In the heart of New York City, a quiet revolution began in 1975, spearheaded by a visionary named Mark Becker. Recognizing a growing desire for holistic well-being, Becker founded the Serenity Natural Healing Center. This groundbreaking venture would become the city’s first non-religious yoga studio and herb shop. This wasn’t merely a business endeavor; it was the birth of a movement, a pivotal moment in the evolution of New York’s health and wellness landscape. A true wellness pioneer and entrepreneur, Becker was driven by a deep commitment to sharing the transformative power of yoga and natural healing.

Becker shared one of Robert F. Kennedy’s quotes that inspired him to become the visionary he is today- “Some people see things that are and ask ‘why,’ and I see things that never were and ask ‘why not?’” 

Another quote from the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has also continued to inspire Backer- “You know Sundance, sometimes I feel like I have 20/20 vision and the rest of the world is wearing bifocals.”

As a disciple of the three swamis who introduced yoga to the United States – Swami Satchidananda, Swami Vishnudevananda, and Swami Bua – Becker possessed a unique and profound understanding of the practice. He was determined to make yoga accessible to a broader audience, establishing the only non-Hindu yoga center that certified yoga teachers. A Master Yogi with over 50 years of experience, Becker has personally trained over 10,000 yoga students, including notable figures like Raquel Welch and Ali MacGraw, and mentored over 1,000 yoga instructors, including seasoned practitioners seeking to refine their teaching skills.

Becker’s influence extended beyond the studio. In 1977, he introduced the first yoga instructional LP, “Basic Yoga and You,” which was nominated as one of the ten best fitness albums of the year, and later recognized as the #1 yoga record by Mademoiselle magazine. He further solidified his position as a leader in the field by teaching Omega Institute’s inaugural Yoga Teacher’s Training Course in 1981.

 

 

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to create Serenity Magazine in 1977, followed by NEWLIFE Magazine in 1988, platforms that amplified the voices of holistic practitioners and promoted healthy living. In 1977 and 1978, he co-produced the Diet Expo at Madison Square Garden and the New York Coliseum, featuring pioneering figures like Linus Pauling and introducing holistic, alternative, and complementary medical doctors and dentists to a wider audience. This tradition continued with the creation of the NEWLIFE EXPO in 1990, a landmark event that has featured luminaries like Deepak Chopra and Dr. Oz. It remains the longest-running holistic expo in the country, with events in New York City and Florida.

In 1997, Becker’s contributions were officially recognized when Manhattan’s Borough President declared a “Mark Becker Day,” honoring his two decades of guiding New Yorkers toward healthier lifestyles. He also innovated with Yogaerobics, a popular low-stress, high-energy workout in the 1980s. Beyond yoga, Becker is a skilled Holistic Practitioner, offering expertise in nutrition, herbology, bodywork (including Swedish, Shiatsu, Polarity, and Reflexology), Bach Flowers, Gem Essences, and Yoga Therapy. His workshops and trainings, encompassing bodywork, meditation, and yoga teacher training, continue to empower individuals to take control of their well-being. Mark and his instructors are also known for their unparalleled hands-on corrections approach, created by Yogi Mark.

This is the story of Mark Becker, a visionary who not only witnessed the rise of holistic wellness but actively shaped its course, leaving an indelible mark on New York City and beyond.

Early Forays into Holistic Health

“I opened up the first yoga center in New York City in December of 75,” Becker recounted, marking a pivotal moment in his career. 

This wasn’t simply another yoga studio but a pioneering venture, a space where burgeoning ideas about mind-body connections could take root. 

“It was also the first herb shop, and in fact, that year, I was in court three times because they wanted to have a pharmacist there for herbs,” he said. 

Becker’s determination to establish the legitimacy of herbal remedies was unwavering, a battle fought with conviction. He proved that the herbs he was utilizing were not drugs but part of the FDA’s GRAS list as a food. 

 

 

Educating a Generation

His commitment to education extended far beyond the confines of his studio, as he was frequently invited to speak to classes at various universities.

Becker sought to demystify the complexities of herbal medicine, bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and scientific understanding. This dedication to sharing knowledge became a hallmark of his career.

“I was showing people the chemical constituent of the herb. So, if you knew the chemical makeup of one herb and what it does and saw another herb with that chemical constituent, you would know that herb would do the same thing as the other,” he said. 

Building a Community

Becker’s influence reached far beyond his immediate community, attracting a diverse following. His following included those who were gravitating towards what was then termed “alternative medicine.” 

He was a catalyst for change, helping to shift public perception and spending habits.

“More people were spending money out of pocket for alternative medicine than regular medicine,” Becker noted. “This shift was to gravitate to expos like mine because nobody knew much about the holistic wellness community then. Where were they gonna learn about the doctors? Where were they gonna learn about the products? So I created the place for people to learn.”

 

 

Challenging Conventional Wisdom

Becker’s influence was not limited to herbs and yoga. He also challenged conventional dietary wisdom, advocating for a more balanced approach. 

“The food triangle was completely upside down, having meat and dairy on top and fruits and vegetables on the bottom,” he recalled. “A wrong way of thinking about diet was being pushed in schools and even hospitals.”

His advocacy for a holistic approach to health encompassed more than just diet and exercise, emphasizing the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection. 

“People didn’t realize how they could make the most out of their diet and exercise by simply practicing yoga because of its mind, body, and spirit connection,” he said. 

The Power of the NEWLIFE Expo

Becker’s vision extended to the broader community, evidenced by his long-running NEWLIFE Expo, a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering connections. 

He emphasized the importance of these events for both practitioners and the public. 

“How are people gonna learn about holistic wellness practices? They come to an expo. They speak to a practitioner, one on one, and see the newest modalities they are showcasing. They can see and experience the benefits for themselves, and then they can tell their friends about it,” he shared. 

Looking to the Future: The Upcoming NEWLIFE Expo

Looking ahead to his upcoming expo in March, Becker expresses enthusiasm for the continued growth of the holistic wellness community. 

“I’m so happy that TopDoctor will be sponsoring The Upcoming NEWLIFE Expo and providing the trophies. We want to award those doing exceptional work in the health and wellness community and believe they should get recognition for what they do,” he said. “The NEWLIFE Expo provides a place for anyone to be able to learn to take responsibility for their health, open their minds to all possibilities, and experiment with the new modalities presented in the lectures. We have six lectures every hour with the exhibitors from medical doctors to holistic practitioners that attendees can listen to and learn from.” 

The NEWLIFE Expo will take place in Deerfield, Florida, on March 22-23 & New York City, New York, on March 29-30.

“If people want to learn more about holistic wellness and open their minds to the endless possibilities of how to take responsibility for their health, this is the place to do it,” he emphasized. 

Becker’s enduring message is one of empowerment and enlightenment, a call to action for individuals to take charge of their well-being. 

 

 

Concluding Notes

Mark Becker’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to holistic health and wellness. From the pioneering days of Serenity Natural Healing Center to the enduring success of the NEWLIFE EXPO, his contributions have shaped the landscape of alternative practices in New York City and across the nation. He has been a teacher, a mentor, an entrepreneur, and a visionary, empowering countless individuals to embrace healthier lifestyles and discover the transformative power of yoga and natural healing.

His commitment to education, evident in his yoga teacher trainings, workshops, and publications, has ensured that the wisdom of holistic practices is passed on to future generations. Becker’s ability to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and modern understanding has made him a trusted authority in the field.

As the NEWLIFE Expo continues to thrive, and as Becker continues to share his knowledge and passion, his legacy as a pioneer of holistic wellness remains secure. He has not only witnessed the evolution of alternative practices but has actively shaped their course, leaving an enduring mark on the world of health and well-being.

NEWLIFE Expo March 29-30 IN NYC at the Hotel New Yorker. March 22-23, 2025, in Deerfield/Boca, Florida: Transform Your Mind, Body, & Spirit.

You can experience America’s Longest Running Holistic, Mind-Body-Spirit Expo by visiting https://newlifeexpo.com/.