Hi, I’m Liz!
The founder of Soulful Elephant Yoga
I started Soulful Elephant because movement and mindfulness have made a deep and profound impact on my life. They’ve taught me how to live more compassionately towards myself and others, have helped me overcome serious illness and chronic pain, and have led me to become physically stronger and more emotionally resilient. They’ve helped me discover and accept myself and my journey, and I hope I can help you find freedom on your own path, too because…
You are worth making time for.
It’s easy to find an excuse not to give yourself the attention and care you need. There’s never enough time or it seems too hard to take the first step because you don’t know where to begin.
My mat allowed me the space to realize I am better in everything I do if I take care of myself; and that I am not selfish for doing so—that, in fact, taking the time to care for myself is the prerequisite for experiencing the kind of feel-good joy and satisfaction I’ve been seeking.
My mindfulness journey started one evening after I returned to my cramped studio apartment from a long day at my first college internship. I was feeling anxious because I was new to the city and hadn’t made any friends yet, and my body was feeling restless as well because I had developed some unhealthy habits to adjust to the stress of school and work. At the time, I thought the most important thing in life was to be successful in business and to make lots of money. My mind was constantly racing and I was consumed by fear of failure. I filled every waking moment worrying about my internship and future career goals, and I completely neglected my physical and emotional well-being.
Then, I looked outside my window and noticed a yoga studio across the street. I still don’t know what inside me told me to visit that night, but I’m so happy I did. Something in the class clicked with me, and I finally felt a few moments of ease for the first time in years. I certainly wasn't a natural at the postures, but the practice and the people were so inviting and supportive. I felt better about my body, too, and that didn’t usually happen with exercise classes.
I booked my second session immediately and slowly I began to build a regular routine. That summer changed my life in many ways, but the most meaningful way had nothing to do with the internship I had been pouring all my time and energy into (although it would take me years to figure that out).
From there I started down a path of learning and exploration that has led me to discover the magic that happens when you rediscover what already exists within and allow the mind, body, and breath to connect.
My company is called Soulful Elephant Yoga, but the work I do isn't just about poses and flows. I've studied numerous styles of Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control) and Dhyana (Meditation) over the past 15 years, and I've also taken hundreds of hours of training in Pilates, functional fitness, and biomechanics.
If you take a deeper look at my logo, you’ll discover that Soulful Elephant is all about union, connection, and balance. Both the yin and the yang are part of us and part of the world—it is how we interact and view them that determines our mental state. The lotus symbolizes patience to work through any circumstance to find the light and grow, and the lotus flower grows from the mud through water to shine on the surface.
As Thich Nhat Hanh says, “No mud, no lotus”.
For me, yoga is about creating space in our body and mind to overcome obstacles and find a sense of peace and calm. My goal is to help you find this release so that you can move through life with a greater sense of ease.
If there's a way I can help you feel better in your body, achieve a goal or milestone you've set for yourself, or simply feel more calm and centered in your daily life, I'd love to talk with to you find out how I can help. Send me a message and let's be in touch!
Peace, love, and deep breaths,
Liz