"Elke has the capacity to draw me into my own body and guide me to unravel what is tight in a way that bypasses old habits of forcing or pushing with the muscles. After a session with Elke, I feel lighter and more spacious, as though layers of holding have been let go. She shows me how to invite my body to open, and open it does. There's a magic to this that is unachievable when I practice on my own. She takes it to an inner space that's deeper than any teacher I've worked with."
~ Pratima Rochelle Freeman, Therapist
"Elke Brown is a true and natural-born teacher. She is passionate about the benefits of yoga and transfers her vast knowledge and expertise with clarity, thoughtfulness, and humor. Elke’s utmost respect and concern for her students, coupled with her carefully chosen readings of meditations, prose and poetry, infuse her classes with a quiet spirituality…and her soft voice and lovely accent are just ‘icing on the cake’!
Besides the calming effect of Elke’s classes, I appreciate the physical benefits as well. Elke focuses on strengthening our bodies and improving flexibility, balance and range of motion. She is always aware of individual physical needs and makes modifications to ensure each student’s safety. She occasionally offers special classes that focus on such important health issues as osteoporosis and neck/shoulder concerns. I miss her classes so much when I can’t be there!"
~ Patsy Biebleheimer, retired teacher
"I have been doing yoga for about ten years, starting in my 50’s, and have sampled many different teachers and styles. Simply put, Elke is the best. While I wish I had met her when I was just starting, I can only be grateful to have found her now.
What sets Elke apart is the combination of her extensive knowledge base, deep and inclusive spirituality, and her gentle nature. Elke’s classes offer both comfort and challenge, a chance to exert and a chance to rest, to push my limits and to accept them. She is a gifted teacher who engages me on all levels of body, mind, and spirit."
~ Cheryl Morris, retired Therapist
"I have been very grateful to discover Elke Brown as a yoga instructor. As a complete novice, I was concerned about injuries. Elke was very clear in describing the goals of each pose and how to work with your body to attain them. She reassured me to listen to my body and helped work out modifications when needed and encouraged me to stretch to new levels. She has helped me to establish a home practice that assists me in my everyday life. I have greater physical strength and flexibility, which is what I initially was looking for, but also greater mental clarity, freedom of breath and self-awareness."
~ Mary Hewitt, Electrical Engineer
"I have been a student of Elke Brown since she came to Wild Mountain Yoga in Nevada City several years ago. By taking her class regularly I have reduced the amount of medication I take for my arthritis. I also have fewer muscle cramps in my back and shoulders."
~ Beth Donnelly, Artist
"Elke is a dedicated and gifted yoga teacher. She's always the first person I think of when I recommend yoga to my Rolfing clients because she has a great eye for alignment and an ability to work skillfully with people with physical limitations or injuries. She takes good care of her students: even while she's inspiring or challenging people, she always watches out for their safety. She's also a really lovely person, and her classes are graced by humor and kindness alongside her considerable technical skill."
~ Lisa Biow, Rolfer
"Elke’s vast knowledge and understanding of yoga and the body, along with her warm nature and wisdom of the heart combine to create each gift of a class. Her awareness and sensitivity, often fine-tuning every student, make it possible for many to enjoy yoga in spite of possible limitations. Elke’s clear guidance has personally helped me strengthen, and learn how to work through and around old injuries, as well as better manage the symptoms of perimenopause. Each class, carefully prepared, takes body, mind and spirit on a journey both energizing and serene. We are so grateful to have Elke teaching in our community."
~ Lorraine Hendriksen
"Elke and I met about four years ago. At the Yoga Center in Nevada City. I have taken classes twice a week and and some private lessons. Elke knows how to teach Yoga. She is very calm, has a very light and fun approach to her teaching. I have been extremely stiff all my life, now 75, and Elke's teaching is opening up my body. At class one day I asked Elke what was our ultimate goal in practicing Yoga, "To open your heart", a very concise goal but that is all there is, OPEN. It translates into many things that allows you to reach the goal. I practice Shamanic Healing, for seven years, and have been steadily tuning more and more into the NOW. I can pick out good teachers. I have had three teaching jobs each for seven years. I taught engineering to upper division students at UCB in Landscape Architecture, a review class in structures for the Architectural state exam for the East Bay AIA, and a review course in structures for the state professional engineering exam. I recommend Elke without reservation and thoroughly enjoy her Yoga classes. You will also enjoy her classes, try them because that's the way to make a connection." Ray Razzano, Structual Engineer
