Elka Haeckel
Elka Haeckel is a certified Hatha Yoga instructor with additional certifications in Ayurveda (Ayur-Yoga
Inspired), Prana Flow, Restorative Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, SUP Yoga, and Yoga Therapy. She is also a certified Massage Therapist with specialization in Thai Healing Medical Massage. Elka’s enthusiasm and passion for teaching, combined with her extensive knowledge and understanding of the foundations of yoga philosophy, meditation and holistic health, allow her to teach classes that encourage the beginner, as well as challenge the most advanced student to use the body in order to access the mind and heart.
Elka has been teaching yoga since 2002 and formerly owned her own yoga studio in San Diego for 7 years. Today, Elka Haeckel is an international yoga teacher leading teacher trainings, workshops and yoga retreats all over the globe. Elka Haeckel is also the creator of Elka Yoga (Yoga from your Heart), Yoga Samba Dance, and Choco Vinyasa. Her teachings take students on an inner journey to get in touch with their true identity. Elka’s classes are not a regular practice but a transformative experience.
Anna Fernandez
Anna Fernandez, a certified Hatha Yoga instructor, discovered the beauty of yoga over 12 years ago as she searched for a way to relieve the pain caused by her scoliosis. She received so much more than she could have ever imagined! This journey led her to Elka Yoga, an experience that transformed her life, leading her to discover her passion for teaching. Anna finds it extremely rewarding to share the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing that yoga offers. With additional certifications in Vinyasa Flow and SUP Yoga, Anna enjoys building upon her strong foundation, rooted in a personal commitment and passion for helping others discover their own innate healing powers. Anna inspires her students to enjoy the evolution of their practice through a deep understanding of both physical and energetic alignment. Anna teaches at studios throughout San Diego and also offers outside donation classes to make this healing art accessible to all. She is also the coordinator and mentor for Elka Yoga teacher trainings, workshops and retreats. Anna’s classes go beyond just the physical aspects of yoga, allowing her students to discover the peace and well-being that grows with the cultivation of balance and harmony within.
Dustin Swindle
Dustin is a certified Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga Instructor with additional certifications as a Water Safety Specialist, Surf Instructor, PaddleBoard Instructor, as well as CPR /First Aid/AED. Since starting on his expanding journey of yoga in 2007, Dustin continually found a sense of connectedness and healing through practice. The heart of his practice includes Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) from Ashtanga sequencing, and connecting to the breath with Vinyasa flow, while restoring and aligning his body with Hatha principles. Dustin has been blessed to find the mental, physical and spiritual benefits of Yoga along with a lifetime of enjoying the energy of the Sun and Yemanja (Mother Ocean). He is truly grateful to expand the yoga practice under a mentor such as Elka Haeckel, founder of Elka Yoga who lead immersion into to the elements with her SUP Yoga Teacher Training here in San Diego. After 20 years of experiencing the beautiful connection of the water via surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding along with the healing aspects of yoga, Dustin is pleased to be connecting passion for Yemanja and Yoga. Dustin is committed to bringing our yoga experience out of the walls and into the elements, feeling the energy of the sun, the wind, and the soothing sound of the water under your feet, while gliding on top of the board provided by mother earth! Dustin has a grounding attraction and love for the Earth as he spent 4 years launching off the precious dirt and flying through the air while racing in the American Motocross Association. This achievement took many years deepening his connection while enjoying the abundance of mother nature! The appreciation for all of these Elements makes him proud to give back to Mother Earth by volunteering in the local community as an active Surfrider member keeping our Oceans and Beaches clean along with donating his time in local organic farms and many others! Namaste Yemanja and Pachamama!