Seattle Yoga News is on a mission to find and highlight all of the hidden, and maybe not so hidden, gems in our yoga community and beyond. We want you to learn about their experiences and perspectives, but also a bit more about their personalities, so we have a few fun questions for them. This week’s spotlight is turned towards Elli Yokochi.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH YOGA?
I started yoga nearly 20 years ago, which seems like a different era now when I look back on it. I hadn’t heard of lululemon, and there was no such thing as an instagram yogi. I think it was just something I always wanted to try, and the ymca where I worked (in West Virginia) offered a class. I would go once a week consistently and I recall the teacher well. She seems like a true “yogi” in my eyes at that time. She had done her training in Paris, didn’t shave her legs, and had this yoga glowing skin, radiant smile and would be drinking magical looking concoctions in a mason jar. It was a pretty basic type yoga class, as I’m sure everyone was a beginner, and I feel it gave me a solid foundation of basic poses and sun salutations. It came naturally to me as a former gymnast and collegiate D1A cheerleader, and it would be years later until I was “physically challenged” by the practice. I continued to practice some through college but mostly lifted weights and ran a lot.
I finally started taking actual vinyasa classes sometime around 2008. My practice deepened as part of my healing journey that I speak of in some of the questions below.
WHAT KIND OF TRAININGS HAVE YOU PURSUED?
My toga teacher training is a 200 hour power vinyasa which I completed in 2015. I also completed Pam Chang’s 50 hour yin training.
Previous to yoga teacher training, I completed a 2 year intensive energy healers training and also shamanic training through The Gateway School of Shamanism. All of these were in Charlottesville, VA. (A total energetic vortex if you ask me.) My masters and bachelors degrees are both in Exercise physiology.I would love to continue with more yoga trainings and additional healer or shamanic trainings in the future.
HOW HAS YOGA INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE AND WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON?
Hmm, this is deep. Yoga was definitely a part of my healing journey from multiple traumatic brain injuries and adrenal fatigue, in addition to many other healing modalities. Yoga can always meet you where you are. I meditated consistently for 45 min to an hour a day for many years. This will significantly change anyone’s life. You develop your “superpowers” receive infinite wisdom, healing and creativity, and come into your multi-dimensional self. I developed a personal practice for the years that I wasn’t physically able to attend a class. This consisted of chakra opening and charging exercises and very gentle sun salutations (no hopping) and some twists, plow etc. Once I eventually got stronger, it gave me a way to challenge my body again, to move stuck energies and allow me to feel vibrant and healthy. Yoga compliments me as a person; it almost feels like a part of me. It gives me another avenue of channeling. Teaching yoga has challenged me and helped me grow, and gives me an outlet for love and creativity.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
Something to the effect of:
You all (humans) make things so complicated. Love is all that matters, and is the power that heals. (This came from a plant)
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My biggest challenge and first big spiritual initiation has been healing myself from traumatic brain injuries. It was a very long and challenging process requiring patience and discipline. It felt like bringing myself back to life, or re-creating myself into a new being. I think any healing journey is remembering who you truly are far beyond the ego self. To this day, it requires impeccable self-care and is almost a fail safe from the universe, ensuring I don’t fall back into “the matrix.”
My greatest personal accomplishment in the 3D world is probably my master’s thesis on type 2 DM and resistance exercise and the scientific journal publications that came out of it.
Otherwise, it’s following my heart and epic soul’s journey and staying committed to a creative and authentic life.
WHAT CAN ONE EXPECT WHEN SIGNING UP TO ONE OF BE MAGIC’S YOGA RETREATS?
So far, I have only partnered with other companies when offering retreats. However, travel is one of my biggest passions, and it has been one of my dreams for a long time; to be able to lead spiritual/yoga retreats. You can definitely expect more from me in the future.
On retreat with me, in addition to a big dose of fun and MAGIC, you will receive potent sacred space, a variety of yoga classes (yin, vinyasa, yoga nidra) breath-work practices, meditation, and a new moon or full moon fire ceremony. I also love cultural immersion, education, and exquisite local cuisine.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE YOGA RELATED BOOK?
I have a lot more esoteric-type books than specific yoga books. I love The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele because it’s always relevant with great stories and quotes. It’s also excellent for theming as a teacher.
OTHER THAN PRACTICING YOGA, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR OTHER WELLNESS AND SELF-CARE HABITS?
I do breath-work daily. For the past year and a half it’s been the Wim Hof method. I have a shamanic fire breath practice that is also amazing.
I have journaled daily since 2012, which was the first time I did “the Artist’s Way.” I’ve done it 4 times now.
I “earth” and go barefoot as much as possible.
I drink hot water with lime when I wake up.
I still lift weights regularly. I love hiking.
Dancing is an important movement practice for me.
I also love Kirtan and think the voice is one of the greatest healing instruments.
My mediation practice has really been getting back on track lately.
WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I was in the super bowl XXV half time show in 1991 in Tampa, FL. Disney put on the show and it was an all kid cast. (Including New Kids on the Block!) I was in the 5th grade.
WHO IS THE YOGI WE SHOULD FEATURE NEXT?
Carleton James. I love taking his classes and would love to learn more about his yoga journey.
Elli Yokochi’ Bio: Elli believes in the potency of yoga as an integrative mind, body and spirit practice. She loves the alchemical healing power, the soul nourishment and the eternal teacher that a dedicated yoga practice can be. Teaching yoga is a gift to her and through her; an act of devotional service and love.
Elli has been practicing yoga since 2000, however, it wasn’t until her own healing journey with traumatic brain injuries and adrenal fatigue, that she really deepened her practice. She was unable to even attend a yoga class for a few years because of her severe fatigue and post-concussion symptoms, therefore developed her own practice that would heal and energize her. This is ultimately what led her to study energy healing, shamanism, all things metaphysical, and to complete her RYT 200 hour power vinyasa training at FlyDog Yoga in Charlottesville, VA in 2015. Additionally, she has completed a 50 hour yin teacher training at Bala Yoga Teaching a yoga class is like improvisational art. With that in mind, Elli purposefully brings grounding energy, intuitive presence, and openness to what the moment invites. Her students love her creative flows, and intelligent sequences that often build to a challenging peak pose. She may lead you to “your edge” so that you expand your boundaries, or draw you “back home” to the beauty of your core. Her yin classes offer potent sacred space for transformation. Either way, she invites embodiment, self-love, and even laughter.
What brings her back to the mat are the sweat-drenched practices where you leave it all on the
mat, that feeling of flowing directly from the heart, tear-filled savasanas, sweet, juicy yins, and those practices where you dig down to the inner warrior surprising even yourself with your strength.
Elli’s intention is to inspire heart-centered alignment and awaken you to the freedom of your infinite-self. She is grateful to offer sacred space in goddess gatherings, cacao and fire ceremonies, workshops, international retreats, and weekly classes.