In 2012 or 2013, Melainya found yoga.  Or perhaps, yoga found Melainya.  Whatever the case, her love for the practice was instantaneous. After struggling with body image issues since childhood, Melainya's first experience with yoga provided her an opportunity to appreciate her physical container and to honor its strength.  As she practiced, she quickly realized that the power of yoga extended far beyond her body.  Yoga, which means union-the union between the mind, body, and spirit- became Melainya's passion and an every day practice.  A practice that was not and is not limited to her mat.  Rather, Melainya's practice of union is infused within all of her relationships and within her work in this world, specifically her work in the mental health field. 

As a licensed mental health provider, Melainya finds the practices of yoga and meditation (to her, it's all the same) to be at the core of mental health and wellness.  Learning to navigate the mind, care deeply for and honor the body, and connect with spirit (the part of us that is neither mind or body but can observe or witness both) are "skills."  When practiced regularly, these skills result in PRESENCE or an ability to be here now (physically and mentally), allowing and accepting what is.  As you might imagine, the byproduct of presence is an enduring and ever increasing state of happiness or what Melainya refers to as "freedom" within.  For Melainya, teaching and sharing these skills is just what she does- it's her practice.  She believes that teaching helps her learn and Melainya loves learning.  For her, learning is growing.  And growing is what she is wired to do. 

Melainya teaches our Chillax & Relax classes on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.