“I have been practicing Yoga with Melissa as my teacher/mentor now for a few years. Over the time I have been attending and learning from Melissa I have found her classes to be very effective in working with learning at your own pace, options provided for where you are at right now depending on what’s happening in your body and maybe your mind. Continual growth in “feeling into and understanding” your practice are key elements in what I have learned as I have been with her longer. Not always is pushing into poses the best way but working out what and how your body is best in a pose is a wonderful kind way to do Yoga that Melissa promotes. As a teacher I value that Melissa is able to work with all levels and bodies to give us, her students a great Yoga experience. Kindly and mindfully she is always in tune with her class and individual pupils, getting us to be in the “now” with the experience while maintaining breathing and carefully moving our bodies to the levels we are ready for. The longer I am in Melissa’s classes the more value I gain. She is a wonderful teacher with an awesome personality that cares for us all I feel.”
~ Kathy Guard
“I have been attending Melissa’s Yoga classes for over three years now and I find the pace and delivery perfect. Melissa’s calm tone and instructional technique is spot on. I leave the class feeling very refreshed and relaxed and have found the video sequence (which she recently introduced) helpful in enabling me to keep up my practice in the holiday breaks. I can thoroughly recommend these classes for all levels and ages.”
~ Jill McChesney
“Melissa is so warm, welcoming and down to earth! I have been attending classes with Melissa from 2014. The experience has been amazing and has helped me to negotiate life in a more grounded way….for that thank you many times over Melissa! I love how Melissa encourages you to operate at the level that your body needs to. There is no sense of having to “be the best”. Classes are friendly and unpretentious. Melissa is supportive and encouraging and helps you to master positions with gentle guidance. There is always a smile ready and waiting at the end of each class! Melissa you are the best!!
~ Michelle Ramsay
“Melissa has helped me to transform my life after having an awful time going through breast cancer treatments for 18 months. It left me unsure of my ability to move through each day and exercise. I have learnt to trust in my body, how to use my breath to help ease movements that otherwise I would not be able to do without tension and pain. The knowledge I have gained will help me through future surgeries and has provided me with tools to get back to optimum health at a much faster rate.”
~ Sarah McKelvey
“As a mother and daughter team joining Melissa’s Beginner’s Yoga Course, we were inspired and uplifted, and healthily stretched! Melissa facilitated the classes in a skilful but gentle way enabling us to learn to create a fluid, intuitive relationship with our bodies whilst practising basic Yoga positions.”
~ Sara Mertens
“We started with Melissa in the Winter of 2017 and have been to the Beginners Course, Restorative Yoga and now attend Level One Courses. We find Melissa to be a very good instructor – showing technique well – explaining the different ways to achieve the same result – Melissa asks you to understand your body and work with what feels best for your own body – personally correcting your technique if and when required while still keeping the class going. The benefits have been amazing, including increased flexibility, and a sense of balance and relaxation. Fantastic instructor!”
~ Maggie Cotter and Jenny Rose
” I can honestly say I have learned more in the past 9 weeks of doing the Beginners Course with Melissa then I have in the last 9 years of doing Yoga. The most important thing I learned was not to push it. In my past experiences of Yoga I never learned that one simple, priceless piece of advice. My body has felt fantastic and everything felt like it was working properly and in harmony. You are a fantastic instructor and have an awesome environment to teach in. I have a renewed love for Yoga and a much better understanding of what it is. Anyways, just wanted to say thanks! You’re an awesome individual!”
~ Jeanette Adriatico
“The Beginners Course with Melissa was fantastic!
My wife says, I float through the door on Tuesday evenings and that I am so much more relaxed having Yoga in my week.”
~ Matt Rowley
“Manaia is a space of safety, sanctuary, deep relaxation and consequent growth and replenishment. Become acquainted with your body and the wisdom it holds through Yoga classes and bodywork with Melissa.”
~ Jill Montgomery
“Melissa is a wonderful teacher who makes you feel very comfortable in her classes.”
~ Kelsey Lehane
“A wonderful experience which helps bring more balance to my busy life. Thank you for your easy going approach to teaching. I always feel relaxed and comfortable in every class.”
~ Alana Young
“Melissa is a very knowledgeable and took the time to help everyone individually if they were struggling with anything. You helped me a lot with my back… more than any chiropractor or physio has in regards to keeping it healthy long term. Melissa is a warm, calm and respectful teacher who has inspired me to continue with regular yoga practice both at home and at Manaia. The beginners course has been a perfect reintroduction to Yoga for me after many, many years! I recommend it whole-heartedly.”
~ Nicola Surtees
“Great teaching and explanation behind movements and theory of Yoga.”
~ Elaine Minson
“I have really enjoyed the Beginners Yoga course as my first experience of Yoga. Melissa is clear, informative and patient with students. I have enjoyed the background information on Yoga principles she imparts.”
~ Adrienne Findlay.
“Space is warm and welcoming, as is Melissa. Lovely to meet women from the area. Melissa’s style of teaching Yoga fundamentals has been gentle, well explained and demonstrated.”
~ Laurel MacDonald.
“Can now find inner peace. When focused, easily able to relax and clear the mind of all the bullshit in life.”
~ Bill Toomey
“Manaia was a very welcoming place to come in to. I loved the sense of calm and peace that you create there, and I immediately relaxed into the atmosphere. My first session ended and I drove home with an amazing sense of peaceful happiness – that I was doing something that was really, really good and worthwhile for myself. Which surprised me. I didn’t expect to have such a strong feeling about it.”
~ Janine Taylor
“I’ve found it to be non-scary – in the past have been reluctant to attempt Yoga, but this Beginners Course was great!”
~ Calie Cron
“Your classes are a great source of peace in a busy life.”
~ Maree Davis
“Melissa eased us into the practice of Yoga, focusing on movements and correct postures for the body, as well as the background and true purpose of Yoga. An all round informative course.”
~ Rosie O’Connell
“I decided 2017 was going to be the year I tried new things so I committed to the 8 week Beginners Course with Melissa. I thoroughly enjoyed every class, coming away feeling calm and peaceful. Melissa is a fantastic instructor, very attentive and encouraging. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this to anyone who wanted to give Yoga a go.”
~ Natasha Tickner
“Melissa’s warmth, humour, respect… a wonderful teacher. Yoga knowledge and passion. 10+”
~ Nicola Surtees
“I am really enjoying your classes… they are a very positive and a welcome interlude at a very stressful time. I have battled anxiety/depression for a long time and have done everything in my power to overcome my difficulties. Exercise is important to me, running is my place of freedom but Yoga has now become a part of my routine and I think is the one that will sustain, balance and calm me and help me find a place to go when I need to affirm my actions. What surprises me is that I have always had to work at things but Yoga with you felt right from the very first class.”
~ Lorna-Jean
“I think I would say that it is due to your ‘easing in ‘ and gentle manner that I have continued. You don’t let anybody have difficulty and always offer a more comfortable alternative. This is really good for older folk ! I have noticed a big difference in my legs as they were stiff and sore at night and even crossing my legs was uncomfortable. I thought playing badminton would help this but unfortunately not and it was the Yoga that removed the stiffness.”
~ Frances Hay
“I decided to try Yoga to help with my posture and some strengthening and was recommended Manaia Yoga and Wellbeing by a friend. The Beginners Classes are great fun and not only has my posture improved, I am a lot me flexible than I thought I was. I’ve also meet some lovely people as well. Yoga has also aided me with better sleep and some techniques to relax when times are a little busy or stressful. Melissa is a great instructor and makes every level of ability feel involved and capable. I would recommend Manaia Yoga and Wellbeing and will definitely be continuing with Yoga in the level 1 class.”
~ Lyn Hawkins
“Having dabbled in Yoga and Pilates for many years- I took the plunge to begin at the beginning of a Yoga Beginners Course. Melissa your quiet approach was initially different but on completing the course I have found this approach, really makes me think about my body and its position- neck in relation to body, – movement from ones center, -yielding, just to name a few. All of the above mentioned adds to a renewed lightness in my step, which continues to all parts of my life (well most of the time!) I am so much more aware of my body. Thank you Melissa.”
~ Di Wallace
“Thanks Melissa for a wonderful introduction to Yoga. I looked forward to your class each week and came away feeling relaxed, stretched and strong. Your approach to teaching is caring and informative… I’m looking forward to the next level!”
~ Keryn McLellan
“I think you strike a good balance of teaching and giving feedback and help, as well as allowing students space and time to practice their Yoga postures. You have a lovely warm manner, communicate really clearly and always create a welcoming harmonious environment to practise in. Awesome! Thank you.”
Janine Taylor
“You are a great teacher and very motivating.”
“A relaxed yet supportive environment where you learn how to listen to your body.”
“The course has given me a better mind and body awareness and I feel huge improvements in myself. The course is taught in a calm, focused, patient and gentle way.”
“The breathing techniques have given me a sense of calmness and balance.”
“It’s been such a calming experience. Couldn’t fault it if I tried.”
“The Beginners Course is a great introduction to Yoga. Melissa gives clear instructions and advice and I have no hesitation in recommending this Course.”
“The instructions, moves and respect Melissa shared allowed me to reconnect with my body and spirit.”
“It is a great course taught by a patient teacher who makes it enjoyable. Also a great way to meet new people and learn a new set of skills that help in life in general and give you quality me-time!”
“Felt at ease as I was introduced to Yoga. Pleasant atmosphere, friendly, calm, wonderful teaching – thank you!”
“More educational than expected. A pleasant surprise!”