Meet Ella Cojocaru

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Cojocaru.

Ella, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started as a gymnast in Romania.  Ten years ago when I discovered yoga, it reminded of the same love I had found in gymnastics.  Two of my students Rita and Jeremiah did a 7-minute film called “Not So Namaste “which can be found on my website.  I think it does a wonderful job telling my story and shows how yoga has helped me heal from my past traumas.

Has it been a smooth road?
Everything has been a struggle, from being born in an Eastern European country during a revolution, to having an alcoholic father and an abusive gymnastics coach.  Moving to a new country without your family or the ability to speak the language…..but you know what?  We all have a story.  It can become your biggest gift if you allow it or the thing that holds you back……what do you choose?

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I teach yoga in Los Angeles, other parts of the world as well as online on my own platform, Ellavateyoga.

I like to think that I specialize in body and mind.  Reminding you that your breath is your gift in this life,  your companion.  Get to know it.  It will bring you back to your spirit, your soul.

Your ego is your obstacle and it screams at you, always wanting instant gratification, not allowing you to learn.  You have to become quiet and listen.  What are you giving your attention to?

This is what I try to teach through the physical part of yoga as well as through the themes I talk about in class and write on my website.  I’m currently working on a Podcast so I can merge this physical and mental gymnastics as I like to call it.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I don’t think teaching yoga in Los Angeles is the best place to do it and I’m not sure that I would recommend this to a new teacher.  LA is the belly of the beast.

It is beautiful in many ways, ugly in others and extremely expensive.  Having had the opportunity to travel and teach in other parts of the world Los Angeles yoga teachers are some of the best trained and worse paid.

LA has changed a lot from when I started teaching nine years ago.  Mom and pop studios barely exist now and if they do, many struggle.  Corporations have taken over LA and let’s just say they don’t care about teacher development or fair pay.

With that said, everyone has their journey and where we often go wrong is listening to other people.  If your heart desires to move to LA and teach yoga, you should trust yourself and do exactly that.  I’ve done well here and have gotten opportunities that I don’t believe I would necessarily receive had I lived somewhere else.

I just think LA is changing in a way that is not sustainable for most of us.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ellavateyoga.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Ellavateyoga
• Facebook: Ellavateyoga

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.