I’m Erika, also known as Sukhmani Atma (Sukhi). I’m a Kundalini Yoga & Meditation instructor, a certified eating disorder recovery coach, and a graduate of Columbia University’s Clinical Psychology program with a concentration in mind/body healing. I specialize in yogic therapy and holistic counseling for disordered eating. My practice using breathwork, mantra, and sequences of movement called kriyas to create lasting, neurologically observable change in the mind/body relationship. In sum, my life path is to show others how to use breath and movement to overcome trauma + anxiety, make peace with the past, and channel a connection with the intuitive self.

I’m devoted to teaching transformative workshops and classes that act as catalysts for increased creativity, health, and healing. I primarily support clients seeking to transform their relationship with food and their body. A long-time swimmer and competitive athlete, I also work with athletes looking to improve resilience and mental focus.

My healing journey began when I was living in Boston and struggling to be more present in my body after experiencing the stress of an imbalanced lifestyle, cyclical dieting, and emotional disconnection from trauma that blocked my growth and success. I began by exploring different types of yoga. One of my first yoga classes was a Bikram yoga class where I discovered “focused attention” meditation (using a meditative anchor to keep your mind from wandering), a practice where you’re required to maintain eye contact with yourself in a wall of mirrors as you hold a posture. It was the act of finally looking at myself without judgment that unlocked something; a something dwelled beneath the surface.

It was when I moved to New York City in 2012 and took my first Kundalini Yoga class that a momentum of change began to sweep through my life through breathwork and deep meditation. After a single class I could feel relief on both an emotional and mental level. I began researching the science behind kundalini, basing my master’s thesis on the neurological effects of this powerful practice on the brain and emotional patterning. Perhaps most profound was the capacity to regulate my emotions and assimilate past emotional experiences, using them as guide posts rather than obstacles. I began to experience a greater capacity to create deeper relationships with my Self and others. In sum, my life felt like it was beginning.

In addition to yogic training, my clinical work includes high-risk eating disorder and depression units at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical‘s eating disorder research center, and various clinics and women’s support groups throughout the U.S. Most recently, I partnered with the University of Arizona to study the effects of a kundalini yoga practice for repairing neural connectivity. I'm also a resource at the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).

It is my blessing to support you on your road to a healthier, happier, and holier life.