A sojourn is a temporary stay, a journey that ends creating an opportunity and space for a new beginning. The time spent on your mat is temporary, a sojourn.  Once you step off your mat and into your daily activities, the possibilities of the practice are endless. The physical benefits affect our state of being; as your strength and flexibility increase, stress and tension subside. Our practices at Sojourn Yoga aim to create an inquisitive and mindful approach to movement and being, supporting self-care, self-love and connection with our community. We are unique and our bodies are ever changing; as we sojourn through those changes, we find many possible layers within ourselves. The practice of yoga gives us the ability to explore these layers and awaken awareness. Our goal is to create a space to increase strength and flexibility in the body, to better understand the power of your breath, to question limitations and possibilities, to expand your mind and support an understanding of the practice of yoga, realizing your personal sojourns.

Namaste,

Liz Shanefield ERYT 500, owner Sojourn Yoga

Sojourn yoga opened the doors in June 2013. The studio is located at 4211 Ferne Blvd.  For 2 years proceeding our studio opening, we shared space with MKA Karate in Drexel Hill. Our studio and schedule provides an opportunity to establish a consistent daily practice. Our goal is to provide a space to explore the practice of yoga. Our teachers are committed to helping you in your personal journey & sharing their knowledge of yoga.  Sojourn Yoga offers classes to accommodate beginners and advanced yoga practitioners. Please review our class and schedule pages for our latest practice information.

Parking
Metered parking is available directly in front of the studio. Metered hours: Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm.

Liz Shanefield (E-RYT) founded Sojourn Yoga in 2011 with the goal of building a supportive community of yogis in her neighborhood and sharing the transformative benefits of yoga with as many people as possible. Her journey into teaching began in 2007, when a few years of personal practice sparked a curiosity to learn more about the deeper aspects of yoga.

With a wealth of teaching experience, she has also worked with various organizations, including Villanova University and LA Fitness, bringing yoga to diverse groups of students. Her dedication to her practice and students is reflected in her warm, inclusive teaching style, which emphasizes mindfulness and connection to both body and breath.

She has developed her own approach to teaching and practicing through yoga and meditation study, retreats, and workshops.

Along with her beloved teachers at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA, some influential teachers in her development include Cara Bradley from Verge Yoga, Johnny Gillespie from Empowered Yoga, Biff Mithoefer from biffmithoeferyoga.com, and Greg Walsh from Samadhi Yoga in Dublin, Ireland. 

Liz completed her 300-hour YTT program at the Himalayan Institute, 200-hour YTT at Verge Yoga, and 100-hour Yin training at the Omega Institute.

“Yoga is not just a class I teach or attend but a part of my daily life and weaved into my whole being. Yoga has given  me the strength to embrace challenges, take pride in accomplishments and be more present in my relationships and experiences. As a result of my yoga practice, I can appreciate every breath taken and every moment this beautiful life offers to find joy and compassion.  I am privileged to be able to share my practice and knowledge of yoga with others.”

Prior to opening Sojourn Yoga, Liz taught yoga and fitness for Villanova University, LA Fitness and as a freelance yoga instructor throughout the Delaware Valley.

Dan Thompson began following his yoga path in 1998, and has been teaching yoga since 2000. He received his 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification through the combined Empowered Yoga/Verge Yoga Center teaching program in 2005. He received his 500 hour certification from the Himalayan Institute in 2017. He also has 100 hours of yin training at the Omega Institute.

In addition to teaching at Verge since 2005, he has also been a Yoga Teacher Training facilitator at Verge Yoga since 2006, helping dozens others to begin their own yogic path. Dan considers himself very lucky to have studied with such teachers as Beryl Bender Birch, Rolf Gates, Doug Keller, Simon Park, Donna Debs, David Nichtern, Scott McBride, Cara Bradley, and Johnny Gillespie among others. He has studied and taught various yoga styles, including hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga and Yin yoga.

Prior to beginning his yoga path, Dan studied martial arts for over 18 years and was a teacher of karate for over 16 years, reaching the rank of fifth degree black belt in Shotokan karate. Besides Shotokan, he also studied Aikido, Tai Chi, Jujitsu, self-defense and fencing among other martial arts disciplines.

Whether the path be yoga or martial arts, Dan believes that mind, body and spirit are all connected and can be fully developed and experienced using the power of breath.

“I believe the lessons we learn on our yoga mats and through our practice are the true lessons each of us need to grow as human beings, individually and collectively.”

Dan also teaches at Verge Yoga in Wayne, PA. vergeyogacenter.com

Marilyn Firchow has been in the Fitness Industry for over 25 years & now adds to her passion as a certified and registered vinyasa flow yoga teacher. She believes in inspiring her students to grow in their practice at their own pace while connecting the breath to the movement.
Marilyn discovered the mind, body, and spirit connection in vinyasa flow yoga made her a more centered, focused, and compassionate person. The joy and calmness that flowed into her personal life was her impetus to give back as a yoga teacher. Marilyn completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification in March 2014 and now teaches a class where the body and spirit feel energized, joyful, and balanced.
Marilyn is also a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant practicing in an out-patient clinic and a retirement center, utilizing traditional therapeutic exercise with yoga to progress her patients.
As a yoga teacher, Marilyn is able to fulfill her desire to share the gift of the mind, body, spirit connection with others. Marilyn believes in the transformative power of yoga and enjoys sharing the remarkable benefits in a way that is accessible for all students.

Joe began his journey in 2008. He read a few articles of the benefits of yoga and wanted to incorporate stretching into his workouts. Joe was a little hesitant at the time because he did not know any men taking yoga classes. He signed up for a 4 week beginner class and has never regretted it. Joe completed the Verge Yoga teacher training in 2015 and looks forward to sharing his practice and knowledge with others as a part of the Sojourn Yoga team of teachers.

“The experience of being able to calm my mind with my breath is like no other, and the physical benefits are amazing.  When I am on my mat, the magic happens and believe my enthusiasm to share this feeling with others brought me to teaching.”

Joe also has taught yoga at Villanova University.

Nancy retired after a fulfilling 40-year career as a nurse, where she dedicated herself to caring for others with compassion and expertise. She graduated from the 2017 Yoga Teacher Training program at Sojourn Yoga and hasn’t looked back, finding a new passion and purpose in teaching yoga. Since completing her training, Nancy has embraced her role as a yoga instructor with the same dedication she brought to her nursing career.

“Years ago I was looking for an exercise program that would sustain me for the rest of my life. I found so much more at Sojourn Yoga.”

Lauren completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Sojourn Yoga in 2020. For Lauren, yoga is not just a physical practice but a holistic approach to life. It has taught her the importance of tuning in to her breath, fostering mental clarity, and honoring her body’s needs.

Whether she is guiding students through a gentle restorative flow or a more dynamic Vinyasa sequence, she strives to create an environment that is both supportive and empowering. She encourages her students to explore, build strength, and practice self-compassion.

Evie completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Sojourn Yoga in 2020. With a background as a collegiate athlete, she initially turned to yoga to increase flexibility, enhance performance, and aid in post-workout recovery. 

Her practice has evolved to encompass not only physical benefits but also a holistic approach to well-being.

In addition to her role as a yoga teacher at Sojourn Yoga, Evie is an elementary school teacher and long-distance runner. Yoga has helped to support her body’s endurance and encourages Evie to listen to her body.

Evie is passionate about sharing yoga’s transformative power with others.