Leslie Sikes
Leslie Sikes is a Cincinnati yoga instructor with over 20 years of teaching in studio, institutional, and private settings. She has participated as a student on a trip with The Travel Yogi the Galapagos Islands, and has led trips with The Travel Yogi to Panama, Kenya and soon to be Iceland and Patagonia. These experiences have truly changed her life in many ways.
Leslie teaches yoga studies for The University of Cincinnati. This curriculum allows college students to access yoga and meditation through their college career. She was the driving force behind the creation of a yoga studies certificate at the university. She also teaches yoga for the athletics teams at UC.
Leslie’s yoga training consists of 200 YTT in Ashtanga Yoga, 300 YTT in Rocket Yoga and certifications in Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Mindfulness. She recently completed her 500 YTT at Modo Yoga Nicaragua and currently teaches hot yoga and workshops for Embra Yoga Cincinnati.
When it comes to teaching, Leslie’s goal is to help students use yoga to stay connected both spiritually and physically, on and off their mats. She loves music and is constantly creating new music playlists to match her teachings, which she subsequently shares with her students. Leslie currently lives in Clifton with her husband and two girls, Lila and Rose.
Leslie’s Travel Yogi Story
I found The Travel Yogi through the Yoga Journal as a sweepstakes to win a free yoga retreat adventure to Iceland. While I didn’t win, I reached out to the company to see what they were all about. I’m a 44 year old yoga instructor who lives in Cincinnati with my husband and two kids, ages 16 and 13. The Galapagos Island trip had been on my bucket list since I was a little girl. I knew this was the right time in my life to travel again. I decided I should travel as a student first to see the experience from that side. I was completely blown away by my experience! The food, culture, hospitality, yoga practice, local guides of the island, and time to detach from everything at home was crucial for my mental health. I returned home recharged with a fresh outlook on life, and couldn’t wait for the next trip. I made a new group of friends as The Travel Yogi trips seem to attract open-minded, non-judgemental, diverse and friendly people. This is what inspired me to lead yoga retreat adventures with The Travel Yogi to Panama and Kenya in 2024.
In Panama we had 14 amazing women who joined for yoga and adventure in Panama City and Bocas del Toro. The weather was beautiful, and we all came home feeling like we actually had time to rest and take care of ourselves. We all had a blast making connections with each other and the amazing souls in Panama. This was the perfect adventure in February when the weather was cold in the US.
Kenya was a dream come true. Going to Africa was also something that I hoped to experience. Little did I know the change it would make in my life. The animals, guides, accommodations and people of Kenya were some of the most incredible experiences I have ever witnessed. Kenya is a healing place in so many ways. I will forever hold this in my heart.
Iceland and Patagonia are on the horizon. I hope you can join me for these experiences and more around the world.