i am…

melissa middlebrook. yoga + meditation teacher.

Melissa took her first yoga class when she was 16 years old, but it wasn't until nearly 10 years later that she was drawn more intensely to yoga to alleviate low back pain, increase flexibility, and utilize alternative tools to help with anxiety. As a busy graduate student in both social work and public health at UGA, Melissa would often overlook making time for herself, so it was then that she made a promise to practice yoga in some way every day as a way to check in with herself in that present moment. Her time on the mat quickly became much more than just a physical practice.

As her love for the practice grew, she knew it was something that she wanted to share with the world. In November 2015, Melissa completed her 200 hour training with Lexi Paulos and Mary Glackmeyer at Longwave Yoga in Wilmington. She has also completed Level 1 Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery teacher training through the Veterans Yoga Project and Yoga For Trauma Training with David Emerson. Melissa believes that all humans are created whole, but that as we navigate through life and its challenges, we tend to lose sight of the unique, whole light within ourselves. The yoga practice and philosophy helps us to stay present in our own minds and bodies in order to connect with our highest Self.

Melissa brings the idea that all beings in their infinite potential have the right to radical self love, health, and happiness in their own authentic way. Her mission is to encourage you through the yoga practice and philosophy to authentically discover and follow your inner light and teacher.