Describe your path up to what you’re doing now.
Hi, I’m Elena. I was born and raised in Italy. 

I had a near-death experience when I was running on a beach in Hawaii twenty years ago. There is nothing scarier and more powerful than death to bring you to a big reality check. 

Through my strong devotion to the Divine, and a large dose of faith I was able to co-create the life I wanted for myself, only better. I now show others how to do the same, because that’s my calling. 

I am a yogini and a spiritual counselor. A mother of four and a grandmother of two. Can someone tell me how time went by so fast?

I am currently in the Himalayas, India to deepen my personal practice and recharge in order to hold space and help others with more zest and enthusiasm.

You can find out more about me here moveyourspirityoga.com

How did your childhood influence your ideas and what you do now?
My many years of depression forced me to look into myself, figure out what I wanted out of life, and ultimately manifest it. It was either that or death. Maybe not in the physical body, but in the emotional one for sure.

Did you or do you have a mentor? Who was it and how did they inspire you?
I did have someone who helped me figure out my gifts and make them useful for myself and others. He was a life changer.

I have a question. Where were you born?
I was born in Italy.

Where do you live now? If there is a change of location what caused it. Can you share?
I lived in the USA for many years. When my kids left for college I came to India to deepen my studies. The Himalayas mountains where I am now are a powerhouse of energy and strength.

Was there a point in your life when you decided to take a big risk to move forward?
Yes, for sure. When I left everything I owned, sold it, or gifted it and came to India. I definitely took a large leap of faith there.

Do you feel a responsibility to contribute to something bigger than yourself and what do you hope to contribute?
Yes, I feel responsible to help others remember how powerful they are, and that they can change their life if they are unhappy. At any time, any age, under any circumstance. There is no time to waste manifesting their dreams.

Are you satisfied creatively? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
Yes, I am. I love to write and read, and dance. These are my main creative outlets.

If you could go back and do one thing differently, what would it be?

I would be a better mom. I did do the best I could at that time, and yet looking back I feel I could have been more involved as a parent. I still need to make peace with this.

Are your friends and family supportive of what you do? And why?
Some of my family is, others not. They think I am crazy for being in India and living a very simple life. Friends I don’t have many. I am more of a hermit. The few ones I have support my choice. I wouldn’t call them friends, otherwise lol

How does where you live impact your creativity?
It impacts me in a tremendous way. All I have to do is look outside my window: the majestic snowcapped mountains, the tall trees, the singing birds, the occasional monkey, and the possible snow panther are definitely charging me on a daily basis.

If you could give one piece of advice to another creative starting out what would it be?
Start. Just start. Don’t overthink it, it will never be perfect. Do it now.

How do you keep learning new things?
I spend a lot of time reading. Books, articles, blogs, stories. I love Hindu mythology. I also interact with the locals, and some of them share fascinating stories that are teaching me something new every time. It’s also a little bit about survival here, so I am forced to make do with a lot of new things, that’s how I learn.

All right, what does a typical day look like for you?
As soon as I wake up I pray, then take care of my dogs, we go for long walks in the forest meditate, eat, exercise, write, read, read, and write. In the afternoon I have sessions with my online clients and students. I love helping others see how precious life is. I go to bed early for any standards. I need a lot of sleep.

Favorite foods?
Oh, I can’t even think about it lol. It’s so hard to find them here! Anything vegan, really. One of my boys has promised to take me to a new Mexican vegan restaurant in LA and I can’t wait. I am a big foodie.

Do you have a favorite book?
Right now I am reading 3 different ones from Om Swami, a mystic who lives in the Himalayas. They are packed with life-saving information. “A Million Thoughts” is one of them. “The Ancient Science of Mantra” is another one.

Do you have any favorite movies?
Don’t watch many movies, actually.

Current album on repeat?
DJ Taz Rashid.

Last question. What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
I’d like to be remembered as the one who had the courage to walk the walk and didn’t just talk about it.

Note – featured image is from People illustrations by Storyset