With a bachelor’s degree in ballet from Indiana University, Ellie Bernstein has long focused on the art of synchronizing breath and movement for better health. She applies that knowledge today teaching private and group yoga and pilates sessions in Bloomington, Indiana. Ellie is a yoga instructor and mother of 3 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Twelve years ago, she was battling depression and 80 pounds overweight. With certifications in TRX and Broga Yoga to top things off, Ellie is completely up-to-date on today’s health trends and shares her knowledge, tips and adventures writing for Elite Daily, Elephant Journal and her personal blog. In free time, she unwinds with her husband and two cats.
What gets you out of bed every morning?
Knowing that I have a part in making someone’s day a little better.
Please describe your “O”. What is the most important part of your daily routine?
- 630-8AM – wake up, coffee+breakfast, meditate 20 mins, get ready for the day
- 830-930AM – teach Row+Flow (hybrid between yoga and indoor rowing)
- 930-945AM – snack time!
- 945-1045AM – teach pilates mat class
- 11AM-12PM – teach pilates reformer private session
- 1230-2PM – lunch date with my husband
- 2-4PM – work from home (create class plans, playlists, catch up on emails, update website, blog, social media, etc.)
- 4-6PM – hangout, watch some Netflix, make some dinner
- 7-8PM – teach yoga
- 830-9PM – snack time!
- 9-10PM – get ready for bed, shower, hang out
- 10PM – bed time!
My quiet 60 to 90 minutes in the morning is the most important part of my day. I always wake up way before I need to be out of the house to ensure that I have plenty of time to eat, digest, drink coffee, get ready, read my emails, and center myself for the day.
Whose “O” would you most love to see?
Madonna. Have you seen her a**? 😉 In all seriousness, she is nearing 60 years and still looks the way she does. Insane! Amazing! So awesome. Props to her.
What is your #1 wellness habit?
Sleep. I aim for 8 hours a night, every night. Everyone’s needs are a bit different, but I can feel a difference in my focus and cognition if I get less than 8.
What is your favorite part about living a healthy lifestyle?
I never feel guilty anymore. That terrible and unnecessary sense of shame that gets shoved down our throats by the media doesn’t help. I feel like if I take a day or even a week off from my routine and kick back and enjoy extra treats and wine and maybe a little less sleep and water than I should be having, I know I’ll be ok. I’m at the point where I know how to hit the reset button without a drastic change.
How do you get ready for bed?
I am in bed around 10PM or so and try to actually lay down with devices and lights off (or my eye mask on) by 10:15. There’s this magical window between 10 and 10:30 where I can fall asleep within minutes, but once I get past that point, say around 10:45 or 11, I get a second wind and it’s much tougher for me to fall asleep or stay asleep.
If you could give one piece of health advice to your future kid(s) what would it be and why?
You are not your body. You are a soul borrowing this sack of flesh and bones and YOU are more important and beautiful than any size, shape, roll, curve, or lack thereof.
Favorite Vegetable:
Orange Bell Peppers
Favorite Exercise:
Yoga, TRX, Rowing
Favorite Way to Center:
Nadi Shodhana, a type of breathing technique used to foster a sense of balance.
Personal Motto:
If it’s not fun, why do it?