Testimonials

I suffered from a lower back sprain over 10 years ago, which would come and go, sometimes lasting for weeks. After trying massage therapy and muscle relaxants, I found Elyse. In a few visits, I was completely pain free in my lower back and have been able to stay that way now for months. Elyse has also been able to relieve the pain I had in my forearm using Active Isolated Stretching. I recommend Elyse to anyone suffering from this kind of pain.” I thank you Elsye.

Nobody can stand typing and staring at a computer screen all day without feeling drained. So when yoga at work (!) was offered I was eager to try it out. Elyse’s corporate yoga class once a week gives me a great relief to red eyes, stiff bodies and stressed souls. I come back to the office walking on little clouds and wearing a dreamy smile on my face. My bosses are benefiting from it as well since I treat them better..ha ha! I strongly recommend every corporation who cares for their employees well-being and achy backs to offer yoga as a perk.

“With a demanding full-time job and all the demands of a family that includes two elementary school boys and an 18-year old step-son, there is very little time left over in the week to spend on ME. With Corporate Yoga, I get to spend 1 hour a week doing something just for ME. Since it is during my lunch hour, I don’t have to worry about getting someone to pick up the boys from school and watching them while I’m in class. I come out of the class totally relaxed and I actually feel taller (from all the stretching!) Thanks, Elyse, for making this possible.”

Taking Yoga classes is a first for me. I really enjoy them as it helps me keep in better shape. Once a week is good but twice would certainly be better. I sincerely hope that the classes will continue from January 2005. I find that Elyse is a great teacher, so patient and so calm, just listening to her makes us relax.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) “I started taking Yoga with Elyse for the first time and loved it. I wasn’t sure what to expect. The class is relaxing and you don’t end up exhausted. At first, I thought I would go back to work feeling sleepy but it was totally the opposite. I feel relaxed but full of energy! Learning how to breathe has made me feel totally different. It really gives you a sense of well-being.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) “Magical breathing” that is what yoga is for me. I have a tool to use anytime during the day, I focus on the deep breath and think of something I like and that energizes me.

Infant Massage is a great way to establish a permanent bond with your baby and to alleviate some of the fears of motherhood. It has also allowed me to develop a special relationship with my two older children. They love having their back and feet massaged!

Elyse’s baby massage class was instructional and fun at the same time! I learned different massage techniques that I was able to incorporate into my daily routine at home. Every week, Elyse gave out articles about baby massage and other topics of interest, which I looked forward to reading on my own time. I was hoping that massaging my son would help him learn to relax and wind down from his day. I did not expect that I too would feel more relaxed after giving him a massage! My baby and I were able to connect on a whole different level. Also, massaging his belly seemed to even improve his bowel movements, another benefit I was not expecting!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and tell you how much I enjoyed your baby massage classes. I still can’t believe the changes in my baby since I’ve started doing the massages. After only a few repetition of your colic routine, I was able to see a significant reduction of colic in my newborn son. This course was definitely worth traveling all the way from Vaudreauil – I would recommend it to all parents!!

As a first time Dad I had an extremely tough time caring for our 5 week old colicky daughter. Enrolling in Elyse’s infant massage class brought almost immediate tranquility. As a physician I am aware of the mountains of evidence that support physically interacting with your infants. The stimulation of gentle touch promotes healthy development and strengthens the bond between baby and parent…..Dads included!! Elyse’s classes were informative, fun and interactive; a definite must for those who are looking to sooth a fussy baby.

Elyse’s infant massage class helped me to deepen my connection with my baby. Learning techniques for helping my daughter to relax increased my ability to soothe her, as well as possibly avert and cope with collicky episodes. Additionally, the experience increased my confidence about handling my baby, which was particularly reassuring to me as a new mother. I also appreciated the relaxed atmosphere Elyse created for the class: it was one in which mothers felt at ease tending to the needs of their babies. The benefits continue, weeks after the class has ended. Thanks, Elyse!

My baby girl, Savanah, began her baby massage classes at 2 months old. Knowing how difficult it is maintain a schedule with a newborn, my husband and I always make sure to devote time for daily mommy or daddy & baby massages. It taught us how to better read Savanah’s bodily signs. We’re amazed to see the differences in her development. Her colicky tendencies disappeared almost overnight. She began sleeping on average 6 to 8 hours at night. She has become more alert and curious of her surroundings. Her restlessness has diminished. Even family and friends have commented on how calm she is when they hold and interact with her. My husband attended one of the baby massage classes and enjoyed it so much that now we have to flip a coin to see who gives Savanah a massage. Theses bonding sessions have definitely improved our communication with our daughter; Savanah has been smiling and cooing at an uncontrollable rate and we are enjoying every minute of it.

I think infant massage is a great step towards developing real attachment between yourself and your children. Massage helps you to understand how things impact them physically, and equips you with a way to offer physical comfort and reassurance. This is a real benefit for dads; it’s a little bit like the kind of physical proximity and resulting bonding that mother gets from breastfeeding. Also, since we have twins, massage gives us the opportunity to spend a little quality one-on-one time with each baby…

Attending a class of infant massage was a real pleasure for my son (Leon, 4 months old) and myself. He clearly enjoyed each session as I was having great pleasure seeing my baby reacting so positively to the techniques that were taught. Since taking the class, massage is part of our everyday bathing routine and I can surely say that it is the part awaited eagerly by Leon. I thoroughly recommended for any parent – for its benefits and its pleasure.

I strongly believe that infant massage is an excellent way to connect with your child. It has been a relaxing experience for both me and my baby. I’ve learned from infant massage to release any tension I was feeling so it doesn’t project onto my baby. Since I started infant massage my baby is more relaxed and I’m even able to enjoy “mommy” time in the day. Each morning I can enjoy my tea and a newspaper while my baby contently plays on her playmate. Before I started the massages my baby was colicky and I wasn’t able to even take five minutes without her having fussy periods. It really has been a blessing and I wish that I started the massages earlier than five months. I strongly recommend infant massage as early as possible to establish a connection with your child and to help release tension and any colic problems that your child may have. Elyse is an excellent coach who makes the environment intimate and comfortable.

Elyse’s baby massage class was great. It was so nice to set aside time just for me and my daughter, without worrying about running errands and doing household tasks. I met other mothers and found new ways to connect with my baby. The atmosphere was always low key and very supportive. I found Elyse to be extremely insightful to the issues a new mom faces when adjusting to her new life. And seeing the smile on my daughter’s face when I massage her is priceless!

Massage, massage, massage…” Voilà ce qu’Elyse ne cesse de nous répéter et elle a bien raison… Le temps passé à masser mon petit bonhomme sont des moments privilégiés de véritable pur plaisir (pour bébé, papa et maman). Ayant un bébé très tonique et actif (il a maintenant 4 mois), le massage lui permet de se détendre et de dormir plus paisiblement que ce soit pour une sieste ou son dodo de la nuit. Et que dire des bienfaits marqués sur ses maux de ventre (j’aurais bien aimé connaître ces petites techniques lorsqu’il a eu ses coliques de 1 à 3 mois)… Nous avons maintenant notre petit rituel et je crois qu’aucun de nous ne pourrait plus nous en passer… Un beau cadeau à faire à son enfant et à soi-même… De plus, la nature très décontractée des rencontres avec Elyse, les articles très intéressants partagés et le contact humain ajoutent grandement au plaisir. Un MUST ! Bravo et merci Elyse !

My son, Tristan, is an extremely alert and curious 6 month old. Nothing escapes his notice and getting him to stay still can sometimes be a problem. But when the massage oil comes out, he will stop fidgeting, lie still and keep eye contact with me. The legs are his most favorite, followed by his back and while I am speaking softly to him and rubbing his muscles, his breathing slows and he stops to focus on what is happening to his body. I believe that I am strengthening our relationship by showing him how much I love him and that is priceless gift to give your child. ..

I had read a book on infant massage, but couldn’t seem to work it into our daily routines. The classes “broke the ice” for me in a sense, and now I can use the techniques spontaneously: Our baby girl has difficulty “shutting down” at bedtime, and massage helps work out some of her nervous energy; she especially likes her back rubbed. Our baby boy would wake up at night and become restless and unable to fall back asleep; I found that massaging the insides of his feet-which he especially liked-brought him back into a state of calm that would bring back the drowsiness…

Before I started the infant massage class I was a little bit skeptical if this will work out for me and my son. One hour with Elyse, the other mum’s and dad’s was enough to change my mind. It is such a great opportunity to connect with my baby and the benefit for both of us is amazing. It is wonderful helping your baby to relax and at the same time it’s also a way for me to calm down, enjoy the moment and learn more about my son. Spending this quality time with my little one gives me so much energy for the rest of the day.

The infant massage classes with Elyse were a great experience for me and my daughter. We got to bond through an interesting and interactive medium all the while meeting other new mothers and their precious little ones. The class environment provided for tips and suggestions on how to manage your new experiences. All in all, I think this class was alot of fun and would recommend it to any new Mom or Dad!

My son and I greatly enjoyed learning baby massage with you. Not only was it a fun way to meet other new mums, it has provided a very soothing new way to bond with my baby. He absolutely loves his daily rubs and I’ve noticed that it helps settle him down before his nightly bath making the transition to bedtime much easier. Thanks again for your excellent class!

The infant massage techniques I learned with Elyse have enabled me to establish an enjoyable daily ritual with my son. He knows that the sight of me rubbing my hands together means that he’s in for a relaxing time! It has helped to establish pleasant bedtime routine for Owen, my husband and me so that by the time we put Owen into the crib, he goes to sleep in seconds. I think that’s the gift any parent would want!

After my baby boy was born I joined Elyse’s infant massage class. I found that it helped him tremendously. I used the techniques that Elyse taught me to give my baby a daily massage. Shortly thereafter, his stomach aches diminished, he was calmer and the back rubs made him love “tummy time”.

What a cool way to spent a half hour per day- Soothing and relaxing your baby through massage! Who would have known that babies and moms could benefit from easy to learn massage techniques? Not only did my baby calm right down throughout his entire massage, but his mood was markedly improved in the following hours. I also loved being able to reach out to my baby in a unique, tactile way. It was like I was communicating with him on a totally new plane that I had not yet been able to reach through traditional means. The classes were also fun. Nice environment to meet up with others in the same boat- with nobody passing judgement if baby is fussy. My pediatrician husband joined us for a couple of classes and felt the classes were a nice approach to soothe baby. More specifically, he loves being with our son for that special massage time!

YMCA Certified Individual Conditioning Instructor Can-Fit Pro Nutrition and Wellness Specialist Curves for Women Weight Loss Instructor “What a great way to bond with your child! Infant massage is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your baby’s early life experiences. Its also a fantastic technique to deal with colic, to calm a fussy baby and to relieve baby’s gas pains and pressure. When my daughter was fussy, I would massage her legs and feet and she would calm down almost instantaneously. She enjoyed gazing at me (or her dad, as the case may be) while I massaged her and I truly believe that the tactile stimulation and eye contact really helped to foster a deep bond between us. It also helped her become more flexible; she rolls around, dances on her back and loves to do baby Yoga with mommy! The massage also allowed moms to become acquainted with their babies, to discover what felt good for baby and to allow mom to become more comfortable touching and exploring their babies. Classes were totally stress-free and as we were all relatively new and anxious moms, it was such a nice, supportive environment to be in. Moms would exchange stories and give tips on caregiving while the babies were massaged, so in addition to the obvious benefits of the massaging, the babies also benefited from seeing new faces and hearing voices. Elyse was so professional and supportive; she really gave us concrete instructions and explained how the massage worked so we could gain a good understanding of what we were doing. Her patience was terrific too especially when the babies would be fussy or difficult to massage that day. This is a great way to establish a permanent bond with your child and to alleviate some of the fears of motherhood!

During Jaclyn’s fussy times, I turn to the infant massaging techniques I learned in Elyse’s class. Jaclyn loves to have her feet rubbed and this calms her down during most of her crying fits. While she occasionally lets me massage the rest of her body, infant massage has especially proven its worth at bed time. A light massage to the head and a gentle caress to the ears is sometimes all it takes to help my little one drift off into a nice, restful sleep. One last note: after 9 months of pregnancy, I am grateful that Elyse has been able to show me a great way to connect with my baby, something that we can both enjoy!! Thanks Elyse!

Learning infant massage with Elyse has allowed me to have a special connection not only with my youngest baby Emma but also with my two older children. Since they saw how much little Emma enjoyed it, they have become quite addicted!. It relaxes and soothes them before falling asleep. It becomes a special moment, a moment full of warmth, trust and affection. Infant massage should be taught to every parent. Elyse is a great teacher: she came to my home, taught me by showing and letting me practice. And you can even treat yourself to a massage after since she is a massage practitioner, or a naturopathic consultation!

I counted down the days after the birth of my daughter Dalia and started taking the next available Mom and Baby yoga class that Elyse offered. In the beginning I looked forward to just getting out of the house, but as the weeks went by I remembered the calming effect that Elyse’s classes had on me. I was breathing more deeply again. My aches and pains were less. I was most surprised by the impact it had on my daughter. She began sleeping better and enjoyed the interaction with the other babies. This was further enhanced by Elyse’s infant massage classes. The perfect compliment to the yoga, I was able to learn techniques to help with Dalia’s sleeping, teething and gas. It was a complete package, and I’ve been able to incorporate it all into our daily routines! Thanks for all your help Elyse!

I began Elyse’s weekly mom-and-baby yoga class eight weeks after my son was born. I had already taken pre-natal yoga with Elyse, which I enjoyed immensely, so I was hoping this class would be just as wonderful. I was not disappointed! The breathing and stretching really helped my body relax, which was much needed after a day of carrying my baby, the stroller, the car seat, etc. Not only did I benefit from the yoga poses, I also learned new ways to interact with my son. The atmosphere was just as cozy and welcoming as in pre-natal yoga. It was always easy to feed and change my baby during the class or to take a break simply because my baby needed one. Elyse actually encourages you to do what you need, as she understands that the baby comes first. It was also nice having other mothers experiencing similar things to talk to, many of whom I had already met during pre-natal yoga.

As a new mother and a beginner of yoga, the Mom and Baby Yoga Class is wonderful. Since I found this class online, I didn’t know what to expect or how my baby would react to this new environment but I decided to take the plunge and join. I’m glad I did because it’s been a really positive experience. The yoga itself focused on the parts of my body that needed attention as a mom and taught me how to stretch those tight muscles at home. I especially liked how the exercises can totally involve your baby or if she’s sleeping, you can have a complete workout on your own. Whether my baby was enjoying the class with me or if she needed to be feed or soothed, the class is always accommodating to whatever we needed to do. This class is great for getting back in touch with your body and sharing it with your baby at the same time.

Having never taken yoga before I signed my son and I up for Elyse’s mom and baby yoga class simply to have a weekly outing. I really didn’t know what to expect but thought it would be a new experience for us both. Little did I know how much I would love the class. I began to feel the benefits within the first few sessions. I was more flexible than I thought possible and my strength was increasing, especially in my core where I needed it the most. Noah was also getting so much from the class as well. He was included constantly as I took part in the class and the baby yoga portion was another great time for us to bond together. My biggest surprise was that I found myself using what I had learned in class for both myself and my son at home. I now take a little time each day to breathe, stretch and do yoga with my son and I’m loving it!

I love taking mom and baby yoga with Elyse. It is a perfect time and space to let go of the daily stresses and just relax and connect with baby. The postures we learned relieve the aches that developed from carrying and breastfeeding my daughter. Elyse is very easygoing and the moms feed, change and comfort their babies whenever they need to during the class. Elyse even suggests modifications so you can still get some benefit even if your hands are full.

Prenatal yoga with Elyse Tannenbaum had so many wonderful benefits..That hour and fifteen minutes is a precious time to go inside yourself and gain a deeper sense of appreciation and bonding with the life growing inside you. At the beginning of each class, Elyse instructs you to “put one hand on your heart, the other on your belly/baby” and that sets the tone for the special experience that is prenatal yoga. So many physical benefits as well, as we learned stretches and positions to use at home. I never missed a class, and looked forward to each one. As I approach my due date, I am confident the breathing and relaxation techniques we learned will help me in the labour room.

I started taking Elyse’s prenatal yoga in order to keep active during my pregnancy, not only for the fantastic stretching that has kept my aches and pains to a minimum, but also for the peace and tranquility of mind it provides me with after a full week at work. I knew I would enjoy it, but I never expected to be looking so forward to it week after week. I started the classes in my 10th week of pregnancy and, in my 38th week, I’m still going strong. Elyse adapts every pose for all levels of ability and her calm and encouraging tone is both relaxing and motivating. In my 24th week, to help ease lower back pain I booked apregnancy massage with Elyse. It was the perfect compliment to the yoga classes. Adding it to my monthly routine has completed the body, mind, and heart connection. It continually strengthens the bond between me and my unborn baby while doing something fantastic for both of us in a safe and soothing environment. I even found myself using the breathing techniques that Elyse had taught us in class to release tension while she massaged me. I can’t wait to start the baby massage classes with my new daughter. Thanks Elyse!

I counted down the days after the birth of my daughter Dalia and started taking the next availableMom and Baby yoga class that Elyse offered. In the beginning I looked forward to just getting out of the house, but as the weeks went by I remembered the calming effect that Elyse’s classes had on me. I was breathing more deeply again. My aches and pains were less. I was most surprised by the impact it had on my daughter. She began sleeping better and enjoyed the interaction with the other babies. This was further enhanced by Elyse’s infant massage classes. The perfect compliment to the yoga, I was able to learn techniques to help with Dalia’s sleeping, teething and gas. It was a complete package, and I’ve been able to incorporate it all into our daily routines! Thanks for all your help Elyse!

I started taking yoga classes with Elyse about a year ago in her prenatal yoga class. Once my daughter was 10 weeks old, I started taking the mom and baby yoga class. The exercises really help relieve with the aches and pains of new motherhood as well as to build strength in our bodies again. Even if your baby fusses, Elyse makes sure that you stay calm and continue to focus on the class. The babies also enjoy their own portion of the class with baby yoga and massage! I learned many techniques that I use at home on a daily basis! It’s a lot of fun and great way to connect with your new baby!

To me, the mom and baby yoga class was a continuation of the prenatal yoga and baby massage classes I took with Elyse. I would recommend this class to all new moms who want to go out of the house and enjoy a fun, relaxing and informal class with other moms. The yoga exercices were very helpful in relaxing tension in my body and my back caused by poor posture during feeding, lifting ans carrying of my baby. My daughter appeared to have a lot of fun looking at the other moms and their babies. She also enjoyed the yoga exercices designed for babies. We both came home very relaxed after the class!

Elyse’s Mom and Baby Yoga class is awesome! The exercises are challenging, and the environment is very baby friendly. I have been bringing my baby since he was six weeks old, and there is a huge difference in him! he loves being around the other babies, and we both come out of the class refreshed and relaxed. Elyse is a great teacher and also a wonderful support, and it’s a great place to meet other new mommies and their babies.

Mom and Baby Yoga classes were a treat for me and my baby girl, so much so that I signed us up for another session when the first ended. The classes gave me a rare chance to stretch and strengthen aching muscles (from carrying baby, from nursing) as well as the opportunity to interact with other new mothers. My baby also enjoyed seeing and hearing the other babies and mamas, and by the time the sessions came to an end, she was waving at them. Now, funnily enough, as she is learning to cruise, she often assumes the downward facing dog pose! In addition to teaching us many beneficial stretches and strengthening poses, Elyse was a calming influence, modelling by example how to stay relaxed and unruffled even as our babies were fussing. In all, Mom and Baby Yoga classes were for us a significant bonding time. Thanks, Elyse!

My surgeon and I were on a winding road to nowhere… At 33 years old I had been battling IBS for almost 12 years, and, for the last four years, Dysplastic (abnormal, possibly pre-CANCEROUS) cells on my tongue that could possibly lead to oral cancer. Not only was I fed up with IBS symptoms like bloating, pain, nausea and diarrhea, I now had this new problem in my mouth that would not go away and had had 4 surgeries over four years. It seemed, according to my surgeon, his partner, my dentist and a team of oral specialists, there was some sort of irritation or INFLAMMATION caused by some sort of trauma, that kept reoccurring shortly after each surgery leading to growths that had to be removed. No one had any answers as to why this was occurring. Some said “God made you that way” with a pat on my knee. Others told me I was “brave” and would have to have a “maintenance” surgery every year or so. This was not acceptable to me. We had tried various kinds of bite blocks (on the theory that I was biting my tongue in my sleep), various kinds of behaviour modifications (brushing teeth softly and carefully with an extra soft toothbrush, chewing food slowly) and of course no mouthwash and very little drinking of alcoholic beverages. My surgeon had no more answers for me at that point. We were to wait and see… The only thing we did not study was my diet, and more importantly, what was at the root of the inflammation…..TOXICITY. One morning I woke up and knew that I had to take my health into my own hands. My friend told me about Elyse and her yoga courses, and that she is a certified Naturopath. I scoped out her Website. I enrolled in her yoga classes and began to relax and improve my circulation. I began to feel at ease… I decided to meet with Elyse for a naturopathy consultation. Elyse put me on an “anti-inflammatory” diet. This meant cutting out a lot of what I was used to eating, eating organic foods and cooking my own meals. I also started a process of Biotherapy which was aimed at enhancing my body’s ability to eliminate toxins from the the system and reducing Inflammation. I also starting using a castor oil pack to improve my lymphatic circulation, immune system, and digestion . Elyse was certain the new diet, or, rather, lifestyle, would help my IBS, but we were not completely certain on what course to take for my tongue, especially since it was such a mystery in the first place. Elyse said that the problem was due to inflammation in my body and once that was addressed, then all this “new stuff” would help. Well, I was not sure if all this elimination and reading ingredients and cooking was going to be worth it… Guess what, it was worth it. One week later my IBS symptoms had already greatly improved. I was like a new woman, a lot happier and feeling “lighter”. My family, friends and coworkers noticed that my stomach was no longer as “bloated” and my face seemed thinner… I was inspecting my tongue once a week and little by little I noticed the inflammation going down, and this only took about 1 month! During the second month of the diet and detox I noticed there was very little pain on my tongue anymore, and it was not as sensitive as it had previously been. Oh and yes, did I forget to mention? I lost 10 pounds. Then another three. Two and a half months after the initial detox and new diet I went to see my surgeon for a check up. He and his nurse could not believe the state of my tongue. No inflammation at all! They wrote down everything I was eating and not eating, everything I doing and not doing. He was so happy and amazed, he told me to continue with the diet and that maybe, even, perhaps, the situation would eventually reverse itself. The abnormal cells on my tongue may always be there, but I have no new growths and no inflammation. The new diet is now my way of life. It just takes a little effort! Thanks Elyse!

While working with Elyse, I became more in tune better able to listen to and respect what my body needed. I was able to let go of some of the anger at my body for not always performing as I think it should. I felt as though I could finally just let myself be content as I am, and thrive without pressuring myself with expectations that caused me to feel like a failure before I’d even tried. The end result of my treatment with Elyse was that I experienced myself as a whoe person. I take better care of myself and believe that I deserve to be healthy and fulfilled.

I have been working with Elyse for over a year receiving a combination of nutritional, homeopathic and body therapies. Elyse is a very skilled and knowledgeable practitioner who puts a lot of time and attention to get to know her clients and to personalize their treatments. She creates a safe, comfortable environment in which her clients can open up, and helps get to the root of problems. Her bodywork is especially powerful. I have had several sessions which have all helped me release pain on both the physical and emotional level. Elyse is very intuitive at finding the right paths to help each client. You leave her office with an entirely different and improved state of mind and body than when you came in. I highly recommend Elyse as an excellent naturopath, bodyworker, and person.

For several months I have worked with Elyse to address severs symptoms of peri- menopause and hormone imbalance. Elyse can combine a wide range of therapies including supportive consultation, homeopathy, and nutritional and supplement advice, I feel the whole of me is being considered and treated. I’ve gone from a train wreck to balance and have the ability to embrace and honor this important life transition.

I have been having problems with my digestion, mood and energy levels for about two years and went to several traditional doctors for help. Elyse came recommended to me so I thought I would try naturopathy since all else had failed. Elyse spent a lot of time listening to me and all my crazy puzzle pieces so she could really get to know who I was in order to treat me correctly. I have never felt so cared for and truly listened to. She made me feel like my symptoms weren’t crazy. While the other doctors were telling me I needed anti-depressants, Elyse was taking an active approach to my care, and in the end made me feel like my old self again. I can’t recommend her enough!

For a long time I had lived with a constant level of agitation that would turn to anger at the slightest provocation. I tried therapy but found myself intellectualizing even the most profound revelations. I’d invariably revert to the same old patterns. After working with Elyse on many levels, I started to notice a difference. I had broken through some barriers I had built and was able to open a path to my heart.

Elyse is intuitive and conscious of what it takes to balance and support your body in its natural process of becoming whole. She has helped me release childhood choices that kept me locked into negative thoughts about myself. The results have been wonderful.

My experience with Elyse has been nothing short of wonderful. It is so good to have found someone who can help me work through the years of blocks and deficiencies, really overhauling myself into health. Aided by the herbs and dietary changes Elyse recommended, I’ve felt such a difference. I am not a fan of traditional Western doctors, and was thrilled to be treated with herbs, homeopathy, and simple home therapies when I showed up with sorely inflamed tonsils. Elyse again came to my rescue when I stumbled through poison ivy. I am so glad to have found real health care, not just symptomatic cover-up care. I found Elyse when I finally decided that it was time to seek help and really heal.

I was looking for a practitioner which would bridge the gap between my allopathic doctor and some of the alternative practitioners. I thought maybe a naturopath could help. I was dealing with health problems, felt lousy, and was trying to avoid surgery. I was very anxious when I met Elyse. She was very calm and supportive, and we decided it would be possible to bring about natural healing with a combination of homeopathic formulas, dietary and lifestyle changes. Elyse also recommended starting to do yoga to address the anxiety. I will admit that one of Elyse’s tasks has been to keep me calm. I am impresses by Elyse’s kindness, patience, and attention I have been shown. While I am not yet completely healed, my health has significantly improved. And I believe I am now on the way to better health. The benefit of a slow and natural recovery have included having to learn to slow down, teaching myself and making the commitment to eat well and live more joyfully. These changes will help me age gracefully- and I plan to live a long time! thank-you Elyse for helping me find the inner strength to change my life for the better.

Today is one of those days when the words :thank-you” seem so ordinary for offering gratitude for extra-ordinary gifts. When I first came to see Elyse, I came with a certain amont of cynicism, since I have spent so much time, energy, money and most of all trust on promises and sales jobs by other practitioners. Very soon I came to realize that what Elyse does is different , genuine and sincere. Over many years, the empty promises led me to dis-trust most everyone and to lose hope that I wouls ever find a path to wellness. For me, the most important element of healing is knowing someone is “really” there to support the process. The compassion, caring and true knowledge that Elyse offers is a gift that only true “healers” posess. So once again, I offer my deep gratitude for what she is doing and I feel very fortunate to be a beneficiary of what she offers.

I am a 45 year old woman and a mother of two boys. I had been having neck and back pain off and on for about a year and my menstrual cycles has been irregular for a few years.I thought it was time to become an active participant in my own health I wanted more energy, exercise without pain, and ease into my middle years and menopause gracefully. I went to see Elyse in February of 2006. I felt we had an immediate connection and she understood how I wanted to feel. She spoke to me frankly about pre-menopause symptoms and my monthly cycle. After a thorogh discussion, Elyse put me on a regimen of supplements and seeds that would help me regulate my cycle. We spoke about pain management and Active Isolated Stretching exercises to help relieve my neck and back pain. Since March(its now June 06) I have been completely pain free and my cycle is back to normal for the first time in years! I have more energy and am able to exercise without pain. Elyse is always available to speak on the phone with any questions I have , which is such a welcome change in my relationship with a health care practitioner. It is a relief to go someone who cares so much about who I am as a whoule person rather than a “quick fix”. Instead of dreading my mid-life and all that it includes as a woman, I look forward to enjoying each day in good health.

I have been doing yoga and meditation for some years resulting in many benefits, but the one thing I needed to go that extra step was good nutrition. Elyse helped tremendously in this respect by recommending a good diet with the right suppliments. I feel much more equipped now in taking full charge of my health, and I am indepted to Elyse for her kind and skillful direction.

As a naturopath, I highly recommend Elyse. She has always been able to help me. He is thorough and extremely developed in her profession as a naturopath. When I have a problem, I go to her, and if I do exactly what she says to do, the problem is always healed. She knows what she is talking about!

I want you to know that since coming to see you with my digestive problems, not only were you the first person to diagnose it as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but you addressed it with military precision and I have never felt better for it. You have put my mind at rest and given me the health that everyone deserves and I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I thoroughly recommend you to anyone seeking health and vitality with freedom from ailments that modern medicine is baffled by, but that you can address easily with your knowledge. You provide a very valuable service, and without you, I would still be in the throws of pain at meal times.

With Elyse’s help, not only was I able to avoid surgery, but I have eliminated debilitating headaches and Premenstrual symptoms that I have had for years Most of my aches and pains have disappeared, and I have lowered my cholesterol. I feel better about myself than I have in years

I suggst everyone look into naturopathy and the recommendations Elyse provides. She is very knowledgeable. What she preaches and makes you practice yields results! In today’s society it’s not a magic pill that will help remedy all physical ailments especially during a pregnancy it’s practitioners like Elyse Tannenbaum that target the onset of ailments and help solve the problem through prevantive methods while recognizing our limitations. Furthermore Elyse’s approach is progressive and reassures you that anything is possible to overcome. I will continue to work with her after the birth of my son.

I had been diagnosed with Crohns’ Disease quite a few years ago. I had used every medication and seen every doctor and specialist. Nothing was working, I was only deteriorating . Finally I thought there had to be more and that is when I began choosing the ‘Natural way.’ I had seen several naturopaths through the years-all having different approaches. Some worked a little, some not at all, but it wasn’t until I walked into Elyse’s office that my true healing began. I found her approach very professional: she was caring and encouraging. She aimed to get to the root of the problem and treating it from there-where it began. Slowly I got better, and better. The specialist who tried to push medication on me was speechless and said “obviously you are doing the right thing” the proof is in the pudding.” I recommend Elyse very highly-she has helped me fight and beat a very debilitating disease.

Elyse’s work is extraordinary- she is a very gentle, intuitive and loving person. She was able to help me recognize some chronic issues underlying my health, and put me on a self-empowering path to health and wellness. I am greatly beholden to her for the healing work she brings to the community.

I wanted to formally thank you for all your help with getting my health back on track. I haven’t felt this good in a long time and no longer suffer from debilitating low-level depression that had zapped my energy for a number of years. Your treatment plan is clearly what I needed. I enjoy life again!

Thanks to Elyse, I have been able to balance my hormones and feel more at peace with my body. The vitamins that Elyse has me on has increased my energy level, balanced my mood swings, and above all has helped me take control of my health through alternative medicine. I am grateful that there are alternatives in health care!

I have suffered severe migraine headaches for many years on a weekly basis. With Elyse’s help, my migrane frequency has dropped dramatically and my energy level has soared. Under her compassionate care, I enjoy life much more.

Here is a brief introduction to put my birthing story in context:

I had my first daughter in October 2020 (right in the 2nd wave of COVID) via C-section as she was breeched and a “version” (trying to turn the baby through external manipulation by the doctor) was not possible (not enough amniotic liquid, risky umbilical cord position and baby’s bum was too far down).

After experiencing a C-section, I was determined to do everything I could to have my second child vaginally (VBAC: vaginal birth after C-section). Since my daughters were 3 years apart and considering other factors, I was a good candidate for a VBAC and I had my second daughter in October 2023 vaginally after 48 hours of labor and a few back and forths to/from the hospital. I had the epidural as I was so exhausted from the long labor and pain.

This third time around, I identified my goals for delivering my baby: I wanted to avoid a C-section again as much as possible (because no you do not decide every aspect of it so you never know), and I wanted to go through most of my labor at home until the contractions were frequent and long enough to go to the hospital (every 5 minutes, lasting 1 whole minute, for 1 hour). I was also aiming to experience birth without medical interventions as much as I could (not be triggered with hormones, let my body decide the rhythm).

On March 9, I started feeling mild irregular contractions around lunch time, coming back from taking a walk as I wanted to activate my body and prepare for delivery (my due date was March 12 and I felt ready).

I told by husband mid-afternoon that I had mild contractions and it had been a few hours now – I told him I believed it was going to happen tonight or tomorrow.

We decided to keep going through the day “business as usual”: he came home to pick me up around 4 PM and we went to daycare to get my daughters so the 4 of us could all go to my 5 year old ballet class: at that point, I remember waiting in the car in front of the daycare and feeling stronger contractions.

I did not feel like interrupting our daily routine/activities would change anything to the process: quite on the contrary, I figured that it would be easier to keep busy and go through our day while my body was doing what it had to do.

I chatted with other moms during ballet class and would stop talking and let them know when a contraction was coming – it was a little stronger than in the afternoon, but I could still manage and I was actually excited.

We got home, prepared dinner for the family and I could feel the frequency and intensity of the contractions increase. I managed to give my daughters their bath around 6:30 PM, taking short breaks through contractions. My eldest (5 year old) could tell when I had a contraction and she understood very well that it meant her brother was coming soon. My 2 year old was not too sure what was happening, I just told her I had a bit of a tummy ache but everything was ok and her baby brother was coming soon. I’m not sure she realized what was happening but I was managing pain in a way that was not too destabilizing for my girls and their dad was around, they were not too worried.

We got the girls to bed around 7 pm and I told Nick to stay with me in my bedroom: while I was managing contractions on my birthing ball and yoga mat, I delegated the contractions monitoring: whenever a contraction would start, I would tell him “OK now” and he would take note in his phone. I would then say “OK it stopped”. This way, I did not have to keep track of anything and I could rely on him to let me know when the contractions were every 5 minutes and lasted for 1 minute (for 1 whole hour).

Nick called his mom around 9:45 PM. She arrived at 10:00 PM, I was already in the car, ready to go to the hospital.

I did not want to risk staying home longer, I had the peace of mind of my daughters being asleep, knowing that their Nana was going to take care of them for the night and following morning.

We got to the hospital at 10:15 PM. By then, the contractions were quite painful, but I was still managing.

The nurse told me I was 5 cm dilated already. I would have hoped to be more than “halfway there”, but she said it was already quite a lot and I agreed!

She asked if I wanted the epidural, I said I would prefer waiting until I was 6 cm dilated to make a decision (I took that idea from a testimony in yoga class, I had never thought of approaching it like that but I thought it was such a good idea to wait until a certain stage to decide, and it gave me a goal to work towards).

Around 10:30 PM, a contraction came but NEVER left. My uterus contracted, but it would not “un-contract”. I told my husband to go get a nurse as I felt it was not normal and I was in such huge pain, panicking that the contraction would not leave.

The nurse came and indicated she would bring me to a room (I was in triage).

She asked me to get on a wheelchair, but I could not. She asked me to lift my legs, but I could not. I was in unbearable pain, unable to move my body, paralyzed by that contraction that would not stop.

My husband managed to lift me to put me on the wheelchair. He lifted my legs, walking backwards while the nurse was pushing the wheelchair to the hospital room.

Two nurses came to check me and I heard them say “it seems like her uterus will not un-contract” and then I asked for the epidural as I had reached my threshold. I got the epidural some time between 5 and 8 cm. I was told I went from 5 cm to 8 cm in 30 minutes (thanks to that huge contraction!). I vomited 2-3 times during that crazy 30 minutes and I kept telling the nurses “do something please do something, I can’t do this” – I was really cut off guard by this very long contraction and never thought it was something that existed/could happen. 

Around 11:40 PM, I started pushing and Félix was born at 00:14 on March 10.

I could not believe I was at the hospital for a total of 2 hours between my arrival and his birth, whereas I was in labor doing back and forth hospital runs for 48 hours at baby #2 ! I wanted a quicker delivery, I was served!

My takeaway is the following:

No matter how many babies you have, no pregnancy is the same. I thought I knew the spectrum of what could happen (C-section, epidural, etc.): yet again, I got surprised by this crazy long contraction that was quite destabilizing.

Nothing can prepare you 100%, so the key is to be prepared for the unknown, the uncontrollable and letting go of knowing exactly what will happen during labor and delivery. The mindset and psychological preparation is much more important than we think and quite underrated in my opinion.

I am so proud of myself for going through most of my labor at home, feeling in control of how to ride the contraction waves, thanks to yoga classes (breathing, breathing, breathing!): my ocean breath and breathing sounds as well as pelvic tilts were the most useful tools and I am convinced it got me through most of my labor staying “in the zone”. I trusted my body and my baby.

Even though I got the epidural at one point (and I had hope not to take it), I felt like I listened to my body and did my best with the tools I had. Giving birth is not about proving anything to anyone, it is about being in phase with your own desire, needs and intuition.

Thank you Elyse for connecting me to my body and my baby throughout this journey, I am looking forward to mommy and baby yoga classes!

I had my first daughter in October 2020 (right in the 2nd wave of COVID) via C-section as she was breeched and a “version” (trying to turn the baby through external manipulation by the doctor) was not possible (not enough amniotic liquid, risky umbilical cord position and baby’s bum was too far down).

After experiencing a C-section, I was determined to do everything I could to have my second child vaginally (VBAC: vaginal birth after C-section). Since my daughters were 3 years apart and considering other factors, I was a good candidate for a VBAC and I had my second daughter in October 2023 vaginally after 48 hours of labor and a few back and forths to/from the hospital. I had the epidural as I was so exhausted from the long labor and pain.

This third time around, I identified my goals for delivering my baby: I wanted to avoid a C-section again as much as possible (because no you do not decide every aspect of it so you never know), and I wanted to go through most of my labor at home until the contractions were frequent and long enough to go to the hospital (every 5 minutes, lasting 1 whole minute, for 1 hour). I was also aiming to experience birth without medical interventions as much as I could (not be triggered with hormones, let my body decide the rhythm).

On March 9, I started feeling mild irregular contractions around lunch time, coming back from taking a walk as I wanted to activate my body and prepare for delivery (my due date was March 12 and I felt ready).

I told by husband mid-afternoon that I had mild contractions and it had been a few hours now – I told him I believed it was going to happen tonight or tomorrow.

We decided to keep going through the day “business as usual”: he came home to pick me up around 4 PM and we went to daycare to get my daughters so the 4 of us could all go to my 5 year old ballet class: at that point, I remember waiting in the car in front of the daycare and feeling stronger contractions.

I did not feel like interrupting our daily routine/activities would change anything to the process: quite on the contrary, I figured that it would be easier to keep busy and go through our day while my body was doing what it had to do.

I chatted with other moms during ballet class and would stop talking and let them know when a contraction was coming – it was a little stronger than in the afternoon, but I could still manage and I was actually excited.

We got home, prepared dinner for the family and I could feel the frequency and intensity of the contractions increase. I managed to give my daughters their bath around 6:30 PM, taking short breaks through contractions. My eldest (5 year old) could tell when I had a contraction and she understood very well that it meant her brother was coming soon. My 2 year old was not too sure what was happening, I just told her I had a bit of a tummy ache but everything was ok and her baby brother was coming soon. I’m not sure she realized what was happening but I was managing pain in a way that was not too destabilizing for my girls and their dad was around, they were not too worried.

We got the girls to bed around 7 pm and I told Nick to stay with me in my bedroom: while I was managing contractions on my birthing ball and yoga mat, I delegated the contractions monitoring: whenever a contraction would start, I would tell him “OK now” and he would take note in his phone. I would then say “OK it stopped”. This way, I did not have to keep track of anything and I could rely on him to let me know when the contractions were every 5 minutes and lasted for 1 minute (for 1 whole hour).

Nick called his mom around 9:45 PM. She arrived at 10:00 PM, I was already in the car, ready to go to the hospital.

I did not want to risk staying home longer, I had the peace of mind of my daughters being asleep, knowing that their Nana was going to take care of them for the night and following morning.

We got to the hospital at 10:15 PM. By then, the contractions were quite painful, but I was still managing.

The nurse told me I was 5 cm dilated already. I would have hoped to be more than “halfway there”, but she said it was already quite a lot and I agreed!

She asked if I wanted the epidural, I said I would prefer waiting until I was 6 cm dilated to make a decision (I took that idea from a testimony in yoga class, I had never thought of approaching it like that but I thought it was such a good idea to wait until a certain stage to decide, and it gave me a goal to work towards).

Around 10:30 PM, a contraction came but NEVER left. My uterus contracted, but it would not “un-contract”. I told my husband to go get a nurse as I felt it was not normal and I was in such huge pain, panicking that the contraction would not leave.

The nurse came and indicated she would bring me to a room (I was in triage).

She asked me to get on a wheelchair, but I could not. She asked me to lift my legs, but I could not. I was in unbearable pain, unable to move my body, paralyzed by that contraction that would not stop.

My husband managed to lift me to put me on the wheelchair. He lifted my legs, walking backwards while the nurse was pushing the wheelchair to the hospital room.

Two nurses came to check me and I heard them say “it seems like her uterus will not un-contract” and then I asked for the epidural as I had reached my threshold. I got the epidural some time between 5 and 8 cm. I was told I went from 5 cm to 8 cm in 30 minutes (thanks to that huge contraction!). I vomited 2-3 times during that crazy 30 minutes and I kept telling the nurses “do something please do something, I can’t do this” – I was really cut off guard by this very long contraction and never thought it was something that existed/could happen. 

Around 11:40 PM, I started pushing and Félix was born at 00:14 on March 10.

I could not believe I was at the hospital for a total of 2 hours between my arrival and his birth, whereas I was in labor doing back and forth hospital runs for 48 hours at baby #2 ! I wanted a quicker delivery, I was served!

My takeaway is the following:

No matter how many babies you have, no pregnancy is the same. I thought I knew the spectrum of what could happen (C-section, epidural, etc.): yet again, I got surprised by this crazy long contraction that was quite destabilizing.

Nothing can prepare you 100%, so the key is to be prepared for the unknown, the uncontrollable and letting go of knowing exactly what will happen during labor and delivery. The mindset and psychological preparation is much more important than we think and quite underrated in my opinion.

I am so proud of myself for going through most of my labor at home, feeling in control of how to ride the contraction waves, thanks to yoga classes (breathing, breathing, breathing!): my ocean breath and breathing sounds as well as pelvic tilts were the most useful tools and I am convinced it got me through most of my labor staying “in the zone”. I trusted my body and my baby.

Even though I got the epidural at one point (and I had hope not to take it), I felt like I listened to my body and did my best with the tools I had. Giving birth is not about proving anything to anyone, it is about being in phase with your own desire, needs and intuition.

Thank you Elyse for connecting me to my body and my baby throughout this journey, I am looking forward to mommy and baby yoga classes!

I wanted to share a little of my journey, because this prenatal yoga experience truly made a difference in one of the most important moments of my life.

With my third pregnancy, my hope was to deliver at a birthing centre in a calm, supportive environment with midwives who had followed me throughout my pregnancy. My first two births required intervention, although both were vaginal, and I deeply wished for a different experience this time. However, this pregnancy proved to be more challenging than I expected, and I decided to try prenatal yoga—something I now wish I had done with my first two.

Things took an unexpected turn at 36 weeks when I was diagnosed with Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP), a serious liver condition. My care was immediately transferred to an OB at the hospital, and I was told I would need to be induced for the safety of both my baby and myself. I was devastated. It felt like the birth I had envisioned was slipping away.

On the morning of my induction, I arrived at the hospital at 6 a.m., and to my surprise, everything was ready. After discussing the plan with my doctor, I unrolled my yoga mat, put on my headphones, and began a calm meditation followed by gentle yoga. Starting my day this way grounded me in a way I didn’t expect—I’m so grateful I gave myself that moment.

Once the induction began and I was hooked up to monitors, I leaned into the breathing techniques and mindfulness practices I had learned. I stayed present, listening to meditations and doing pelvic tilts on the yoga ball. As the contractions intensified, I relied heavily on my breath—especially the ocean breath—which helped me stay calm and focused.

When the surges became overwhelming, I chose to get an epidural at 4 cm, expecting a long labor ahead. Instead, it allowed me to deeply relax and continue breathing through each moment. To everyone’s surprise—especially mine—just 35 minutes later, our baby Julian made his grand entrance on April Fool’s Day.

Thanks to Elyse and a few months of prenatal yoga, I was able to calm my mind and prepare my body for the birth of our healthy, beautiful baby boy. Even though my birth didn’t go as I had imagined, I felt empowered, supported, and present throughout the experience.

I’m incredibly grateful not only for the medical team who respected my wishes as much as possible, but also for Elyse, who continued to check in on me with such genuine care despite the change in my circumstances.

This experience reminded me that our bodies are truly incredible. With mindfulness, preparation, and the right support, even an unexpected birth journey can become a beautiful one—challenging, yes, but also deeply empowering.

I am in awe of what I accomplished thanks to what I learned in yoga.  

When I went to my 39 week doctor’s appointment my doctor confirmed I was already 2 cm dilated and 95% effaced, I was excited that my body was already doing the work preparing for labour. we decided to come back Monday for a membrane sweep to get things to continue to progress. Upon coming home from the sweep, that afternoon I began to feel contractions build. They were manageable at first and well spaced out, what helped me cope was using my ocean breath and erasing after each one. That night, the contractions began to get a bit closer together and the pain began to build. I continued using my breath and some vocal toning to get through the more unforgettable ones, the bath also helped with the pain. Unfortunately that night I was unable to sleep at all because of the contractions kept rolling in. But my breath helped with every wave. By Tuesday afternoonthe contraction pain was even more intense, we decided to go to the hospital to get a quick check in triage. where they confirmed that I was now 4cm dilated. The doctor gave me the option to stay or go home, I decided to go home to see if the contractions can get closer together before getting admitted. My husband and I got home and had dinner, and afterwards the contractions got to 5 minutes apart, and the pain was peaking. I used vocal toning, walking, the S sound and swaying to get through them up until midnight when we decided it was time to go back to the hospital. I went back to triage where they confirmed I was still at 4cm, but they admitted me and got me to the delivery room at 2:00am. From there I received the epidural that gave me sweet relief from the contraction pain and I was finally able to sleep for the first time in 48 hours. The doctor came in a few hours later and broke my water which got me to 6cm, and then a few hours later we were at 10cm and it was time to start pushing. After 2 hours of pushing, the doctor said that he did not see the baby progress down enough, he would give me 1 more hour to keep trying before we had to discuss c section or other interventions. I became determined to push my baby out no matter what. For the next hour I continued to push and used my pushing muscles to their fullest. Amazingly, baby Matteo moved down and was ready to be born the exact way I was hoping for.without interventions. It was amazing! 

Yoga enabled me to labour at home for 2 days by using the breath techniques we learned in class, and built my strength to push my baby out. Thank you Elyse for the valuable sessions and for checking in on me. I am so grateful for everything I learned that carried me through this amazing experience! 

Thank you again!!

I had a healthy baby boy on November 21st at 7:45am. He was 11 days overdue and I did everything I could to prevent them from inducing me. Time was ticking, so by the tenth day, I had enough and decided to go to the gym (which I had been going up to the 37th week) and do 20 minutes of stairmaster. Well, a few hours later , the contractions started at midnight. I was mentally preparing for a 24 hour labour and my plan was to have a natural birth thus wanting to stay at home for as long as possible before going to the hospital. On the onset of the contraction, I remembered what you always told us during the pre-natal class, to relax and trust your body will know what to do. I repeated your words in my head several times through the next few hours. I tried to relax by using incent and moving around (going for walks in my hallway) throughout the contractions. I also did the voices and this helped. Three hours into my labour my husband, who was timing my contractions, told me we should go to the hospital. I said, it’s too soon but by this time my contractions were 3 minutes apart! By 4:30am, I was admitted at Saint Mary’s hospital at 4cm dilated. By 6am, the pain was becoming unbearable and I was using my voice so the whole hospital could hear it. I was considering drugs at this point as I could not do several more hours of this but when the nurse checked, I was already at 9 cm dilated and it was soon time to push. I said to myself at that point, I am in the home stretch and it’s going fast. After an hour of pushing, I heard my baby’s cry for the first time and discovered it was a boy. My husband and I are overjoyed at how everything went well (and quickly) and as we had planned (natural birth) and I have no doubt the pre-natal yoga class had something to do with it. I did ‘let go’ of my fears and stress in body throughout the labour, as you had taught us, and I believe this helped the labour move quickly. You were with me Elyse in spirit throughout this experience, giving me the confidence to trust my body and I am grateful to have been able to benefit from your gift.

It’s 2:00am and intense contractions are starting….45 seconds of very painful contractions 2 minutes apart. I survived those 45 seconds by breathing deeply and using the vocal toning I had learned in Elyse’s Prenatal yoga classes. I didn’t need an epidural the whole night and was handling my contractions and the whole experience very calmly. My husband was by my side and couldn’t believe how calm I was and that I hadn’t bit his head off or gotten irritable .The nurses kept coming by to ask me when I wanted the epidural which I didn’t feel I needed yet. I was managing well, going to the bathroom myself and each time a contraction would begin, I would tell myself Ok here we go and would either stand, sit or lye down and begin toning and breathing deeply. By 8:00am I finally asked for the epidural so I could take a couple of hours to sleep before the big push. Everyone around me was asking what I was doing and I would simply tell them prenatal yoga exercises. People are not aware that there is a simple and easy way to deal with pain…it really wasn’t so painful after all!

Being a teacher of Indian classical dance, I have been exposed to several forms of yoga and have taken a variety of classes over the years. The very first time I took a class with Elyse, I knew she possessed a gift I had never experienced before. Not only was I amazed at the knowledge she has with respect to pregnant womens’ bodies, but her ability to draw our energies within is a real gift. I have loved each and every class I have attended and my body definitely feels the positive effects. I am definitely looking forward to using the techniques during my delivery and after , I look forward to Mom and Baby yoga!

I have never taken yoga classes before and must say that I loved prenatal yoga! Elyse provided a calm, relaxing, intimate and friendly environment. The exercises helped me throughout my pregnancy and made it easy for the delivery. I learned how to breathe properly and how to control my breathing, helping me even today in my daily routine especially with my headaches. Elyse’s classes taught me so much that I decided to pass this great gift to my newborn son and took him to herinfant massage classes. Once again Elyse provided a very inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The massages helped my son with his colic.. He is much more relaxed and happy. WE THANK YOU ELYSE.

I did it all- Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Massage, Mommy/ Baby Yoga, and Infant Massage. The first two were to help my aching back and feet. And those classes definitely hit the right spot. And, at first I signed up for Mommy/Baby Yoga and Infant Massage just to fill up my days- a way for Haeli and me to get out of the house and do something. However, I very quickly learned that these classes were so much more. Not only was the yoga class a way for me to pay some attention to my own body and to do some much needed exercise, but it was also a way for me to physically connect with Haeli in a very relaxed and calm atmosphere. The massage class has also done wonders. Haeli can often get very tense and excited during the day. However, when we implement the calming techniques that Elyse has taught us, Haeli almost instantly relaxes. The “Bodyworks Yoga and Wellness” pre and postnatal programs should be part of the lives of all expecting and new mothers out there. Not only will it do amazing things for your body and your baby, but it’s a great place to meet other people just like you!

I really looked forward to Elyse’s pre-natal yoga class each week! It was a time to focus on myself and on my baby while forgetting all about the stresses of everyday life. The class was both relaxing and invigorating! Although I had done very little yoga before, I felt at ease right from the start. This is because the atmosphere is warm and the people friendly. Elyse also allows you to go at your own pace and never makes you feel like you need to do something that just doesn’t feel right. I loved it so much that I signed up for her mom-and-baby yoga class and her baby massage class shortly after my son was born!

Being a part of Elyse’s pregnancy yoga class has been such a joy!! My initiative at first was to join the class to get involved in a healthy activity during my pregnancy and to meet other women, since moving here from Vancouver, BC. After my first class with Elyse I knew that I found exactly what I was looking for. And want to thank Elyse for that. Elyse has a gift to lead woman into a place of serenity & escape, where we are able to let go of the distractions of our lives, and then equip us with strength that by the end of the class you feel ‘whole’. A gift not just to me, or to the other woman but for our unborn children. Thank-you Elyse for your professional approach to better my life!

Vancouver, BC ” I gave birth on Friday April 27th to a 7 on the dot pound baby girl. Sara-Jade Bettan. The pushing part took only 13 minutes!!! they called me a champion! the doctor said if all women were like me in labour it would make his job perfect! I loved my labour it went so well…The nurses all called my daughter the yoga baby! (they say their is an actual difference in the labour of women who’ve taken yoga throughout pregnancy and in the newborns). I told them all how I had taken my classes up until past week 40 and that it meant the world to me..My baby is super calm, the breastfeeding is going super well, and she sleeps great! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CLASSES! I’ll be seeing you in the baby yoga classes. Say hi to the girls!

Last Thursday, I gave birth to our daughter, Nicole Sophie, and had a wonderful birth experience to share – thanks in large part to many of the yoga techniques practiced each week in class.. I ended up being induced because an ultrasound I had after last week’s yoga class found the baby wasn’t getting the adequate nutrients needed from the placenta, and would do better outside the womb. I didn’t have much time to get too nervous, since the induction was scheduled for the following morning, but I was concerned about how inductions can bring on a harder, faster labour.. There were a few key things from yoga that really got me through the contractions as they intensified (though they never really got that bad – thanks to modern medicine!!)..I reminded myself to “ride the wave” and focused on my breathing, eventually doing the toning exercises along with each breath. The process helped me think clearly through each contraction, and of course allowed for greater relaxation and no build-up of anxiety or fear. By the time the epidural kicked in (a truly amazing thing!) I was extremely relaxed and couldn’t believe how good I felt..I hadn’t slept well the night before so I took the time to build up my energy for the labour stage..I ended up dilating relatively quickly which in part I believe was due to how relaxed I felt. I couldn’t believe when they said it was time to push, and before I knew it, our beautiful daughter was lying on my chest! I am most definitely not the calmest person by nature, and medical interventions make me nervous, so this goes to show that all we learn in class is not forgotten when “push comes to shove” (pardon the pun!) I’m enjoying motherhood and all the happiness and pure joy that comes along with it..Thank you so much for adding to a positive pregnancy and labour experience and Nicole and I look forward to seeing you in infant massage and/or mommy/baby yoga.. All the best and thanks again.

I don’t think I could have gotten through my pregnancy without Elyse’s help in both Prenatal Yoga and Pregnancy Massage. Although I didn’t have a difficult pregnancy, it was a painful one. The combination of yoga and massage helped me to deal with the pain in my hips and back so that life was bearable. Thank-you Elyse for helping me bring my precious girl into the world!

Taking Prenatal Yoga with Elyse helped me to relax and get in touch with my body prior to delivery. She is an excellent teacher- both patient and encouraging. I liked Elyse so much that I also received Pregnancy Massage from her. I was very nervous about labor and carried my stress through my neck and shoulders. I was also diagnosed with carpal Tunnel Syndrome in m y last trimester. During the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy, I received weekly massage and was relieved of the knots in my shoulders, neck and arms. I highly recommend Elyse’s Prenatal Yoga classes and pregnancy Massage.

I was very large during my last pregnancy carrying a large baby with extra amniotic fluid while running after an active toddler at home. Elyse’s Prenatal Yoga and Pregnancy massages were the only things that kept the discomfort to a minimum and gave me a much needed break physically and mentally. Her experience with pregnant women gave me a lot of comfort that I was in good hands.

Seven months of stretching and learning to relax my body in Prenatal Yoga classes had a substantial impact on my childbirth experience, which involved a very limited use of drugs. Six weeks after my son was born, we began Postnatal Yoga, which in my opinion is almost if not more important than prenatal yoga. Breastfeeding, carrying a baby, their car seat and diaper bag presents more physical challenges to your body that only a well balanced Yoga class can alleviate. Postnatal Yoga was a fun way for my son and I to meet other moms and at the same time incorporate physical fitness into our days.

Taking both Prenatal and Postnatal/Mom and Baby Yoga was probably the best thing I could have done for myself to prepare and recover from giving birth. I have also treated myself to a Prenatal Massage and will say that Elyse is an excellent therapist as she truly listens to her clients needs.

When I got pregnant my friend suggested that I try prenatal yoga. She suggested that it will help me have a fast delivery. I found Elyse on the internet. Right after the first class I knew I made the right choice. The stretching and relaxation was exactly what my body needed. My lower back pains disappeared. It made my pregnancy much easier and like my friend promised- I had a very easy and fast delivery. We also joined the postnatal yoga classes. We both enjoy it very much. I enjoy the stretching and the straightening of my core muscles while my baby enjoys quality time with mummy and interaction with other babies. We recommend it to everyone!

I have had the good fortune of experiencing Elyse’s many talents on several levels. In her Prenatal Yoga classes, I learned to relax, stretch, and breathe, all of which were helpful in my birthing process. I also went for several Pregnancy massages before the delivery of my baby, and highly recommended this to all of my friends, pregnant or not! After giving birth, I continued with the massages to help ease all my aches and pains from breastfeeding and carrying my baby. I also joined Elyse’s PostnatalYoga classes to get some tone back into my over-stretched muscles. It was wonderful to interact with other moms and their infants. Again, I cannot say enough about the healing power of massage, both physically and mentally. Finally, I enrolled in a regular Hatha Yoga class that I attended without my baby. This turned out to be my only break from my baby and it was a great place to come and stretch, breathe, and relax – just to take a break. Elyse has been very helpful through this new motherhood journey of mine and I appreciate everything she has done for me! Thanks Elyse!!!

The combination of Prenatal Yoga and Pregnancy Massage with Elyse was a lifesaver during my pregnancy. Emotionally, the two therapies helped me deal with the anxiety of my first pregnancy and manage some complications that arose during my nine months. Physically, they worked to prevent much of the physical discomforts such as backache and reduced mobility. Pregnancy is a time in your life when you can truly give yourself permission to pamper your mind and body for a whole nine months!

Prenatal Yoga was a wonderful experience for both the body and the mind. Early on in my pregnancy I was finding it somewhat challenging to deeply connect with my developing baby. When I started Yoga, Elyse fostered this connection by having all the moms-to-be touch their bellies and focus positive thoughts and energies towards the babies inside. This helped to alleviate a lot of the emotional worries during my pregnancy and the anxieties of impending motherhood. I also found myself to be more in control of my ever increasing lax joints; my balance and coordination were greatly improved and I developed a good amount of flexibility and range of motion in my muscles. As I grew bigger throughout the pregnancy (and the baby was pressing on the diaphragm more and more) the inhalation exercises practiced during prenatal Yoga helped me to control my breathing and increase my stamina to do everyday tasks. Finally, I am convinced that my labor and delivery were a breeze because I learned how to breathe more efficiently through the contractions, and the flexbility in my hips and legs served me well during the pushing stage (10 minutes of pushing!). Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of taking the classes was the opportunity to share such a wonderful life event with other women, who could relate to my own exerpiences, and who, at times, I could comiserate with! Elyse was a motivating and supportive teacher who catered to each individual client’s needs. She also taught us in a calm environment and her voice was so soothing that I used to fall asleep at the end of class, during the relaxation period. I highly recommend Yoga for mom and future baby; this is a great way for the bonding process to begin!

The prenatal yoga classes, along with swimming and walking, helped me in having the most ideal pregnancy any woman can ask for. I sailed through the pregnancy without any morning sickness’ and very little fatigue. I attended Elyse’s classes throughout my second & third trimesters, actually up until a week before baby Savanah was due. I learned how to listen carefully to my body and relieve the daily stresses with relaxation and breathing techniques. I endured 36 hours of labor and was rushed to a caesarean operation due to foetal distress. Even though I wasn’t mentally prepared for a surgical operation, I bounced back quickly on the physical aspect things and was surprisingly released from the hospital 2.5 days after my operation. Both doctors and nurses were amazed at my recovery. I owe a lot of it to Elyse, who aimed at helping us achieve our own physical and mental wellness. I benefited so much from joining Elyse’s prenatal class and pregnancy message sessions that when she began her baby massage classes, I didn’t hesitate to join.

Parcours pour une naissance à domicile. Avec mon mari, nous avons fait le choix de vivre la naissance de notre seconde fille à la maison. Ayant accouché à l’hôpital sous épidurale pour la première, j’étais un peu inquiète de ma réaction à la douleur. C’est pourquoi je décidai de faire du yoga prénatal. Mon premier cours avec Elyse ne m’avait pas convaincu, mais je m’y attendais et je voulais laisser sa chance au yoga de me gagner… Au deuxième cours, j’étais vendue! Chaque cours m’apportait beaucoup, j’apprenais à “respirer” mes tensions, ça me faisait un bien fou! Et j’avais vraiment besoin de me détendre, car mon AAD ( accouchement à domicile ) a été un parcours du combattant… Je suis arrivée au Québec en novembre, enceinte de 3mois. Impossible d’avoir une place en maison de naissance pour un suivi avec une sage-femme. Après de longues recherches, c’est finalement le groupe MAMAN ( Mouvement pour l’Autonomie dans la Maternité et pour l’Accouchement Naturel ) qui a bien voulu me référer à un groupe de sages-femmes reconnues dans leur communauté ( mais non couvertes par l’assurance maladie ) Ensuite il y a eu la quête ( vaine ) d’un médecin qui accepterait de faire mon suivi de grossesse sans “m’accoucher”. Puis à 38semaine, mon bébé se met en transverse, il se retourne une semaine plus tard mais ne veut plus sortir… Finalement, à 42 semaines et 5 jours, je prend 2oz d’huile de ricin et monte deux fois l’Oratoire St-Joseph! A 13h, le 3 juin 2005, les contractions commencent. Je suis avec mon mari et ma fille de trois ans. A 15h45, la sage-femme arrive. Je vis les contractions à quatre pattes, dans mon salon, en faisant des sons graves. A 16h, je perd les eaux, ma fille dit “tu fais pipi maman”. Je passe par le bain et m’installe dans notre chambre. Quinze minutes plus tard, je sens que ça pousse. Mon mari va chercher la sage-femme au salon. Deuxième poussée et ma fille, installée sur sa petite chaise au pied du lit, dit “LA TETE SORT”. Troisième poussée, les épaules et Alissande est née! Il est 16h26! Lili restera attachée à son placenta près de 2h avant que papa coupe lecordon. Tout est allé si vite que j’ai un peu déchiré périné et muqueuse et la miss est sortie endormie! Du coup pas de regard du nouveau né ni de rampouille pour quérir le sein, tant pis! Ce sera quand même parmi les plus beaux souvenirs de toute ma vie! J’arrive du cours de yoga maman-bébé. Aujourd’hui ma puce a 7semaines, et n’a pas encore besoin de yoga: elle est très calme, zen, et dort beaucoup! Evidemment elle s’est endormie peu après le début du cours, mais maman en a profité au passage pour localiser les tensions et tâcher d’en évacuer quelques unes! Merci Elyse!

Being an extremely lazy person, I always ignored all sorts of physical exercise. Of course, there were times when I felt guilty about my poor untoned body, and would force myself to go to the gym to work out. And every time (after an aerobic class), the same things would happen: my heart would race, and my body would always be in in pain. When I got pregnant, I felt the usual guilt about not being fit. But the difference was that, this time, it was not only about me, but also about another soul growing inside of me. I wanted my baby to enjoy living and growing in my body. So, I started to look around for an exercise alternative suitable for pregnant women. Finally, I found Elyse’s Yoga class and joined the group on my 17th week of pregnancy. Coming to the first class, I was afraid that I would not be able to keep-up with the rest of the women. I had never done yoga before. So, I thought, I would try it and see how I’d feel. In aerobics class, I really didn’t enjoy all the jumping and intensive exercising ending up with a sweaty body, red face, and a headache. This yoga class was different. A combination of relaxation , stretching and toning poses turned out to match my inner vital rhythm. I was not tired. The breathing techniques helped to keep my breath steady, and the slow and careful movements did not rush the blood to the head. By the end of the class I was feeling lighter, taller, and energized. For the first time in my life I felt good after physical activity, and I noticed that I did not look at my watch once during the class! Of course, coming to the second class was not even a question to me. And I came to the third and fourth. Once I couldn’t come and had to miss a class. That week all the common discomforts of pregnancy such as back pain and sciatica came back. I realized it was because I missed yoga. I could not wait until the next class! I call those classes “my once a week pain relief therapy”, and I never miss a class. Thanks Elyse!

Being a student in Elyse’s pre-natal yoga class has made me a more relaxed individual. Throughout my pregnancy, I was working and naturally became stressed out between work and the daily grind. Elyse taught me how to relax myself through the various stretches and breathing techniques we learned in our classes. I had never before participated in a yoga class and I found when I was filled with a lot of tension after a long day, just the thought of knowing I had class comforted me and obviously the class itself really helped alleviate a lot of my stress and most importantly helped me sleep much better and more peacefully. What I loved about pre-natal yoga was that it was time that I set aside once a week for me and the baby. I highly recommend all pregnant women enroll in a pre-natal yoga class besides it being relaxing it’s a great stretch for your entire body.

Ever since I began attending Elyse’s classes (at 5 months pregnant) I started experiencing a sense of calmness and tranquility around my body’s tranformations and the new life forming inside of me. I looked forward to attending every class and challenging myself physicaly, emotionally and spiritually. Yoga is a wonderful way to connect with yourself and the new life developing within you, and Elyse does a superb job enabling the complete experience to enrapture you and love yourself as well as your baby.

Participating in Elyse’s Prenatal Yoga class was probably the best decision I could have made to stay healthy and pain-free throughout my preganancy. With a hectic work schedule, I rarely had time for myself. Although I had never taken a yoga class in the past, Elyse’s class thaught me simple and effective methods to connect with my body and with my baby. It was the most enjoyable hour of the week! After a few sessions, all the physicial aches and pains related to the later stages of my pregancy were gone. I managed to sleep better and have more energy thoughout the day. Most importantly, the breathing techniques learned in Elyse’s class guided me throughout my delivery- I was able to better focus and manage the pain. Elyse provides a customized, warm and friendly environment in her classes and pays special attention to all her participants. Thank you Elyse!

Participating in Elyse’s prenatal yoga classes has been one of the joys of my pregnancy, helping to relieve the aches and pains associated with pregnancy, and bringing me into contact with other women going through the same process of transformation. Elyse is a knowledgeable, thorough and compassionate teacher: she explains the benefits of poses while demonstrating them, and always includes variations so that everyone can benefit from the practice–from the true beginner to those who have been practicing yoga longer. If I was achy and tired going to class, I was more flexible and energized afterwards—thanks in great part to Elyse’s clear and soothing style of teaching.

I knew I wanted to take prenatal yoga even before I got pregnant. I knew of all the benefits and wanted to have an easy labor. The ambience of Elyse’s class was perfect. The cleanliness and intimacy of her studio from the dimmed lights, music, and her soothing voice all contributed to a memorable experience. Sharing experiences with other expectant mothers was also fun.I was able to take classes up until my 39th week of pregnancy! I would have come one last time but gave birth over the weekend. I was able to stay home for the first four hours of my labor. The yoga helped me during that phase, as I breathed deeply,walked from one end of the house to the other, squatted and leaned against the wall. When I reached the hospital, I was already dilated 5cm. The nurse was impressed! The pushing was brief, only 45 minutes. I attribute this to the yoga My husband and I have a beautiful, healthy and CALM baby girl. I am grateful to Elyse and look forward to participating in her mom and baby yoga class.

Taking Elyse’s prenatal yoga courses was a great way to stay relaxed and flexible during pregnancy. I’ve always been an active person (running, cycling, skiing,etc.)but as my pregnancy progressed I had to ease up on strenuous workouts, and from 26 to 39 weeks, yoga proved a welcome compliment to walking and swimming. In addition to helping ease my lower back pain and sciatica, I found the awareness of breathing to be extremely helpful, especially during labour. I was fortunate to have a fast and uncomplicated natural childbirth, which I credit in part to yoga’s strengthening and focusing properties. I resumed my sessions two months after my son Thomas was born, and yoga once again helped my abdominals and pelvic muscles recover and strengthen, gently and gradually. Yoga also helps release the tension from carrying the baby on the upper back and shoulders: my weekly session with Elyse is equivalent to a full body massage!

I think that Elyse’s prenatal yoga is a great way to relax and stretch at the end of the day. Even when you feel like you are too tired to attend, you will leave the class more invigorated than when you arrive. Elyse has a great knowledge of prenatal yoga and the positions that we practice in class are safe and easy to do, even if you have never taken any yoga classes before. The instruction is clear and you can see yourself improve over the weeks. The environment in which the class is held is warm and inviting and its a nice way to meet other pregnant women and to share this wonderful experience. I look forward to class each week and strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested.

Every week I look forward to Elyse’s prenatal yoga class as it is pretty much the only time in the week where I have a chance to unwind and just focus on my inner self. Her soothing voice during class is optimal for this kind of excercise, which is something all pregnant women should take the time to do. Obviously the physical aspect of yoga is also very important, therefore I also look forward to her class so I can get some stretching done and relieve all of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy. All in all it is a class I truly enjoy and that I recommend to all pregnant women no matter what stage of pregnancy the’re at. It is a wonderful experience!

Taking Elyse’s prenatal Yoga classes is a great way to connect with myself and the life growing inside of me. It makes me relax every part of my body, and pregnancy looks even better. It helps my body in many ways, flexibility, breathing, my back. It helps get me through the week. It gives as well time to focus. I’m sure my pregnancy is much easier than it would be without Elyse’s classes. I will recommend Elyse’s prenatal classes and I will make sure to take the postnatal classes as well, for myself and my baby.

I enrolled in Elyse’s prenatal yoga class early on in my pregnancy and continueduntil my 40th week. Elyse is an excellent yoga teacher. She teaches simple yet effective exercices which helped me relieve the aches and pains related to pregnancy. The class also allowed me to share the joys and concerns of pregnancy with other moms-to-be. Elyse’s prenatal yoga class relaxed, energized and helped me sleep better. The awareness of breathing was helpful in dealing with daily hassles and of course throughout labour.Toning was particularly helpful in easing out the pain of contractions.

I started taking Elyse’s pre-natal yoga class when I was 5 months pregnant and continued right up until the week before I gave birth. The relaxation and stretching exercises helped with the daily aches and pains of pregnancy and those exercises combined with Elyse’s soothing voice made me feel like I had a full-body massage after each class. Pre-natal yoga should be a part of every pregnant woman’s life.

Elyse, Eventhough I signed up for your prenatal yoga class for the exercise, I received much more! I was able to effectively use the techniques taught in your course to alleviate discomfort and remain calm during labor. This enabled me to control my birth to make it a positive experience for my baby and myself. The nurse who examined me before I left the hospital could not believe I had given birth naturally and needed no pain relievers (during or after)! When I told her i had done yoga throughout my pregnancy, she said it had done wonders. I had so much energy and my form returned to normal quickly! Thank-you Elyse!

When starting her yoga class, Elyse’s soft caressing voice takes you to a magic place of calm and peace where the worries and stresses of the day and beyond seem to melt and fade away. One finds oneself transformed into an existence of light and air, suddenly able to stretch and breathe further than one thought possible. One finishes Elyse’s yoga class wanting more, and having a feeling of ease and strength at the same time. When I leave the class, I feel renewed and refreshed with the physical and emotional energy to tackle whatever lies ahead. Elyse is sensitive to and aware of her student’s physical limitations, and makes sure that everyone feels comfortable and able. Her passion for yoga is apparent in her smooth and patient style of teaching. Her classes are a pleasure and a treat.

A dear friend from Kingston, Ont, had been encouraging me, for the last two years, to take up Yoga lessons. I was complaining of lower back pain, muscles getting stiff.and about my tennis getting worse and worse. In my male mind, Yoga wasn’t really for me, but I couldn’t figure out what my body did need. So I lost two years thinking about what I could do, what I should do, what I may do. And then, a strange thing happened. I turned 50. Time for hesitation was over, time for action had begun. That’s when I decided to try Yoga, just to see. And it’s when I discovered Elyse’s Yoga. Her Yoga is all about breathing and stretching. The basics, the fundamentals, no flafla. Each and everyone at his own pace and level in the same choreography, while Elyse gently corrects your posture when you mix up your right with your left, your elbow with your knee! And yes, anyone attending her class notices how well her soothing voice serves her art, our breathing, our stretching and our concentration. After a 12-week session, I already feel more energy and flexibility, and there’s no way I’ll stop now. So much more to learn to get the most out of Elyse’s Yoga! And what a weekly pleasure it is to stroll back home and feel one’s mind and body so much more lighter after an hour and a half of hard and liberating work. Elyse, you’re not only a pro and a great prof, you’re also a very generous person. Many thanks.

The tranquility and serenity begin to permeate your body and your mind the moment you enter the room. And by the end of class, your whole being feels renewed: body, mind and soul. I love Elyse’s yoga class. She provides an intimate, comfortable and inviting setting. Her calm soothing voice, in addition to the stretch sequences, helps melt away the tension and allows me to re-connect with myself after a busy week. When class is over, I feel calm and refreshed. I also feel optimistic owing to the constructive thoughts Elyse shares with us. It is truly a unique experience every time. Thank you Elyse.

After suffering from a chronic neck condition for over 4 years, I met Elyse. Until that point, I was in a great deal of pain, and both my mobility and quality of life had been significantly impaired. As a family physician in the community, I had numerous resources available to me & had tried many with limited results: physiotherapy, osteopathy, accupuncture, massage, and working out with a personal trainer. I decided to try a few personal yoga sessions. Because I was so deconditioned Elyse tailored the sessions to suit my personal needs. Slowly my body began to change, my muscles lengthened, my pain diminished and my overall sense of well being improved dramatically. Elyse’s voice is captivating and her sessions work the mind, body & spirit together, unlike other therapeutic modalities. Several months have gone by and I continue to do yoga twice a week, all the while witnessing positive changes in my condition. Elyse’s Bodyworks and Wellness Center is a comprehensive resource center for all your health related needs. I have already begun recommending Elyse to my patients, and they are also benefiting from her expertise.” “I started doing Yoga with Elyse a few years ago upon recommendation from my Doctor to help me manage the early stages of arthritis in my neck. I was feeling like a mess and this was the best advice I ever got!! The moment I began coming to Elyse’s studio, I immediately started to feel better physically and mentally. Elyse promotes a calm, soothing environment with her peaceful voice, candles and relaxing music. Elyse ensures that the movements and poses are done properly and I would feel the stress melting away – I felt invigorated and at peace each time. I also have learnt the technique of deep breathing and how helpful it is in times of stress. Yoga was a wonderful way to create time for myself to re-energize and charge the batteries, not to mention the many physical benefits.

When I first decided to try yoga I thought it would be an easy break from my vigorously intense regular exercise program. I thought I was in top shape already. What I discovered was that while I may have had some strength in some muscles groups, I lacked an overall flexibility. Yoga gives me a true full-body workout without the pain one usually feels the day after. Elyse carefully explains all the postures and movements. Right from the first class I did not feel lost. The whole atmosphere of the class is wonderful. A warm, calm inviting room puts you immediately at ease. Elyse’s voice, the calming background music and inspiring readings remind you that our bodies and minds are one and that they work best together. I leave after an hour and a half feeling relaxed but also emotionally energized and strong.

After I gave birth, i started taking yoga. Elyse’s classes really helped my abdominals and pelvic muscles recover and strengthen. My weelky sessions with Elyse are equivalent to a full body massage!

This hour and a half in an intimate and cozy studio is a true blessing to my body and well-being. Elyse makes you connect to your body in a very relaxed yet professional setting. Every pose is carefully explained step by step and for each time you become increasingly aware of the benefits brought to your body. When a new pose is introduced, there is always some spontaneous laughter at trials and errors, but Elyse’s encouragment makes you want to go further. I can also say that I used to beg my husband for back massages but ever since taking yoga, I no longer need them.

My first class with Elsye, I had such an amazing experience, she puts you at ease immediately…I was re-energized and felt totally calm. The decision of returning to the classes was easy to make. Working in accounting and with computers her yoga classes is a perfect way of releasing all the tension built throughout the day. I look forward to going for my hour and half of yoga class each week, it a wonderful gift to give oneself. The body feels rejuvenated . Her soft spoken voice is very soothing and easy to follow. She gives explanation throughout the class on different exercises to help us to release any problems or pains we might be experiencing . I thank you Elsye.

Since joining Elyse’s yoga class, I make a point of not missing. Even when I am not able to make a class, Elyse’s flexibility ensures that I can make it for another, something that I truly appreciate. When I go to her yoga class, I feel that I am doing something very special for myself – taking care of my needs, loving myself and giving myself an hour and a half of peace and quiet. Elyse’s class is a gentle one where you are encouraged to do what you can and not push beyond your abilities. Elyse has a quiet, soothing voice as she guides you and imparts positive thoughts. I leave Elyse’s yoga class feeling refreshed and more serene. Thank you, Elyse.

Elyse has created a space for yoga that truly invites people to unwind, to work out and to discover a sense of tranquility. She empowers her students to meet their personal goals by leading them through easy-to-follow sequences of stretches and movements, and by providing an opportunity for relaxation and meditation. I always looked forward to Elyse’s weekly yoga classes. They helped to improve my physical flexibility and as well, helped me to maintain balance during my hectic workweek.

I tend to join a yoga class and then not go. With Elyse Tannenbaum’s class I became hooked from the very beginning. Her hatha yoga based method is the only type of yoga that has truly spoken to my body… I feel more energized and more relaxed after every class, and my body pains tend to diminish. Thank you Elyse for your dedication to sharing your message by teaching yoga — taking care of myself inside & out goes a long long way.

Quoi de plus relaxant et de plus bénéfique que de passer 90 minutes avec soi-même…rien d’autre. Au début, j’étais réticente. je n’étais pas certaine que le yoga me plairait. Maintenant je ne pourrai plus m’en passer. Musculairement et mentalement y’a rien qui peut remplacer le Yoga! Pourquoi avec Elyse??? Sa voix. C’est probablement la voix la plus relaxante de la planète. Je la compare avec Delilah à la radio. Elyse sait nous faire prendre conscience du présent et nous permettre d’oublier tous nos problèmes…au moins temporairement. Pour complèter le tout, Elyse est massothérapeute. Ses massages en profondeur, compléments parfaits aux séances de yoga, ont de quoi nous faire le plus grand bien! Je vois Elyse régulièrement pour mon dos et je la recommande fortement! En gros, Elyse contribue grandement à mon bien être mental et physique et ce, depuis déjà près de trois ans… pour encore longtemps!

I have fibromyalgia, which among many other symptoms, means I have pain most of the time, and often in many places. Sometimes it is even painful just to be touched. However, I have been getting regular massages from Elyse for awhile now, and it has been a long time since I have had pain upon touch. In general my pain all over is not gone, but definitely better. I have been to many different massage therapists, and while most do the relaxation part well, Elyse is one of the only ones who can relieve my stiff muscles, soreness, and pain that is often deep down. After a massage with her, I actually feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders (where the muscles tend to become very knotted and painful). If you are looking for a truly therapeutic massage, to fix a problem, then in my experience Elyse is the best!

I became a patient of Elyse’s when conventional medicine failed me. After suffering with tennis elbow for sometime, I resorted to having a cortisone injection which helped my arm for about a month. When the pain returned twice as severe, I decided to try something alternative. Elyse treated me twice a week for 6 weeks using Deep Tissue Massage, Soft Tissue Release and Active Isolated Stretching, and my arm was completely cured. I have always had some slight back problems so now I visit Elyse once a month and I find that combining stretching with massage keeps any back problems at bay. I highly recommend Elyse as she is professional, highly skilled as well as very caring and kind. I look forward to my monthly visits immensely!

I have been living with chronic neck pain for 15 years. Nearly everything I tried, including surgery, has produced little or no results. I had gotten to the point where I assumed: coping with pain on a daily basis was part of my life. For the past two months, I’ve been receiving Soft Tissue Release treatments From Elyse. It has been tremendously helpful. I had completely forgotten what it felt like to be pain free. It has been amazing to realize that at the end of a day I have been free of pain all day. In fact, this has changed my life!

I went to see Elyse because I had a lot of shoulder and neck pain. I went to a chiropractor who treated me and told me it would take a year to heal. A year seemed like a long time to be in pain. After one treatment I felt immediate relief! After just a few sessions, the pain was gone.

I have had neck and back problems for years that have exacerbated by working at a computer. My neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back and hips get stiff and achy. My hand that holds the mouse also tingles. I have tried many different approaches to relieve the pain such as massage, yoga chiropractic adjustments, reflexology, and acupressure. All of these methods did relieve some of the pain but the only treatment that alleviated it completely was the Soft Tissue Pain Therapy that Elyse employed. When you are in constant pain, relief is an incredible feeling!

I went to Elyse for treatment of an ankle sprain. He relieved most of the pain during the first session using Active Isolated Stretching and Soft Tissue Release which allowed my anklel to heal quickly. Its been about 7 months since the sprain, and I haven’t had any recurring sprains or weaknesses in the ankle, despite being very active. Elyse is very professional, respectful, and attentive. I can finally stop hunting around for a massage therapist I trust!