About Melissa

Her Story

Melissa Hawkins has been working with young children for 16+ years with over 9 years of experience as a kindergarten teacher in the public schools. As a practicing yogini for the past 12 years and a registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance, she works to share yoga as a tool for educators, parents and children. She believes that mindfulness combined with movement helps lay the foundation for a lifetime of success. Melissa’s yoga classes playfully weave mind, body, and community with music and interactive storytelling while conveying lessons in self-expression, body image, social skills, positive thinking, and environmental awareness.

Through her own personal practice Melissa has found yoga to be an anchor to the present moment. “Yoga helps me to stay flexible in my mind and body. It also keeps me focused and fully engaged, on and off the mat. In truth, life has not always comfortable or easy but yoga continues to help me overcome challenges while highlighting the beauty in seemingly mundane, and ordinary moments. Yoga is like the cherry on top of my ice cream, lol! It makes life a little sweeter.” When Melissa is not teaching you might find her dancing in the kitchen; “I just love culinary adventures!” She also enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, hiking, traveling, and lounging in hammocks.