Meet Lori Ann Ferreri | Artist, Mindfulness Guide, & Founder of WE ON AIR

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lori Ann Ferreri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lori Ann, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my business, WE ON AIR, was rooted in the transformative events of 2020, particularly the pandemic and its global impact. Prior to the pandemic, I had retired from my career as a Broadway performer and was embarking on a new journey of opening a brick-and-mortar studio of a well know yoga franchise in London. However, life had other plans.

As I traveled from NYC to Paris in March 2020, expecting to spend a month exploring and working on the London studio project, I found myself in a world turned upside down. With a deep breath, an open mindset, and the agility learned from the stage, I embraced the uncertainty and allowed life to guide me.

Having spent most of my life as a dancer and performer, I had already cultivated an entrepreneurial spirit in the entertainment industry. As a performer, you become your own business, and I unknowingly began creating my personal brand long before I understood the concept of “branding.”

Throughout my career, I followed my curiosities, including self-driven education, art + culture, and the study of yoga and meditation. These experiences enriched my life and expanded my perspective. When the time came to make the difficult decision of retiring from Broadway, I drew upon my practice and life experience to shape my next chapter.

In March 2020, as the world retreated to the safety of our homes and Zoom, I immediately started offering virtual yoga classes, aiming to provide support and connection during a turbulent time. Although my original plan for a physical studio was no longer viable, I adapted and saw an opportunity in the digital space, building an unexpected global community united by shared practice.

Realizing the power of cultivating community, irrespective of barriers perceived or tangible, I, along with the help of my former business partner, shifted the original studio idea into a digital experiment. Born out of the deep desire to cultivate shared experiences and inspired by the collective commitment to practice, we created WE ON AIR.

What should our readers know about your business?
WELCOME ON AIR

Born from a deep desire to cultivate shared experiences and inspired by our collective commitment to practice, ON AIR was created. We are a global community of artists, cultural creators, and seekers, embracing practices of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness as guiding principles for moving through the world.

Our group movement offerings are accessible and dynamic, linking breath, mind, body, and motion. Our ON AIR virtual platform offers practices either on-demand through our curated video library or live, via our interactive livestreams, delivering an immersive “in-studio” experience from the comfort of your own space.

Every Saturday, we offer our signature Flow ON AIR livestream—an elevated and connected virtual practice that distinguishes us from other online classes. Our Guides focus their full attention on attendees, avoiding simultaneous demonstrations. An additional ON AIR team member demonstrates the practice, providing a visual reference throughout. With an emphasis on verbal cues, we encourage deep listening and self-discovery, fostering a conversation within your own body.

Prior to each session, we invite attendees to sign in a few minutes early, allowing you to meet fellow ON AIR community members from across the globe and forge meaningful connections. Following the practice, we host an open conversation and Q&A, creating a space for dialogue and connection.

Beyond our virtual offerings, WE ON AIR provides “off-air” programming, including in-person opportunities such as pop-up events and travel experiences, delving into culture, community voices, and engaging group activities. WE ON AIR members enjoy unlimited access to our virtual studio and benefit from discounted pricing for in-person programming and travel retreats.

Building WE ON AIR has been a wild journey, constantly adapting to meet the ever-changing demands of our world. It hasn’t always been easy, but we continue this experiment and navigate the challenges by staying true to our values and committed to practice.

Here’s my advice: Have a practice. Go to class, meditate, write—whatever it may be—start. Your practice is where you will find yourself over and over again. I hope to welcome you to practice ON AIR!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have never lived in Miami, but it is one of my favorite cities, and there are a few must-visit spots that I love. First on the list is The Standard Spa + Hotel, which holds special significance for me. It became a go-to winter refuge from the New York cold during my Broadway days. My best friend and fellow Broadway dancer and I would escape our 8-show-a-week schedule to enjoy 48 hours of rest at The Standard Miami.

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to host a pop-up class for The WE ON AIR community in Miami, bringing together members who had only met online. It was a full-circle moment for me. The Standard is a paradise, and the spa experiences make it a must-visit destination.

For culinary delights, Mandolin Restaurant is my favorite spot for delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and Sandwicherie is perfect for grabbing a quick bite before heading to the beach. You’ll often find me practicing yoga at Modo Yoga Miami, where the classes are excellent and the community is welcoming. During my time in Miami, I also enjoy riding my bike around the beach, exploring the vibrant art of Wynwood, and dancing at Dante’s Hifi.

We hope to return next winter with another ON AIR Pop-up: Miami. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The extraordinary “ON AIR” community has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of WE ON AIR and guiding me through the challenging ups and downs of solo entrepreneurship. They are the founding ON AIR members and deserve a shoutout for their unwavering commitment, openness, and support.

WE ON AIR is a US-based company, and although most of our activities happen in the USA, our digital experiences have welcomed people from all corners of the globe. Even when I unexpectedly found myself in Paris, France, navigating the challenges of a global pandemic in a foreign country, the people who joined my classes became my lifeline. They taught me, inspired me, and gave me the encouragement to keep building.

As the world began to open up, I had the privilege of meeting these incredible individuals in person, taking these connections “off air,” and creating pop-up opportunities IRL. My personal highlight was our pop-up experience in Brooklyn last fall, where members gathered for a live sound bath and yoga practice, and then hit the dance floor, led by one of our founding members on decks! It was surreal to witness our Zoom blocks come to life.

Two years later, we still gather ON AIR every Saturday for our live, interactive practice. Hearing familiar names brings comfort, reminding us of the shared breath that connects us, regardless of our physical location.
I am immensely grateful for the trust and belief of everyone who has joined us ON AIR. While some may dismiss the idea of online yoga classes, what we do is different. Our success is a testament to this incredible community’s collective effort and support. They have shown us the power of coming together, transcending physical boundaries, and creating something truly special.

This shoutout is dedicated to the ON AIR Members! Thank you for your commitment, open-mindedness, and unwavering support. It is because of you that this project exists, and I am inspired to continue growing ON AIR together.

Website: we-onair.com

Instagram: @we_onair, @loriannferreri

Linkedin: /Loriannferreri

Twitter: loriannferreri

Image Credits
Anisha Sisodia, Jenna Maslechko