Discreet yet determined, Elsa Mossier Napias has carved out a path that goes against the grain. A former lawyer for international organizations, she chose to redirect her life toward a practice more deeply rooted in human connection.
As the founder of Ongizatea studio in Luxembourg City—a name inspired by her Basque heritage—she champions a vision of well-being that is demanding, sincere, and resolutely focused on others. Her project is driven by a simple conviction: taking care of people holds true value.
An Assertive Shift
Trained as a lawyer, Elsa began her career in Costa Rica and later moved to Indonesia. Her journey took her to Hong Kong and then Switzerland, where she made a pivotal change. Pregnant with her first child, she started questioning her career and priorities. “I was young, but I already knew I didn’t want to spend my whole life confined to an office,” she confides. Yoga, a passion she had shared with her mother since adolescence, gradually became more than just a refuge—it became her professional calling.
From Law to Preventive Health
In Switzerland, she trained in Pilates and joined a specialized clinic, where she balanced hands-on practice with administrative coordination. “I immediately loved this dual role. I needed to stay connected to people while structuring an activity.” When she arrived in Luxembourg, she launched Ongizatea, initially working from home. Alongside her home-based studio, she started offering group classes in a dance hall. With word-of-mouth working better than she had anticipated, she eventually opened her own studio—a discreet space overlooking Rue des Bains, in the heart of the city center.
“Movement is a living discipline. You have to understand and respect it.”
A Project Rooted in Reality
Her approach is clear: small groups, personalized attention, quality over quantity. “I didn’t want a factory-like studio. Personalized guidance is at the core of my profession.” Classes are limited to six people on mats and three for Pilates machines, ensuring individualized support. “People come with conditions, with stories. We need to offer them a real experience, a true safe space. That matters.” Steering away from the performance-driven trends dominating social media, she advocates for a simple, authentic, and sustainable approach to health.
A Committed Vision of Well-being
For Elsa, well-being has genuine value. “What we teach is the result of years of training, experience, and listening.” She insists on high standards when selecting instructors, ensuring they are well-trained and aligned with her philosophy. “This profession cannot be improvised. Movement is a living discipline. You have to understand and respect it.”
A Model of Independent Entrepreneurship
Self-funded, Elsa grows at her own pace. She prioritizes organic growth, reinvesting her earnings into the studio to improve its facilities while remaining true to her principles and values. Her strategy relies primarily on quality, customer loyalty, and word-of-mouth. “I’m not looking to become a profit-driven model at all costs. My greatest pride? When people feel good and keep coming back.”
“My balance relies on meticulous organization and time for self-reconnection.”
Human Connection as a Guiding Principle
Her leadership style reflects her studio’s atmosphere: familial—her children often accompany her to the studio—transparent, and participative. “I don’t see myself as a business owner, but as a collaborator among others.” She fosters a supportive and open team spirit. “We can be honest with each other, listen, and support one another. That’s essential in such a physically and emotionally demanding profession.”
Entrepreneurship Without Losing Oneself
A mother of four, she balances her professional and family life with the same precision she applies to her studio. “My balance relies on meticulous organization and time for self-reconnection.” Regular training, travel, and breaks are essential. “You can’t pass on knowledge if you don’t nourish yourself first.”
Toward a More Structured Well-being Sector
While she appreciates the industry’s growth, she regrets the lack of regulation. “There should be official recognition of skills. Today, anyone can open a studio. Yet, we work with the body, sometimes with vulnerable people.” Her aspiration? To open a preventive health center that brings together various physical and mental well-being disciplines. “One day, maybe…” A dream, but one that speaks volumes about her holistic vision.
A Sincere Approach
Elsa is adamant: well-being must be centered on others. “You can’t be in this profession just to boost your ego. You have to love people and genuinely want to help them.” Her greatest satisfaction? “Seeing a client leave with a smile. That’s my true compass, my driving force.”
