this is me…

I see yoga as a way to inspire lives and as a path to self-knowledge

My name is Karla Elizondo. I am originally from Mexico and I love yoga. I am also a wife, a mother to two small children. Now living in the Netherlands, I enjoy sharing my passion and fire for yoga and my love for creating sequences with an emphasis on the breath and body awareness through my classes. My energy and passion are contagious, with each of my classes full of fun, creativity and vitality. You will always find something new in every session.

Many years ago I was exhausted, tests showed I was in adrenal fatigue and the advice was to radically change my life style or risk chronic fatigue or other health conditions. I was already working in health & wellbeing, it was a surprise to me that I wasn’t actually looking after myself and my energy as well as I thought I was.

This was a beginning of my rest journey. An exploration into how to rest.

Resting, surely that should be the easiest thing in the world?

Well potentially yes but … sometimes the habit of being busy, always switched on, constantly reacting to life is so strong that rest feels elusive. We sit down to rest but before we know it we unconsciously reaching for our phone or watching something on TV that is far from restful or our mind is racing and constantly turning over the events of the day or worrying about a life challenge or difficulty. Our nervous system may be in ‘fight or flight’ so when we rest it can feel challenging. Are we actually resting?

For me I found resting at home particularly challenging as a business owner and mum of two, home was a place where there was always something to be done. I’d try to meditate aware there was a pile of clothes to be done or it was time to get dinner on.

Then there is the messaging and beliefs we’ve picked up about rest and self care. I often felt guilty if I wasn’t doing something and trying to rest when thinking you really shouldn’t be isn’t ideal. I GOT BACK TO BASICS, BACK TO ME, SURRENDER AND TRUST IN THE PROCESS I WAS JUST STARTING.

I know what it is like to go through crises and difficult periods. I have also experienced a lot in my life. This makes me enjoy life and the little things even more.

I studied Vinyasa Ashtanga, in Rishikesh, India, Yoga Nidra with Rishikul Yogashala, India. Prenatal and Yin Yoga in Guadalajara, México. I have also studied Massage Therapy, Podal Reflexology and Hindu Head Massage. HYT-Hormone Yoga Therapy and chair/dance yoga. I combine my background in gymnastics and sports with my personal yoga practice to explore the wonders of how the body can work. I continue to take masterclasses from the people who inspire me, including Mira Metha, Judith Hanson, Scott Blossom, Tim Miller and Gerson Frau. I fell in love with yoga because of the feeling one experiences during and after an asana practice, the calmness during meditation, and the energy that runs through the body while breathing consciously. One of the reasons why I practice yoga is to honour the body and truly give it some love and needed care. I am devoted to continuously learning and I am eager to share my knowledge. The more I explore and learn, the more I am able to share my wisdom in a new and vibrant light. It is a true blessing to express my passion through teaching and to share this journey with my students.

I bring my sincere love for yoga to people in every class I hold, working to bring mind, body and spirit together, leading towards clear thinking and stress relief.

Everyone is welcome

I believe that yoga is an all-inclusive practice that can be beneficial to everyone in body, mind and spirit. I believe that everyone can live their dreams if they are open to receiving the gifts we all deserve. I believe yoga is a tool to redefine and empower yourself. I believe the real yoga practice starts when you get off the mat. I believe in compassion, love and gratitude. I believe the body is a well-developed machine that moves efficiently with memory and the ability to adapt and correct itself. The human body is nothing short of a miracle. I believe that you are a different person each and every time you step off the mat after each practice.

Are you ready?

Every yoga class will be different, fun, special and intuitive, gently challenging you to dare to explore your body and mind, and push beyond your comfort zone. Through my guidance, you will end each session with a feeling of calm satisfaction from doing your best, and having worked in a safe space to explore and find your body’s optimum functioning state. In my classes I will share some asana anatomy details or pure yogic information in a language that is engaging and accessible for everyone to understand, but also light-hearted. We will smile - yoga doesn't have to be so serious! Take a pause, breathe, listen and just be.

I offer wellness, in all senses. I will guide you to reach goals and show you how amazing the human body truly is. Soon you will be doing things that you never thought were possible - an incredible feeling! This program is also focused on mental wellness, calming down those monkeys that jump around in our mind sometimes, achieving emotional stability, building a social network, and feeling safe in your environment. Through the combined approach of yoga (asana, pranayama and meditation), all of this is possible and results in real transformation of both body and mind.