Hi!
I'm Melissa and I've been teaching yoga since November of 2019 after I completed my YTT-200 in Long Beach, CA at Yogalution Movement where I studied classical yoga under the instruction of some of my favorite teachers, Dharma Shakti and Marlene Martin.
After teaching mostly virtually throughout 2020 in Long Beach, and seeking a bit of a change, my husband, little dog Copper, and I moved to Rochester, NY in December of 2020. The beautiful climate and friendly people allowed us to settle in quickly and by January of 2021 I was teaching yoga classes to students returning to gyms and yoga studios post-pandemic. After welcoming our sweet girl into the world in 2023, I switched from teaching yoga full time to part time. I currently teach Slow Flow Vinyasa yoga at Yoga170, Prenatal Yoga at Beautiful Birth Choices, and of course my special events all throughout Rochester and the surrounding areas.
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My slower approach to a vinyasa-style class allows my students to settle in and to feel each and every pose while maintaining a connection with their breath. I love to create yoga routines that keep people engaged and returning for more. Through careful and thoughtful explanation of each pose, my goal is to have everyone feeling comfortable on their mat whether it is their first yoga class or their thousandth. Come take a class with me!
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Prior to earning my YTT-200 certificate and becoming a yoga teacher, I worked in fashion. I have a A.A. in Fashion Design from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising along with a B.A. in Fashion Design from California State University Long Beach. Throughout my studies, I gained a passion for natural dye and eco-friendly fashion alternatives which led me to develop a clothing line of naturally dyed products where I sold clothing and accessories that I would hand-dye with natural resources such as onion skins, black beans, turmeric, avocados, and more. I am lucky to have such amazing people in my life that support my decisions and passions as they may shift, alter, and change.