ABOUT
Soul Yoga was born in 2014 as an extension of Lisa Alban Ellisen's lifelong relationship with movement and mindfulness. Lisa began teaching yoga in March of 2001 at the 21st Century health club in Cotati, California. She was one of the first yoga teachers to introduce Power Vinyasa Yoga to Northern California. Lisa received her bachelors degree from UCSB in Sociology, and while in college studied anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and nutrition. She also has a rich background in massage, personal training and weight lifting which she used for her sanity. Like many others, movement was her medicine and what she turned to when the stress of daily life was overwhelming. However, yoga was the first place where Lisa actually treated her body with tenderness and kindness rather than trying to push through pain or numb her feelings.
When Lisa discovered yoga she found a place to slow down and listen to her body and intuition, rather than be governed by her thoughts, and is continually grateful to be sharing this with others. When she began teaching it was before 200 hour yoga teacher trainings existed. She earned her teaching certification with Baron Baptiste at a week long program in Mexico in August, 2001 and then took multiple trainings with Ana Forrest, Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Rodney Yee, Scott Blossom, Sharon Gannon and David Life and went to all the Yoga Journal Conferences in California. She voraciously read the Yoga Journal every month as well as yoga manuals such as "Light on Yoga" and "Autobiography of a Yogi" and soaked up all the yoga information she could find or listen to. She continues to up-level her teaching through ongoing courses and learning.
Between 2001 and 2014 Lisa taught yoga throughout Sonoma County. Her classes were well attended and brought her great joy and connection. Lisa always thought, "the more places I teach, the more students I can reach." However, in 2014, after going through a divorce with 2 young children she took a leap of faith and opened her own studio, Soul Yoga & Wellness. Lisa brought in some of the best teachers in Sonoma County and also trained over 50 teachers through Soul Yoga's 200 hour yoga school (yoga alliance certified) and the yoga community at Soul continued to grow and thrive. Soul Yoga was there for the Sonoma County community through fires, power outages, more fires and then a global pandemic. Between 2015 and 2020 Soul Yoga won the Press Democrats well known "Best Of" 4 times; 2015 Best Yoga teacher, 2017 Best Yoga Studio, 2020 Best Virtual Yoga Studio & Best Yoga Studio. However, In December of 2020 Lisa realized she couldn't sustain the business any more, even through a model of virtual classes only, and closed the doors, though she never stopped teaching.
November 2021, witness a SOUL rebirth!
Soul Yoga is so proud to be joining forces with Barre Energy (B.E.) in the Farmers Lane Plaza. You B.E.autiful SOULS will have a place to practice together once again. We will be sharing this B.E.autiful space that has been contributing to health and wellness in Sonoma County since 2014.
We look forward to seeing you back on the mat!
If you are looking for information on Soul Yoga foundation, our non-profit entity, go to www.soulyogafoundation.com
Our Team.
We are so grateful for our team members and amazing instructors at Soul Yoga. Go to the schedule page to register for classes and see the membership options.
Amy Richards
RYT 500
(she/her)
My name is Amy Richards and I am so excited to be able to share yoga with you! I feel
honored and blessed to have completed my 200 hour Baptiste-inspired Yoga Teacher
Training at Soul Yoga. I first discovered yoga in 2009 when I was trying to recover from
a car accident. I found that yoga not only helped my body heal, but helped me mind,
heart and spirit as well. My practice has helped me grow stronger, more flexible and
better able to face challenges both on and off the mat. Yoga helps me live more
mindfully and with contentment. In my classes I love to help you find your greatest
expression of poses with strength in your body and lightness in your heart.
La Reina Marshall
RYT 500, Prenatal Vinyasa, Reiki Master, Sound Healing, Doula
(she/her)
La Reina Marshall RYT 200 has been practicing yoga since 2005 and received her 200 hour certification at Soul Yoga in June 2019. She is trained in trauma informed yoga, restorative yoga and sound healing. She completed trainings with Dolphin Method as a certified Doula, as well as Prenatal & Postnatal Vinyasa Yoga. La Reina is trained and attuned in Reiki I and II and Mastery levels.
For La Reina, the practice of yoga, sound healing and energy work are a path to emotional and physical wellness. She teaches a vinyasa inspired flow to create a grounded container to experience your body on the mat. The very act of being aware of our bodies and feeling what we need to feel is how we live more fully. With compassion and authenticity, you will have an opportunity to explore your connection with the present moment using your breath as a guide. La Reina believes practicing vulnerability is the gateway for healing ourselves, and by doing so we contribute to the collective healing of those around us.
Lisa Ellisen
E-RYT 500
(she/her)
Lisa is the founder of Soul Yoga. She has been teaching yoga since 2001 in Sonoma County. She has received the highest level of training with Baptiste Institute (over 1200 hours) and is passionate about applying the tools from the yoga practice in all areas of her life.
One of Lisa's strengths as a teacher is in adapting the practice to whomever is in the room. Her years of experience allows for the practice to feel both planned and spontaneous meeting students right where they are on any given day.
Lisa is the lead trainer of the 200 and 300 hour teacher training at Soul Yoga as well as the founder of Soul Yoga Foundation, bringing the tools of yoga and wellness out of the studio and into the community.
"I can't wait to meet you on the mat!"
Angelica Gonzalez
RYT 200
(she/her)
Angelica deeply believes in brain-body connection. Her own healing journey has demonstrated that when you get still to meet yourself fully, you see how this connection serves you, and when nurtured how it improves your life mentally, spiritually, physically, & emotionally.
Angelica has found that yoga is a practice that can become the channel through which you access the brain-body connection to heal/shift/transmute energy in the body that is creating dis-ease, suffering, & limiting you in your life.Yoga classes with Angelica are rooted in a mindfulness practice, her way of honoring the roots of Yoga.
Melody Hopkins
RYT 200
(she/her)
Melody has been teaching yoga, with a focus on Yin Yoga for six years and has been a bodyworker for over 20 years. With a deep understanding of the body’s innate ability to heal, Melody’s approach focuses on helping students self-soothe and regulate their nervous systems through breath, gentle movement, and mindfulness. Her classes are designed to lower cortisol levels, release tension, and create a space for inner stillness.
In addition to yoga and bodywork, Melody incorporates sound healing into her practice, drawing on the scientifically supported benefits of sound therapy to enhance relaxation and well-being. Whether through Yin postures, breath awareness, or the resonance of sound, her goal is to offer a grounding and restorative experience that allows students to reconnect with themselves.
Hadley Radt
E-RYT 200
(she/her)
Hadley began practicing yoga in 2015 and quickly noticed a connection between her yoga practice and her art practice. Both have taught her about creating balance between structure and flow and finding perfection in all of the imperfections.
In 2018, Hadley received her 200 hour certification at Soul Yoga. Yoga has brought so much healing into her life and reminds her to tap into a deep inner listening both on and off the mat.
Hadley’s classes are playful yet challenging! Her intention is to create space for students to get out of their thinking mind and into their physical body, leaving them feeling rejuvenated, open, strong and empowered.
"I am grateful for this path I am on and have such a passion to continue to learn, lead, grow and share with you!"
Vivian Sabbado Clark
RYT 200
(she/her)
Vivian started on her journey of self-awareness two decades ago when she stepped into her first meditation retreat. She has completed multiple yoga teacher trainings, attended over 2,500 hours of meditation retreats, and spent 14 years teaching meditation dances to adults and kids. She became deeply passionate about bringing the benefits of movement, yoga, and meditation to people from all walks of life. Her guidance and support encourage students to explore their potential, cultivate inner strength, and foster a profound connection between mind, body, and spirit. Vivian has guided individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those in recovery from cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, injuries, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. Her classes are not just physical experiences but transformative journeys through self-care, self-awareness, and self-empowerment. Vivian practices and teaches Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin Yoga, and mindfulness meditation, open to all levels. You can also find Vivian hiking, volunteering at Retreat Centers, or having too much fun at Zumba classes!
Hannah Kaighin
RYT 500
(she/her)
Hello, my name is Hannah Kaighin. I am a 500-hour certified yoga instructor. Yoga allows me to be present in my physical body, clear in my mind, and acknowledge that no matter how good or bad my day is, I can always roll out my mat, breathe, and start over. I've been practicing yoga for four years, and I've been teaching since June 2023. I completed my 200 and 300-hour teacher training at Soul Yoga and Wellness under Lisa Ellisen. At the moment, I teach yoga at Crunch Fitness, Soul Yoga and Wellness, and The Fountain Grove Club in Santa Rosa, California.