Elena Velasco found yoga through her work as a theatre and movement artist. For over 25 years she has worked in the performing arts industry as a director, choreographer, performer, and professor in the DMV and Greater Boston regions. Through such companies as Synetic Theatre and Convergence Theatre, she found that the fullest creative expression and connection was the result of the synthesis of the mind-body-consciousness. Yoga has helped her craft choreography that is more sustainable and gives performers greater agency over their bodies. Yoga informs her work in all disciplines, whether leading a vinyasa class at Bowie State University where she is an associate professor of theatre and movement, or establishing a healthy, mindful rehearsal process for movement-based performance. She completed her 200-hour teacher certification at Rising Sol Yoga School and is a member of Yoga Alliance. She believes yoga and the arts must be accessible and is passionate about holding space for a range of students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, and lived experiences. Along with her active professional life, she enjoys biking, hiking, and meditating, and is the proud mother of seven children, all who have various paths and passions.

Anissa is a passionate and devoted yoga instructor with more than eight years of experience in offering uplifting, empowering, and inclusive classes and workshops to students of all levels. She teaches a variety of styles—including Vinyasa, Hatha, Gentle, Restorative, Yin, and Yoga Nidra—through group and private classes, corporate wellness programs, and special events. Drawing from her many years of dance training, Anissa’s classes weave together creative sequencing, encouragement, and a touch of humor to support students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Music and nature inspire her teaching, creating a sense of playfulness, freedom, and joy on the mat. A lifelong student of yoga, Anissa maintains a dedicated personal practice, and has had the pleasure of exploring yoga all around the world—from sandy beaches to ocean liners to ashrams—deepening her devotion to the practice and its ability to connect us with fellow yogis everywhere. Beyond teaching, Anissa brings a wealth of life experience to her work. She is an Army Veteran who served nearly a decade as an active duty attorney, a professional actor, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. A graduate of Williams College and Cornell Law School, she strives to bring curiosity, creativity, and compassion to everything she does.