Meet the Zen & Vino Founders

The universe intentionally crossed our paths amidst the pandemic in 2020, bringing us together, firstly as neighbors renovating two run down farmhouses next to each other in the beautiful Piedmont hills. This partnership soon blossomed into a deep friendship, turning us into soul sisters.
We both share a deep love of practicing & teaching yoga and meditation, along with a mutual passion for Italian culture, healthy food, wine, nature, and fun! 

Rhonda, an American with Italian citizenship, has a vibrant international background, having studied in London and lived in Germany and Italy. Now residing in Switzerland, she has dedicated over 30 years of her career to elevating individual, leader, and team performance through the creation and deployment of innovative, best-in-class talent development, diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture programs. Rhonda's journey to yoga began as she sought alternatives to antidepressants for managing lifelong anxiety and depression. She is a certified yoga instructor with the International Yoga Alliance. Embracing physical activity, a plant-based diet, and especially yoga and meditation, she discovered more peace, happiness, and joy.

Elena, originally from Italy and now residing in the UK since 2003, has a deep-rooted passion for physical movement that began in childhood. Starting with ballet at age 5, she later immersed herself in contemporary dance in London performing professionally in the UK and internationally.
Following a back injury in 2010, Elena transitioned from stage life to focus on Pilates and Yoga for rehabilitation, which proved transformative physically, emotionally, and mentally. She completed comprehensive teacher training in Pilates and remedial exercise in 2012, and she holds a Yoga Teacher Diploma and meditation certification with Yoga Alliance and she's been running wellness retreats since 2019.

Bonded by years of sharing the transformative practice of yoga and a deep appreciation for local flavors, fine wine, the beauty of nature, and the joy of living fully, we are beyond excited to share our passion with all our future guests at Zen and Vino!

E❤️R