Yoga: A Love Story
Since my first ballet class at the age of 3, I have practiced movement as an embodied expression of Spirit. My yoga journey started in my late teens. After a knee injury I turned to yoga as my primary form of exercise. When chronic fatigue and mental health struggles overtook my 20’s, I found a teacher and community and began an in-depth study of the spiritual and physical aspects of yoga.
For me, the foundational principles of yoga and the wisdom of Benedictine spirituality offer a beautiful complement that anchors me as I seek to cultivate a grounded, loving presence in the world. I do this through daily engagement with these two wisdom traditions, through ongoing study, consistent meditation and asana, the wellness practices of Ayurveda, and writing.
Background and Training
I received my 200 hour Teacher Training at the Triangle Anusara Institute with Lila Rasa, and Sommer and Paul Sobin. I fulfilled my 500 hour requirements through the Anusara Certification training program. I continue to study and draw particular inspiration from Elena Brower, Amy Ippoliti, Christina Sell, and Bill Mahony. I studied Ayurveda with Cate Stillman.
Honoring Yoga’s Roots
I am white. Most of my teachers are white. I have read sacred yogic texts translated by white scholars and Indian swamis. I recognize that there are large gaps in my knowledge and training and look to broaden my scope of study. Yoga is a life-long love story for me and I’m excited to see how it unfolds. As author Kaitlin Curtice writes in her beautiful book Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Everyday, “I am a human being. I am always arriving.”
During the past few years I’ve taken to calling my classes “contemplative yoga.” This is, in part, because I have been teaching primarily with Abbey of the Arts. It is also an apt description of the way I offer alignment based hatha yoga classes in a fluid style, infused with a spiritual theme made practical for everyday living. I seek to honor, rather than appropriate, the traditional spirituality of yoga by engaging it in conversation with monastic and Celtic wisdom.
I seek to help you (and me!) truly learn to embody spiritual beliefs and values in every part of your being and have a tangible experience of the Spirit that feeds and nourishes you in every moment.
Classes
While I am not teaching on a regular basis at this time, I do lead occasional workshops with Abbey of the Arts and contribute to Abbey programs.
Contemplative Yoga Collection
A collection of 20 yoga classes I taught at the Abbey over a two year period is available as an online, move at your own pace self-study program. This collection is called Contemplative Yoga: Monastic Wisdom for Body, Mind, and Spirit.
Yoga for Uncertain Times
Here are a few practices I’ve recorded over the years for various programs. May they be of use to you during this uncertain time.
What people are saying
Melinda’s gift of words, alignment & teaching have transformed not only my yoga practice but my perspective in life. Be ready to be blessed when you step onto your mat, open her blog or call in to a call.
Michelette Icenhower
Melinda has an exceptional ability to understand where the student is at and gently encourages him/her to reach beyond what the student thinks is possible. She does this with kind and clear words, physical support and intuition.
Karen Mona
It’s the way you teach. Your introduction of specific concepts for the day or week focuses my attention, and pulls it away from all the noise elsewhere (including in my own head). The entire practice flows better than any I’ve experienced. Most importantly, your teaching has changed the way I approach nearly everything. It has literally changed my life. Thank you.
Jeff Chlebowski
Melinda Emily Thomas 