Mellara
Mellara has been teaching meditation and mindful yoga for over two decades, influenced by the study of Hatha Yoga, Mindfulness, and Buddhism.
She is the author of two books A Life Worth Living: A Journey of Self-Discovery Through Mindfulness, Yoga, and Living in Awareness. And, Living In Awareness; Deepening Our Daily Lives Through Prayer, Ritual, and Meditation.
Mellara’s inspirational style of teaching interweaves the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, sharing primarily from the radiance of her own insights and the practice of self-inquiry.
She was born in Queensland, Australia, and at the age of seventeen moved to Los Angeles to attend the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. After roles in Don’t Look Back, with Peter Fonda (1996) and Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998), a depleting injury led her to embark on a healing journey, focusing on yoga. At the Center for Yoga and other LA studios, she immersed herself in Hatha, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Ashtanga, and other traditions, and completed teacher training with Erich Schiffmann and Saul David Raye.
After eighteen years teaching yoga in the U.S., Mellara returned to Australia to study for two years at the Uniting Awareness Centre, under the guidance of Channa Dassanayaka. She then moved back to California, online and in-person workshops, retreats, private sessions, and trainings.
Mellara now lives and is teaching on the South Shore of Massachusetts with her husband, Mike, and children Leela and Charlie, and is a regular contributor to OM Yoga & Lifestyle Magazine, Elephant Journal, and other lifestyle and spiritual magazines.
Testimonials
Dr. Zachary, DC, AFMCP
If you haven’t encountered this beacon of positivity and acceptance then it might be time...she was hidden in downtown Walnut Creek, California in an incredible backyard yoga studio aka spiritual oasis. But now as an update she has recently moved to the South Shore of Massachusetts where I can only imagine she will continue to support folks in their healing wherever she goes.
Her yoga classes are unlike any other - a safe space to settle in, move your body and heal your spirit.
When she living in California she would wander out of her yoga studio and guide us mere mortals in a retreat that left us rejuvenated and ready to return to the world. And for a lucky few, she offers private yoga sessions and spiritual counseling. She’s an old soul with a loving heart.
She is a key part of my recent joy, success, new home and general upleveling in life, biz and family. Her private one-on-one sessions was exactly what I needed.
Wherever you are on your journey, you want to make Mellara a part of your path. www.bodylovecafe.com
Heidi Ojha
Mellara is one of the most intuitive and kind people I know. She has been serving our community for years and her support and guidance has been especially important during COVID in supporting the community through their mental and spiritual health.
She has an eclectic non-religious but spiritual approach that speaks to all. And beyond this-she wrote a book which will be out in print soon!
Some preach before practicing or while practicing, but she practices more than preaches (she more so guides), juggling kids, business, and serving her community, all while focused on compassion for herself-a true example to us all!
Mellara teaches helpful ways to self-regulate the body, mostly by learning to witness and be the 'observer'. When remembering to do this I feel free and there is generally more ease inside my body.
Some classes are themed around radical acceptance (deep self love), and through yoga, or her one on one privates, I connect to my truest nature. Sometimes when I can't get to class, her articles and youtube meditations are my go-to that bring about a sense of calmness being restored.
I not only survive on what she offers, I thrive!
Founder of Aware Health https://www.awareorthopedichealth.com
Frank Dias
So I checked my blood sugar this morning and it was at 89. Yesterday it was 199. I don't think it was a coincidence that it dropped after our session. Between the exercises and Mellara's support with making me aware of taking care of myself, it has really impacted me physically and mentally. I can't thank her enough for opening my eyes and showing me a life changing path that I will continue to follow.
Tara Vail
Mellara’s yoga classes are more like a restorative journey for the soul. When I walk away from one of her classes I feel renewed holistically - body, mind, and soul. It is a unique gift that she possesses to harness the vibe of the class on a given day and really be able to tune in and address the need with sound, movement, and through meditation.
Mellara is a skilled yoga teacher, so even if you are a newbie, there is no fear of not knowing what to do. She will talk you through it. The entire community that she has cultivated is also so supportive.
I am so grateful I found Mellara and the community that she has built with the studio.
Eveline Venable, CNM Obstetrics and Gynecology
Mellara is a writer, mother, yoga teacher and Spiritual Counselor. She started her journey of self-healing after a debilitating back injury and has now helped a community of like-minded individuals find a center point from which to live.
I first met Mellara at Forma Gym in WC. She was employed as a yoga teacher, but during the course of her yoga class, I knew she was much more than an instructor of yoga poses. Her words, as she guided the flow of my body in poses, opened up my heart and I found myself completely overcome with emotion.
The tears flowed silently down my cheeks through her class as I kept my body in motion, my heart expanding. Mellara is a spirit guide, and in fact an exceptional one. Exceptional in that I could sense she was not just teaching a yoga class. She was guiding my heart, mind, and body to open up to the love and acceptance of myself that I was seeking. It’s what everyone is seeking, and Mellara knows how to guide one to experience the reality of it. She is full of compassion, knowledge, acceptance for meeting people where they are in a very “real” way. After that class, she approached me and invited me to join her in her private studio. She said it might feed my soul the way that I need, based on what she saw in her class. Her words had touched me and opened up my soul.
Mellara has created a space in the backyard of her home that has become a sanctuary and retreat place for a community of like-minded people.
Before COVID, she had regular meeting times for yoga, spiritual awakening and sometimes to share a meal together in silence. Since COVID, she has continued to support the community with regular zoom meetings.
I have a deep respect for Mellara because she is sincere and was brought to this work through her own personal struggles and sees the humanity in every person she meets.
She does not ask that you eat a certain way, or live your life differently. She is not drawing one away from any other religious or spiritual practice. She encourages the community to take what they need from her, and what doesn’t suit them, leave behind.
If you are Catholic, Christian, Jewish, whatever, she says, “Be more of that”. I love that about her. She doesn’t ask you to come to the yoga mat any different than how you are right now. That is rare and exceptional. Unconditional acceptance.
Emma Young
Mellara is a yoga and meditation instructor with a beautiful home studio. She has been teaching yoga for over 20 years and recently delivering uplifting messages during the pandemic via Zoom. She works with yoga pupils of varying abilities. She recommends modified moves for novices like myself. She is welcoming and positive in her approach to yoga. While Covid shut down many gyms and studios, Mellara's virtual classes were a beacon of hope. For those of us in need of physical fitness and emotional wellness, Mellara's yoga was a godsend.
Optimism is powerful when life is challenging. Mellara's methods continue to help community members find peace of mind and wellness.
Mellara's yoga classes emphasize radical self acceptance. She wants everyone to work at their preferred pace. Proficiency at striking each pose perfectly is not the yoga she is teaching. Although her eye for alignment coupled with her intuition is a beautiful balance that I am treasuring
I told Mellara that I wasn’t terrific with moves requiring balance and flexibility. She asked me to attend class and do what felt best for my body. She also said, "If everyone had great balance and flexibility, I wouldn't have a job." Mellara's "come as you are and show up for yourself" philosophy is golden. Who wouldn't want that kind of learning environment?!
She begins classes with a meditation that focuses students on breathing and letting go of the energy that holds them back. Her goal is for class members to move their bodies and unlock the emotional trauma held inside. She encourages participants to find the calm within and to let go of those damaging and negative thoughts. Her words and movements promote wellness and healing.
Mellara wish is for her students to leave class feeling empowered. Her words resonate; "Sit in the center of your soul."
"Be happy with who you are."
"Embrace the imperfections and see the things that you'd like to make better. Grow and learn. That is what we are here to do!"
Dabney Lawless
Divine intervention brought me to Mellara’s classes by route of our children's art class. From the first time I took her class I knew that it was not the same old yoga I had been doing for years. Mellara offers calm, peace and presence in her class that far outweighs the benefits of traditionally more western “athletic” yoga classes.
Mellara channels wisdom and connects with her students. She helps them awaken to their own INNER wisdom. Mellara provides the space for her students to hear the stirrings of their heart.
After having experienced Mellara’s classes now for two years (private sessions, retreats and community classes) I can honestly say that I truly feel more at peace. The practice of Mellara’s yoga continues to open my heart towards myself and others.
Silla Taylor
Mellara is a gifted yoga teacher. She creates a environment of respect, beauty, and love through her teaching. Even more, Mellara is a gifted and profound spiritual teacher.
She teaches her students how to listen deeply to their own bodies through the poses, cultivating a deep respect for the self that then ripples outward as respect and love for others.
At times, I feel I am in the presence of Love, capital L, itself. Mellara glows with that Love and she teaches those of us lucky enough to have found our way to her studio how to tap into that same Source ourselves.
Shannon Dickerson
Mellara is a highly skilled teacher and has adapted to our new ways of connecting during this pandemic. Through her multiple platforms, zoom classes, social media posts, you tube meditations, and monthly memberships, she truly meets us where we are at.
Her heart centered practice is all about arriving home to yourself. It is a deep healing practice that is open to all beings. Her private one-on-on sessions are a deep and meaningful experience that has helped me anchor inside my heart.
Cliff Bernstein
I love Mellara's yoga and meditation classes. With her kind spirit, she gently encourages us to let go of our every-day strivings and be in the moment.
By doing this, I find a place inside of me where I experience greater freedom and a deeper sense of who I am..... spiritual yoga.
Heather Fern Vuchinich
Mellara is one of the best yoga teachers out there. She has a special way of teaching that is filled with heart and soul. You can tell she has years of experience and has honed her craft to an advanced level.
Paul Bogle
I highly recommend Mellara! An amazing presence in-person, her warm glow even emanates via satellite and through your screen.
Mellara gives clear, cohesive and complete instructions in her yoga classes, suggesting adaptations and prioritizing awareness and self-care over perfect posture and classic form. Following every class, I feel soul-satisfaction after making the time to drop into embodied movement. Mellara makes the practice so mindful that the essential and eternal come to life during yoga.
Besides teaching yoga, Mellara has a special gift for guiding meditations, offering wise and soothing guidance she makes amazingly accessible on her short videos.
If that isn't enough, Mellara has a talent for writing inspired and timely passages straight from her heart that speak to the Universal and Transcendent aspects of our humanness helping us be the best we can be and supporting us being just who we are. She is a gift!
Katherine Welcomer
I just want you to know how fortunate I feel to have found Mellara! I have been practicing yoga for a short time and somehow stumbled onto her classes! My lucky blessed day! It was the answer to my prayers!
Mellara is such an amazing yoga teacher, but beyond that, her sincerity, grace, and true openness to accept students for who they are is felt by everyone! She is a gift!
She has helped me with my lower back issues and still some days feeling down but with her classes I stay on a positive healing track.
I can’t thank Mellara enough for her positive energy, care and nurture she provides me, and so far in just three lessons! Mellara is truly a gifted teacher!
Her warmth and healing is felt in her voice, the tenor and pace of her class flows with her spiritual guiding presence.
Words from a student on our most recent retreat together
Mellara I can’t believe what a “reset” your retreat was for me!! I continue to feel the benefits each day and truly am grateful for having you in my life!
You are such a gentle and open soul. Medicine for the heart and soul to be in your healing circle of love and friendship. The Spirit is certainly working through you for the benefit of touching the inner lives of others and guiding them toward healing themselves!!
I feel the inner wisdom of my own Soul showing me how to love and care for myself. After your retreat I had so much joy, energy, and happiness that stayed with me through my work week!
Thank you so much!! Love and blessings to you. May you be nourished and loved as you continue your healing work.
Love,
Elizabeth Peters
*** Photo by Emilie Bers***