MOVEMENT :: MUSIC :: MEDITATION
Melissa Christopher Green, E-RYT-500, YACEP
Music teacher, theatre artist, singer/songwriter, day dreamer, acro enthusiast and coffee lover, my hope has always been to build and strengthen communities through the arts. Soon after discovering my passion for yoga, I pursued the 200 RYT training through LifePower Yoga, and then went on to complete RYT 500 in 2015 at the Center For Yoga in Birmingham, MI. In addition to teaching classes in the traditional styles of Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Yin, I've taught paddle board yoga, kids yoga, and have led numerous teacher training workshops and retreats.
It's magical to see how the power of music and movement can transform and heal the mind, body and spirit. I believe in each person's potential--child or adult. I've witnessed amazing transformations firsthand. Honoring each person's capacity to find his or her own power within, I think, is why my classes are often seen as "challenging." My inspiration comes from my students; I see them singing, crying, laughing and sometimes even dancing along their paths to self discovery and awareness.
“I gave yoga a try in 2018 after my knee surgeon suggested it was the best activity for my recovery. I tried Melissa's class and fell in love with the practice, the people, the music, the workout and how amazing I feel.”
-Jamie B.
“I can understand why so many people find it difficult to get into the practice of yoga.
You need to find a welcoming instructor that encourages a “come as you are” approach. Melissa encourages the imperfections, the messiness, and can make you laugh while you are about to collapse in a pile of your own sweat. Melissa encouraged me to even get BACK into the practice during COVID. I thought back to her kind words during in person instruction and the “come as you are” approach. It’s those kind words that got me practicing again. I was not sure if online I would still feel as much “connection” online, but Melissa was able to still achieve that. With her music, her quotes and meditations for the day, and her warm personality.
Since starting online yoga with Melissa over the past 5 months my sleep has improved, my stress and anxiety has lowered, my strength has improved, my focus has improved, I have lost weight and I have had a lot of people tell me I look happier. I think the world would be a better place if I could sprinkle Melissa everywhere, basically.
When people ask me to describe Melissa’s classes I always tell them its MUCH more than yoga. Melissa is my yoga teacher, my therapist, my doctor and my friend. “
- Katherine C.
Melissa is a truly gifted and insightful yoga instructor. She made my introduction to yoga easy and encouraging. She meets each of her students at their level of development and gently pushes them to evolve. I look forward to learning more.
Steve J.
The breath is the most important aspect of yoga. No one expresses this better than Melissa. Through the breath, Melissa will encourage you to unveil your potential and embrace your uniqueness. The strength (mind, body, and spirit) realized on the mat will travel with you off the mat and ripples out in the world. Melissa and her students will welcome and praise you for “showing up to your mat”. Let your breath do the rest.
Mike C.
Melissa's yoga is a true gift to the world. Her yoga practice is infused with her inner wisdom. She will make you sweat, one breath at a time; whilst you gain inner insight. She challenges you to break free from confortable patterns into the unknown. Her yoga teachings bring my heart laughter, healing, and sweet songs of joy.
- Beatriz C.
Melissa is an amazing yoga teacher! She has a calming positive effect on you even in her power yoga classes! Her music selection is on point. And the questions she asks you during practice really get you thinking about yourself and your reactions to life, even when I'm off the mat. I look forward to Melissa's classes every week.
- Cindy A.
Melissa is a bright light in a world full of darkness. She is a phenomenal yoga teacher, a gift to those fortunate to practice and share space with. Her ability to encourage you to push beyond the threshold of your comfort zone is like no other. She exudes genuine compassion, joy and strength through her words and creative nature. Her teaching brings me joy and freedom which continuously enhance my growth as a forever student and teacher.
- Gabriela M.
“March 2017 – 270 pounds, no energy, depressed, cholesterol/blood sugar terrible, pre diabetic, and doctor threatening to put me on a medical food and exercise plan.
My friend of three decades Melissa Christopher Green threatens to kick my butt if I don’t come to her Yoga class.
So I finally go to Melissa’s class very nervous about feeling out of place. It changed my life.
Not only did she foster such an environment of caring, healing, and inclusion herself, but it permeated into everyone else in the class. After just a couple of classes, I felt part of a community and was motivated to keep going to the classes to spend this empowering one hour with Melissa and my other newfound friends a few times a week. A number of the people I met in Melissa’s Yoga practice have become close friends even in cases where some have moved out of the area.
Within a couple of weeks, I felt mentally like a new person. Within a couple of months, I felt physically like a new person. I started doing some cardio and weights on my own in addition to Yoga. And added other forms of exercise.
Over the next year, with Melissa’s Yoga classes as the foundation, I continued to make progress and in Aug 2018, I celebrated my 50th birthday in the best physical and mental shape of my life since I was in my early thirties.
Since then, I have had wonderful things happen in my life including getting married to my beautiful wife.
I have also faced many challenges including death and illness in the family and the pandemic.
But throughout all of these ups and downs, the things I have learned in Melissa’s Yoga practice have helped keep me grounded and well equipped to face everyday head on and make the best of everything life throws at me.
I will never be able to thank Melissa enough for this – Namaste 🙏”
- Navid A
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Additional classes are being added and the regular schedule to include , **Family Music and Yoga**, **Mantra Sound Meditation**, short **AM Guided Meditations** and **Green in the Kitchen.** Future memberships will include access to previously recorded classes and music playlists. In the Spring, when classes move outdoors, spaces will be available for a few participants to gather in person again.