Yoga for Balance Podcast Episode 15: Vinyasa, Yoga Teacher Training in India and Yin Yoga versus Restorative with Melissa St. James
In this episode, Heather speaks with Vinyasa yoga studio owner Melissa St. James of Bird Rock Yoga in San Diego, CA. She describes her path from a curious runner to a yoga studio owner and 500+ hour teacher that specializes in Vinyasa, Hatha, Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga and Reiki energy healing.
In This Yoga for Balance Podcast Episode with Melissa You Will Learn About:
Melissa's path from sports like running, volleyball, gymnastics and cheerleading into yoga.
How a 200-hour Vinyasa yoga teacher training blossomed into additional yoga trainings, including a Hatha/Ashtanga training in India, Yin Yoga training with Bernie Clark, Reiki certifications and more.
A day in the life of an advanced yoga teacher training immersion in India.
What it's like to teach University level vs. in the yoga studio.
The difference between Restorative and Yin yoga.
Melissa's tips to find balance from her perspective as a busy university professor and yoga studio owner.
Learn More About Melissa St. James
After a lifetime of cheer-leading, gymnastics, volleyball and running, Melissa came to yoga…and found a home. Taking her first classes showed her a range of strength, flexibility and introspection she had not experienced in any other physical endeavor. Melissa completed her 200 hr Vinyasa yoga teacher training in 2013 under the guidance of Alyssa Runyan, with Daniela Kent as her one-on-one mentor. In 2015 she spent a month in Rishikesh, India completing her 500 hour training in Hatha and Ashtanga yoga and in February 2016 completed Yin Yoga Training with Bernie Clark and Diane Batts.
Melissa enjoys teaching Vinyasa flow classes, with a focus on breath, alignment, creativity and fun, as well as teaching Yin classes focusing on complementing the Vinyasa practice. Her classes include a strong focus on both challenging and supporting students of all levels and encouraging their own experience…yoga is, after all, an individual journey. Her ultimate goal is to be of service, sharing what others have passed on to me. Yoga has allowed her to connect with volunteer opportunities that have taught her so much; free yoga on the beach, New Dawn High School volunteer yoga classes, and so much more…Melissa believes that wisdom comes from all around us and yoga is a loving, grounding influence from which we can all learn, teach, share and grow.
Helpful Links
Melissa's Yoga Training in India: Shiva Yoga Peeth