Our Teachers

Meet the Team

  • In 2008, I discovered hot yoga as a sanctuary from the relentless pace of corporate life.  The practice provided a sanctuary of heat and mindfulness, offering me a much-needed escape and a way to manage the stress of my demanding job.  What began as a personal retreat soon blossomed into a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation.  This rigorous practice, rooted in ancient yoga traditions, not only enhances physical strength and flexibility but also fosters mental clarity and emotional resilience, I fell in love with it instantly.


    For years, I dreamt of leaving the corporate grind behind and embracing a career in teaching yoga.  In March of 2024, I completed a 100-hour training program, where I deepened my understanding of the practice and refined my teaching skills.  Today, I am thrilled to be living my dream and sharing the transformative power of original hot yoga with others. I am excited to continue my journey of growth and learning by pursuing additional training in the near future and expanding my teaching repertoire.


    Please join me for a rejuvenating original hot yoga session, I look forward to guiding you on your path to wellness and transformation.

  • I’ve been practicing the original hot yoga since 2011 - my soul called out for a practice that weaved discipline, alchemy, inherent spirituality and physical challenge into one and after experiencing my first class I knew this is what I had been asking for. In 2021 I devoted myself to my healing, to the reclamation of my soul, to living my purpose and it led me to becoming a yoga teacher, a guide into the deep inner work that supports soul growth and development, self-realization and experiencing the JOY! of being embodied. My heart is overflowing with loveJOY!gratitude to be initiated and walking the ancient path of Yoga.

  • Hi! I’m Elise! I’m originally from San Antonio, but I have lived in San Marcos since 2005. I graduated from Texas State University in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies, and I just decided to stay in San Marcos since I loved the community so much! I have been a certified yoga instructor since July 2012, studying under the guidance of Helen Stutchbury and Camp Utopia in Wimberley, Texas. Additionally, I have studied from some well known, wonderful teachers, gaining continued education hours and teaching experience with Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Gentle Yoga, Slow Yoga, Power Yoga, and Meditation.

    I would say my preferred style of teaching is “Hatha Flow”; a mix of Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, cultivating mindfulness within each pose with ease of movement through the poses. In my classes, I am very detail oriented, as I bring awareness to the sensations and happenings of each area of the body, as well as attention to breath, allowing your mind to be present with an ability to embrace each moment. I always try to teach from my heart. It’s important to me that my students feel cared for and safe when practicing. 

    In addition, I strive to connect the teachings on the mat to the practice you take with you when you step away. From yoga practice to life, we should try to stay present and to have awareness in and of our interactions and situations, our reactions and decisions, our choices on how we want to be. I want more of us to choose kindness, patience, and peacefulness, and that starts on the mat with yourself. My hope is to serve and guide you on your journey into yoga, helping to guide yoga into your life.

    In addition to yoga, I enjoy spending most of my time with family. I’m “Mom” to two beautiful girls. They bring me much joy! My favorite things to do include going to the river and to the beach or just being in water and outside, takin’ a road trip, cooking, playing volleyball and other sports/games, and potluck gatherings and getting together with friends.

  • I think I can honestly say movement was my first love. For as long as I can remember, it’s been a way of life. I started gymnastics at the ripe age of two, and competed until about the age of 12, winning two National Championships along the way. When that chapter of my life came to an end, I found movement in all the other sports available to me - volleyball, basketball, track, competitive soccer, you name it. I didn’t know life without it. All this to say, movement has always been a literal constant.

    After graduating college from SMU with a degree in Statistical Science, I got my first desk job. It took all of one week for me to seek out a way to move my body. I walked into my first yoga class about eight years ago, and have never looked back. Stepping on my mat for the first time took me home. It felt oddly familiar, but brand new, and I haven’t been able to go a day without it since. This movement was medicine.

    In 2021 I decided to deepen my practice, and completed my 200 hr teaching training from Practice Yoga Austin. I wasn’t certain then that I would teach, as I was still full time in the tech world, but that didn’t matter. The desire and yearning to learn more was (and still is) strong.

    In short, yoga quickly became my favorite way to move, connect, listen, and honor myself - not only my physical body, but also my mind, soul and spirit. This practice is something I have deep reverence for, and I truly look forward to sharing it with you :)

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  • Hey y'all.
    Movement has always been an important part of my life. I have spent the majority of my life dancing and discovered a new love with yoga about 16 years ago. I decided to take my yoga a step further with a 200 hour RYA teacher training in 2015 and rounded out the education with the hot 26 training in 2019.


    I absolutely love group fitness classes as they create a family, a community, personal accountability and amazing friendships.


    When I'm not in the studio, I enjoy spending my time with my family (Jason, Faeryn, and our animal menagerie), friends, watching OU football, being by the water, watching a good show or reading a good book.

    After graduating college from SMU with a degree in Statistical Science, I got my first desk job. It took all of one week for me to seek out a way to move my body. I walked into my first yoga class about eight years ago, and have never looked back. Stepping on my mat for the first time took me home. It felt oddly familiar, but brand new, and I haven’t been able to go a day without it since. This movement was medicine.

    In 2021 I decided to deepen my practice, and completed my 200 hr teaching training from Practice Yoga Austin. I wasn’t certain then that I would teach, as I was still full time in the tech world, but that didn’t matter. The desire and yearning to learn more was (and still is) strong.

    In short, yoga quickly became my favorite way to move, connect, listen, and honor myself - not only my physical body, but also my mind, soul and spirit. This practice is something I have deep reverence for, and I truly look forward to sharing it with you :)

  • Yoga has changed my life and I believe it can change yours too!

    At the age of 52 I took my first yoga class. I recently had a knee injury which left me unable to do any kind of physical activity. Over the next few years, I had 4 knee surgeries, and my knee just getting worse and worse. I had been a cyclist, a runner and triathlete and I needed an outlet. My sister suggested Hot Yoga - I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t just go outside and do yoga.  I ultimately went to a Hot Yoga class and was hooked! Not only did I find a physical outlet, but a way to connect with my mind too I was fully committed!

    I ended up having a total knee replacement in 2020!  My doctor told me I would never be able to do “fixed firm” - if you come to class, you will probably see me do it!

    In 2018 I took a leap of faith and  and went to Boulder to do my first Bikram hot yoga training with Esak Garcia. I completed a second Hot Yoga training in Texas completing over 250 hours.

    Other trainings:

    200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Albina and Roger Rippy 2021

    Pilates Training with Pilates Sports Center 2019

    Yin Training with Laura Gale 2023

    Currently finishing 300 Yoga Teacher Training with Albina and Roger Rippy

    I have worked for Willow Gardens Yoga for 6 years teaching Hot Yoga and Healing Yoga.

    I am a retired Dental Hygienist, working for over 20 years in Buda,  Texas.  I have lived in San Marcos for over 35 years! My husband, Robert and I love calling San Marcos our home! When I am not working I love spending time traveling, cooking, reading crocheting, spending time with my grown kids and watching sports!

    I think everyone can do Hot Yoga-no matter your age, flexibility or physical strength - you just have to be willing to be a beginner! I love sharing my passion for Hot Yoga - it will heal your body! Come and give it a try!!