Healed Her Daughter’s Learning Disability
Elena’s daughter Alice was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder or APD at the age of 3,5. The diagnosis was confirmed at the age of 7. She first enrolled in a pre-school for children with multiple disabilities. Elena used art, yoga, meditation, music, dance, and swimming to help form new neuro-connections in Alice’s brain. She took her to the special meditation and yoga retreat in India to complete the healing process in after 6th grade. Not only was the healing successful but Alice graduated from school with 4.0 GPA, became a singer and a songwriter, released her EP and wrote a book “How to Be the Popular Kid” where she discusses her original perspective on success and appreciation of who we are.
Fell in Love with India and Travelled There More Than a Dozen Times
Elena is particularly fond of the time she spent at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the oldest Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Varanasi, known as the city of light.
She has also visited many major Indian cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Varanasi, Haridwar, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Agra, Mysore, and many others.
Observed Education of Indian Youth in a Southern Indian Monastery
Elena saw new revolutionary approaches to education completely changing the outcomes of learning, expanding the boundaries and pushing the horizons. She lived there for three months to get a close look at the methods and techniques they use to work with children.
Founded Biryukov Academy
In 2002 Elena was planning to become a wellness coach having already earned her Master’s degree from Russia and another Master’s degree in Herbalism after she had moved to the US. Upon getting certified as a holistic nutritionist, Elena was seriously focused on opening her own business when her daughter Alice was diagnosed with a severe case of Auditory Processing Disorder or APD.
This incident has completely shifted all priorities bringing Alice’s rehabilitation into focus. Elena made a list of classes her daughter needed to take and decided to teach them herself with particular emphasis on art. It wasn’t long before Elena gathered a small group of youth taking an art class together with Alice.
Since more people expressed a strong interest in enrolling their children in the class, it seemed only natural to expand it to an art school. Elena’s friends and family provided a lot of moral and financial support to the project.
After an extended analysis of Alice’s disability, Elena had decided to add music classes to the curriculum. In 2006 the school moved to a much bigger location that allowed to teach a whole number of new music classes plus a mediation-based leadership class.
Soon after that Elena formed a group “Performing for a cause” whose members organized fundraisers for other charities. Using her leadership development methods, Elena created multiple opportunities for students to perform and overcome stage fright.
During her tenure at Biryukov Art Academy Elena produced about 40 shows and received various appreciation awards. For two years in a row, Elena was the Chairman of March of Dimes project. She produced international fundraisers for different international outreach organizations like HOW Global that aims to improve social and economic outcomes in poor rural villages and forges partnerships with local leadership to organize water and food security in underserved communities.
Spend 21 Days at the Kumbh Mela Pilgrimage Site
Kumbh Mela is the biggest mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred or holy river. Traditionally, four fairs are widely recognized as the Kumbh Melas: Prayag, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. At any given place, the Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years.
Authored and Published 6 Books
Elena published her first four books under her real name but for her “Art Completes Your” book, she decided to take her pen name which in Hindu means “Authentic Eternal Bliss” or “Path of True Joy.”
Participated in the Himalayan Yatra
The Himalayan Yatra is a walking meditation retreat held among the mountains of the Pindari Valley in The Indian Himalaya.
Participated in Creating the Largest Om Symbol for Guinness World Records
The Himalayan Yatra is a walking meditation retreat held among the mountains of the Pindari Valley in The Indian Himalaya.
Studied the Scholarly Works of Nicholas and Helena Roerich
Nicholas Roerich was a Russian painter, writer, archaeologist, theosophist, philosopher, and public figure. His paintings, of which there are thousands around the world, explore the mythic origins, the natural beauty, and the spiritual strivings of humanity and the world.
Elena has been studying the couple’s works on philosophy since she was 20. She was a frequent visitor to the Roerich Museum in Moscow, visited Roerich Museum in India and now lives within walking distance to Roerich Museum on the Upper West Side in NYC.
Conducted her first leadership through art program for middle school students in Sparta, NJ.
Conducted her first leadership through art program for High School students in NYC.
Traveled to 17 Countries
Elena’s itineraries took her through Russia, Ukraine, United States, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Check Republic, Italy, Mexico, India, Greece, Poland, Bermuda, Bahamas, Georgia.
Was born into the family of scientists and artists
Elena’s mother, uncles, and aunts were scientists who performed at the community theaters, painted, and wrote poetry.
Two artists, her Godfather and stepfather, and her uncle were Russian Master artists.
Got her first Master’s Degree from Teachers Training University in Moscow. Elena’s mother advised her to apply to Teachers Training University to study modern languages.
Got another Degree in Alternative Medicine
Elena’s fascination with natural remedies, yoga and healing potential they provide inspired her to receive a Master Herbalist Degree and certification in homeobothanical therapies and holistic nutrition.
Loves oceans and seas
Elena signed up to teach English for three months to live in the Black Sea. Her dream is to be an art instructor on a cruise line one day.
Ran a successful business in Moscow in the 90-s.
Elena had to learn accounting when she and her husband operated a highly successful commercial and residential swimming pools business in Moscow in the 90-s.
Got Her First Driver’s License When She Came to the US
She had to learn driving when she moved to the US and at the age of 32.
Favorite movie
La Vita e Bella (Life Is Beautiful), a 1997 Italian dramedy directed by Roberto Benigni.
Favorite music
Sanskrit chants and mantras for the clarity and peace of mind.
Ancestors
It is believed that Elena’s maternal grandmother was a descendant of Prince Dimitri Obolensky. She also has strong Jewish and Cossack roots.
