Melissa Smith

Melissa Smith, M.A., LMHC, is a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 educator specialising in Yoga Therapeutics, Restorative and Sustainable Yoga, and mindfulness. She is an international retreat coordinator, a trauma-informed teacher and an advocate for caregivers supporting those with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Her teaching is slow, precise and supportive. You will work with functional movement and strength, grounded in sound biomechanics and simple yogic philosophy. Expect space for deep rest. Melissa invites you to listen closely to your body and to let intuition guide your practice. She is experienced with injuries, ageing and special conditions, and welcomes complete beginners through to long-time practitioners.

More about Melissa

With more than 30 years in health and wellness, Melissa credits teachers including Leeann Carey, Jules Mitchell, Stephanie Adams, Nicolai Bachman, Donna Farhi, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Lance Schuler and her first mentor, Carie Garrett.

Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she teaches classes and bespoke retreats at Pranava Yoga Studio, and is a licensed psychotherapist (LMHC) focused on life transitions, grief and trauma modalities.

Melissa will guide mindful, steady sessions that combine traditional asana, somatic movement, mantra, restorative shapes and meditation. The aim is simple: to feel embodied, awake and at ease in body, mind and spirit. On some evenings, there will be gentle therapeutic Thai Yoga Massage, nurturing restorative practice and quiet Yoga Nidra.

What you will experience with Melissa

• Functional, sustainable movement with clear alignment
• Options for injuries, ageing and special conditions
• Restorative practice and guided relaxation for deep rest
• Somatic inquiry, mantra and simple meditation
• Occasional therapeutic Thai Yoga Massage and Yoga Nidra in the evening