When I first arrived in Los Angeles I knew that I needed to continue with my yoga practice. It had helped bring structure, balance and conscious growth into my life. I also knew it would be a great place to start creating a community. However, I had been practicing at my gym and knew I couldn’t afford a studio membership at the time. I called to the universe for some guidance and within a few days I came across a newly opened yoga studio a block away from my new home. Like a moth to the flame I spontaneously pulled over to check it out. I didn’t have any plans for anything I just wanted to be surrounded by yoga. When I walked in, the studio immediately felt like home. It was decorated with warm colors, wicker baskets, and beautiful picture frames. A lovely and cheerful woman with long black hair greeted me and introduced herself as Elinore, the owner of the studio. I proceeded to chat with her a little about yoga and how I was new to the area and that as much as I wanted to practice I needed to find a job first. I just wanted to be surrounded by yoga energy and say hi for the moment, in which she replied she liked my energy and offered me a karma yoga job at the studio, where I would take care of the studio and clientele in trade for free yoga classes. I couldn’t believe it! Yoga had found me effortlessly once again.
I studied under Elinore for three years, while working at Lululemon (a yoga athletic store) in which she helped me get the job. With this combination I was able to practice unlimited yoga classes around Los Angeles, experiencing various types of yoga and teachers but Elinore was my mentor. Her classes were Iyengar based with the element of vinyasa flow. She focused on the integrity of alignment and well sequenced classes. My physical practice grew strong with Elinore and had more integrity than ever before. Because of this new found strength and alignment I was now able to practice headstands, binds and arm balance poses I had never done before but even more so the yoga philosophy was starting to weave its way into my life. She had an amazing way with words to connect the postures to spiritual growth. She always pushed me past the limits I didn’t know I had.
During the duration of time I studied under Elinore and practiced as a karma yogi for her studio, I was offered a two week modeling gig in Thailand. While I was there, I was inspired to practice every day outside amongst Thailand’s beauty. It was then I was approached by the production team. They complimented my practice and asked if I taught yoga. In which I responded with laughter. I didn’t know it then but the seed was planted.
When I came back to LA, I was invited to a dinner amongst several yoga instructors in the community (including Elinore) to work on an upcoming yoga event. It felt so good to be a part of such an amazing community, once again I felt at home with yoga. After the dinner, Elinore pulled me aside to share with me she was going to be leading her first yoga teacher training program and that she felt I was ready to deepen my practice, become a teacher and she wanted to help with my education. She didn’t know that the seed had recently been planted a week before. I couldn’t believe it! Yoga had found me once again with a new calling.
Teacher training started that fall. I was one of five amazing women in the program to which we all became very close and have remained friends over the years. Two of which are like family. It was during this training, yoga philosophy really started to call to me. I was also doing a lot of self-development outside of yoga that complimented my yoga practice and my practice became much deeper and more meaningful. I definitely didn’t walk out the same person I was when I went in.
Immediately after training Elinore offered me a full teaching schedule at the studio and other offers fled into my life as well. I started teaching children’s yoga for a non-profit organization in charter schools and rehabilitation centers throughout LA. I didn’t seem to have to try very hard it just flowed as if it were meant to be.
Elinore used to always say, “Abundance is flowing freely from everywhere and everything”. Anytime I feel stuck, or scared there may not be enough, I remember these words and I remember how yoga kept flowing into my life effortlessly. When I connect to this, I know I can trust in the process. There is always enough for everyone.
Elinore was my teacher, my mentor and my friend. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself in yoga, in music and in life. She always encouraged me and helped to create opportunities for me to showcase my talents, to deepen my practice and to teach. I accredit her for the teacher that I am today and I am continuously inspired by her. Thank you Elinore for everything you are, everything you do and everything you have given me.
What teacher has made the biggest impact on your life and why? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.