Bonnie Elliott
Certifications and Training: MSW; RYT-200; 60 Hours – Therapeutic Yoga for Seniors - Duke Integrative Medicine, 12 Hours - Structural Yoga Therapy, 40 hours - Vertebral Column: Anatomy, Asana & Therapeutics and Experiential Anatomy; 6 hours – Osteoporosis Principles for Practice – Sara Meeks, Integrative Restoration - iRest Yoga Nidra - Level 1
Professional Affiliations: Yoga Alliance (YA), International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), Registered Practicing Member - International Yoga Association (IYA)
Provides: Therapeutic Yoga Classes and Private Sessions, Specialized Yoga Workshops, iRest Yoga Nidra
Bonnie is certified as a teacher of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, the only psycho-spiritual based yoga in the U.S. In addition, she has extensive training in therapeutic yoga that meets the unique needs of the aging body and mind. She continues to enhance her expertise through study with nationally renowned yoga teachers including; Betsey Downing, Judith Hanson Lasater, Ellen Saltonstall and Amy Weintraub. Recently, Bonnie received a certificate of completion in Integrative Restoration – iRest Yoga Nidra. Based on the ancient teachings of meditation, iRest is an evidence-based transformative practice that leads to psychological, physical, and spiritual healing and well-being.
Classes are designed to address health challenges such as: high blood pressure, osteoporosis, heart disease, osteoarthritis, COPD, joint replacement, and Parkinson's disease. Bonnie’s teaching experience includes classes for Boomers & Beyond: Dream Yoga Studio, senior centers, Sommerset Retirement Community, the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, Inova HealthSource and Fairfax County's Independent Living Project. Also, she has collaborated with a healthy lifestyle coach and Tai Chi instructor to build the Osteoporosis Resource Center of Herndon, VA.
Bonnie’s passion is sharing her knowledge and experience with others to ignite their curiosity and participation in the journey of self discovery that can lead to physical, mental and emotional balance, harmony and ease. The unique approaches of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and iRest Yoga Nidra are perfect forums for investigating inner wisdom and applying what we discover to everyday interactions to live a life that is rich and meaningful. Bonnie’s classes facilitate students’ self directed process of exploration while providing a safe space for students to learn “from the inside out”. She encourages students to welcome, witness and be empowered by their own experiences to health and healing. As Carl Rogers said, “It is experience that I must return to again and again, to discover a closer approximation to truth as it is in the process of becoming me.”
A practitioner of yoga since 2003, asana, pranayama, and meditation practices with their multitude of benefits have become an integral part of Bonnie’s daily lifestyle. She is a strong believer in cultivating a well-balanced lifestyle that encompasses all aspects of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health care and continuously seeks information on traditional and innovative practices that enhance well-being. Bonnie is committed to serving others through sharing newfound possibilities with each and everyone with whom she has the privilege of teaching and learning from.
Also an EAP professional, Bonnie provides counseling, post-trauma intervention, management consultation and organizational development services. She has conducted trainings for employee groups including: Stress Management, Balancing Work and Family, Dealing with Difficult People and Healthy Lifestyles.