Episode 8 – Itzel Olvera’s story: Becoming who she really wanted to be thanks to Tulum and yoga
/Get to know the woman who keeps our bodies and minds in balance: Itzel Olvera is probably the most known and beloved yoga instructor in town, who brings the whole Tulum family together on the mat. In her classes of diverse yoga styles, Itzel fills the shala with her uplifting energy appreciated by locals and travelers alike. For me, it was an absolute pleasure to interview her, also because Itzel played a major part in my story of living my dream.
Itzel never intended to be a yoga teacher. Now, she already shares her practice full-time since seven years. But her journey begins in 2004, the year in which she came to Tulum for the first time – and fell in love with the place and her husband. Her two week vacation extended to four months, after which she finished her thesis in her home town Cuernavaca near Mexico City before she returned to the Caribbean for good.
Yoga eventually found her in 2008 in Playa del Carmen. In her fast-paced working life, promoting paradise as PR specialist for the Riviera Maya Tourism Board, it became her daily tool to find peace. But then, giving in to her insisting yoga teacher Ellen de Jonge in 2010, her Yoga Teacher Training changed everything.
Now, Itzel is a certified 400h yoga Instructor and shares Vinyasa, Ashtanga and Yin Yoga in Tulum for all levels, ages and people. With her own love for movement and self-exploration she encourages her students to practice with self-awareness, laughter and non-violence based on the foundation of Patanjali's Eight Fold Path, the eight limbs of yoga.
Find out how her story unfolded completely in our episode and listen to Itzel’s inspiring thoughts on the Coronavirus, after she already experienced a similar situation when the swine flu hit Playa del Carmen in 2009. By saying: “Bad things sometimes are just disguises of better things," Itzel shows her elevating spirit once again.
In the current situation, you can practice with Itzel from wherever you are in the world. She gives donation based online classes on Zoom every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am EST. Click here to join.
Itzel on Instagram
