About

Searching for a way to incorporate mindfulness into her daily life, Melissa's Yoga journey started 10+ years ago as she was finishing a Master's in Psychology at the University of North Florida. Shortly after it's completion, Melissa secured an instructional position at the University, and as she progressed academically, her Yoga practice also progressed and deepened, and she eventually found home in Tantric Vinyasa. Inspired by the changes in her own life, Melissa completed both 200- and 500hr certifications under Shri Hamilton-Hubbard and began teaching Vinyasa in 2011 at Bliss Yoga Shala. Drawing from an extensive academic background, she found unique voice integrating eastern energetic philosophy with western cognitive, social, and developmental theory. Melissa opened Surya Yoga in August 2014 in the Jacksonville area, offering Vinyasa-style yoga classes and small group/one-on-one work. Melissa is also the co-creator of Guerilla Yoga, a local group sharing free out-of-the-studio yoga as a means for conscious activism and grassroots community-building and as a lululemon ambassador, she works with a number of local non-profits and “non-traditional” practitioners as they explore their own breath and presence, and loves watching what happens when the practice truly comes off the mat. A playful, passionate, inspirational, and energetic teacher and practitioner, Melisa truly believes in the path of practice as a means for long-term wellness of body, mind, and spirit and has infinite gratitude for the richness it all.

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