Eight Elements West

I had a 75 minute massage with Gloria and it was just what I needed. She really understood my body and released a lot of stress I had built up in my shoulders. She was strong where needed and gentle when she could be. The studio was clean and attractive and I will go back next week. Loved it!

If I could give the studio more stars, I would. Eight Elements is a wonderfully holistic and unique fitness studio. Everyone there — instructors and students couldn’t be nicer. The variety in classes — Barre, yoga, NIA, and strength training — makes each day interesting. You will never get bored. Gloria, Megan, Andrea, Melissa, Katy, and Stephen are some of the most knowledgable and caring instructors I have ever worked with. My only regret is that my one-​month visit is over. Many thanks for a great month.

The yoga classes by Gloria and Megan are the bomb. I have been practicing yoga for over 15 years and they are finally teaching me how to do it right. I had a cathartic experience the other day with Gloria in a yoga class. After decades of my pelvis being swayed out instead of tucked in, my body finally got a glimpse of what it should be like when she instructed me to get in a certain position with my legs braced together. It was such an amazing release and it was possible because I knew I was in good hands.
Thank you Gloria! I look forward to learning more.

I recently had a massage from Megan who also teaches a couple of yoga classes that I have participated in at Eight Elements West. The massage was excellent! I’ve had a few massages around PB, and no one has really seemed to understand the human body and how it functions which I deem critical for an excellent massage experience. Megan was very professional and respectful of my needs and desires. I literally floated out of there and immediately scheduled several more sessions. My body has been screaming for this kind of attention and healing.
Megan’s yoga classes are perfect for me as well. I have NEVER had a yoga instructor who offers so much gentle guidance and personal attention to each class participant. There is also lots of positive reinforcement for those of us who are older beginners as well as for the experienced yogis.
Mats, blankets, and towels are all available in studio so you don’t have to remember to bring those items. Off street parking is available under the building though it’s tight. A friendly group of people attend the classes and all the staff acknowledge you — again something that one does not always find in PB, Bird Rock, and LJ.

The absolute best, most sensitive massage I’ve ever had. Not only did he work on every area desperately needing massage, but it was an education in health as well. An extremely sensitive masseuse tuned in and focused on your needs. I highly recommend Steven 4 a massage. I look forward to my next healthy massage.

I received a massages from Kristina yesterday and she is fantastic! She incorporated energy work into her flow and it really helped release my stubborn muscles. She listens to you and can feel where your body needs extra time to release it’s tension. Kristina uses Cranial therapy as well which I love and is extremely effective to help relieve and relax the body. I would highly recommend Kristina to anyone who needs an effective massage therapist!

Had the most lovely Valentines Day massage with my husband. First time at EEW. Loved it.

So glad I tried to call in at the last minute (as in… do you happen to have any openings… now?) because they were able to accommodate a traveller late afternoon on Tuesday. And glad because the practitioners are ernest, and my massage + cranial sacral work helped reset my mind and prep me for an intense rest of the week.

Gloria the owner is absolutely fabulous! She is hands down a class act. Her passion and love for clients needs is unmeasurable. I recommend this place to anyone!!!

Gloria gave me the perfect treatment of therapeutic massage with a perfect combination of reiki. I was in need of a therapeutic holistic treatment, and my experience today was perfectly that. My first visit at eight elements a few months ago was equally wonderful with another practitioner. In addition, the space is gorgeous and filled with great energy

I’ve been a member of Eight Elements for 14 years, and I don’t know where to start to show my appreciation for this wonderful center of wellbeing, healing, health and fitness.
Gloria, the owner, has surrounded herself with likeminded and skilled professionals, who help their clients on their path to wellness and strength. Everybody is going the extra mile, and Gloria is a true inspiration to her clients and practitioners alike.
My recent acupuncture session with Andrea helped me with some health issues in an efficient way. Andrea is a marvel. Her expertise, knowledge, intuition, wisdom, respect and kindness is something I wished some Western medical professionals would use,
Thank you all at Eight Elements!
Thank you Gloria for making it possible .
Renate

Awsome, awsome massage!
I am going back! Gloria got all the knots put and I was completely relaxed. The staff is helpful and friendly.

Relaxing, Rejuvenated for days after our massages.
My daughter and I booked a 75 minute massage with Gloria. Gloria has magic hands, I have had other massages here and all the therapists are also top rated but Gloria did a fantastic job. I was so relaxed afterwards my eyelids were so heavy I couldn’t keep them open. You need to try the peppermint massage which is fabulous and a great price. Surroundings are clean and comfortable.
Eight Elements is a whole body, mind and heat experience also offering many classes Nia, Yoga, Pilates and acupuncture.
We will be back again and again
Colleen

My husband and I booked massage appointments here while in town and had great deep tissue massages from Gloria and Kristina — so much so that we also booked an appointment for the next day! Book here if you need to relax and get all your kinks worked out! Peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.

I had my first body work session with Gloria the other day and it was extraordinary. Not only that, I was greeted at the door with a smile and was given water and then a tour. I was walked to a beautiful and unassuming spot with an ocean view. A little nook of a sitting space to start my relaxation process.
When I went in for my session, my body felt really exhausted and tight. I also had some lower back discomfort. Gloria took her time to understand what my body needed to feel better and to release the discomfort and exhaustion. I walked in feeling pretty icky and left feeling totally rejuvenated and free from discomfort. I went home for a long nap. The whole process was simple, pleasant and amazing.

Had an awesome massage by Colleen! She was able to take me last minute. I was on vacation and woke up with a stiff neck. She was very knowledgeable and relieved the pain. Thanks Colleen for saving my vacation!

I enjoy many things about this place; it’s small and friendly, and most of the instructors are kind and knowledgeable.
But you are more interested, probably, in what I don’t like: Rocco Ragano. He’s a Nia instructor who titters when the class makes mistakes based on «assumptions», which means we assume he was about to do the same thing again and followed that instinct, when he’s instead changing it up without any verbal communication. He is a classically trained dancer besides, so his choreography is overly complicated, and he’s talented enough that he can’t comprehend or assist people who aren’t already proficient – not traits you want in a teacher. Imagine trying to learn basic math from a astrophysicist who has an internalized understanding of numbers, and can’t imagine why you don’t just get it: he’s the Nia equivalent of that. And there’s a touch of malice too; he seems to delight in the mistakes of his students, even when the mistakes are due to his poor leadership.
I was so frustrated and ashamed that I didn’t stay for his cool-​down. I left in the middle of another overly complicated routine, with just 7 minutes of class left – I couldn’t endure any more of him. When I walked out the door, he was smiling smugly in the mirror, like it was an accomplishment to distort the meaning and purpose of Nia to the point that a student *who truly enjoys it* has a miserable experience, gives up and goes home.
Other instructors though, are marvelous, helpful, and even inspiring. I would avoid that man, unless you are already a Nia and dance star. Otherwise, prepare to be alienated.

My husband and I had deep tissue massages during a weekend visit to La Jolla.
We both loved our massages with Colleen and with Gloria. It was our first time at this studio and we were not disappointed. Very clean and attractive space. We will be back to enjoy relaxing and therapeutic massages at Eight Elements and hopefully partake in some yoga classes as well.

Thank you Eight Elements West for giving me a space to workout my body, ease my mind and inspire my soul. This is a beautiful studio with a gifted staff. They have some of the best acupuncture and bodywork therapists I have ever experienced. (I say this with good authority as I myself am I licensed acupuncturist). I would also highly recommend the cranial sacral and somatic bodywork done by Gloria, Kristina and Nina.
The Nia classes are fantastic. I especially loved Carolyne’s class, which is incredibly uplifting and motivating. You have so much fun that you hardly notice how hard a workout you are getting. This is a one of a kind wellness facility. Thank you Gloria, Andrea, Mark, Carolyne, Nina, Colleen, Kristina, Rocco and Firmen for the delightful classes and treatments.
Jenna McCabe M.Sc., L. Ac

Love this place, Gloria is awesome and the staff is amazing.