Yoga found Melissa at the age of 12, while growing up in NYC, as a mode of healing for severe asthma and a weak immune system. Melissa, at this point in her life, was quite used to feeling unwell. Through her first teacher, her mother, and her subsequent teachers, she learned pranayama, kriya and Ayurveda techniques to improve her lung capacity and vitality. Growing up in the Vivekenanda Kendra tradition and now continuing her studies in the Viniyoga tradition under the lineage of Mr. Desikachar, and is in process of completing her IAYT 1000HR Professional Yoga Therapist certification. Melissa continues to feel the significance of upholding the culture and teachings of yoga as it applies therapeutically. Currently, she lives in Nashville, where she works to make yoga accessible to the individual through yoga therapy and mantra, and utilizes her background in public health to integrate yoga into clinical settings. She is passionate about bringing yoga and Ayurveda back to its roots, and reclaiming what has been lost in the westernization of yoga.

Rina Deshpande is a teacher, writer, and researcher of yoga and mindfulness. She’s an author for Self Magazine, Yoga Journal magazine, Somina, and more. Follow her work at rinadeshpande.com and @rinathepoet on Instagram.