equinox Encino
Mondays: Equinox Pacific Palisades 6:45pm (TBD)
Tuesdays: Valley Hot Yoga 11:15am / 8pm
Wednesdays: Artha 1:30pm
Fridays: Equinox Sports Club LA 11am / Equinox Woodland Hills 5:45pm
Find Saori Online at:
IG: Saorifitness
FB: Saori Soga
