Elena's dedication to fitness started in early childhood training as a solo figure skater in Latvia, Europe. After moving with her family to North America, Elena has grown her love of fitness and has been successfully teaching and organizing Fitness classes for the past 12 years in South Florida. She has worked in some of the most reputable communities including Boca Raton Resort & Club, The Oaks of Boca Raton, Stone Bridge, Kiser University, and Park Summit just to name a few.
Recently she fell in love with mountains and relocated to Boone North Carolina, where she opened up her own studio: Studio Elenas.
Elena teaches Classical Style Pilates, which represents a unique approach to exercise in developing body awareness, core strength, increased flexibility and an ease of movement.
Certifications
- Elena is a certified and Nationally Accredited Comprehensive Classical Pilates Instructor with over 13 years of experience working in South Florida. Most recently she has also completed certifications in “Achieving the Athletic Edge” with Pilates and Scapular Stabilization Via Mat and small props from the Pilates Method Alliance by Rael Isacowitz: world renowned teacher and founder of BASI Pilates.
- She has been practicing and teaching for over 20 years, starting in Canada with world renown yoga master and humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of the Art of Living Foundation.
- In 2008, Elena completed the Iyengar Style Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Institute of Miami with Senior Iyengar teacher Bobbi Goldin and has studied with world renown International master teachers such as: Gabriella Giubilaro (Italy), John Schumacher, Manouso Manos, Dean and Rebecca Learner.
- Elena also holds Certification and is an experienced
YogaED instructor (Yoga Education for school children). She has organized and taught YogaED to kids from Pre School to High School in after school programs all over South Florida, as well as teacher training workshops for school teachers
- In 2006 she successfully completed SilverSneakers I & II cardio circuit and chair yoga certification with The Silver Sneakers National Fitness Program ( Senior fitness program)
- She received training in Ayurveda at the Art of Living center in Canada, where she worked as head chef learning from Ayurvedic doctors, Yoga Masters and other experienced ayurvedic cooks. At the same time she owned a vegetarian food catering business in Ottawa, Canada.
- In 2011, she had the opportunity to be a Guest Chef on two episodes of a TV Show - How Food is Medicine and Kids Snack Corner-Parents & Kids. She currently teaches cooking classes in local area.
Testimonials
“Elena had been working with me a little more than a year through her individually tailored, private Pilates class. She began by taking the time and patience to get to know me as an individual, how my body moves (and doesn’t) and how all of my systems work together. She designed a perfect program that was packed with variety and always challenging. Last Sunday, I volunteered to help my niece clean out her office. When she mentioned on the way that there would be a lot of stuff and it was located on the second floor, I started to tell her I wasn’t sure how long I would last at the job and that I might have to rest a bit between trips. To my surprise I made at least five consecutive trips carrying awkward objects like lamps and stools, and never even winced or got out fo breath. I had no idea at all how strong I was becoming during that precious time with Elena. Thanks to her, I got my strength back. I was never sore, it never hurt, and I NEVER didn’t want to go to class. It has become a tremendous part of my optimal personal health program.”
“I don’t want to jinx myself but I have had chronic back pain for years and every year have had to go for chiropractic care and physical therapy - since I started taking Elena’s classes I have not been to either - Elena is so intuitive about reading your body and knowing what you need to increase you strength and flexibility. Thank you Elena for being here - you are truly a blessing.”
“Every time I leave after my yoga lesson with Elena I feel taller and “walk taller” the rest of the day. She pushes me the whole hour and my flexibility and balance are improving. I have had several falls in recent years which is why my doctor sent me to Eleana. No falls in over a year. Hurray.”
“I find Elena’s approach to yoga the best for making progress on all levels. Having taken both her restorative and regular classes, I feel confident that anyone who wants to progress as well as relax will find Elena an adept teacher. Most recently, I, with her help, have broken my barrier of dependence on classes and have started my own home practice in addition to classes.
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“Since August 2014, I have been seeing Elena for private Pilates classes. I have lost a significant amount of weight since then, about 20 pounds. I have become much more flexible, significantly stronger and a lot of the pain I was suffering through has disappeared! I will continue to go to Elena’s classes for the rest of my life...”
Yoga Wall
The Yoga Wall allows you to preform standing poses, back bends, inversions, work for neck to shoulders, and is a fantastic workout for the spine! It is the yoga prop that was design to support you in poses without putting pressure on spine and joints. The Yoga Wall brings your yoga practice to an entirely new level, where you can use the gravity to create deeper openings, extensions, flexions, and challenges. It gives us an element of effortlessness in a pose (asana) as well as teaches us the experience of letting go using the gravity and weight of your own body.
State of Art Pilates Equipment
CenterLine Cadilac
Our studio is equipped with 5 pieces of the world's best professional pilates equipment. That allow a wide range of settings to fit the personal needs of the client. The centerpiece is Cadilac also known as Trapeze Table is one of the most effective and versatile piece of exercise equipment ever to be engineered. You can perform over 80 different Pilates exercises on this equipment, ranging from gentle spring-assisted sit ups to advanced acrobatics- there's something for all ages and abilities.
Reformer
Along with the Cadillac there is probably no piece of Pilates equipment more famous than the Pilates Reformer. One of the best things about the Reformer is its versatility, all kind of exercises are done on the reformer to promote length, strength, flexibility, and balance. Reformer can train many parts and dynamics of the body in so many different ways. The parts are adjustable for differing body sizes as well as levels of skill.
Avalon Arm chair
The Avalon Arm Chair is a complete redesign of the original, and vastly increases the number of exercise options. It provides 100% of functionality of Joseph Pilates’ Arm Chair, plus many of the exercise possibilities of the Cadillac and Ladder Barrel. Avalon Arm Chairs modified shape reinforces upright alignment when seated, encouraging activation of core muscles. Adjustable handles accommodate a variety of exercises and body types. Extremely user-friendly, especially for clients with restricted mobility.
FAQ
What are the Benefits of Pilates?
• Develop coordination and balance
• Increased muscular tone and endurance
• Injury prevention
• Heightened body awareness
• Boost core strength and stability
• Combines strength with flexibility
• Enhanced sense of well being and energy
• Improved posture and alignment
• Refined athletic performance
(Pilates Equipment & Mat private and Matt group classes)
What is Therapeutic Hatha Yoga?
• Emphasis on standing poses to develop posture, vitality, strength, stability, stamina, and concentration.
• Use of props to facilitate learning and adjust poses for stiff people
• How to use yoga to ease various ailments and stress.
(Group and Private classes)
Restorative Yoga Class
Restorative Yoga based on Ayurvedic ancient knowledge is meditative practice designed to relax the body, calm the nerves and still the mind. This class features soothing, quieting, supported poses to release tension and increase circulation of blood to key organs.
You'll learn how to free yourself from the negative effects of stress and to tap into the body's natural ability to heal itself preventing and reduceing physIcal problems like headaches, back pain, high blood pressure, asthma, and fatigue. This practice is great for those recovering from illness or injury of those just feeling weak, stressed out, or depleted from daily activities. All levels are welcome.