Namaste, we are Eline and Marisela, and we’re excited to share our story with you. Together, we’ve embarked on diverse ventures, from becoming sound healing therapists to becoming certified yoga, meditation, energy-work and SUP Yoga teachers. 

Eline Leijdekkers

My name is Eline Leijdekkers, and I am thrilled to share a piece of my journey with you.

I was born in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and moved to the beautiful island of Aruba when I was just nine years old. My formative years on this stunning island shaped who I am today. When I was 19 years old, I moved back to Holland to pursue my studies and work. I studied business economics and financial management, eventually taking on roles as a financial director in various companies. After gaining extensive experience in the financial sector, I established my own accountancy firm.

My journey into yoga and holistic wellness began as I sought to overcome the challenges of fibromyalgia at the age of 27 while pregnant with my first daughter. Despite the intense pain from broken cartilage, fragile bones, and nerve damage, I refused to allow these obstacles to define my destiny. Enduring multiple surgeries and the unbearable grip of pain—compounded by the discovery that my body could not tolerate painkillers—I turned inward, seeking solace in meditation, which illuminated my path to healing and self-discovery.

Due to worsening fibromyalgia, I had to close my accounting firm and converted the business building into six apartment rentals for short- and long-term stays. However, when COVID-19 hit, the rental market in Aruba plummeted.

During this time, I re-educated myself by earning a bachelor’s degree in pedagogical didactics and began teaching financial and business subjects at a local school during the pandemic. I also started working on releasing negative energy from my body, taking therapy with both a psychiatrist and a psychologist to address past traumas. This comprehensive approach, combined with holistic practices, allowed me to heal myself and reclaim my vitality. This shift marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one that focused on healing and wellness. As my practice deepened, I became increasingly passionate about yoga, finding peace, strength, and vitality within it.

Together with my passion for teaching, I was inspired to pursue various certifications in holistic practices.

During the pandemic I also met my wife Marisela, when she had just come out of the monastery and moved back to Aruba. Together, we decided to pursue sound healing therapy training in Spain and a year later traveled to India for yoga teacher training. Our passion drove us to earn more certifications in meditation, breathing exercises and universal energy healing. This allowed us to further develop our skills, preparing us to guide others in achieving a harmonious balance of body, mind, and soul.

Through each step of our journey, we have become passionate about inspiring others to embark on their own healing paths. We believe that by working on your traumas with a psychiatrist or psychologist, alongside a dedication to yoga, meditation, energy work, breathing exercises, and sound healing, many people can heal themselves, reclaim their vitality, and transform their lives.

For this reason, we founded Namaste Yoga Aruba. Our mission is to help bring balance and healing to the mind, body, and soul of our yogis, creating a nurturing space for everyone who joins us.

We create unique sound healing and sound bath experiences by combining our special energy work with Marisela’s angelic voice and a great variety of our sound healing instruments.

Water has always played a significant role in my life—from my childhood as a synchronized swimmer to introducing innovative practices like pool yoga, sound healing, and full moon sessions on the ocean. Becoming a certified SUP Yoga Teacher allowed me to combine my love for yoga with the rhythm of Aruba’s enchanting waters, blending elements of yoga, pilates, and fitness into a seamless flow.

To expand our vision and offer even more healing experiences, we decided to sell the real estate rentals in Aruba and purchased Vacation Home Namaste Colombia, in the stunning mountains of Ulloa, Pereira, Colombia. This allows us to host holistic retreats, providing individuals with the opportunity to explore their journeys toward wellness and self-discovery.