What inspires you to teach yoga? Smiles. A student’s smile of accomplishment as they master a new pose. The gentle smile of relaxation as I massage a student’s temples during Savasana. The smile of recognition as a student returns to my class. The smile I feel both externally and internally at the end of each class as I am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for my students.
What is your current favorite pose? Anything that turns me upside down! It reminds my mind and body of the youthful joy I experienced as a child. I also love the feeling of strength and power that flows through me as my legs shoot towards the sky and I balance on only my arms, hands, head, or some combination of all three.
What is your teaching history? In 2008, on a spontaneous whim, I signed up for a teacher training at a brand new studio near my house in Chicago. Through the training, I found myself and found my voice as a teacher. After I completed my 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified training, I taught privately at my home and at stores and boutiques around Chicago. After I moved to Asheville in March 2009 I started teaching classes at Asheville Yoga Center. I also continue to take on private students.
What is a favorite inspirational quote? It is a tie between “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” – Author unknown AND “On bended knee is no way to be free.” – Eddie Vedder
Where and when do you teach? Asheville Yoga Center, Sundays at 5:45pm HOT Baptiste Power Yoga Level 1&2
The quick list
Birthdate: June 2nd
Residence: East Asheville
Family: My husband, Mark, my four-month old little wonder, River, and our two dogs, Peyton and Tucker.
How long have you been practicing Yoga: Off-and-on for ten years… For the longest time, I wanted to love yoga. But, as a competitive athlete, I felt discouraged as my tight muscles prevented me from mastering many of the more advanced Hatha poses that require a good deal of flexibility. When I discovered Vinyasa Yoga (power flow yoga) I was ecstatic to find a practice that blended strength, flexibility and rigorous movement.
Most Challenging Pose: Camel
Three words that best describe you: Compassionate, committed and curious
What’s in your cd player? The soundtrack to “Into the Wild”
What are you reading now? The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
Favorite Scent: Lavender and orange
Toothpaste: Anything that promises to make my teeth “Two shades Whiter!!” I am a little obsessive about white teeth.
Soap: Baby Hugo Naturals Shea Butter and Chamomile Shampoo and Baby Wash
Favorite Meal: The veggie burger at Posana Cafe, Asheville.
Last movie you watched: The Hangover. So funny!
What is your favorite word? Bhujangasana. I love the way my mouth feels when I say it…AND so does River. Every time I say it I am guaranteed a huge, toothless grin. Really can’t beat that.
What is your least favorite word? Any word that was created with the intent to hurt, embarrass, or belittle another person.
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Selfishness
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Realizing that anything is possible and that dreams are just unexplored possibilities.
Melissa Bertenthal- Ramirez first came to her mat as a student at Brown University. An active athlete here entire life, she sought out yoga as a counterbalance to the intense strain that years of running had done to her body. Ever the explorer, Melissa has dabbled in many different forms of yoga including Hatha, Iyengar, Forest, Ashtanga, and Bikram. However, it was not until Melissa found herself, three years ago, in a Baptiste studio, that she felt truly at home on her mat. Ironically, it took this intense form of power Vinyasa yoga to help Melissa finally embrace yoga as a practice done both on and off the mat.
As a teacher, Melissa tries to cultivate this same understanding in her students and incorporates themes from the Sutras, karma yoga, and good ‘ole life to help her students achieve the ultimate expression of their asanas, whether in the class or on the street. She welcomes students of all levels and only asks that you bring a flexible mind to class. Having moved to Asheville in March 2009, Melissa looks forward to meeting you and sharing her passion for Baptise Yoga with the Asheville Yoga Center community.
For a complete list of teachers and classes at The Asheville Yoga Center click here.
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How awesome is MC Yogi? Seriously. Devotional hip-hop to give you the warm-fuzzies. Doesn’t hurt that his consorts are the likes of, well, the ever-radiant Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das and so many other warm-fuzzy inducing, brilliant and talented individuals.
