Elaine Koeber of Citta Collective
Elaine Koeber of Citta Collective
Sans Woman
02 - 09 - 25
Modern life is noisy. Between the constant rush of the everyday and the endless stream of wellness trends telling us how to live, it’s easy to feel out of step. Like we’re chasing balance but never quite catching it.
This feeling Elaine Koeber, founder of Citta Collective, understands deeply. After years of working one-on-one with personal training clients, she noticed how hard it was for many to step outside their routines and find new ways of caring for themselves.
Out of this came Citta Collective: retreats created to gently offer people the tools and space to find their own rhythm of wellbeing. We spoke with Eliane about the ethos behind Citta, and the small rituals she relies on each day.
What led you to founding Citta Collective?
Citta is a puzzle made from many parts of my life. My childhood, lessons learnt from my own fluctuations in life, my work in physiotherapy, teaching pilates and strength classes in Sydney.
I saw how difficult it was for people to shift out of habits that no longer served them to make space for new ones. I wondered: what if I created a space for people to step outside their environment; to feel, explore, and reset? Could a retreat help someone move closer to who they want to be?
How would you describe your approach to wellness?
Wellness, to me, is the choices we make and the habits we create to stay well for as long as possible.
With all the wellness trends out there, it can feel like another box to tick. I believe in stripping things back; finding what feels good, slowing down, and making aligned daily choices. It’s about creating something sustainable, not just for holidays.
That’s also the approach I take in retreats: guiding guests through experience, exploration and education, so they leave with practices that truly support their own wellbeing.
What rituals do you practise in taking care of yourself?
I have many. I start my day by cleansing my tongue and taking a cold shower to wake up my body and mind. Vedic meditation, 20 minutes each morning, has become a real gift, for me and everyone around me (meditation makes people better humans, haha).
Otherwise I love the simple things: swimming in the ocean, being in nature, eating wholesome food, and sleeping well. Daily cuddles and walks with my dog are a ritual of love too; he makes me laugh, and that might be the best medicine.
At night, I wind down with a hot shower, candles, and sleepy tea. Like a warm hug.
If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, how do you shift your mindset?
That usually comes up around social media and content creation. When it does, I take breaks from the screen and head into nature.
Movement shifts my energy most. Whether it’s a calm walk, a hot yoga class, or a strong weights session. I try to listen to what my body and mind need.
Sometimes, I just have to accept a lull in creativity and let that be okay (still working on it). Recently, I started painting large canvases while listening to records... it feels incredibly freeing.
Who are the women that have inspired or guided you?
One of the earliest and biggest inspirations was my grandma. She had the biggest heart and was like a mother to me. She taught me how to be kind and generous, empathetic and caring, forgiving and amicable.
We lived together in a lush garden filled with an abundance of flowers, fruits, herbs and bees.
Because of her, I still stop to admire every flower, even if it makes me miss my bus.
Sans × Citta Collective present Slow Rise Retreat, Merimbula
A carefully curated escape on Australia’s Sapphire Coast, hosted at the resort-style Hillcrest Motel. Think morning rituals, movement in nature, and space to sauna, plunge and calm. A few places remain.