*FREE *Candlelight Restorative | The Yamas & Niyamas
This class is taught by:
Elyse Morckel (E-RYT 200/YACEP)
Elyse is a E-RYT 200/YACEP certified yoga instructor who has been teaching yoga for the last 5 years. In addition to teaching multiple styles of yoga at Release, she also instructs barre fitness classes. She currently serves as the Co-Director of the RYT-200 Teacher Training Program. Elyse took her first yoga class in high school, but didn't find a deeper connection to the practice till later on. For Elyse yoga is a moving meditation that keeps her mind and body refreshed. She hopes to encourage students to never stop learning and exploring all that their bodies can inform them about each time they step onto their mat. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2014 with a BFA in Dance and has been making her own independent choreographic works across northeast Ohio.Since 2017, Elyse has been a company dancer, teacher, & choreographer with The Movement Project, a contemporary modern dance company in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2018, Elyse began teaching through Zenworks Yoga, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing mindfulness and yoga into school settings and integrating those practices into daily curriculum for grades PreK-12. In addition to teaching through Release, TMP, & Zenworks Yoga, she also teaches dance at Sheena's Platinum Movements in northwest Akron.
- My teaching style is: Evolving. Each day is an opportunity to be open to new ideas. I seek to keep my practice available to new information as it comes to me as both a teacher and a student.
- My favorite yoga pose(s) is: Virasana (Hero Pose) & Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
- Yoga has helped me overcome: Feelings of insecurity and self doubt that I have carried for many years about myself. When I come to my mat I am reminded that I am capable of so much more than I realize, and I recognize that it is okay to have to remind myself of those things as a daily self-care practice.
- I love my Body because: For all the perceived faults and inadequacies I see in it. It is mine and therefore is unique and beautifully imperfect.
- You must try this healthy snack: Avocado with everything but the bagel sprinkles on toast.
- My favorite Sanskrit word or phrase is Om Namah Shivaya: Which translates to “I bow to the inner Self”. Answers and knowledge can come from within you if you look close enough.
- My advice for beginning yogis is: Don't let yourself get caught up thinking the challenging/advanced poses are everything. The physical asana is one of eight parts of your yoga practice. The challenge is living your yoga off your mat and in the chaos of the real world.
- I’m most grateful for: My family, those who I chose and some who life chose for me. They have been a lifelong source of encouragement and unconditional love, and I would not be here without them.
- The most unique place I’ve practiced yoga is: The jungles of Tulum or in Joshua Tree National Park.
- I’m ready to take my yoga to the next level because: Now with 5 years of teaching experience, I am interested to return to the mindset I held as a student, eager to seek out that which is new and connect deeper to what I "think" that I know.
- My heroes are: Teachers (not just from my yoga experience) who gave me the courage to believe I was more than I perceived.
- My superpower is: Supporting others & helping them find their path.
- My one wish for the world is: More love and understanding, less hate and aggression.
Pattie Wagner (E-RYT 500/YACEP)
Pattie Wagner, E-RYT 500 and YACEP®, took yoga when she was four years old with her flower child mom. Yoga found her again when she had her second son and needed a release from a demanding career in a foreign city. Over 20 years, she has practiced a broad variety of yoga styles including Power, Bikram, Hatha, Ashtanga, Restorative, Yin, Iyengar and "crappy work yoga" and infused them all into her teaching style (minus the crappy parts, of course).
- My teaching style is: Very hands on, fun, upbeat and spiritual. I love assisting my students, so be prepared for adjustments, neck rubs and guidance.
- My favorite yoga pose is: Padahastasana! I love the release that Gorilla pose provides. It’s a simple forward fold that is accessible to all levels of yogis. It also calms the mind, helps with digestion and improves circulation in your hands and wrists. It’s great for people who work on computers all day long.
- Yoga has helped me overcome: Wow, so much. I began practicing when my 2nd son was born to help with post-partum depression. From there, I fell in love! Anything is possible on a yoga mat.
- My favorite music to teach to is: I have extremely wide tastes of music and love to mix up fresh playlists for my students. I also get help from my sons who help keep my music cutting edge ... I love offering a brand new sound or unknown artist to my students.
- I love my: Eyes and hair. My eyes are hazel and can turn to a beautiful complex green/gold. My hair? I rarely blow it dry and (WHEN) I bother to style it, it looks AMAZING!
- My favorite goddess is: Akhilandeshvari. She is the “The Always Broken Goddess”. Basically, she celebrates that we are always just a little broken, a little on the edge. This allows us to try something new and unfathomable in our lives and break away from our toxic routines or attachments. And she rides on a crocodile … How cool is that?! There is a great article about her on Elephant Journal by JC Peters. Check it out!
- You must try this healthy snack: Well, I'm not sure how truly healthy Skinny Pop is but I can devour a whole bag on my own!
- My favorite Sanskrit phrase is: "Om Namah Shivaya". Chanting this mantra is incredibly powerful … Be careful what you wish for!
- My advice for beginning yogis: Focus on building the very basics of your practice. Your breath is everything and will guide you both physically and spiritually. Don’t worry about how flexible or strong you are … And don’t worry about the heat, Release has plenty of options!
- I’m most grateful for: My wonderful family who supported me when I took on the major life change of starting my own yoga studio. I may be crazy, but I’m loved!
- The most exotic place that I’ve practiced yoga is: Hmm, I've been fortunate to experience travel to many places. The Great Wall of China, India, Costa Rica or Kripalu are some of my top places.
- If I could practice yoga with anyone, it would be: Harry Styles! I am obsessed.
- I want to take my yoga to the next level by: Assisting all of the fabulous Release teachers and students in reaching their full potential.
- My heroes are: Anita Roddick (founder of The Body Shop), Maxine Clark (founder of Build a Bear) and Oprah (founder of everything). They each built profitable businesses from the core of their passions, took immense risks, and focused on giving back to their employees and communities. And they did it with kindness, compassion, fun and profitability. That’s the way business should be!
- My one wish for the world is: "Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Whole."
Please note that this experience is free of charge, however our no-show/late cancelation policies and fees still apply due to teacher preperation, planning and limited student space.
