Bios

"To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge, to find the will of God is the greatest discovery, and to do the will of God is the greatest achievement."
Author Unknown

Elena Porter, CYT, CCYT, RYT

Elena began practicing yoga as a student more than ten years ago while seeking balance and peace in her life. Inspired by the powerful, influential women in her Bible Study, Elena was determined to use her own strengths to make a difference in her own life and in the world. She found her strength in her desire to experience and inspire good health and spiritual growth. It was then that a friend suggested that Elena try yoga.

Elena appreciated the health benefits of yoga right away, but she found that the language and rituals of traditional yoga just didn't speak to her spiritual side. Craving the tranquility and spiritual connection she watched others enjoy in class, she began to create her own personal yoga sessions at home. She incorporated comforting and inspirational elements from her Christian life, including prayerful meditation, uplifting contemporary music, and Bible verses. Suddenly, Elena felt the spiritual benefits of yoga. And she felt it through God as a faithful Christian!

Encouraged by her husband and her sports pastor, Elena began to teach "Christian yoga" at her church in 2003. The program gained popularity quickly as community Christians and others began to understand that yoga isn't a religion, and that it doesn't contradict Christianity. Elena discovered, and now shares with up to 200 students every week, that yoga is a connection tool – and that using yoga to connect with God is an amazing experience.

Elena and Rosie earned their certificate of Christian Yoga together at Our Lady of Lourdes Institute of Wholistic Studies in Collingswood, New Jersey.

Elena and her family live in Ahwataukee Foothills. She and her husband, Cliff, have been married 26 years and have five children and two grandchildren. Elena also has two step children and – between the two – six more grandchildren! Her favorite saying is, "Help somebody if you can and get right with The Man," which is a lyric from a Van Zant song.

Rosie Gonzalez, CYT, CCYT, RYT

Rosie Gonzalez has always loved spending time outdoors, where she hikes, bikes, walks, jogs, and celebrates her connection with God's creations. As a fit, athletic woman, she had been interested in yoga for its physical benefits, but felt guarded about the Eastern teachings that were traditionally associated it. Then, in 2003, Rosie moved to Phoenix and saw Elena's announcement in the Mountain Park Community Church bulletin for a Christ-Centered Yoga class!

Rosie was one of two students at Elena's very first Christian yoga class. The other student was the sports pastor! Rosie and Elena became fast friends and began honoring requests to teach additional classes. To support their teaching and ministry, Rosie and Elena earned their Christian yoga certifications together at Our Lady of Lourdes Institute of Wholistic Studies in Collingswood, New Jersey. There, at the only U.S. school certified in Christian yoga, Rosie and Elena discovered that Christ-centered yoga has been quietly inspiring students, without certified status, for a long time. The newly credentialed yoginas vowed to introduce it to as many people as possible, and to make it accessible without charge.

In her first experience with Christ-centered yoga, Rosie cried as she allowed God to minister to her. Sticking with it, she gained strength in her body, soul, and mind. And, she made friends in her new community and her new "awesome" church. Rosie is grateful that God has brought her and Elena together through yoga, and she is excited to find out where God will take their ministry next. A Christian for 30 years, Rosie feels it is an honor and a privilege to allow God to use her to touch people's lives and souls through Christ-centered yoga.

Rosie has been married for 31 years to Ron, who is retired and loving it, and she loves to inspire good health and welfare to her family, friends, and students. Her motto is, "We can 'feel good' as we get older."

She is proud to say she has two grown sons, Steve and Tom. Steve and Jen live in Ahwatukee - Rosie says her heart is so happy to have her three-year-old grandson, Logan, just around the block from her. Tom lives in Atlanta, flies for Freedom Airlines, and comes home to Arizona often. Rosie also raised two stepchildren, Julie and Scott, who live in Florida. Julie has two children, Vincenzo and Cheyenne, and Rosie finds it hard to live so far away.