Sonja Gardenswartz began practice in 1981 and came to San Francisco Zen Center in 1991. She has practiced continuously at both Green Gulch Farm and Zen Mountain Center, Tassajara. During her 11 years at Tassajara she practiced as Work Leader, Shika (Guest Host) and Tenzo (Head Cook). She received the precepts in 1995 and was Shuso, Head Student, at Tassajara in 2003.