Elena Brower is the founder of VIRAYOGA. She is a certified teacher of vinyasa yoga through OM Yoga Center in New York, and is currently studying with John Friend and other talented teachers towards certification in Anusara Yoga, a style of hatha yoga that encourages her students to "be in the flow of grace".

Elena's teaching encourages self-celebration; on a physical level through challenging, vigorous yet playful practices, and spiritually through ancient as well as modern teachings shared liberally with her students.

When not teaching at VIRAYOGA or privately, she enjoys rock climbing, running and a new obsession, snowboarding, as well as spending time with her invaluable close friends, without whom VIRAYOGA would not be such a splendid reality.

Click HERE for Felicia C. Sullivan's review of Virayoga, the studio.

Felicia C. Sullivan: As yoga wasn’t so prevalently marketed as it is today – how did you discover your love of yoga and the desire to practice? And ultimately teach? Who were your initial teachers? Have they remained as an influence in your life still? Many who start their practice initially seek physical benefits. Was this your original intention? If so, when and how did this dovetail into something more spiritual?

Elena Brower: While my initial intention was physical due to lack of awareness, several heartfelt experiences in yoga classes in 1993-4 made some deep impressions upon me. One of the first was a class taught by Cyndi Lee in 1997. She was accessible and funny; it was the first time I'd had the experience of a teacher who was honest and available, not so pedantic. She asked if I wished to apply for the first teacher training after OM opened and I was thoroughly and undeniably inspired. I created a little gift box of sorts, in which each question was answered as a small piece of art. I had the greatest time just putting onto paper these strong natural impulses to teach and help.

Cyndi offered us her vast knowledge and experience of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the most relevant suggestions I'd ever heard - to teach as myself, not to act or be like others, to be fully me. I've realized in the past few years as a student and teacher that for me, the most natural way to communicate my own truth lies in the all-out freedom and heart-centered language of Anusara Yoga. Anusara has led me into a profound interest in philosophy and spirituality that I hadn't yet been able to articulate within myself, and helped me to open to extraordinary possibilities in my life.

FS: How does the concept of religion incorporate into yoga? Into your own spirituality?

EB: I began practicing with no religious expectation. Yoga was not nearly as popular then ('93) so i had no information about what to expect, no clue about spirituality. Some of my first teachers helped me to feel a new appreciation for mySELF, which was definitely pleasing, but I didn't have the language for it. Anusara Yoga provides that for me. As I've begun to explore what it is about Anusara that thrills me, I'm beginning to study Tantra and Hinduism. All of it is fascinating, edifying and clarifying for me. To enhance my studies, I have teachers who listen and care, even with thousands of students all over the world, they are there, answering questions and helping me all the time. I am blessed.

With Roots In Heaven, a book that I'm reading right now, recounts the spiritual odyssey of an inspiring rabbi of a Jewish Renewal congregation in Colorado named Tirzah Firestone. She's sought and found grace in many eastern religions and practices. In reading her words, I'm beginning to reconnect, as she ultimately did, with her original heritage. As a Jew with few memories of pure religious connection, I have a vision of meeting Rabbi Firestone someday and spending some time learning with her. Her book confirms for me that Judaism has at its core all the same glorification of the SELF with which I connect through other my current studies of other religions, it just never quite revealed itself that way in my childhood experience. I'm looking forward to checking all of that out when the time seems right. I have a little dream of becoming a rabbi... my mom will love that.

For now I'm studying Rajanaka Yoga philosophy, an aspect of the Kularnava Tantra, the root of Anusara Yoga, which celebrates the SELF, our innate essential nature, and inspires me to be truthful and grateful for my own self and everyone who inspires me to give from my heart. The goodness that we all possess is what the yoga practices reveal, and it's great because we're taught not to feel bad when the good stuff seems hidden from us. It's just waiting for us to open up again so our wisdom can be revealed to us over and over, each time with more understanding.

Basically, I've learned through these studies that we're all PERFECT and we must simply get out of our own way in order to shine really brightly. So all of this religious exploration is fully a part of my yoga, and my yoga is definitely an aspect of my religious study, a practice of pure devotion. Through all of this I'm much more honest with myself, family and friends than I've ever been. Emotional matters are clearer and less confusing. As students of yoga, we're practicing focus, and then expanding our focus to include others. We're treating and experiencing our bodies as the gifts that they are, and then treating others the same way. What I'm realizing is that my religious and spiritual studies are not just for me- I can more effectively share this sense of contentment as I learn the language and the teachings and be of service to the community of students and teachers.

FS: Some students struggle with the different asanas – as a teacher and a fellow yogi, what is your advice for those who are limited in their practice?

EB: Find a teacher who leaves you feeling AMAZING, someone who lights you up and inspires you to be strong and aware of your own greatness, your potential. It's as simple as that. Until you walk out of a class feeling that good, keep looking for your teacher.

elena in upward facing dog pose.

FS: Having practiced yoga for over nine years and teaching for over five, how has being a teacher influenced your own practice?

EB: Becoming a teacher has led me to the distinct realization that I AM AND WILL ALWAYS BE A STUDENT. The more I practice and study as a student, the more truth I can offer as a teacher. While it took a while to really cultivate a practice of my own and stop working so hard at teaching, it’s of the utmost importance that I study and practice as much as possible. Ideas come from my own experiential shifts, inspired and directed by my teachers, and I simply share that information with my students. I have sincere empathy for their experience, and they appreciate that.

FS: In working with you as a teacher, it appears you flow effortlessly through poses. Is there a pose you have yet to master?

EB: Of COURSE! There are so many poses to learn. I’m always studying and practicing the Anusara Principles of Alignment with respect to different poses, challenging myself and changing my practice in outstanding ways. I’m applying the philosophical teachings spiritually, intellectually and emotionally, and finally setting some real goals for myself. This is all a process of learning more and more... “mastery” of a pose doesn’t really play a role in the literal sense. In working with a particular pose we make an impression on our body, such that the next time we work on that pose it’s more accessible and familiar, and yet there’s always so much more to check out about our alignment in the pose. John offers so many ways in which to see our poses; loops, spirals, awareness of the grace in the shape, the pose as an expression of our intention- Anusara provides an infinitely dynamic and supportive approach to the practice.

FS: You have conducted glorious retreats in Costa Rica as well as tranquil locales in the U.S. What inspired you to take yoga out of the studio?

EB: My teacher and best friend Amy Ippoliti started traveling some years ago and soon after I realized how wonderful it would be to create a beautiful yoga vacation for some enthusiastic students. Planning a week straight of classes, adapting to the needs of the students and being present for them has changed teaching for me. There is much more integrity and flow in my classes at home and I’m much more connected to the students.

FS: How did Virayoga – your wonderful yoga studio come to be?

EB: My boyfriend Michael had the revelation at the end of class one day last December, found the studio and worked hard to convince me to change my relatively simple life and open it up. I was petrified, but thankfully jumped in, and a bunch of incredibly talented people jumped in with me. With Michael’s help, the truly invaluable assistance of some close friends and the unending support of the students, Virayoga opened up in February, and all I am is GRATEFUL. It’s incredible how genuine it feels in that studio, all sorts of excellent people come around and never cease to amaze me with their intention and grace. It’s so beautiful to watch everyone grow so significantly on a regular basis.

FS: What is the greatest challenge in running a studio and coordinating retreats and teaching? Ms. Brower, do you have time to breathe? ?

EB: It’s really interesting, the delegating and trusting…the greatest challenge is letting go of responsibilities. I’m learning how to let other people take on some of the work and focus my time on studying, teaching and planning the events. I don’t have a lot of free time, but I do use it really well... I’ve started scheduling regular bodywork and taking myself out to lunch. I’ve begun to let knowledgeable, caring people take good care of me, and I am finding that THAT itself is a sublime practice.

FS: Have their been any significant experiences through your years of practice? Any extraordinarily teachers or memorable students?

EB: Every teacher and every student with whom I’ve ever worked has taught me something… I see the courage in each student who shows up to class and in honoring that bravery in everyone I learn so much about how I hope to be.

When I closed my eyes just now and thought about specific moments or people, Gurumayi immediately came to mind. When I was introduced to her for the first time, she repeated my name aloud, truly she SANG my name, and I remember simply crumbling in front of her with love and revelation. She embodies the potential that we all possess, and in her eyes I saw my own grace, the grace of everyone around me.

During the first class I ever took with John Friend, I laughed and cried so much, learned more than I’d ever learned about YOGA – which continues unabated whether I’m physically studying with him or simply devoting my practices to him. He helps me to realize EVERYONE’S divinity, my teachers, my students, my family. Dr. Douglas Brooks teaches me the enchantment of the philosophical aspects of this work, and is so present and available to me in honor of all of the students I’m serving, which is extraordinary. From all of these teachers I’ve learned to serve my teachers through serving my students, and how indescribably rewarding it is to receive the love that invariably comes back to me when I’m aligned in this way.

Recently I received the most glorious darshan hug from Ammachi on her last visit to New York and she made me weep with gratitude as well. From that experience I clearly see the beauty in letting grace IN rather than trying to manufacture it myself… it was such a literal lesson to receive the grace bodily, physically.

FS: Any closing comments or bursts of love for our readers? Any tips for the fearful beginner?

EB: We all deserve to experience devotion to our own SELVES. With that dedication comes an understanding of the people around us, but we’ve got to get closer to ourselves first. Yoga brings us into a state of awareness and gratitude for our own strength, our own body, our precious heart, and we find it much easier to share that awareness with others. We find others giving of themselves much more generously. It’s this intensely simple act of honoring the divinity in ourselves and everyone else that makes the littlest moments in life much more profound. And fearful beginner-you deserve yoga. It will enhance the quality of your experience of yourself.

Felicia C. Sullivan is a New York based writer and yoga junkie. Felicia is gleefully ignoring her friends' taunts that she needs a 12-step program for her yoga addiction. (WHAT ADDICTION???) She has been practicing for over a year. Elena Brower is truly inspiring.