Li Xiaolan (Elaine) :
Elaine became a yoga enthusiast in 2003, when she started to practice yoga. In 2005, she completed the teacher training program at Yogi Yoga, taught by Yogi Mohan. She then began to teach private classes to various film and television stars. In this same year she went to the ancient Kaivalyadhama G.S. School of Yoga in India to study. There she engaged in a systematic study of the Yoga Sutras, Yoga Psychology, Yoga Anatomy, Yoga Teaching Research, as well as other related courses. She also benefited greatly from her direct study with the famous Indian pranayama master O.P. Tiwari.

Elaine has practiced Hatha Vinyasa Yoga at Yoga Yard with Robyn Wexler and Mimi Kuo since 2006. During this time she has not only healed her former chronic low-back pain, but has also found inspiration regarding teaching methods and style.

Elaine began teaching at Yoga Yard in 2007, after completing the Teacher Training program at Yoga Yard led by Matthew Cohen. She teaches in both Chinese and English.

Elaine continues to study anatomy, teaching methods, yoga therapy and healing, in addition to other related specialties. Having gone from being purely a yoga enthusiast to a professional yoga teacher, Elaine believes that teaching yoga is an inevitable part of her yogic path of growth and learning. Her classes, therefore, emphasize the interaction between teacher and student, while skillfully creating an atmosphere that is safe and joyful.

"With practice we gradually awaken our body's instinctual intelligence and latent wisdom, achieving universal harmony; Yoga then becomes a lifestyle, central to your existence." This is the true experience that Elaine would like to share with all she meets, through yoga.