Ellen Carlos

I came to the 26 & 2 hot yoga in 2016. At the time, I had back pain, depression and anxiety, an autoimmune disorder and migraine headaches. I knew that cardiovascular exercise was key for my mental and physical well-being. I worked (as a nursing educator) with a Bikram instructor, Cindy Bianchini, and she talked to me for over a year about the benefits of hot yoga. Finally, I tried it, and I was hooked. The feeling of “I’m home” was immediate. The work to restore my physical and mental health took longer and I found immense healing and restoration through my personal work on the mat and engaging with the practitioners and teachers in the yoga community. I went to 26 & 2 training in October 2023 and became a certified instructor through E84 in February 2024. As a new teacher, I am immersed in dialogue and empowered by the opportunity to guide others in their work on the mat. Teaching is a learning process that I will engage with for the rest of my life.