Breath training for Monarch Athletic Club Members

As a professor at UCLA at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and Chief of Ophthalmology at Providence St. John’s Hospital, I come across a few individuals whom I am honored to write a recommendation for.

I worked with Elsa, learning the science of breathing. It is a remarkable science that can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and benefit anyone in any situation. It is also something very few of us understand, and it’s a forgotten art.

Elsa is beautiful both inside and out. She is kind, smart, caring, and a great listener.

Thank you for teaching me.

As I was preparing to run an ultramarathon, I didn’t look for a running coach or a specific training plan. Instead, I began a breathwork course with Elsa.

I cannot overstate how impactful this work has been on my athletic and personal life. I found that proper breathing techniques became the foundation for the rest of my running form. Learning to breathe slowly through my nose and into my diaphragm allowed me to regulate my heart rate, maintain effective postural alignment, and calm my mind through the ups and downs of many hours on the trails. With Elsa’s program, my CO2 tolerance gradually increased, and I became more comfortable with the feeling of “needing air.” With this comfort came an improvement in my aerobic capacity and muscular endurance.

Now, as I incorporate these principles into further training and into my daily life, I feel better equipped to handle and even thrive in some of my most uncomfortable moments.

Thanks to Elsa for providing a solid program and the accountability needed to get me there.

In my 17 years of teaching yoga, meditation, and breathwork, I have never come across someone as knowledgeable about the breath as Elsa.

Elsa is like an encyclopedia of breathing wisdom and has vastly expanded my mind (and my lung capacity!) with her research and know-how. Elsa’s approach comes from a genuine, kind, and curious place. I have witnessed her expertise support and optimize everyone she works with!

I consider Elsa a dear friend and a trusted mentor.

I was about to enter a stretch of intense work against the clock when I reached out to Elsa... I'm not sure I could have pulled it off if she hadn't taken me through the basic mechanics and science of breath... Then taught me some simple exercises which helped my focus and stamina, as well as having a beneficial effect on my blood pressure.

She's a born teacher and communicator, and no one could take her short but intense course of instruction without it leading to better physical and mental health.

My team and I did a breathing session with Elsa and were all pleasantly surprised to learn how much our breathing can impact our lives, both at work and outside of work.

I know the majority of us have been actively using the techniques we practised to reduce stress during our workdays and improve our everyday breathing.

I am very grateful that PwC allowed us to attend Elsa’s class and hope that we will be able to participate in more sessions in the future.

I would highly recommend Elsa as a breath coach to all employers out there!