To celebrate the International Day of Yoga, we are highlighting two of our remarkable Hera Hub members who are doing important work in the yoga industry. Their dedication to wellness, community, and innovation is truly inspiring.
Susana Jones, founder of Shakti Urbana
Susana Jones began teaching yoga 15 years ago in her hometown of San Diego. As a mother of one little boy and a lover of life in all its forms, she is deeply passionate about integrative health.
Susana creates tailored therapeutic plans and high-quality yoga videos to help people overcome obstacles to their well-being. Becoming a mother in 2020 inspired her to support women with young children, helping them thrive during the first five years of motherhood.
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Integral Health, Susana is researching maternal resilience and sharing her findings with moms across the U.S. Her online yoga offerings and “Yoga for Mom-Life” podcast emphasize offline, sensory engagement with nature. Her vision for sustainable self-care integrates yoga into a reciprocal relationship with the natural world, creating a better future for children.
“Something unique about being a mom is needing to reinvent self-care routines as a child grows. My hope is to provide women with flexible, minimalist, Yoga-based strategies for replenishment, inspiration, and longevity.
Incorporating Nature into a mindful approach to Yoga strengthens our bond with ourselves and the natural world, which helps us build a better future for our children.”
~Susana Jones, C-IAYT
Elaine Bryan, owner of Body and Soul Nourishment
Elaine began her interest and love for whole food nutrition and herbal remedies over 30 years ago when her own health was compromised due to her busy, hectic lifestyle and career in the mortgage business. Through exploration and experimentation, she found ways to regain her health and wellness, discovering the importance of nourishing both her body and her heart. Elaine began her journey exploration and became an herbalist and certified health coach and obtained certifications in other energy modalties such as homeopathy and Bach flower essences.
Over the years along her healing journey, Elaine has taught classes and workshops in various locations including healthcare professional offices, senior centers, preschools, corporate businesses and more to educate and inspire others on their own wellness journey. Elaine currently teaches plant powered cooking classes and workshops for a women cancer survivor organization and plant powered cooking classes through Mira Costa Community College classes and other locations.
Elaine was also led in her exploration and journey of self growth by becoming a Registered Yoga teacher through the nationally recognized Yoga Alliance, an organization that registers teachers based on their education and experience in teaching yoga. For the past 18 years, Elaine has been honored to teach hatha yoga and breathwork in various locations including yoga studios, nature centers, eating and addiction centers, and more, and is currently teaching private yoga clients as well as teaching online yoga classes. While her training was originally in hatha yoga, she has gained certifications and attended advanced trainings in other styles of yoga.
In addition to her yoga qualifications, Elaine is a Reiki Master and is currently a Healing Touch practitioner student, expecting to be certified in Healing Touch in 2025.
