Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisa Barretta.
Hi Elisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path into yoga teaching grew very organically out of both personal and professional experiences. I started my career as an apparel designer and spent over a decade living and working in Rome. It was a creatively fulfilling time, but the long hours at a desk and drawing table eventually took a toll—especially on my neck and shoulders.
I tried everything to relieve the pain—physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic work—but nothing seemed to create lasting change. It wasn’t until I took a step back and looked at my life as a whole that I realized I always felt significantly better during the periods when my yoga practice was consistent. That was a turning point.
Yoga helped me heal in a way nothing else had. And over time, I felt called to go deeper—not just for myself, but so I could share these tools with others. I completed my 200-hour training through YogaWorks and later a 300-hour advanced training, and I’ve been teaching and continuing to study ever since.
What keeps me inspired is helping people reconnect with their bodies in a way that’s compassionate, empowering, and sustainable. Whether someone is managing pain, looking for grounding, or seeking a deeper mind-body connection, I love being able to support that process.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a deeply rewarding one. When I decided to study to become a registered yoga teacher, I was still working full-time as a fashion designer. I was juggling demanding design projects during the day and spending long hours—very early mornings, late nights and whole weekends—immersed in yoga teacher training. It was intense, both mentally and physically.
Once I started teaching, I continued designing at the same time, which meant very little downtime. I was constantly switching gears between the fast-paced fashion world and the more grounded energy of yoga. It was a lot to manage, and there were definitely moments when I felt burned out.
But I kept going because yoga gave me something nothing else did—a sense of clarity, connection, and purpose. Eventually, I made the decision to let go of my design career and focus fully on teaching. It was a big leap, but it felt right. The path wasn’t easy, but every challenge helped shape the teacher I’ve become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’d love to share more about my creative work. In addition to teaching yoga, I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember—I started painting when I was around seven years old, and it’s remained a lifelong passion.
What I’m most drawn to are landscapes, especially those inspired by Italy, a country that holds a special place in my heart. I was incredibly fortunate to spend a decade living there while studying and working in fashion design, and the beauty of the Italian countryside, coastal towns, and quiet village streets left a lasting imprint on me. Painting those scenes allows me to stay connected to a place that shaped me both personally and creatively.
I’m proud of the way my artwork reflects that emotional connection—viewers often say they can feel the warmth and nostalgia in the work, even if they’ve never been to Italy themselves. I think what sets my painting apart is that it’s not just about capturing what a place looks like, but how it feels to be there: the light, the stillness, the sense of timelessness.
Art, like yoga, is another way I try to stay present and express what words can’t always say. It’s been a quiet thread throughout my life, and one I continue to cherish.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has definitely played a role in my life, but I’ve come to see it as something that works in partnership with choice and timing. One of the luckiest breaks I had was the opportunity to live and work in Italy for a decade while I was in the fashion industry. That experience deeply shaped who I am—creatively, culturally, and personally—and planted seeds I didn’t realize would grow in such meaningful ways later on.
Ironically, what felt like bad luck at the time—chronic neck and shoulder pain from long hours as a designer—ended up being a gift in disguise. It led me back to a consistent yoga practice, which not only helped me heal physically, but also set me on the path to becoming a teacher.
And now, years later, it’s come full circle: I lead annual yoga retreats in Italy, returning to the landscapes that first inspired me. Sharing the healing power of yoga in a place that means so much to me feels like the most unexpected and beautiful alignment of all. So yes—luck has played a role. But so has listening to my body, following what felt true, and trusting the timing even when it didn’t make sense yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elisabarrettayoga.com
- Instagram: @elisabarrettayoga
- Facebook: @elisabarrettayoga
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisab1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elisabarrettayoga
