Please tell us a bit about yourself.
This is always such an interesting question to answer. It’s really challenging to describe yourself when being human is such a complex experience, but here goes… Hello, my name is Elyssa. I’m 43, mother of one, my beautiful daughter Ayla. I’m happily married to a middle school art teacher who will always be the first person on a dance floor. We all love music, and dancing and art. We love road trips and pool parties. We love craft time and video games. Myself personally; I love plants, I love holistic skincare and I believe movement is medicine, so I teach yoga. I am the founder of Wolf & Lion - a company dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their authenticity, while providing diverse wellness resources and building community (maybe even a studio space coming soon). I love bringing people together, and this is something I discovered about myself in recent years.
What do you love most about being a mom?
One thing I love most about being a mom is getting to see and experience the world through fresh eyes. Things that may have lost their sparkle are once again shiny and new. I get to share the beauty of the world with my child - who is experiencing all of it for the first time. Music, art, food, places, nature. I’m constantly reminded to see everything and live with that childlike wonder and awe. My daughter is a super rad human, she teaches me so much. We are growing together, while simultaneously developing our individuality - I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
Let's be real, motherhood isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. What aspect of motherhood challenges you to grow into your highest self?
We all have old patterns or non-serving belief systems that have been passed down to us from our parents, and our parents parents and so on. It’s our job to break those cycles so that our children can be better, do more, see more and experience the world differently than we ever did. There are times when my daughter will be doing something, which in the moment, without thinking about it, I don’t agree with. But if I pause and really think about what I’m upset about, most times I realize it doesn’t matter. So what if she breaks the thing, or gets dirty, or wants to wear two different shoes. My challenge lies in knowing when to make a stand and when to let it go. And also in learning about my own belief systems that need dismantling and how I can continue to grow with this new understanding, and patience - always with patience. I think one of the biggest challenges of being a parent, is having patience, yes with your child, but also with yourself.
Becoming a mom, you grow into a new version of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. How has being a mom shaped you into your present self?
It became really clear to me early on that parenthood can be another path of enlightenment. Just like meditation teaches us to calm the mind and become more present, so can too parenting - if the parent is open to learning that is. I became really present about how I spoke of myself and others, and how I looked at myself. I’m still very much learning to love myself but I have become more in love with myself, the people in my life and just my life in general when Ayla was born. I want her to grow up being able to see the beauty and abundance that is always around her, but that had to start with me doing the same. Sure, our bodies change, the dynamic in our relationships change, but having a child and having the understanding of the opportunity it gives us to really lay a path for positive influence that could lead to positive change in the world - is what shaped me the most as a parent. It made me a better human.
As a mom, some days can be a struggle. How do you reset when you feel overwhelmed, or find a moment of bliss in the chaos?
I wake up at 5am. I know that may not be everyone’s cup of tea but my husband and daughter don’t get up until 7am on the weekdays. Getting up at 5am gives me two hours of me time. I do face yoga and facial massage, mediate, journal while I enjoy my coffee, free of distractions. Sometimes I’m able to get a little work done or make those social media posts that I normally can’t get to during the day. On the weekends I still get up early but get even more time to myself since the two of them get to sleep in. There are mornings where I feel I need more rest and I honor those days but for the most part my body and mind really enjoy being up early. I also do my best to practice gratitude. There are a lot of terrible things happening in our world right now. I don’t turn my head away from it, I allow myself to feel the feels but also want to stand in gratitude for what I have, where I live and the life I get to experience.
What's your favorite spot in San Diego to reset with the fam?
Honestly, our home. Pulling out the daybed and watching a movie or playing video games together is sometimes our best family medicine. We all have very busy lives, so getting an opportunity to just sit and be with each other is perfect. We do love a good brunch spot and to take road trips or attend a music festival. Having some sort of spontaneity is really nourishing to our souls, add music, dance and our friends to the mix and we are happy humans.
Thank you for letting us peek into your world. What do you have for local San Diego moms, and where can we find you?
I offer yoga, and soon I’ll be teaching face yoga and facial massage. You can find me on Instagram at @lionandswan (personal) and @wolfandlionsd (biz) or send me an email at hello@wolfandlionsd.com. If you are a San Diego mom, and are reading this, I’d love to extend a free yoga class to you! Just find me and mention this article.
