About

Melissa began her practice of yoga over 20 years ago, but it wasn’t until she discovered kirtan that she began sharing her beautiful voice with others. Melissa experienced an immediate connection to chanting the names of the divine and it was through kirtan, Bhakti Yoga and the grace of the many teachers along her path that she found access to her authentic voice. Music and mantra have since become the foundation of her offerings. 

Melissa has been teaching asana since 2012, initially receiving her yoga teacher training from 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle, WA. In 2015, with an increased desire to incorporate the spiritual aspects of yoga into her teachings, she completed the Bhakti Yoga teacher training program at Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica, CA. A few years later, she aspired to dedicate her days to sadhana; to find structure, consistency and a renewed dedication to her practice. In 2018, she received an additional 200hr RYT Akhanda Yoga certification through a month-long immersion at Yogrishi Vishvketu’s Ashram in Rishikesh, India. Her teaching style, heavily influenced by her experience as a dancer and Bhakti Yoga, is a unique blend of her trainings and her personal practice. It is playful, down-to-earth, uplifting and devotional. 

Whether teaching a physical class or leading a chant, Melissa’s fluidity, grace, and joy are present in every breath. 

Some of Melissa’s teachers: Yogrishi Vishvketu (Akhanda Yoga, Rishikesh, India), Mataji Devi Vanamali (Rishikesh, India) Govind Das (Bhakti Yoga Shala, Santa Monica, CA), Amber Tande (Sutra Yoga, Seattle, WA), Jeni Martinez (Three Trees Yoga, Federal Way, WA), Anne Phyfe Palmer and Melina Meza (8 Limbs Yoga Centers, Seattle, WA)