Introducing: Elie Malloy
Yoga House Instructor
Elie is one of the first, original instructors of Yoga House having started just a few short weeks after our Grand Opening. She leads an energetic, sport flow and teaches Vinyasa Flow and HIIT Yoga classes. Not only is she an incredible instructor, she is an amazing person whom we adore and appreciate.
Grab a seat and tea as we get to know someone who believed in the Yoga House mission and now is a staple of our growing community!
Where are you from?
I grew up in San Diego and Colorado Springs. I moved around a lot during and after college, but when I decided it was time to stay in one place I looked for a home in Colorado. My family is in Colorado and I love the outdoors. I knew I wanted to be on the Western Slope (I love the slower pace and the long fall and spring seasons). A job came up for me in Montrose and we jumped on it!
What is your favorite activities / hobbies outside of yoga?
I love anything to do with water, drinking it, kayaking, skiing, playing in the ocean or by the river.
What is your favorite thing about Montrose?
I love the proximity to so many beautiful places.
How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Easy going and a Lifelong learner
What was your first introduction to yoga, and what was it, that resonated with you with a practice?
My first yoga class was a college course in 2000. I didn’t know what I was signing up for, but the teacher brought lots of fun props and I learned new ways to stretch. Today, yoga continues to amaze me. I love how the mat is a space for me to let the outside world fall away. I love how I can push myself and learn to listen to the stories that arise in my head during a hard pose. I love that I have created a space for deep relaxation and self care. Now that I am doing yoga as a mom of a toddler, I don’t always get to escape the outside world on my mat, usually she is hanging from me in any given pose but I love that I am modeling self care and meditation.
What are the challenges you face in your personal practice and how do you overcome them?
A consistent home practice has always been a challenge for me, but I have found that if I roll out my mat 5 days a week and at least do one sun salutation or even just rest in childs pose – I feel better. With every challenge I face I try to break it down into tiny steps so I can start somewhere.
What is the story of inspiration that lead you to become a yoga instructor?
No inspirational story. I taught yoga a little bit in college and I took a teacher training when I was pregnant. I didn’t think I would teach, I just wanted to deepen my own understanding of yoga philosophy. In the last few years people have asked me to teach a class and I saw teaching as an opportunity to grow community in Montrose. When I saw that the Yoga House was opening I was so excited because it is a great home base for a yoga community.
Where did you do your teacher training and what style are you trained in?
I did my teacher training in Boise, ID with the Shanti Yoga School. It is a Hatha based program with a lot of focus on philosophy
What was your biggest take away from teacher training?
The value of meditation. I never considered myself someone that could or needed to meditate. I thought of my yoga practice as a moving meditation. But, yoga prepares the body so that we can meditate and in meditation and a practice of presence we can truly heal and know ourselves.
Tell us more about the kinds of classes you teach at Yoga House:
I teach class a week on Wednesday evenings. Depending on the season, sometimes its a Vinyasa flow class, and other times is a new format called HIIT yoga – and deep stretch. I try to create a safe space for the students to grow in the class. We all have an edge we can push whether it is learning to sit quietly or working on touching our toes. I hope to see more students come out on Wednesday night and let me know what your edge is. We can explore it!
What is your advice to anyone new to yoga?
I am sure this has been said before but it is so important… start from where you are. In a class setting it is easy to want to do what the other students are doing or what the teacher suggests but that may not be “right” for you. Try several types of yoga, ask lots of questions and approach the practice with a sense of curiosity. There is so much to learn.
Ready to Try A Class?
Colorado Yoga House is open 6 days of the week and during some months, open 7 days a week. Yoga House encompasses instructors with various backgrounds and teaching styles so you can always continue to discover the depths of this amazing discipline. Click below to see our current schedule, and we look forward to seeing you in class!
