Tell us a little about yourself, Ellen.
I'm Ellen, a fashion-obsessed, yoga enthusiast. I have a background in pattern drafting, apparel development, and production. But these days, you're more likely to find me on my mat than behind my sewing machine. I received my yoga teacher certification at Nest in 2023. Working with many of the same teachers, I continue to expand my awareness and understanding of what yoga can offer both on and off the mat.
What are some other fun facts about you?
When I'm not on the mat, you're likely to find me at the beach or on a hike. I'm a certified California Naturalist. My favorite movie is The Big Chill. I love dad rock. I have a tortie-point siamese cat named Esme, and she is full of "tortitude." I traveled often when I was younger but haven't had as many opportunities in recent years. If I could get on a plane tomorrow, I would want to visit Greece.
One of the best pieces of advice I've received is, don't worry about filling someone else's shoes; you wear your own big girl shoes when you walk into a room.
What is your favorite yoga pose?
My favorite yoga pose is Half Moon. I enjoy how big of a pose it feels with energy expanding in all directions.
What do you love about teaching yoga?
One of my favorite parts of teaching yoga is watching people chat before and after classes. I stopped seeing yoga as just a form of exercise years ago when another student asked if a few of us regulars would like to bring a pot-luck breakfast into the gym one morning. A week later, after class, we set up some tables and enjoyed breakfast together, welcoming anyone who wanted to join us. We got to know some of the people in the class as well as some of the people around the gym. While no long-lasting friendships were formed, after that point, we were all able to recognize a friendly face and say hello. It's one of the main reasons why I note after my morning classes that there is hot water for tea available. I enjoy seeing the community that is formed around the people who show up to practice yoga.