Yoga

From her original teacher training in the intuitive style of The Inner Yoga Trust in 2003, Melissa has drawn from a wide range of influences in her yoga.

Her influences are mainly teachers who have worked with Vanda Scaravelli, she has worked with Sandra Sabatini and Diane Long, but her  principal teacher was Sophy Hoare who she worked with on a one-to-one basis for a decade starting in 2006.

Her range of studies is extensive and non dogmatic. In addition to trainings in Yoga Therapy, Meditation and Pranayama her additional studies span from modern understandings of Anatomy , Neuroscience and Embryology through to ancient practices of Tibetan Healing Yoga (Kum Nye), Sanskrit, Vedic chant, Ayurveda and Philosophy.  Somatics, such as Feldenkrais and Hanna Somatics practices, are often interweaved into classes.  Currently she is training is towards the Somatic Therapy diploma in Integrative Bodywork and Movement Therapy (IBMT), this combines the Developmental Movement and Embodied Anatomy practices of Body Mind Centering with relational practices such as Authentic Movement and Somatic psychology.

 

“There is a real joy in the way modern science is increasingly validating ancient wisdom practices. Whilst yoga is my passion I often find that by stepping into other practises it illuminates my understanding of yoga and helps me to see, every time, how complete, holistic and potentially transformative yoga is.

Everybody is capable of movement and yoga practice should be achievable whilst still being challenging for every individual regardless of their health and flexibility

I like to teach small groups and individuals as I find its the only way to transmit  this teaching so that students can really feel it. This also respects the uniqueness of each individual, where they are in their body and where they are in their level of understanding.

General somatic yoga classes and restorative yoga are offered on Zoom. Some classes are mixed or hybrid in-person/zoom. See contact page for current timetable.

Student testimonials

 
“There’s a lot I get in Mel’s class that I haven’t found anywhere else- apart from what I’ve already said around the nature of restorative work itself and the somatics knowledge she integrates into that, the space and depth that she bring to every moment I’ve realised is something my body deeply needs and that I have come to really value, as well as the gentle consistent reminders and invitations around engaging with oneself and where the body is with openness, gentleness, non judgement and non force. Also the thought, care, attention, commitment that I experience her giving to noticing each individual‘s needs and restrictions, and the guidance and suggestions she offers to support those individual needs. 
 
I appreciate too the need for balancing the benefits of more persons in class with those of smaller numbers… I have grown to really trust the deeply considered way Mel holds and facilitate space, pace, attention, time, energy etc. “