Her captivating story is a reminder that fulfilment often lies in listening to your intuition and not fearing challenges.

Elena is a yoga instructor and a passionate advocate of movement and a healthy lifestyle. Her yoga studio has become a heaven for anyone seeking tranquillity and connection with like-minded people.


From Slovakia to London: The first leap

More than twenty years ago, Elena moved from Slovakia to London to work as an au pair. She later worked for luxury boutiques at Harrods, and because she was always an ambitious and talented person, she soon rose to a manager position. Immersed in the world of luxury fashion, she decided to pursue a new path as a jewellery designer. After studying jewellery designs, she joined the international company Graff Diamonds, gaining the rare opportunity to work with the most extraordinary jewels in the world.


This career opened new horizons for her. The world of luxurious, exceptional gemstones took her across the Middle East - Bahrain, Kuwait or Dubai, where she worked as a fashion buyer.

Although Elena enjoyed her life and the excitement of this high-profile environment, after a few years in the industry, she felt that something essential was missing. The money-driven industry didn’t align with her needs anymore. At this point, Elena was attending weekly yoga classes at a local studio, which gave her a sense of belonging and balance.

“I had always loved sports; her father was an athlete and used to take her and her sister to the gym when they were children. He was the one who introduced me to a healthy lifestyle from an early age.” Elena also loved dancing and spent many years attending classes across various dance styles, building a strong foundation that would later support her yoga journey.


A transformational journey to Bali

Feeling the urge for a change, she travelled to Bali, where she studied yoga and met people with whom she felt a deeper sense of connection. In a community of health-conscious individuals, she began to rediscover her purpose.

She completed several courses, including sports massage, anatomy, and Pilates, in Mallorca and India. Physically fit, certain yoga positions were challenging, yet the practise felt smooth and effortless.

Today, Elena is a 700-hour certified Yoga Teacher who has been trained in Vinyasa, Yin, Swing and Ashtanga Yoga with Iyengar props. She also studied Functional Anatomy, Sports Massage, Guasha, Cupping, Osho Meditation, and she keeps improving and continues to deepen her knowledge.

A decade in Dubai and a return to Europe

Elena began teaching in a studio in Dubai, where she gained experience working with professional athletes and functional anatomy. But after living in Dubai for 10 years, she started to feel it’s time to move back to Europe. Her priorities were clear - being closer to family, safety and proximity to the ocean.

Her intuition led her to Portugal, where she initially came to the Cascais area, but this place didn’t feel right, so she headed South and found her new home in the Algarve.


It didn’t take long before she met her partner, and today they are raising their 3-year-old son. “I had a vision board before I came to Portugal, and everything just fell into place so spontaneously; this is how I know I came to the right place.”

Elena remains connected to her hometown and travels regularly to Slovakia. She comes from a small village surrounded by mountains and loves to spend a few weeks there each summer. Now, she loves showing her son the way she grew up, surrounded by nature and simplicity.

Building Haven: A Yoga Sanctuary in the Algarve

In the Algarve, Elena continues in her yoga journey. She began by teaching at the Thai Beach Club, and later she opened her yoga studio, Haven, in Vilamoura.

Located in the Cegonha Country Club, Haven is a boutique studio designed for up to 11 people.

“In Haven studio, all your senses are stimulated. The moment you step inside, our scents and music create the right ambience for you to relax. The classes are intentionally for a limited number of people, and our equipment is of exceptional quality. Haven will become your second home, filled with new friends and connections.”


Ceremonies, Retreats, and Community

Every month, Elena, in cooperation with spiritual teacher Danielle, hosts a cacao ceremony, a special experience to reconnect with yourself and recharge energy. During these special gatherings, participants enjoy ceremonial cacao, astrological insights, guided meditation, and healing practices designed to align with a new solar season.

Elena also organises monthly Sunday retreats, where women meet to practise yoga, enjoy a spa session at a hotel in the area and then go together for lunch.

Elena shares her space with other instructors to ensure a variety of classes. Her current timetable includes prenatal yoga, which features a prenatal Q&A for expert support and guidance. Postnatal yoga is a baby-led class, where mothers are encouraged to feed, cuddle, or tend to their baby whenever needed. Among other classes are mat Pilates, Flexibility & Strength or Qigong.

Popular is the Sunrise or Evening Joy dance, “We begin with a meditation followed by a slow-to-fast energising dance journey designed for emotional release, inner awakening and joyful vitality.”

If you are interested in a personalised experience inside of Haven or at another location, a private session, or simply want to know more, you can visit https://thehaven.pt/ or the Instagram page the haven_algarve.