Elaine Lewis

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I began my yoga journey over years ago looking for a way to relieve stress caused by my insurance career In addition I was an avid hiker and was looking for a physical yoga practice to keep me in better shape for hiking I found a yoga class at my community library and began practicing yoga with my husband as part of a "date night"  I fell in love with yoga not only for the physical exercise but for the deep relaxation and powerful connection with my community and myself Over the years I explored various styles of yoga – Vinyasa Iyengar Power Yin Gentle Restorative and Acro/Partner Yoga In I earned a black belt in Combat Tae Kwon Do and became an Assistant Instructor at Mills Martial Arts in Rockville Maryland  I noticed that my yoga practice was helpful in improving the balance flexibility and strength needed to safely practice martial arts  I wanted to bring that awareness to my students and began to incorporate yoga poses into my pre-class warmups  This inspired me to become a certified yoga teacher In I completed the Level Yoga Teacher Training with YogaFit under the teachings of Beth Shaw  I began teaching yoga to my co-workers in an office setting and added a yoga class at the martial arts studio In I studied with Christa Mastrangelo Joyce at Jala Yoga in Shepherdstown WV and completed the Hour Teacher Training Program Later I completed a -hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training and a -hour Trauma Informed Workshop I taught weekly Vinyasa Style Classes both Gentle and Vigorous at Jala Yoga until the school closed in due to the COVID Pandemic After the schools closing I continued teaching online via Zoom and eventually began teaching in person at Roots & River Yoga in Brunswick MD In I retired from my year career as an insurance professional and began teaching yoga full-time I completed a -hour Advanced Teacher Training Program offered by Christa with a focus on cultivating curiosity adaptability and engagement in the practice of yoga This led me to become an ambassador for the Accessible Yoga Community a resource for offering yoga to marginalized individuals and communities I am currently teaching weekly Accessible in-person yoga classes at Roots & River Yoga Brunswick MD and Mountain Spirit Yoga Middletown MD I teach one on-line class weekly and maintain a video library for students I also teach private and small group classes upon request Whether I am teaching a Gentle class for new students or a Heated Vinyasa for experienced yogis I focus on safety and alignment  I encourage my students to feel a pose in their own bodies without worrying about how it looks.