Hello, I’m Elif.

Sometimes I think about how strange life is. For years, I defined myself by movement, speed, and doing. The energy of that little girl climbing trees and running never faded. But within that rush of energy, my body was nothing more than a whisper—a voice I consistently ignored, constantly postponed, a mere vehicle to take me from one point to another. Listening to my body? That was on the very last page of my planner.

This isn't just the story of a yoga studio or a healing method. This is the tale of a woman's shy first steps to decipher her body’s language, an enlightenment that emerged from the darkness of chronic pain, and the birth of Yosomind, our holistic philosophy. Perhaps these lines are an invitation for you to reconnect with your own body.

Chasing Adrenaline: The Funny Truth About My Distance from Yoga

Those who know me are aware: I was drawn to anything fast, challenging, and high-energy. The show of strength, the burning sensation in muscles, being out of breath... That was my definition of sport. So, can you imagine the red light that flashed in my mind when someone mentioned "yoga"? Slowness, stillness, sitting on that boring mat... Back then, I genuinely looked at the patience and silence of people doing yoga as if they were aliens.

Then the inevitable accident happened: A gym mishap! Instead of my cancelled spinning class, I found myself in a yoga class—a strange twist of fate. My inner, cynical voice immediately chirped: "Elif, we'll quietly sneak out after the meditation part." But when the class ended, the weight on my shoulders felt like it had been pulled off by a magnet. The movements were simple, yet there was a deep awakening in my muscles I had never felt before. For the first time in years, my mind felt parked in such a still, clear space.

Isn’t it odd? Despite being so deeply impacted, I retreated back to my familiar, comfortably exhausting routine. Because resisting change is sometimes the easiest path.

My Body Became a Scream: "Listen Now!"

My body, however, didn't give up so easily. Pregnancies, work stress, the quest to be the super mom... Eventually, that chronic pain in my lower back showed up. It wasn't just pain anymore; it was an obstacle rooted in the center of my life, stopping me, slowing me down. The doctors I visited and the treatments I received were ineffective. My body was trying to tell me something, and I was just asking for the name of the pill.

The trigger that initiated the transformation came from a chiropractor's words: "You need to connect with your body. What is it trying to tell you?"

That question hit me like a splash of cold water. In that moment, I understood that the problem wasn't in my muscles or bones, but in the rigid wall my mind had built against my body. I returned to the yoga mat, not as a "stretching" tool, but as a guide for "connection and understanding."

And then I discovered Fascia. That magnificent network of connective tissue that holds all tension, trauma, and everything we can’t hold... When I started focusing on fascia work, my body released tension not just physically, but emotionally too. Those rigid walls crumbled. I was no longer just getting rid of pain; I was forming a sincere friendship with my body.

Yosomind: A Point of Intersection, A Philosophy

The distilled essence of my entire journey crystallized one day in my mind as "Yosomind." These three syllables are the summary of my life philosophy:

• Yo: The state of high consciousness, the spiritual depth that began with yoga, and the feeling of Journey.

• So: The Somatic Body. The center of internal experience, of moving by feeling, the body's contact with your consciousness.

• Mind: The Clear Mind. The awareness that observes, listens, and learns without judgment.

Interestingly, even in my photography career, I was always fascinated by the body’s language. Portraits, movement shots... In every frame, I tried to capture the body's pure power and its story. The body was always central to me. Now, I am bringing that visual language into the power of movement with original methods like Somatic Bodywork, Fascia, and Deep Touch Mentorship®.

Yosomind embraces everyone who wants to transform their body from a tool into a source of wisdom. This is where speed and forcing end, and where compassion, gentleness, and profound transformation begin.

If you are ready to form a sincere, witty, and strong connection with your own body, a place on the Yosomind mat is waiting for you. Let’s take that first step together.