Elizabeth Kovar M.A. has been working in the fitness industry since 2006. With her roots of fitness management starting at Bowling Green State University, Elizabeth pursued her passion of studying fitness overseas. While completing three journeys abroad, Elizabeth studied sport management at Griffith University – Gold Coast in Australia. In 2007, she was a recipient for the Stuart R. Givens Fellowship which granted her the opportunity to study yoga in India. She undertook this Yoga Alliance certified course at the Ayurveda Yoga Retreat & Hospital. Elizabeth received her 321 hour certificate in Ashtanga Yoga studied under Dr. Senthil Kumar PhD, MD. In 2008, she then moved back to the Gold Coast, Australia to work for the Pat Cash International Tennis Academy in administrative and instruct Yoga to the athletes. During her time in Australia, she WWOOF’d for the Yoga in Daily Life in Brisbane to live, volunteer and study Raja / Hatha yoga at this ashram.
Elizabeth pursued her Master’s Degree in Recreation & Tourism from the University of Toledo. Her Master’s Thesis topic was “Creating Yoga Programs for People with Movement Disabilities”. Her thesis focused on Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy and MS. This program was then implemented on a 12 week research study at the University of Toledo Hospital, which she collaborated with the Physical Therapy and Neurology Department.
Upon graduation, Elizabeth has been managing fitness, personal training and group exercise departments. Along with instructing group exercise classes and personal training, Elizabeth is also a BOSU Master Trainer. She is a freelance writer and has published various articles and continuously writes for ehow.com, live strong.com, OnSite Fitness, NW Fitness Magazine, AKWA Magazine and American Fitness. As an ACE Personal Trainer and AFAA group exercise instructor, she currently mentors with ACE fitness professionals including Lawrence Biscontini M.A. and Jonathon Ross. With her passions in writing and fitness, Elizabeth hopes to continue a path to further educating fitness professionals and community members through publications and presenting.
Currently, Elizabeth is the fitness coordinator at the City of Lynnwood Recreation Center where she oversees all programming in the group exercise, personal training and wellness department.
Connect with her through facebook: www.facebook.com/erkovar
