HI. I'M SO PLEASED YOU'RE HERE.
Looking for a little about who I am and how I teach?
Of course, there’s more to me than yoga — I’m a mum, a wife, a daughter, a friend. But this space is about the practice that has shaped my life for more than two decades.
If you like numbers, here’s how I stack up:
25 years of yoga
9 years of teaching
Over 3,000 hours of teaching experience
Yoga Alliance E‑RYT 500 – Advanced Yoga Teacher
My first experience of yoga was over 25 years ago, when I was a dance student. I arrived through movement, drawn to the physical challenge and the familiar rhythm of flow. But with the guidance of my teachers, my practice evolved, softened and grew — and it has changed me.
Today, I’m interested in finding balance: mind and body, movement and stillness, softness and strength. I’m interested in yoga that supports real life, real seasons, real people. Yoga for life.
I teach nurturing, heart‑centred vinyasa yoga. You can expect a gentle warm‑up to ground you, flowing sequences to build heat and connection, and restorative shapes to help you unwind. I also teach restorative sessions that offer stillness, rest and nervous‑system support. Every class ends with deep relaxation or a few quiet moments of meditation, leaving you feeling calm, steady and replenished.
I am a 500‑hour yoga teacher registered with Yoga Alliance, initially training with OrangeYoga and redkiteyoga. My learning is ongoing — I continue to study with nationally and internationally renowned teachers, and remain committed to deepening my understanding of this life‑changing practice. I am a Level 1 Poppy Perinatal Yoga Graduate, supporting people through pregnancy and postnatally. I have completed yoga and somatic training for healing and recovery, and I am also a Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England.
Alongside teaching, I remain a dedicated student. Yoga is part of my everyday, and I regularly attend workshops and professional training to continue evolving my own practice, so I can show up fully for the people I teach.
TESTIMONIALS
Some thoughts from a few of my students
Claire
To say yoga changed my life is a bold statement, but for me it is true.
Finding Melissa again after a few years break was a wonderful stoke of luck.
I had allowed my life to become too busy and let it slip with work and children, grandchildren, elderly mum, not enough hours in a day.
Change had to come and so it did.I now prioritise time in my day off for ME and boy has it made a difference. I feel stronger, more flexible more grounded than ever before. So yes yoga has changed my life for the better and I am so glad I found you again.
Thank you Melissa for the practice, thank you for the time, thank you for the words that send us on our way until the next time. Thank you.
Steve
Yoga for me has been and continues to be a journey.
It began supporting a friend who had recently qualified as a yoga teacher. I'd previously done pilates so was interested to explore yoga.
Online classes through the pandemic was an experience but opened up an opportunity to practice with other teachers and different forms of yoga. Coming back to in person classes my friend recommended I got in touch with Melissa.
As a nervous class newbie, particularly as a man in a group of mostly women Melissa was and is a calm and reassuring presence that ensured I felt both comfortable and supported throughout my practice.
The next step in my journey was unexpected.
I'd come to yoga to focus on the physical aspects of strength, mobility and flexibility. I'd not really given too much thought to the importance of breathwork and engaging my mind.
Through Melissa's teachings my yoga practice is now so much more than a one hour class. My practice extends off the mat into everyday life, some of my attitudes and behaviours have changed for the better.
I believe that I am now a calmer, kinder and more considerate human.
I attend a range of Melissa's classes each offering something slightly different but all delivered with care and consideration for the individual and a sense of humour and fun.
This testimonial would not be complete with a reference to our 'community' . Melissa creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable in class and with each other. She fosters a very strong sense of belonging to something beyond just a weekly class. It's about how you feel, how you act and what you share with other members of the yoga community.
Yoga is no quick fix but I thoroughly recommend the journey.
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Janet
I started yoga with Melissa about 5 years ago. My 60s had brought with it stiff and creaky joints and I thought a bit of yoga might make me more flexible and able to look over my shoulder when reversing.
I'm pleased to say I can now turn my head and neck with ease and I'm definitely more flexible. However, yoga for me now is all about the breath, the way this connects with movement, how it helps focus me physically and mentally, challenging me to breath steadily through a tricky pose and to laugh if I fall out of it. It spills out into my everyday life and has changed the way I think and how I try to live my day.
Melissa's classes are responsible for this change. They're a perfect blend of effort and ease, serious focus and gentle acceptance of my body's many limitations. Her readings at the end of class are always thoughtful and uplifting. Her warm and welcoming personality shines through every class making everyone feel accepted, whatever their abilities.
I've experienced many different yoga teachers but I can truly say that for me, Melissa is the best teacher ever - I wish I'd discovered her and yoga sooner but hope now that I'll still be practicing in some way when I'm 90, even if it's just to remember to breathe!
In memory of our friend Michelle
1967 - 2025
Michelle kindly shared these words with me in 2022.
I have been practising yoga on and off over the years, in different places, with different yoga teachers, realising the benefits both physically and mentally.
I have been going to Melissa's classes for about 2 years now and she is one of the best yoga teachers I have ever had. She enables individuals of all capabilities to participate in the class, by suggesting alternative moves and providing different levels of class, including online classes. This has been really good for me as I have certain disabilities which prevent me doing some of the postures.
I am certainly more flexible and stronger since attending Melissa's classes. My stamina has also improved. The breathing control as part of the postures and moves has improved my breathing in my everyday life, helping me both physically and mentally.
Also, the lovely ambience in the room created by Melissa's friendly, empathic approach, lovely readings, soft music and candles, really helps me to relax and enjoy the class.