Melissa

Melissa is a fun-loving, energetic, creative and nurturing soul who is passionate about fostering children’s individual strengths in confidence, creativity and self-sufficiency. Guiding children to explore other ways of learning that make use of their internal resources is at the top of her list. She believes that a little encouragement, gentle guidance and a positive attitude maximizes a child’s potential to learn.

Melissa’s passion for adventure, world travel, dance, the arts and yoga ooze into her fun imaginative classes! Her appreciation for cultural variants, humanitarianism, storytelling and creative expression come through in her nurturing and supportive teaching style.

Melissa completed her Yoga Certification at Nature Sanctuary Yoga and has trained with master teachers- Gabriel Halpern, Rich Logan, Carla Tantillo and Wade Gotwals. She moved one more step to her calling when she trained with Jamie Brodie (creator & founder of Cosmic Kids UK) to earn her children’s yoga certification. Melissa is one of the first original three U.S. yoga instructors who was certified in the first ever Cosmic Kids teacher training held in the United States.

Melissa has traveled extensively throughout the globe and has participated/organized charity projects in at-risk communities in partnership with Ayuda al Planeta (Guatemala), Hogar Sucre Orphanage (Bolivia), Children’s Memorial Hospital (U.S.), and Humana People to People (U.S.). She currently works with I Grow Chicago, an organization promoting arts, health & wellness in the Englewood area. She is also an honorary Board Member of SwaziKids International based out of Chicago, IL. Melissa has traveled to and lived in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Jordan, Mexico and Thailand.

A few thoughts from Melissa: My favorite mantra is ,“Be filled with wonder, Be touched by Peace.” …this balance of creativity, adventure and activity, in combination with mindfulness, appreciation, self-care, and breath are what I strive for in life and what my classes encompass.