Melissa Spamer, E-RYT 500, CMT, has been practicing yoga for seventeen years. She completed her first certification to teach yoga in 1997, and has been consistently teaching yoga for twelve years. She has completed more than six teacher training since then. In 2005, Melissa completed her 500 hour teaching certification with the International Yoga College, specializing in Yoga and Conflict Transformation, under the guidance of Rama Jyoti Vernon. In 2009, Melissa completed a second 500 hour certification with Shiva Rea’s Samudra Global School of Living Yoga, in Prana Vinyasa Flow.

Her approach to yoga is very organic and weaves together a rich tapestry of inspired teachings from such celebrated teachers as Angela Farmer, Victor Van Kooten, Rama Jyoti Vernon, Shiva Rea, Kali Ray and the students of Desikachar. Her practice is continually evolving, always becoming more Alive in Spirit and Form. She feels incredibly blessed to be carrying the light of yoga beside so many radiant beings in this great ocean of Awakening.

Melissa is also a graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute and offers ayurvedic consultations, workshops and integrates ayurvedic principles into her teaching of hatha yoga.

Melissa is a certified massage therapist and credits the majority of her knowledge of the energetic and physical body to her ten years of hands on healing around the globe. She has completed her professional certification from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts and has trained in a range of modalities including, myofascial release, reflexology, deep tissue therapy, and craniosacral therapy. Melissa completed a one year internship studying acupressure therapy and incorporates the energetic philosophy of East Asia in all of her treatments. She has traveled to Thailand several times and is certified in Thai Massage.

She has a graduate certificate in Holistic Health Care from Western Michigan University, with an emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy. She has co-facilitated groups and retreats incorporating a full range of therapeutic processes to help unveil the truth of the soul’s yearning for engagement.

Melissa has lived and traveled in Asia, Africa and Europe, and recently spent three years living in Bali, certifying eight Balinese yoga teachers with Yoga Alliance standards. She currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What others have said about Melissa's teaching...

"You are a teacher to me of many things - inspiration, yoga, loving my body - but most of all by how you live. Your willingness to go deeper, to sustain discipline, to live what you speak, all teach of the beauty and radiance one carries when they are doing what they love."

- Pamela Poley, Therapist/Group Leader

"I extend gratitude to you for creating a space in which I was able to travel deeply within as I explored the practice of yoga under your guidance. Your words are poetic and powerful. Your excitement and love for the practice is inspirational. I was able to hear your words all the way through my being and this allowed me to work honestly towards healing, growth, and strength. It has also encouraged me to live my own practice as it evolves and unfurls towards the light."

- Gina Greene, Momma and Yoga Instructor