In a city where schedules are often packed and stress seems the norm, Vredestraat in Ixelles offers a place where time briefly stands still. Elena Gaita, an Italian entrepreneur, has established a small-scale yoga studio where visitors can release tension and reconnect with their core. Gaita traded the world of European lobbying for a life of peace and serenity.
Fourteen years ago, Gaita came to Brussels for an internship and ended up staying. She built her life there and is currently applying for Belgian nationality. For ten years, she worked in the European sector for an NGO fighting corruption, a demanding environment. To manage stress, she turned to yoga.
In 2018, she completed training as a yoga teacher, embarking on a double life: European dossiers by day, yoga mats by evening and weekend. For three years, she taught at various Brussels studios before the dream of opening her own studio began to grow. She found the ideal location at Vredestraat 14 in Ixelles.
However, the process of opening the studio proved more challenging than expected, involving administrative procedures, permits, and renovations. The urban planning permit, in particular, caused her significant worry. With assistance from Ingrid, an advisor at hub.brussels, and financial support from finance&invest.brussels and [Brussels Economy and Employment](https://info.hub.brussels/ Brussel Economie en Werkgelegenheid), she managed to finance the necessary renovations.
The first year was difficult, juggling the demands of running a business and maintaining a private life. Despite the challenges, Gaita has no regrets about her career change. Month by month, new students found their way to her studio, partly through word-of-mouth. A close-knit community has formed, united by the desire for a place of calm amidst the city's hustle.
In early 2026, Gaita took another step by opening a second room on the first floor. Her studio now has twelve yoga teachers and a growing, loyal clientele. She remains committed to the spiritual side of yoga, with groups limited to twenty participants and personal attention. 'The House of Yoga' is an oasis of inner peace in Ixelles.
“"Provide a substantial financial buffer. Truly substantial: keep at least 20% of your own funds on hand for unforeseen costs."
