Eleni Sophocleus
Yoga Instructor
Hello, my name is Eleni (she/her) though I also go by Leni. My first experience doing yoga in community was back in 2013. I was 15 years old, had just gone through my first breakup, and was feeling devastated when my older sister asked if I wanted to join her for a class. By the time I was lying in savasana, I had experienced the qualities of yoga that, at the time, I could only describe as magic. It sparked a continuous practice that stayed with me through the remainder of high school, away to college, and on my studies abroad.
In the years since, my relationship with my body has drastically changed, as I have become disabled due to the escalation of intersecting chronic illnesses. The process of surrendering to my health has required me to renegotiate every aspect of my life and re-introduce myself to movement, boundaries, pacing, and self-image through an unfamiliar lens. Yoga has been the medicine of accessible movement throughout this transition. Last spring, I decided I wanted to deepen my practice and knowledge through Yoga Sanctuary’s Holistic Yoga Teacher Training program.
This program has instilled a deep desire to teach yoga that is kind, accessible, and inviting. I aim to teach from the wisdom of my own lived experience, creating a safer container for folks to come back home to their bodies. My approach to teaching includes invitational language, modifications, and pranayama with the intention of increasing interoception and proprioception.
Beyond the mat, I am an artist and graphic designer based in Kingfield, Minneapolis. I deeply value community, curiosity, and creating all that I can while continuously striving to maintain balance.