Bay Area Yoga Teacher Highlight: Melissa Beasley.
Name: Melissa Beasley.
City (or Neighborhood): Sonoma, CA.
Practice with me at: Regularly at The Lodge at Sonoma and Parkpoint Health Club. I also sub classes at Yoga Community, Sonoma Yoga Privates, and two addiction treatment centers.
How long I’ve been practicing yoga: 8 years.
How long I’ve been teaching yoga: 3 years.
What kind of yoga I teach: A combination of Raja, Hatha, and Sattva from the Himalayan tradition. My classes have evolved into a gentle flow style.
My mantra these days: Lead with love. It’s a reminder to be loving in all thoughts and actions I take toward myself and others. I want love to be the driving force in my life, with my heart leading the way.
A posture that has been resonating with me lately is: Anything restorative. Legs up the wall and supported backbends are my favorites.
How I like to practice yoga off the mat: This is such an important piece of a holistic yoga practice, so we can integrate yogic teachings into our daily lives. I'm always looking for a lesson or opportunity for growth in every situation, and letting each moment be my teacher. Also, not taking anything personally, as we're all on our own unique path. One of my favorite quotes is “Life doesn't happen to you, life happens for you.” That has been a powerful reminder for me in allowing life to flow naturally with acceptance and grace.
Favorite way to celebrate the summer: Being close to nature and sitting outside in the evenings. Anything near water is especially calming in warmer months.
My sign: Aries sun, Aries moon, Libra rising.
The last book I read was: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer.
Favorite local juice/tea spot: El Huerto in Sonoma.
Where I go for a nourishing meal: The Green Grocer food truck at the Sonoma Friday Farmer's Market. Their macro bowl is my favorite.
What’s on your yoga playlist right now: The Resonance Meditation album by Chakra Chorus. It's calming and uplifting.
A few of my favorite yoga teachers are: Lisa Willett, Barbra Brady, and Anand Mehrotra.
A ritual I love: So many, but having tea before bedtime is one of my favorites.
What I am letting go of this year: Old patterns of thinking so I can invite a new path forward.
What I am embracing this year: Deepening my spiritual practice and strengthening my connection to my heart and breath. Listening more intently. Letting everything move through me, so I can be an open channel to whatever comes my way.
My website: www.melissabeasley.com.
My Instagram: @melissajbeasley.
